Induction heating device and printing system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an induction heating device and a printing system. In an induction heating device, a technology is provided that can suppress the retention of steam generated by heating an object to be heated. The induction heating device comprises: a conveying portion that conveys the object to be heated; an electrode unit having a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode being opposed to the object to be heated conveyed in a first direction in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and being applied with an AC voltage; and a first metal cover portion that surrounds the electrode unit. The first cover portion comprises: a first insertion port for inserting the object to be heated into the first cover portion; a first delivery port for delivering the object to be heated to the outside of the first cover portion; and a plurality of first opening portions that are different from the first insertion port and the first delivery port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an induction heating device and a printing system. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a microwave heating device comprising a rectangular metal housing that shields electromagnetic waves. In this heating device, an object to be heated is heated by microwaves within the housing. The housing is provided with an opening for receiving the object to be heated and an opening for discharging the object to be heated, each of which is sealed to prevent microwave leakage.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-213962

[0004] When heating an object within a housing to prevent electromagnetic wave leakage, steam generated by the heating may be retained within the housing. This may result in, for example, liquid contamination of the object due to condensation of the retained steam, or reduced drying efficiency when heating the object to dry it. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, an induction heating device is provided. The induction heating device comprises: a conveying portion for conveying an object to be heated; an electrode unit having a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode being opposed to the object to be heated being conveyed in a first direction in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and to which an AC voltage is applied; and a first metal cover portion surrounding the electrode unit. The first cover portion comprises: a first insertion port for inserting the object to be heated into the first cover portion; a first delivery port for delivering the object to be heated out of the first cover portion; and a plurality of first openings, different from the first insertion port and the first delivery port.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an induction heating device is provided. The induction heating device includes: a conveying unit that conveys an object to be heated; an electrode unit having a first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes facing each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction relative to the object to be heated, which is being conveyed in a first direction, and to which an AC voltage is applied; a moving unit configured to reciprocate the electrode unit in a fifth direction intersecting the first direction and orthogonal to the second direction; a fourth metal cover portion that faces the object to be heated, which is being conveyed in the first direction, in the second direction and covers the electrode unit; and a metal opposing portion that faces the first and second electrodes in a direction along the second direction, with the object to be heated interposed therebetween. The fourth cover portion is configured to reciprocate in the fifth direction together with the electrode unit and has a fifth opening portion that opens in the second direction toward the object to be heated and surrounds the first and second electrodes when viewed in the second direction.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a printing system is provided that includes the induction heating device of the above aspect and a liquid ejecting unit that ejects liquid onto a printing medium, wherein the transport unit transports the printing medium to which the liquid adheres as the object to be heated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an induction heating device in the first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an electrode unit.

[0010] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram of a III-III cross section of the first electrode in FIG.

[0011] Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a diagram of a IV-IV cross section of the first electrode in FIG.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of the first cover portion.

[0013] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an induction heating device in a second embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of the second cover.

[0015] Figure 8 It is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an induction heating device in a third embodiment.

[0016] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an induction heating device in a fourth embodiment.

[0017] Figure 10 It is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an induction heating device in a fifth embodiment.

[0018] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an induction heating device in a fifth embodiment.

[0019] Figure 12 It is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of the third cover portion.

[0020] Figure 13 It is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an induction heating device in a sixth embodiment.

[0021] Figure 14 It is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an induction heating device in a sixth embodiment.

[0022] Figure 15 It is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an induction heating device in a seventh embodiment.

[0023] Figure 16 It is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a fourth cover portion in the seventh embodiment.

[0024] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system according to an eighth embodiment.

[0025] Description of Reference Numerals

[0026] 20: Electrode unit; 30: First electrode; 40: Second electrode; 50: Coil; 60: Support member; 70: Inner conductor; 75: Wire; 80: Voltage applying unit; 100, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f, 100g: Induction heating device; 110: Substrate; 120: Airflow generating unit; 130, 130b: Moving unit; 150: Opposing unit; 151: Recessed portion; 152: Upper end; 200: Conveying unit; 205: Conveying roller; 300, 300b, 300c: Housing; 310: First cover; 312: First insertion port; 314: First delivery port; 316: First opening 317: first edge portion; 318: first part; 319: second part; 320: second cover portion; 322: second insertion port; 324: second delivery port; 326: second opening portion; 327: second edge portion; 328: third portion; 329: fourth portion; 330: third cover portion; 335: third opening portion; 336: fourth opening portion; 340, 340b: fourth cover portion; 341: lower end; 345: fifth opening portion; 347: fourth edge portion; 500: control portion; 600: printing system; 610: liquid ejecting device; 620: liquid ejecting portion; 630: medium conveying portion; 640: ejection control portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] A. First embodiment:

[0028] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the induction heating device 100 in the first embodiment. Figure 1 In the figure, arrows representing mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions are shown. The X and Y directions are directions parallel to the horizontal plane, and the Z direction is a vertically upward direction. The arrows representing the X, Y, and Z directions are also shown in the same direction as shown in the other figures. Figure 1 The corresponding forms are appropriately illustrated. In the following description, when specifying the direction of a direction, the direction indicated by the arrow in each figure is designated as "+" and the opposite direction is designated as "-", and positive and negative signs are used in the direction markings. Hereinafter, the +Z direction is also referred to as "up" and the -Z direction is referred to as "down". In addition, in this specification, orthogonal includes a range of 90°±10°.

[0029] The induction heating device 100 includes an electrode unit 20 for heating an object to be heated OH, a transport unit 200 for transporting the object to be heated OH, a housing 300 for housing the electrode unit 20, a voltage application unit 80 for applying an AC voltage to the electrode unit 20, and a control unit 500. In this embodiment, the housing 300 is composed of a first metal cover 310 that surrounds the electrode unit 20.

[0030] The induction heating device 100 transports the object to be heated OH via the transport unit 200 and heats the object to be heated OH within the first cover portion 310 via the electric field generated by the electrode unit 20. In this embodiment, the induction heating device 100 dries the object to be heated OH by heating a sheet-like printing medium coated with a liquid, serving as the object to be heated OH. Examples of the printing medium include paper, cloth, and film. Examples of the liquid applied to the printing medium include various inks primarily composed of water or organic solvents. The liquid is applied to the printing medium using, for example, a liquid ejecting device such as an inkjet printer.

