Printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printer which can inhibit a medium from being caught in an air outlet.SOLUTION: A printer includes: a transport section which transports a medium 2 in a transport direction; a print section which makes prints by causing an ink to adhere to the medium 2; and a blower 14 which has an air outlet 37 and blows air from the air outlet 37 to the medium 2 to which the ink is adhered. In the air outlet 37, a guide member 34 is disposed at the downstream side in an air blowing direction. A third end 43 facing the medium 2 of ends of the guide member 34 extends along the transport direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus provided with a blower device. [Background Art]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is known a printing apparatus including a blower device that blows dry air flow for drying ink onto a medium onto which ink has been ejected. The blower device is formed with a blowing opening that opens toward the medium conveyed along a predetermined conveyance path, and air is blown onto the medium from this blowing opening. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-215428 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] However, in the printing apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the leading end of the conveyed medium may separate from the conveyance path and float. If the leading end of the medium floats in the vicinity of the blower device, the leading end of the medium may catch on the blowing opening, resulting in a situation where the medium cannot be conveyed normally. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0005] The printing apparatus includes: a conveyance unit that conveys a medium in a conveyance direction; a printing unit that performs printing by causing liquid to adhere to the medium; and a blower device that has a blowing opening and blows air from the blowing opening onto the medium to which the liquid has adhered. A guide member is disposed on the downstream side of the blowing opening in the blowing direction, and an end portion of the guide member facing the medium extends along the conveyance direction. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] A schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] An enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the blower device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] A perspective view of the blower device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] An enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the blower device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] An enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a modified blower device. [Figure 6] An enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a modified blower device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] 1. First Embodiment The printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is an inkjet printer that prints images such as characters and photographs on a medium 2, such as a sheet of paper being transported, by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto the medium 2.

[0008] In all figures except Figure 3, the X, Y, and Z axes intersect each other. Specifically, the X, Y, and Z axes are orthogonal to each other. The X axis is parallel to the mounting surface of the printing device 1 and corresponds to the width direction of the printing device 1 as well as the width direction of the media 2. The Y axis is parallel to the mounting surface of the printing device 1 and corresponds to the depth direction of the printing device 1. The Z axis is perpendicular to the mounting surface of the printing device 1 and corresponds to the height direction of the printing device 1.

[0009] Hereafter, the +Y direction parallel to the Y-axis is the direction in which the medium 2 is transported in the printing unit 13 that ejects ink, and the -Y direction parallel to the Y-axis is the opposite direction to the +Y direction. The +X direction parallel to the X-axis is the direction from front to back when the transport direction is to the left, and the -X direction parallel to the X-axis is the opposite direction to the +X direction. The +Z direction parallel to the Z-axis is the direction upward. The -Z direction parallel to the Z-axis is the opposite direction to the +Z direction and is the direction in which the printing unit 13 ejects ink. In this specification, viewing from a direction along the X-axis is referred to as a side view.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the printing apparatus 1. As shown in Figure 1, the printing apparatus 1 comprises three support sections 11a, 11b, and 11c, a transport section 12, a printing section 13, and a blower 14.

[0011] The support parts 11a, 11b, and 11c are members that support a long medium 2 being transported in the transport direction, and the medium 2 is transported along the surfaces of the support parts 11a, 11b, and 11c. In other words, the transport direction in this embodiment is the direction along the surfaces of the support parts 11a, 11b, and 11c and intersects the X-axis. The support parts 11a, 11b, and 11c are fixed to a frame (not shown) or the like that supports the entire printing device 1.