[0031] The control unit 500 is comprised of a computer equipped with one or more processors, a storage device, and an input / output interface for external signal input and output. The control unit 500 controls various components, such as the transport unit 200 and the voltage application unit 80, to heat the object OH in the induction heating device 100. The control unit 500 may also be comprised of multiple computers.

[0032] The transport unit 200 in this embodiment includes two transport rollers 205 and a driving unit (not shown) composed of a motor or the like for driving the transport rollers 205. The transport unit 200 transports the sheet-like object to be heated OH by driving the transport rollers 205.

[0033] The object to be heated OH is inserted into the first cover portion 310 through the first insertion port 312 provided in the first cover portion 310 while being transported by the transport unit 200. Furthermore, the object to be heated OH is similarly transported and heated by the electrode unit 20 within the first cover portion 310. Thereafter, the object to be heated is delivered to the outside of the first cover portion 310 through the first delivery port 314 provided in the first cover portion 310. Details of the housing portion 300 will be described later.

[0034] Figure 2 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the electrode unit 20 in this embodiment. The electrode unit 20 includes a first electrode 30 and a second electrode 40. Furthermore, the electrode unit 20 in this embodiment includes a coil 50.

[0035] The first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 are both Figure 1 In this embodiment, the first electrode 30 is electrically connected to the voltage applying unit 80 via the wire 75, the coil 50, and the inner conductor 70 of the coaxial cable. The second electrode 40 is electrically connected to the voltage applying unit 80 via the outer conductor of the coaxial cable (not shown).

[0036] The first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 are conductors, for example, formed of metal, alloy, conductive oxide, etc. The first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 can be formed of the same material or different materials. For example, in order to maintain their posture or strength, the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 can be arranged on a substrate formed of a material with a low dielectric loss tangent or low conductivity, or can be supported by other components. Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the second electrode 40 is supported from above by a support member 60 .

[0037] The first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 are arranged in such a manner that the shortest distance between the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 is less than one tenth of the wavelength of the electromagnetic field output from the electrode unit 20. The first electrode 30 in this embodiment has a boat-like shape with the X direction as the long side direction and the Y direction as the short side direction. The lower surface of the first electrode 30 has a curved surface shape convex in the -Z direction. When viewed along the Z direction, the first electrode 30 has an elliptical shape that is longer in the X direction. The second electrode 40 has a ring shape that is flat in the X and Y directions and has an elliptical shape that is longer in the X direction. The second electrode 40 is arranged in such a manner that it surrounds the first electrode 30 when viewed along the Z direction.

[0038] The first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 are both arranged on the substrate 110 parallel to the X and Y directions. More specifically, the first electrode 30 is arranged so that the center portion of the lower surface of the first electrode 30 in the X and Y directions contacts the upper surface of the substrate 110. The second electrode 40 is arranged so that the lower surface of the second electrode 40 contacts the upper surface of the substrate 110. Therefore, in this embodiment, the center portion of the lower surface of the first electrode 30 and the lower surface of the second electrode 40 are arranged on the same plane.

[0039] In the first cover portion 310, the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 are both opposed in the second direction relative to the heated object OH transported by the transport portion 200 in the first direction. In the present embodiment, the first direction is the -Y direction. The second direction is a direction intersecting the first direction, and in the present embodiment, it is the -Z direction. The first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 are arranged separately from the heated object OH. That is, in the present embodiment, above the sheet-like heated object OH, the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 are arranged in a manner such that the lower surface of each electrode is opposed to the upper surface of the heated object OH. In addition, thus, in the present embodiment, the above-mentioned substrate 110 is arranged between the heated object OH and the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40. In other embodiments, the second direction may not be a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0040] In this embodiment, the substrate 110 is formed of glass. The substrate 110 prevents liquids such as ink applied to the heated object OH from adhering to the first and second electrodes 30 and 40, and prevents lint from the heated object OH, if the heated object OH is cloth, from adhering to the first and second electrodes 30 and 40. In other embodiments, the substrate 110 may be formed of, for example, aluminum oxide.

[0041] pass Figure 1 The voltage applying unit 80 shown applies an AC voltage to the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40. The voltage applying unit 80 in this embodiment is configured as a high-frequency power supply including a high-frequency voltage generating circuit, which outputs a high-frequency voltage. The voltage applying unit 80 is composed of, for example, a crystal oscillator, a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuit, and a power amplifier. The voltage applying unit 80 amplifies the high-frequency signal generated by the PLL circuit through the power amplifier, and supplies power to the electrode unit 20 via a coaxial cable, etc., thereby applying a high-frequency voltage to the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40. One of the potentials applied to the first electrode 30 or the second electrode 40 may also be a reference potential. The reference potential refers to a constant potential that serves as a reference for the high-frequency voltage, such as a ground potential. It should be noted that in this specification, a high-frequency voltage refers to an AC voltage with a frequency of 1 MHz or more.

[0042] By applying an AC voltage to the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40, an electromagnetic field is generated from the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40. The intensity of this electromagnetic field is very strong near the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40, and becomes very weak at a distance. In this specification, the electromagnetic field generated near the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 by applying an AC voltage is also referred to as the "near electromagnetic field." The "near" of the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 refers to the range where the distance from the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 is less than 1 / 2π of the wavelength of the generated electromagnetic field. The range further than the "near" is also referred to as the "far" range. In addition, in this specification, the electromagnetic field generated far from the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 by applying an AC voltage is also referred to as the "far" electromagnetic field. The far electromagnetic field is equivalent to the electromagnetic field used in general communications using communication antennas, etc.

[0043] As described above, the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 are arranged so that the shortest distance between them is less than one-tenth of the wavelength of the electromagnetic field. This allows the electric field density of the electromagnetic field generated by the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 to be attenuated near the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40. Therefore, by appropriately maintaining the distance between the object to be heated OH and the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40, the object to be heated OH can be effectively heated by the electric field generated near the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40, while suppressing the radiation of the distant electromagnetic field from the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40. In particular, in this embodiment, since the second electrode 40 is arranged so as to surround the first electrode 30 when viewed in the Z direction, the radiation of the distant electromagnetic field from the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 can be further suppressed. It should be noted that as long as the second electrode 40 is configured to surround the first electrode 30 when viewed along the Z direction, for example, even if the outer shapes of the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 when viewed along the Z direction are circular, rectangular, polygonal other than rectangular, etc., the radiation of distant electromagnetic fields from the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 can be suppressed.

[0044] The electromagnetic field generated by the electrode unit 20 has a wavelength λ0 corresponding to the frequency f0 of the AC voltage applied to the electrode unit 20 by the voltage application unit 80. Therefore, for example, when the heated object OH contains water, the dielectric loss tangent of water is maximum near 20 GHz. Therefore, by applying a high-frequency voltage of 2.45 GHz or 5.8 GHz in the ISM band to the electrode unit 20, the heated object OH can be heated more efficiently in the induction heating device 100. Furthermore, from the perspective of heating the ink, even at a low frequency such as 40.68 MHz, which is part of the ISM band, good heating efficiency can be achieved. This is because at 40.68 MHz, the dielectric loss tangent of the water in the ink is low, while Joule heat is easily generated by the pigment components in the ink acting as resistors.

[0045] In this embodiment, one end of the coil 50 is electrically connected in series with the first electrode 30 via an electrical wire 75, and the other end is electrically connected in series with the voltage application unit 80. In this embodiment, the coil 50 is formed as a solenoid coil, and is arranged so that its length extends along the Z direction. The shape, length, cross-sectional area, number of turns, and material of the coil 50 are selected, for example, to form a resonant circuit with the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 that resonates at frequency f0, and to achieve impedance matching between the electrode unit 20 and the voltage application unit 80.

[0046] An AC voltage is applied to the electrode unit 20 by the voltage application unit 80, generating a high voltage at one end of the coil 50. This increases the intensity of the electric field generated by the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40. It should be noted that the coil 50 is preferably arranged so that the distance between one end of the coil 50 and the first electrode 30 is as small as possible. If the distance between one end of the coil 50 and the first electrode 30 is large, the high voltage generated at one end of the coil 50 generates an electric field between the coil 50 and the first electrode 30, or between the wire 75 and the second electrode 40, that does not contribute to heating the object to be heated OH, potentially reducing the effectiveness of increasing the intensity of the electric field generated by the first and second electrodes 30, 40. In contrast, by reducing the distance between one end of the coil 50 and the first electrode 30, the generation of such an electric field that does not contribute to heating the object to be heated OH can be suppressed, thereby effectively increasing the intensity of the electric field generated by the first and second electrodes 30, 40. In other embodiments, for example, the first electrode 30 may be formed into a zigzag shape so that the first electrode 30 can function similarly to the coil 50 .

[0047] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram of a III-III cross section of the first electrode 30 in FIG. Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a diagram of a IV-IV cross section of the first electrode 30. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first electrode 30 has an arc shape convex toward the −Z direction when viewed along the X direction. Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the first electrode 30 has an arc shape convex in the −Z direction when viewed along the Y direction. Therefore, the ends in the longitudinal direction and the ends in the lateral direction of the first electrode 30 are located closer to the +Z direction than the center of the first electrode 30.

[0048] The electrode unit 20 preferably has a shape that can suppress the deviation of the electric field intensity within the range of the nearby electromagnetic field. Figures 2 to 4 As described in , the first electrode 30 in this embodiment has a rounded shape as a whole and has fewer sharp corners. As a result, compared with the case where the end of the first electrode 30 has an angular shape, for example, it is possible to suppress the electric field from concentrating on a specific portion such as the end of the first electrode 30. In addition, in this embodiment, since the first electrode 30 has a boat-like shape, the distance in the Z direction between the end of the first electrode 30 and the heated object OH is longer than the distance in the Z direction between the center of the first electrode 30 and the heated object OH. In addition, Figure 2 The curvature radius r of the end portion of the short side direction of the first electrode 30 shown is smaller than Figure 4The curvature radius R of the ends of the longitudinal direction of the first electrode 30 shown is small. This further suppresses the concentration of the electric field at the ends of the first electrode 30, particularly at the ends in the longitudinal direction of the first electrode 30. In this way, by suppressing the variation in electric field intensity within the range of the nearby electromagnetic field, the variation in electric field intensity within the surface of the heated object OH can be suppressed, thereby suppressing uneven heating of the heated object OH.

[0049] Figure 1 The housing 300 shown blocks radiation waves from the electrode unit 20 housed therein. The radiation waves from the electrode unit 20 are electromagnetic waves radiated from the electrode unit 20. These radiation waves include, for example, the remote electromagnetic field radiated from the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 described above, and the electromagnetic field generated by the coil 50.

[0050] "Blocking of radiation waves" based on the shell part 300 means that the intensity of the electromagnetic field radiated from the electrode unit 20 to the outside of the shell part 300 is made below a predetermined reference value by the shell part 300. The reference value is set based on the limit value specified in the guidelines related to exposure limits of electromagnetic fields in each country or region. As such guidelines, there are, for example, Japan's radio wave protection guidelines and the guidelines formulated by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). For example, in the ICNIRP guidelines, the exposure limit value of the magnetic field at a frequency of 40.68 MHz is 0.16 A / m in the case of occupational exposure and 0.073 A / m in the case of public exposure. It should be noted that these exposure limit values ​​in the ICNIRP guidelines are all average values ​​for 6 minutes.

[0051] Figure 5 3D is a perspective view showing the schematic structure of the first cover portion 310 of the shell portion 300. The shell portion 300 generates an electromagnetic field from the first cover portion 310 that weakens the radiation wave by eddy currents generated in the first cover portion 310 when the radiation wave is radiated from the electrode unit 20, thereby blocking the radiation wave. The magnitude of the eddy currents generated in the first cover portion 310 when the radiation wave is radiated is proportional to the first power of the electrical conductivity and the first power of the absolute magnetic permeability of the material constituting the first cover portion 310. Therefore, it is preferred that the material forming the first cover portion 310 is a material having high electrical conductivity and absolute magnetic permeability. The first cover portion 310 in this embodiment is formed of zinc, which has relatively high electrical conductivity among metal materials.