[0012] Support portion 11a supports the portion of the medium 2 upstream in the transport direction from the portion facing the printing portion 13. Support portion 11a often supports the portion before printing is performed by the printing portion 13. Support portion 11b is located downstream of support portion 11a in the transport direction and is positioned in the -Z direction of the printing portion 13, and supports the portion of the medium 2 that is being printed by the printing portion 13. The +Z side surface of support portion 11b is approximately horizontal, and the medium 2 is transported along the surface of support portion 11b in the +Y direction. Support portion 11c is located downstream of support portion 11b in the transport direction and supports the portion of the medium 2 downstream in the transport direction from the portion facing the printing portion 13. Support portion 11c often supports the portion after printing has been performed by the printing portion 13. Support portion 11c is an example of a medium support portion. Although the diagram shows the medium 2 separated from the support parts 11a, 11b, and 11c, the medium 2 is in contact with the support parts 11a, 11b, and 11c and is transported by sliding along the surfaces of the support parts 11a, 11b, and 11c. In other words, the surfaces of the support parts 11a, 11b, and 11c constitute the transport path for the medium 2.

[0013] The conveying unit 12 conveys the medium 2 in the conveying direction. The conveying unit 12 comprises a dispensing shaft 21, conveying rollers 22, and a winding shaft 23. The conveying unit 12 may have multiple conveying rollers 22. The dispensing shaft 21 and the winding shaft 23 are rod-shaped members extending along the X-axis and are supported at both ends in the ±X direction by a frame or the like (not shown). The dispensing shaft 21 and the winding shaft 23 rotatably support a roll in which a long length of medium 2 is wound into a cylindrical shape.

[0014] The dispensing shaft 21 is located upstream of the conveying roller 22 in the conveying direction. By rotating, the dispensing shaft 21 unwinds and dispenses the wound medium 2. The conveying roller 22, driven by a drive mechanism (not shown), conveys the dispensed medium 2 along the support sections 11a, 11b, and 11c. The winding shaft 23 is located downstream of the conveying roller 22 in the conveying direction. The winding shaft 23 winds up the conveyed medium 2.

[0015] The printing unit 13 performs printing by adhering ink onto a medium 2. The printing unit 13 of the present embodiment is a serial type that performs printing while moving in the ±X direction, which is the width direction of the medium 2. The printing unit 13 may alternatively be configured as a line type provided across the entire width direction of the medium 2.

[0016] The printing unit 13 includes an ejection head 25, a carriage 26, and a guide shaft 27. A plurality of nozzles 28 that eject ink are formed in the ejection head 25. The guide shaft 27 is a rod-shaped member extending along the X-axis, and is supported by a frame (not shown) or the like at both ends in the ±X direction. The guide shaft 27 guides the movement of the carriage 26. The carriage 26 holds the ejection head 25, and reciprocates the ejection head 25 in the ±X direction along the guide shaft 27 by driving of a drive mechanism (not shown). The ejection head 25 performs printing on the medium 2 by ejecting ink toward the medium 2 while moving.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the winding shaft 23 is located in the +Y direction from the printing unit 13 and in the -Z direction. For this reason, the support portion 11c is disposed inclined from the downstream side of the support portion 11b toward the winding shaft 23 to guide the medium 2 printed by the printing unit 13 to the winding shaft 23. In other words, the medium 2 printed by the printing unit 13 is conveyed along the support portion 11c in an oblique direction having a +Y component and a -Z component, and then wound up by the winding shaft 23.

[0018] Hereinafter, a coordinate axis intersecting the X-axis and along the inclination direction of the support portion 11c is defined as the U-axis, and a coordinate axis intersecting the X-axis and the U-axis is defined as the V-axis. Specifically, the X-axis, the U-axis, and the V-axis are orthogonal to each other. Among directions parallel to the U-axis, the conveyance direction of the medium 2 conveyed along the surface of the support portion 11c is defined as the +U direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the -U direction. Further, among directions parallel to the V-axis, the direction in which the medium 2 is located when viewed from the support portion 11c is defined as the +V direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the -V direction.