[0052] The first cover portion 310 in this embodiment has a rectangular outer shape. The first cover portion 310 has a first insertion port 312, a first delivery port 314, and a plurality of first openings 316. The first insertion port 312 is an opening for inserting the heated object OH into the interior of the first cover portion 310. The first delivery port 314 is an opening for delivering the heated object OH in the first cover portion 310 to the outside of the first cover portion 310. In this embodiment, the first insertion port 312 is provided on the surface on the +Y direction side of the first cover portion 310, and the first delivery port 314 is provided on the surface on the -Y direction side of the first cover portion 310. That is, the first insertion port 312 and the first delivery port 314 are arranged opposite to each other in the Y direction across the electrode unit 20. The first insertion port 312 and the first delivery port 314 each have a rectangular opening shape with the X direction as the long side direction and the Z direction as the short side direction.

[0053] The first opening portion 316 is an opening portion different from the first insertion port 312 and the first delivery port 314. More specifically, in the present embodiment, each surface of the first cover portion 310 is formed of a metal mesh formed by weaving zinc wires in a horizontal and vertical direction, and the openings divided by the wires correspond to the first opening portions 316. Thus, in the present embodiment, a plurality of first opening portions 316 having a square opening shape are formed on each surface of the first cover portion 310 in a manner arranged vertically and horizontally in the direction along the surface. It should be noted that in Figure 5 , among the first openings 316 , only the first openings 316 provided on the surface on the +X direction side of the first cover 310 are shown, and the first openings 316 provided on the other surfaces are omitted.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the opening area of ​​one first opening portion 316 is smaller than the opening areas of the first insertion port 312 and the first delivery port 314. On the other hand, the sum of the opening areas of the first opening portions 316 is larger than the opening area of ​​the first insertion port 312 or the first delivery port 314. In addition, the opening diameter of the first opening portion 316 is smaller than the opening diameters of the first insertion port 312 and the first delivery port 314. In this specification, the opening diameter refers to the maximum length of the opening. For example, in the present embodiment, the length of the diagonal of the first opening portion 316 is equivalent to the opening diameter of the first opening portion 316. It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the length of each side of the first opening portion 316 is shorter than the length of any side of the first insertion port 312 and the first delivery port 314.

[0055] In other embodiments, each surface of the first cover portion 310 may be formed of, for example, a metal mesh, a porous metal plate, a perforated metal plate, etc., formed by twill weaving wire rods. In addition, the opening shape of the first opening portion 316, etc. may not be rectangular, and may be, for example, circular, elliptical, rhombus, or other polygonal. For example, when the opening shape of the first opening portion 316, etc. is circular, its diameter is equivalent to the opening diameter of the first opening portion 316, etc. In addition, the first opening portion 316 may not be provided on the entire surface of the first cover portion 310, but may be provided on only a portion of the surface.

[0056] The opening shape, opening area, opening diameter, number, position, etc. of the first opening portion 316 are preferably set so that, when a radiation wave is emitted from the electrode unit 20, an eddy current is generated in the first cover portion 310 to an extent that the electromagnetic field that can weaken the radiation wave is generated. For example, in order to suppress the radiation wave from leaking out of the first cover portion 310 through the first opening portion 316, the opening diameter of the first opening portion 316 is preferably set to be less than one tenth of the wavelength λ0. It should be noted that in this embodiment, as described above, since the radiation of the distant electromagnetic field from the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 can be suppressed, the opening shape of the first opening portion 316 can be set taking this into consideration. In this case, for example, by increasing the opening area, opening diameter, or number of the first opening portion 316 within a range that can suppress the radiation wave from leaking out of the first cover portion 310 through the first opening portion 316, the shell portion 300 can be made lighter.

[0057] like Figure 5 As shown, a first edge portion 317 is arranged around the first insertion port 312. The first edge portion 317 is formed of an electrically insulating magnetic material and continuously surrounds the first insertion port 312. In this embodiment, a Ni-Zn soft ferrite material formed into a sheet is used as the first edge portion 317. The first edge portion 317 is fixed to the outer surface of the first cover portion 310 by an adhesive in a manner that continuously surrounds the first insertion port 312. Hereinafter, the first edge portion 317 is sometimes referred to as the edge portion. It should be noted that in the above Figure 1 , the first edge portion 317 is omitted.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the first edge portion 317 has a first part 318 and a second part 319. The second part 319 is a part of the first edge portion 317 that is provided at a position corresponding to the electrode unit 20 in the X direction, and is a part having a width wider than the first part 318. It should be noted that the "width" of the edge portion refers to the dimension in a direction perpendicular to the direction around the first insertion port 312. In more detail, the second part 319 is provided in a manner that clamps the part of the first insertion port 312 that is provided at a position corresponding to the electrode unit 20 in the X direction in the Z direction. The first part 318 and the second part 319 can be provided in a continuous manner to each other, and can be independent of each other or formed as a whole.

[0059] The first insertion port 312 may function as a virtual slot antenna, depending on its opening diameter or opening area, and may radiate an electromagnetic field outside the first cover portion 310. More specifically, eddy currents generated in the first cover portion 310 by the distant electromagnetic field radiated from the electrode unit 20 may generate an electric field in the first insertion port 312, thereby causing the first insertion port 312 to function as a virtual slot antenna. In this embodiment, as described above, the first edge portion 317 formed of a magnetic material is arranged to surround the first insertion port 312, thereby suppressing the generation of eddy currents around the first insertion port 312. In addition, because the first edge portion 317 is electrically insulating, the first edge portion 317 itself is less likely to generate eddy currents caused by the distant electromagnetic field radiated from the electrode unit 20. As a result, the first insertion port 312 is prevented from functioning as a virtual slot antenna, and the electromagnetic field radiated from the first insertion port 312 to the outside of the first cover portion 310 can be suppressed. In addition, in this embodiment, since the first edge portion 317 has the second portion 319 , the generation of eddy current in the portion around the first insertion port 312 that is closer to the electrode unit 20 is further suppressed, and the electromagnetic field can be more effectively suppressed from being radiated outward from the first cover portion 310 .

[0060] It should be noted that, although not shown in the drawings, in this embodiment, the first edge portion 317 is also provided around the first delivery port 314 so as to continuously surround the first delivery port 314. The effect of the first edge portion 317 provided around the first delivery port 314 is the same as the effect of the first edge portion 317 provided around the first insertion port 312 described above.

[0061] According to the first embodiment described above, the metal first cover 310 surrounding the electrode unit 20 has a plurality of first openings 316 that are different from the first insertion port 312 and the first delivery port 314. As a result, the steam generated by heating the heated object OH in the first cover 310 can move to the outside of the first cover 310 through the first openings 316, thereby preventing the steam from stagnating in the first cover 310. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid generated by condensation of the retained steam from contaminating the heated object OH or reducing the drying efficiency when the heated object OH is heated to dry it. Furthermore, since the first cover 310 has the first openings 316, the first cover 310 becomes lighter than when the first cover 310 does not have the first openings 316. Therefore, the induction heating device 100 can be made lighter as a whole.

[0062] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a first edge portion 317 is provided. This first edge portion 317 is formed of an electrically insulating magnetic material and continuously surrounds at least one of the first insertion port 312 and the first delivery port 314. Therefore, the first edge portion 317 can suppress electromagnetic fields radiated from the first insertion port 312 or the first delivery port 314 to the outside of the first cover 310.

[0063] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first cover portion 310 is formed of zinc. Therefore, the weight of the first cover portion 310 can be reduced compared to, for example, a case where the first cover portion 310 is formed of carbon steel or copper. Furthermore, the strength of the first cover portion 310 can be further increased compared to, for example, a case where the first cover portion 310 is formed of aluminum.

[0064] B. Second embodiment:

[0065] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the general configuration of an induction heating device 100b according to a second embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, the housing 300b in this embodiment comprises a first cover 310 and a metal second cover 320 surrounding the first cover 310. The configuration of the induction heating device 100b, except for portions not specifically described, is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0066] Figure 7 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating the structure of the second cover 320. In this embodiment, the second cover 320 is made of zinc and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The outer dimensions of the second cover 320 in the X, Y, and Z directions are larger than those of the first cover 310 in these directions.

[0067] like Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown in FIG. 3 , the second cover 320 has a second insertion port 322, a second delivery port 324, and a plurality of second openings 326. Figure 6 The second opening 326 is omitted. The second insertion port 322 is an opening for inserting the heated object OH into the interior of the second cover 320. The second delivery port 324 is an opening for delivering the heated object OH in the second cover 320 to the outside of the second cover 320. Figure 6 As shown, the second insertion port 322 is provided on the +Y direction side of the second cover portion 320, and the second delivery port 324 is provided on the -Y direction side of the second cover portion 320. More specifically, the second insertion port 322 is provided at a position corresponding to the first insertion port 312, and the second delivery port 324 is provided at a position corresponding to the first delivery port 314. In this embodiment, the second insertion port 322 and the second delivery port 324 have the same opening shape and dimensions as the first insertion port 312 and the first delivery port 314, respectively.

[0068] In this embodiment, the object to be heated OH is first inserted into the second cover portion 320 through the second insertion port 322. Thus, the object to be heated OH is inserted into the housing portion 300b. Next, the object to be heated OH is inserted into the first cover portion 310 through the first insertion port 312. Furthermore, after being heated by the electrode unit 20 within the first cover portion 310, the object to be heated OH is delivered to the outside of the first cover portion 310 through the first delivery port 314. Next, the object to be heated OH is delivered to the outside of the second cover portion 320 through the second delivery port 324. Thus, the object to be heated OH is delivered to the outside of the housing portion 300b.

[0069] Figure 7 The second opening portion 326 shown is an opening portion different from the second insertion port 322 and the second delivery port 324. In more detail, each surface of the second cover portion 320 is composed of a metal mesh made of zinc wires woven horizontally and vertically, similar to each surface of the first cover portion 310, and the openings divided by the wires are equivalent to the second opening portions 326. The second opening portion 326 in this embodiment has the same opening shape and size as the first opening portion 316. As mentioned above, since the outer dimensions of the second cover portion 320 are larger than the outer dimensions of the first cover portion 310, the sum of the opening areas of the second opening portions 326 is larger than the sum of the opening areas of the first opening portions 316. It should be noted that in Figure 7 , only the second openings 326 provided on the surface on the +X direction side of the second cover portion 320 are shown, and the second openings 326 provided on the other surfaces are omitted.

[0070] like Figure 7As shown, a second edge portion 327 is disposed around the second insertion opening 322. The second edge portion 327 is formed of an electrically insulating magnetic material and continuously surrounds the second insertion opening 322. In this embodiment, a sheet of Ni-Zn soft ferrite material is used as the second edge portion 327, similar to the first edge portion 317. The second edge portion 327 is fixed to the outer surface of the second cover 320 with adhesive so that it continuously surrounds the second insertion opening 322.

[0071] In this embodiment, the second edge portion 327 has a third portion 328 and a fourth portion 329. The fourth portion 329 is a portion of the second edge portion 327 that is provided at a position corresponding to the electrode unit 20 in the X direction, and is a portion having a width wider than the third portion 328. The configuration of the third portion 328 is the same as that of the first portion 318 in the first edge portion 317, and the configuration of the fourth portion 329 is the same as that of the second portion 319 in the first edge portion 317. Similar to the way that the first edge portion 317 suppresses the electromagnetic field from radiating outward from the first cover portion 310, the second edge portion 327 suppresses the electromagnetic field from radiating outward from the second cover portion 320. It should be noted that, as Figure 6 As shown, the second edge portion 327 is also provided around the second delivery outlet 324 so as to continuously surround the second delivery outlet 324 .

[0072] According to the second embodiment described above, a metal second cover 320 is provided surrounding the first cover 310. The second cover 320 has a plurality of second openings 326, which are distinct from the second insertion opening 322 and the second delivery opening 324. This allows radiation waves from the electrode unit 20 to be suppressed not only by the first cover 310 but also by the second cover 320. This allows the entire housing 300 to block radiation waves of higher intensity compared to a case without the second cover 320. Consequently, for example, a higher voltage can be applied to the electrode unit 20, further improving the heating efficiency of the object OH.

[0073] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the sum of the opening areas of the second openings 326 is larger than the sum of the opening areas of the first openings 316. Thus, compared to a case where the sum of the opening areas of the second openings 326 is equal to or smaller than the sum of the opening areas of the first openings 316, it is possible to further suppress the accumulation of steam within the second cover 320 and reduce the weight of the second cover 320.