[0019] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the blower 14 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the blower 14. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the blower 14 is disposed at a position facing the support portion 11c with the medium 2 interposed therebetween. The blower 14 is supported by a frame or the like (not shown). The blower 14 dries ink adhered to the medium 2 by blowing air toward the medium 2 after printing, that is, the medium 2 conveyed onto the support portion 11c and supported by the support portion 11c. The blower 14 has an elongated shape along the X-axis so that air can be blown over the entire widthwise region of the medium 2. The blower 14 includes a flow path member 31, a blower fan 32, a heating portion 33, and a guide member 34.

[0020] The flow path member 31 is a member that forms an air flow path 35, and is formed of, for example, a metal plate-shaped member. Further, the flow path member 31 forms, at both ends of the flow path 35, an air supply port 36 through which air is sucked in from the outside, and an air blowing port 37 through which air is sent out to the outside. That is, the blower 14 has the air supply port 36 and the air blowing port 37, sucks air from the air supply port 36, and blows air from the air blowing port 37 toward the medium 2 to which ink has adhered. In the present embodiment, both the air supply port 36 and the air blowing port 37 open in the -U direction.

[0021] The flow path member 31 includes a first member 31a, a second member 31b, and a third member 31c. The first member 31a and the second member 31b are flat plate-shaped members disposed in a posture along the surface of the support portion 11c. The first member 31a is disposed on a side closer to the support portion 11c than the second member 31b, that is, on the -V side, and faces the medium 2 supported by the support portion 11c. An end portion of the second member 31b in the +U direction is connected to one end of the third member 31c. The third member 31c is a substantially U-shaped member that bends with the +U direction as a convex side, and bends the flow path 35 along the shape thereof. The third member 31c bends so as to surround the +U direction end of the first member 31a, and the other end of the third member 31c reaches a position on the -V side closer to the support portion 11c than the first member 31a.

[0022] A fourth member 31d (see Figure 3), aligned with the UV plane, is connected to the -X ends of the first member 31a, the second member 31b, and the third member 31c, and a fifth member 31e (see Figure 3), aligned with the UV plane, is connected to the +X ends of the first member 31a, the second member 31b, and the third member 31c. An air intake port 36 is formed by the -U ends of the first member 31a, the second member 31b, the fourth member 31d, and the fifth member 31e. A filter 38 is placed in the air intake port 36 to prevent the intake of foreign matter such as dust. In addition, an air outlet 37 is formed on the -V side of the first member 31a by the first member 31a, the third member 31c, the fourth member 31d, and the fifth member 31e. The air outlet 37 is located in the +U direction and in the -V direction, relative to the air intake port 36. Furthermore, the first member 31a, second member 31b, third member 31c, fourth member 31d, and fifth member 31e may be formed integrally with multiple other members.

[0023] The blower fan 32 is positioned within the flow path 35 and rotates under the drive of a motor (not shown) or the like, generating airflow within the flow path 35. When the blower fan 32 rotates and generates airflow, outside air is drawn in from the air intake 36, as shown by the dashed line in the figure, and the drawn-in air moves in the +U direction. Subsequently, the drawn-in air is rotated 180° along the third member 31c and discharged from the air outlet 37 in the -U direction. This provides airflow to the medium 2. The blower fan 32 can be composed of, for example, a propeller fan, a sirocco fan, or a turbo fan. Alternatively, a configuration in which multiple blower fans 32 are arranged along the X-axis is also possible.

[0024] The heating unit 33 is located within the flow path 35. Specifically, the heating unit 33 is located upstream of the air outlet 37 in the airflow direction and downstream of the blower fan 32 in the airflow direction. The heating unit 33 is composed of a long heating element such as a heater tube. The heating unit 33 extends along the X-axis and heats the air in the flow path 35. By heating the air in the flow path with the heating unit 33, the air blown from the air outlet 37 becomes hotter than the air drawn in from the air intake 36. The heating element constituting the heating unit 33 is not limited to a heater tube, but may be composed of an electric heating wire, a heat source lamp, etc. Furthermore, the heating unit 33 is not limited to a configuration consisting of a single long heating element, but may be composed of multiple heating elements arranged along the X-axis. Also, the heating unit 33 may be located upstream of the blower fan 32 in the airflow direction. The inner surface of the flow path member 31 is preferably made of an insulating material.