[0074] It should be noted that, in other embodiments, the second insertion port 322 and the second delivery port 324 may not be provided at positions corresponding to the first insertion port 312 and the first delivery port 314. For example, in a case where the object to be heated OH, which has been inserted into the first cover portion 310 in the -Y direction via the second insertion port 322 and the first insertion port 312, is delivered to the outside of the first cover portion 310 via the first delivery port 314 and then, after being turned back in the +Y direction within the second cover portion 320, is delivered to the outside of the second cover portion 320, the second delivery port 324 may be provided on the surface of the second cover portion 320 opposite the first insertion port 312. In other words, in this case, the second insertion port 322 and the second delivery port 324 may both be provided on the surface of the second cover portion 320 on the +Y direction side.

[0075] C. Third embodiment:

[0076] Figure 8 : is a perspective view showing the schematic structure of the induction heating device 100c in the third embodiment. The induction heating device 100c is different from the first embodiment in that it includes a plurality of electrode units 20. The parts not specifically described in the structure of the induction heating device 100c are the same as those in the first embodiment. Figure 8 In the first embodiment, Figure 1 Similarly, the first edge portion 317 is omitted.

[0077] The plurality of electrode units 20 are arranged in a third direction that intersects the first direction and is orthogonal to the second direction. The third direction includes both a direction along one side of the same axis and a direction opposite thereto, and in this embodiment is a direction along the X axis.

[0078] The induction heating device 100c in this embodiment has two unit columns UC. Each unit column UC is composed of four electrode units 20 arranged in the X direction. In other words, the induction heating device 100c includes a total of eight electrode units 20. The unit columns UC are arranged in the Y direction.

[0079] like Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, eight substrates 110 are provided corresponding to each electrode unit 20. In other embodiments, the substrate 110 may be provided in common for a plurality of electrode units 20, or only one substrate 110 may be provided for all electrode units 20.

[0080] In this embodiment, an AC voltage with a phase reversal of 180° is applied to electrode units 20 adjacent to each other in the X and Y directions. This allows the radiation waves from adjacent electrode units 20 to be mutually attenuated. Therefore, for example, even if a higher voltage is applied to each electrode unit 20, the radiation waves can be blocked by the housing 300, further improving the heating efficiency of the heated object OH. It should be noted that in other embodiments, for example, an AC voltage with a phase reversal can be applied to electrode units 20 adjacent to each other in the X direction, while an AC voltage with the same phase can be applied to electrode units 20 adjacent to each other in the Y direction. Even in this case, the radiation waves from the electrode units 20 to which the AC voltages with mutually reversed phases are applied can be mutually attenuated.

[0081] According to the third embodiment described above, a plurality of electrode units 20 are provided, and the plurality of electrode units 20 are arranged in an array in the X direction. Therefore, even when heating an object OH having a larger size in the X direction, the object OH can be efficiently heated by the plurality of electrode units 20 while being transported in the -Y direction. Furthermore, even when the voltage applied to each electrode unit 20 is reduced, sufficient output is easily obtained to heat the object OH as a whole by the plurality of electrode units 20. Therefore, by reducing the voltage applied to each electrode unit 20, Joule's heating due to the parasitic resistance of the electrode units 20 can be suppressed, and the concentration of the electric field when an AC voltage is applied to the electrode units 20 can be suppressed.

[0082] It should be noted that in other embodiments, the number of unit columns UC may not be two, and may be, for example, one, or three or more. Furthermore, the number of electrode units 20 included in a unit column UC may not be four, and may be, for example, two, three, or five or more. Furthermore, the number of electrode units 20 included in each unit column UC may also be different.

[0083] D. Fourth embodiment:

[0084] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the induction heating device 100d in the fourth embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, the induction heating device 100d has an airflow generating portion 120 for generating airflow in the first cover portion 310. The parts not specifically described in the structure of the induction heating device 100d are the same as those in the first embodiment. Figure 9 , the first opening portion 316 provided on the first cover portion 310 is omitted.

[0085] The airflow generating unit 120 in this embodiment is composed of a blower fan. The airflow generating unit 120 is arranged in the +Y direction of the first cover 310 and blows air toward the first cover 310. Thus, the gas delivered from the airflow generating unit 120 passes through Figure 5 The first opening portion 316 shown is supplied to the inside of the first cover portion 310, generating an airflow in the first cover portion 310. In particular, in this embodiment, since the first opening portion 316 is provided on each surface of the first cover portion 310, the inside and outside of the first cover portion 310 can be ventilated more effectively by the airflow generated in the first cover portion 310. In other embodiments, the airflow generating portion 120 may also be composed of a suction fan or a duct for sucking the gas in the first cover portion 310 and discharging it to the outside. In addition, the airflow generating portion 120 may not be arranged in the +Y direction of the first cover portion 310, for example, it may be arranged in the upper part of the first cover portion 310, etc.

[0086] According to the fourth embodiment described above, the induction heating device 100d includes the airflow generating unit 120 that generates airflow within the first cover 310. Therefore, by generating airflow within the first cover 310 by the airflow generating unit 120, the inside and outside of the first cover 310 can be ventilated effectively. This further reduces the accumulation of steam generated by heating the object OH within the first cover 310.

[0087] E. Fifth embodiment:

[0088] Figure 10 It is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an induction heating device 100e in the fifth embodiment. Figure 11 Schematic diagram showing the general structure of the induction heating device 100e in the fifth embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, the induction heating device 100e includes a moving portion 130. In addition, the housing portion 300c in this embodiment is composed of a first cover portion 310 and a third cover portion 330. The parts not specifically described in the structure of the induction heating device 100e are the same as those in the first embodiment. It should be noted that Figure 10 In the first embodiment, Figure 1 The same, omitting the first edge portion 317. Figure 11 , the first opening portion 316 is omitted.

[0089] The third cover portion 330 is arranged inside the first cover portion 310. The third cover portion 330 is a metal component that covers the electrode unit 20 and is opposite to the heated object OH transported in the -Y direction in the -Z direction. The third cover portion 330 has a third opening portion 335 that opens in the -Z direction toward the heated object OH. When viewed along the Z direction, the third opening portion 335 at least surrounds the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40. In the present embodiment, the third cover portion 330 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and the third opening portion 335 is formed as an opening portion with a rectangular opening shape that extends over the entire lower surface of the third cover portion 330. The third cover portion 330 in the present embodiment is formed of zinc in the same manner as the first cover portion 310. The outer dimensions of the third cover portion 330 in the X, Y, and Z directions are smaller than the outer dimensions of the first cover portion 310 in the X, Y, and Z directions. It should be noted that in Figure 11 In order to facilitate understanding of the structure, the third cover portion 330 and the substrate 110 are shown separately, but in reality, the lower end of the third cover portion 330 is in contact with the upper surface of the substrate 110.

[0090] Figure 12 3 is a perspective view showing the schematic structure of the third cover portion 330. Figure 12 As shown, the third cover portion 330 has a plurality of fourth opening portions 336. The fourth opening portion 336 is an opening portion different from the third opening portion 335. In more detail, each surface of the third cover portion 330 except the lower surface is composed of a metal mesh made of zinc wires woven horizontally and vertically, similar to each surface of the first cover portion 310, and the openings divided by the wires are equivalent to the fourth opening portions 336. The fourth opening portion 336 in this embodiment has the same size and shape as the first opening portion 316. That is, in this embodiment, the opening area of ​​the fourth opening portion 336 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the first insertion port 312 and the first delivery port 314. In addition, the opening diameter of the fourth opening portion 336 is smaller than the opening diameter of the first insertion port 312 and the first delivery port 314. It should be noted that in Figure 12 In FIG. 3 , only the fourth opening 336 provided on the surface of the second cover 320 on the +X direction side is shown, and the fourth opening 336 provided on other surfaces is omitted. Figure 10 and Figure 11 The fourth opening portion 336 is omitted.

[0091] Figure 10 and Figure 11The illustrated moving portion 130 is configured to reciprocate the electrode unit 20 in a fourth direction. The fourth direction is a direction intersecting the first direction and orthogonal to the second direction. The fourth direction includes both a direction along one side of the same axis and a direction opposite thereto. In this embodiment, the fourth direction is along the X-axis. The third cover portion 330 is configured to be movable in the X-direction along with the electrode unit 20 via the moving portion 130.

[0092] The moving unit 130 is composed of, for example, a support portion that supports the electrode unit 20 and the third cover portion 330, and a drive portion for moving the support portion in the X-direction. The support portion may directly support both the electrode unit 20 and the third cover portion 330. For example, if the third cover portion 330 is fixed to the electrode unit 20, it may directly support only the third cover portion 330. The drive portion may be composed of, for example, a belt mechanism having an endless belt and pulleys, or a ball screw mechanism having a ball screw and a motor.

[0093] According to the fifth embodiment described above, the induction heating device 100e includes a moving portion 130 configured to reciprocate the electrode unit 20 in the X-direction. Therefore, even when heating an object OH having a larger size in the X-direction, the object OH can be efficiently heated by the electrode unit 20 reciprocating in the X-direction while being transported in the -Y-direction. Therefore, even without providing a plurality of electrode units 20, an object OH having a larger size in the X-direction can be efficiently heated.

[0094] Furthermore, this embodiment includes a metal third cover 330, which is disposed within the first cover 310, covers the electrode unit 20, and faces the object to be heated OH, which is conveyed in the -Y direction, in the -Z direction. The third cover 330 is configured to reciprocate in the X direction along with the electrode unit 20. It includes a third opening 335 that opens in the -Z direction toward the object to be heated OH and surrounds the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 when viewed in the Z direction, and a plurality of fourth openings 336 that are distinct from the third openings 335. This allows radiation waves from the electrode unit 20 to be suppressed not only by the first cover 310 but also by the third cover 330. Consequently, the entire housing 300 can block radiation waves of higher intensity compared to a case without the third cover 330. Furthermore, since the third cover portion 330 is configured to reciprocate in the X-direction along with the electrode unit 20, the X-direction dimension of the third cover portion 330 is set to be sufficient to accommodate the electrode unit 20. This allows for a reduction in weight and cost of the induction heating device 100e, compared to, for example, accommodating the electrode unit 20 in a metal cover having dimensions corresponding to the range of movement of the electrode unit 20. Furthermore, since the third cover portion 330 is provided with a plurality of fourth openings 336, it is possible to prevent steam generated by heating the object to be heated OH from accumulating within the third cover portion 330.

[0095] F. Sixth embodiment:

[0096] Figure 13 It is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an induction heating device 100f according to the sixth embodiment. Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the general configuration of an induction heating device 100f according to the sixth embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, the induction heating device 100f does not include a housing 300, namely, a first cover 310. Instead, it includes a movable portion 130b, a fourth cover 340, and an opposing portion 150. Any portions of the induction heating device 100f not specifically described are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0097] The fourth cover 340 is a metal component that covers the electrode unit 20 and faces the object to be heated OH, which is transported in the -Y direction, in the -Z direction. The fourth cover 340 has a fifth opening 345 that opens in the -Z direction toward the object to be heated OH. When viewed along the Z direction, the fifth opening 345 surrounds at least the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40. In this embodiment, the fourth cover 340 has an overall rectangular parallelepiped shape. In this embodiment, the fourth cover 340 has an overall rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the fifth opening 345 is formed as a rectangular opening extending across the entire lower surface of the fourth cover 340. For example, the fourth cover 340 can be formed of zinc, similar to the first cover 310 described in the first embodiment, or can be formed of carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, or various metal alloys. Furthermore, all or part of each surface of the fourth cover 340 can be formed of a metal mesh, for example, similar to the first cover 310, and have multiple openings.

[0098] The moving portion 130b is configured to enable the electrode unit 20 to reciprocate in a fifth direction. The fifth direction is a direction that intersects the first direction and is orthogonal to the second direction. The fifth direction includes both a direction along one side of the same axis and a direction opposite thereto, and in this embodiment, is a direction along the X-axis. The fourth cover portion 340 described above is configured to be movable in the X-direction together with the electrode unit 20 via the moving portion 130b. The moving portion 130b is composed of a support portion that supports the electrode unit 20 and the fourth cover portion 340, and a drive portion for moving the support portion along the X-direction. The support portion and the drive portion are configured, for example, in the same manner as the support portion and the drive portion of the moving portion 130 described in the fifth embodiment.