[0025] Multiple guide members 34 are arranged on the outside of the air outlet 37, i.e., on the -U side which is downstream in the direction of airflow. The guide members 34 are made of resin such as plastic or rubber, and are plate-shaped members with a substantially right-angled triangular shape when viewed from the side. The orientation of the guide members 34 is along the UV plane, and multiple guide members 34 of substantially the same shape are arranged along the X axis in substantially the same orientation at the air outlet 37 (see Figure 3). Therefore, the air discharged from the air outlet 37 is blown onto the medium 2 through the gaps between the guide members 34. Note that the shape and orientation of all guide members 34 are not limited to the same configuration; for example, at least one of the shape and orientation may differ depending on the position in the X-axis direction.

[0026] The guide member 34 has three ends corresponding to each side of a right triangle. Specifically, the guide member 34 has a first end 41 extending along the U-axis, a second end 42 extending along the V-axis and approximately perpendicular to the first end 41, and a third end 43 corresponding to the hypotenuse of the right triangle.

[0027] The first end 41 is the end facing the surface of the first member 31a that faces the medium 2, i.e., the outer surface of the first member 31a, and is connected to the outer surface of the first member 31a. The second end 42 is the end facing the air outlet 37 and extends along the V axis, crossing the air outlet 37, from the first member 31a to the -U direction end of the third member 31c. The third end 43 is the end facing the medium 2 supported by the support portion 11c and extends along the transport direction of the medium 2. Specifically, the third end 43 is composed of an edge connecting the -U direction tip of the first end 41 and the -V direction tip of the second end 42, and extends diagonally with respect to the U axis and the V axis. More specifically, the third end 43 is inclined to approach the support portion 11c and the medium 2 as it moves toward the transport direction, the +U direction. In other words, on the third end portion 43, of any two portions spaced apart in the conveying direction, the distance between the first portion located upstream in the conveying direction and the support portion 11c is longer than the distance between the second portion located downstream in the conveying direction and the support portion 11c. The third end portion 43 is an example of an "end portion facing the medium".

[0028] In the printing apparatus 1 described above, even if the leading edge of the medium 2 being transported on the support section 11c unintentionally lifts off the support section 11c, the leading edge will come into contact with the third end 43 of the guide member 34 and will not enter the air outlet 37. Furthermore, since this third end 43 extends along the transport direction, the leading edge of the medium 2 that comes into contact with the guide member 34 is guided by the guide member 34 in its original transport direction. Moreover, since the third end 43 of the guide member 34 is closer to the support section 11c on the downstream side in the transport direction, it guides the leading edge of the medium 2 toward the support section 11c.

[0029] As described above, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment provides the following advantages.

[0030] According to this embodiment, a guide member 34 is provided downstream of the air outlet 37 that blows air onto the medium 2, and the third end 43 of the guide member 34 that faces the medium 2 extends along the transport direction of the medium 2. Therefore, even if the leading edge of the printed medium 2 deviates from its original transport path and approaches the air outlet 37, the medium 2 is guided back to its original transport direction by the guide member 34. This prevents the medium 2 from getting caught in the air outlet 37 and hindering normal transport. Furthermore, since the medium 2 will not get caught in the air outlet 37, it becomes possible to position the blower 14 closer to the medium 2. As a result, the medium 2 can be dried efficiently.

[0031] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since multiple guide members 34 are arranged along the X-axis downstream of the air outlet 37, the snagging of the medium 2 into the air outlet 37 can be further suppressed. In addition, since the airflow of the air discharged from the air outlet 37 is regulated by the multiple guide members 34, efficient airflow becomes possible.

[0032] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the third end portion 43 of the guide member 34 facing the medium 2 is inclined to approach the support portion 11c as it moves downstream in the conveying direction of the medium 2. This makes it possible to return the medium 2, which is moving away from the support portion 11c and towards the air outlet 37, back to the support portion 11c.

[0033] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the blower 14 blows air heated by the heating unit 33 onto the medium 2, thereby efficiently drying the medium 2 on which the ink has been ejected.

[0034] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the heating unit 33 is positioned downstream of the blower fan 32, damage to the blower fan 32 due to the heat generated by the heating unit 33 can be suppressed.

[0035] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the guide member 34 is made of resin, which is a material with relatively low thermal conductivity, even if the vicinity of the air outlet 37 becomes hot due to the heat generated by the heating unit 33, the temperature rise of the guide member 34 itself can be suppressed. As a result, when the user's finger or the tip of the medium 2 comes into contact with the guide member 34, excessive heat transfer to the finger or the medium 2 can be suppressed. Note that the guide member 34 only needs to have at least its surface made of resin, and for example, it may be a configuration in which a resin coating is applied to the surface of a metal material.

[0036] 2. Second Embodiment The printing apparatus 1 of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the blower 15 provided in the printing apparatus 1 of the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the blower 15 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it draws in outside air from an air intake port 36 formed on the +U side of the flow path member 31 and blows air in the -V direction from an air outlet 37 located on the -U side of the air intake port 36. Note that the configuration common to the first embodiment will not be described.

[0037] The flow path member 31 of this embodiment includes a first member 31a, a second member 31b, and a third member 31c, similar to the first embodiment. The first member 31a and the second member 31b are flat plate-shaped members positioned along the surface of the support portion 11c. The first member 31a is positioned closer to the support portion 11c than the second member 31b, i.e., on the -V side, and faces the medium 2 supported by the support portion 11c. The -U end of the second member 31b is connected to one end of the third member 31c. The third member 31c is a member that bends the flow path 35, and the other end of the third member 31c is located further in the -U direction than the -U end of the first member 31a.

[0038] Similar to the first embodiment, a fourth member 31d and a fifth member 31e (not shown), which are aligned with the UV plane, are connected to the ±X ends of the first member 31a, the second member 31b, and the third member 31c. An air intake port 36 is formed by the +U ends of the first member 31a, the second member 31b, the fourth member 31d, and the fifth member 31e. A filter 38 is placed in the air intake port 36 to prevent the intake of foreign matter such as dust. In addition, an air outlet 37 is formed on the -U side of the first member 31a by the first member 31a, the third member 31c, the fourth member 31d, and the fifth member 31e. In other words, the air outlet 37 is located in the -U direction more than the air intake port 36.

[0039] On the outside of the air outlet 37, i.e., on the -V side which is the downstream side in the direction of airflow, a triangular guide member 39 is positioned when viewed from the side. The orientation of the guide member 39 is along the UV plane, and multiple guide members 39 of substantially the same shape are arranged along the X axis in substantially the same orientation at the air outlet 37. The corner portion 44 corresponding to one vertex of the triangle is located in the -U direction and the -V direction relative to the air outlet 37. In other words, the guide member 39 protrudes obliquely from the air outlet 37 in a direction having a -U component and a -V component.

[0040] The guide member 39 has a first end 45, a second end 46, and a third end 47, corresponding to each side of the triangle. The first end 45 is an end formed by the side connecting the -V end of the third member 31c, which forms the air outlet 37, and the corner 44. The second end 46 is an end facing the air outlet 37 and extends along the U axis from the -V end of the third member 31c to the first member 31a, crossing the air outlet 37. The third end 47 is an end facing the medium 2 supported by the support portion 11c and extends along the transport direction of the medium 2. Specifically, the third end 47 is an end formed by the side connecting the corner 44 to the +U tip of the second end 46.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the blower 15 of this embodiment is positioned, for example, near a curved section 50 in which the transport direction curves convexly. Specifically, the curved section 50 is the position where the transport direction, which was +Y direction below the printing section 13, begins to change to +U direction along the support section 11c. In this configuration, if the medium 2 moves straight in the +Y direction without changing its transport direction at the curved section 50, the medium 2 will come into contact with the third end 47 of the guide member 39 and be guided in the original transport direction, the +U direction.

[0042] As described above, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment can also obtain the same effects as the first embodiment. The positions of the air intake port 36 and the air outlet port 37, the direction of airflow from the air outlet port 37, and the shapes of the guide members 34 and 39 are not limited to the configurations exemplified in the first and second embodiments, but are arbitrary. Furthermore, the inclination direction of the third ends 43 and 47 of the guide members 34 and 39 is not limited to the above configuration. The third ends 43 and 47 only need to be inclined in such a way that they return the medium 2, which has deviated from its original transport path and is heading towards the air outlet port 37, back to its original transport path.

[0043] Each of the above embodiments may be modified as follows.

[0044] In the embodiments described above, a configuration is shown in which a heating unit 33 for heating the air in the flow path 35 is placed inside the flow path 35, but the configuration of the blower is not limited to this. For example, as shown in the blower 16 in Figure 5, a configuration may be provided in which a heating unit 61 for heating the medium 2 is placed outside the flow path 35, i.e., outside the flow path member 31. Furthermore, a configuration may be provided with a reflector 62 in order to efficiently heat the medium 2 with the heat emitted by the heating unit 61. In this case, it is desirable that the reflector 62 be placed in the +V direction, which is the direction opposite to the direction in which the medium 2 is located relative to the heating unit 61. This allows the heat radiated from the heating unit 61 to the +V side to be reflected to the -V side where the medium 2 is located. Also, since a portion of the heat emitted by the heating unit 61 is transmitted into the flow path 35 via the first member 31a, it is also possible for the heating unit 61 to heat the air in the flow path 35, i.e., the air used to blow air onto the medium 2. In addition, although not shown in the figures, a configuration may be provided in which the heating unit 61 for heating the medium 2 is placed on the support unit 11c side. In this case, the blower 14 does not need to be equipped with heating units 33 and 61.

[0045] In the second embodiment described above, if a cutter groove 11d (see Figure 6) for cutting the medium 2 is provided in either the support portion 11b or 11c, the guide member 39 can also be provided with a function to assist in the cutting operation. The cutter groove 11d extends along the X axis, and the user can cut the medium 2 by using a commercially available cutter or the like to engage the cutter blade 3 with the cutter groove 11d on the outside of the medium 2 in the +X or -X direction, and then moving the cutter along the X axis. In the configuration shown in Figure 6, the tip of the guide member 39 is configured to be able to contact the side surface of the cutter blade 3 when it is engaged with the cutter groove 11d. This allows the operation of moving the cutter blade 3 along the X axis to be performed with the assistance of the guide member 34, thus enabling a stable cutting operation. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, if the guide member 39 has a fourth end portion 48 at its tip that is substantially parallel to the cutter blade 3 when it is engaged with the cutter groove 11d, the position of the cutter blade 3 can be made more stable, making the cutting operation easier.

[0046] In each of the embodiments described above, the number of guide members 34, 39 arranged along the X-axis is arbitrary. For example, even if only one guide member 34, 39 is positioned near the center of the air outlet 37 in the X-axis direction, it is possible to suppress the entry of the medium 2 into the air outlet 37. However, to more reliably prevent the entry of the medium 2, it is desirable to position multiple guide members 34, 39 at predetermined intervals. Furthermore, if the blower fan 32 or heating unit 33 is positioned near the air outlet 37, or if the air outlet 37 itself may become hot, it is desirable to narrow the spacing between the guide members 34, 39 so that the fingers of a user performing maintenance cannot reach the air outlet 37. Specifically, in this case, the spacing between the guide members 34, 39, i.e., the width of the gap, is preferably 10 mm or less, and more preferably 7 mm or less.

[0047] In each of the above embodiments, it is desirable that the surfaces of the guide members 34 and 39 be textured to create fine irregularities. With this configuration, even if the guide members 34 and 39 themselves can become relatively hot due to the heat generated by the heating unit 33, excessive heat transfer to the user's finger or the tip of the medium 2 can be suppressed when the finger or the tip of the medium 2 comes into contact with the guide members 34 and 39.

[0048] In each of the above embodiments, the guide members 34 and 39 may be provided with protrusions that extend in the direction along the X-axis on the surface intersecting the X-axis, i.e., the surface along the UV plane. With this configuration, since protrusions are formed on the surface of the guide members 34 and 39, separation of the airflow discharged from the air outlet 37 along the guide members 34 and 39 is promoted, making it possible to improve airflow efficiency and reduce noise.

[0049] In each of the embodiments described above, the guide members 34 and 39 are formed from resin, which is a material with relatively low thermal conductivity. However, the material of the guide members 34 and 39 is not limited to resin. For example, if the structure of the blowers 14, 15, and 16 makes it difficult for the user to contact the guide members 34 and 39, or if the thermal damage caused by the guide members 34 and 39 to the medium 2 in contact with the guide members 34 and 39 is negligibly small, the guide members 34 and 39 may be formed from a material with relatively high thermal conductivity, such as metal. In this case, since heat is dissipated from the guide members 34 and 39 to the air discharged from the air outlet 37, the blown air can be heated efficiently. Furthermore, if a portion of the heat generated by the heating unit 33 or waste heat from the motor driving the blower fan 32 is transferred to the guide members 34 and 39, the efficiency of heat utilization can be further improved.

[0050] In each of the embodiments described above, the liquid discharged by the printing unit 13 is not limited to ink. For example, the printing unit 13 may discharge a liquid containing materials such as electrode materials or colorants used in the manufacture of various displays, in a dispersed or dissolved state.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the printing method of the printing unit 13 is not limited to an inkjet type that ejects liquid. For example, it may be a printing method that uses a plate to deposit liquid onto the medium 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1…Printing device, 2…Media, 3…Blade, 11a,11b,11c…Support parts, 11d…Cutter groove, 12…Conveying part, 13…Printing part, 14,15,16…Blower, 21…Feeding shaft, 22…Conveying roller, 23…Winding shaft, 25…Discharge head, 26…Carriage, 27…Guide shaft, 28…Nozzle, 31…Flow path member, 31a…First member, 31b…Second member 31c...third member, 31d...fourth member, 31e...fifth member, 32...blower fan, 33...heating section, 34,39...guide members, 35...flow path, 36...air intake, 37...air outlet, 38...filter, 41,45...first end, 42,46...second end, 43,47...third end, 48...fourth end, 44...corner, 50...curved section, 61...heating section, 62...reflector.

Claims

1. A transport unit that transports the medium in the transport direction, A printing unit that performs printing by applying a liquid to the aforementioned medium, The system includes a blower having an air outlet, which blows air from the air outlet onto the medium to which the liquid is attached, The blower device is equipped with a heating section upstream of the air outlet in the direction of airflow, A guide member is positioned downstream of the air outlet in the direction of airflow. The end of the guide member facing the medium extends along the conveying direction, A printing apparatus characterized in that the surface of the guide member is subjected to a textured finish.

2. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, A printing apparatus characterized in that a plurality of guide members are arranged downstream of the air outlet in the direction of airflow, along the width direction of the medium intersecting the conveying direction.

3. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, The system includes a media support section that supports the media at a position opposite to the blower, A printing apparatus characterized in that the end of the guide member facing the medium is inclined to approach the medium support portion as it moves downstream in the transport direction.

4. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, The blower device has a blower fan that generates airflow, The printing apparatus is characterized in that the heating unit is located downstream of the blower fan in the direction of airflow.

5. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, The printing apparatus is characterized in that the guide member has at least one surface made of resin.

6. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, A printing apparatus characterized in that a projection is formed on the surface of the guide member that intersects with the width direction of the medium.

Images