[0099] The opposing portion 150 is a metal member that opposes the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 across the object to be heated OH in the Z direction. The opposing portion 150 in this embodiment has a recess 151 that opens in the +Z direction, which is the opposite direction to the -Z direction. Figure 14 As shown, the lower end 341 of the fourth cover portion 340 is positioned within the opening of the recess 151. Alternatively, the lower end 341 of the fourth cover portion 340 is positioned below the upper end 152 of the inner wall portion of the opening of the recess 151. In this embodiment, the opening of the recess 151 has a size larger than the range of movement of the fourth cover portion 340 in the X direction. Thus, the movable portion 130b can reciprocate the fourth cover portion 340 and the electrode unit 20 in the X direction while the lower end 341 of the fourth cover portion 340 is positioned within the recess 151.

[0100] According to the sixth embodiment described above, the induction heating device 100f includes: a moving portion 130b configured to reciprocate the electrode unit 20 in the X direction; a metal fourth cover portion 340 that faces the object to be heated OH in the -Z direction, covers the electrode unit 20, and faces the object to be heated OH conveyed in the -Y direction in the -Z direction; and a metal opposing portion 150 that faces the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 in the Z direction, across the object to be heated OH conveyed in the -Y direction. The fourth cover portion 340 is configured to reciprocate in the X direction along with the electrode unit 20 and has a fifth opening 345 that opens in the -Z direction toward the object to be heated OH and surrounds the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 when viewed in the Z direction. Thus, even without a housing for preventing leakage of radiation waves from the electrode unit 20 while heating the object OH, the fourth cover 340 and the opposing portion 150 can block the radiation waves while still heating the object OH. Consequently, the accumulation of steam generated by heating the object OH can be suppressed. Consequently, contamination of the object OH by liquid due to condensation of the accumulated steam, or a decrease in drying efficiency when heating the object OH for drying, can be suppressed.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opposing portion 150 includes a recessed portion 151 that opens in the +Z direction, and the lower end 341 of the fourth cover portion 340 is positioned within the opening of the recessed portion 151. Consequently, compared to a case where the lower end 341 of the fourth cover portion 340 is positioned outside the opening of the recessed portion 151, the fourth cover portion 340 and the opposing portion 150 can block radiation waves of higher intensity. Consequently, for example, a higher voltage can be applied to the electrode unit 20, further improving the heating efficiency of the object OH.

[0102] G. Seventh Implementation Method:

[0103] Figure 15 It is a schematic diagram of an induction heating device 100g in the seventh embodiment. Figure 16 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating the structure of the fourth cover portion 340b in the seventh embodiment. Unlike the sixth embodiment, the induction heating device 100g in this embodiment includes a fourth edge portion 347 that continuously surrounds the fifth opening 345 of the fourth cover portion 340b. The structure of the induction heating device 100g in this embodiment, except for portions not specifically described, is the same as that in the sixth embodiment.

[0104] The fourth edge portion 347 is formed from an electrically insulating magnetic material. In this embodiment, a sheet-shaped Ni-Zn soft ferrite material is used as the fourth edge portion 347, similar to the first edge portion 317. The fourth edge portion 347 is fixed to the outer surface of the lower end 341 of the fourth cover portion 340b with adhesive so as to continuously surround the fifth opening 345. In other embodiments, the fourth edge portion 347 may be fixed to the inner surface of the lower end 341, or to both the outer and inner surfaces.

[0105] According to the seventh embodiment described above, a fourth edge portion 347 is arranged around the fifth opening 345 of the fourth cover portion 340b. The fourth edge portion 347 is formed of a magnetic material having a lower electrical conductivity than the metal forming the fourth cover portion 340b. Thus, similar to how the first edge portion 317 described in the first embodiment suppresses electromagnetic fields radiating from the first insertion port 312 to the outside of the first cover portion 310, the fourth edge portion 347 can suppress electromagnetic fields radiating from the fifth opening 345 to the outside of the fourth cover portion 340b.

[0106] H. Eighth embodiment:

[0107] Figure 17 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system 600 according to an eighth embodiment. The printing system 600 includes the induction heating device 100 described in the first embodiment and a liquid ejecting device 610 .

[0108] The liquid ejection device 610 in this embodiment is configured as an inkjet printer and includes a liquid ejection unit 620 for ejecting liquid onto a print medium; a medium transport unit 630 for transporting the print medium; and a ejection control unit 640 for controlling the liquid ejection unit 620 and the medium transport unit 630. The liquid ejection unit 620 is configured, for example, by a piezoelectric or thermal liquid ejection head. The medium transport unit 630 is configured, for example, by a roller, similar to the transport unit 200. The ejection control unit 640 is configured, for example, by a computer, similar to the control unit 500 of the induction heating device 100. The ejection control unit 640 controls the liquid ejection unit 620 and the medium transport unit 630 to transport the print medium and eject liquid onto the print medium for adhesion.

[0109] As described in the first embodiment, the induction heating device 100 heats the printing medium to which the liquid ejected by the liquid ejection unit 620 is attached as the object to be heated OH. That is, the conveying unit 200 conveys the printing medium to which the liquid is attached as the object to be heated OH. Figure 17As shown, the object to be heated OH may be continuously conveyed from the liquid ejecting device 610 to the induction heating device 100. In this case, for example, the conveying unit 200 of the induction heating device 100 may also function as the medium conveying unit 630. In addition, the object to be heated OH may not be continuously conveyed from the liquid ejecting device 610 to the induction heating device 100. For example, after temporarily winding the printing medium to which the liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting device 610 is attached into a roll, the wound printing medium may be moved to the induction heating device 100 by a robot or the like. In this case, by unwinding the roll-shaped printing medium while conveying it as the object to be heated OH by the conveying unit 200, the object to be heated OH can be heated in the induction heating device 100.

[0110] According to the eighth embodiment described above, it is also possible to suppress the steam generated by heating the object to be heated OH from accumulating in the housing 300. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the configuration of the induction heating device 100 included in the printing system 600 may also employ the configurations described in the second to seventh embodiments.

[0111] I. Other implementation methods:

[0112] (I-1) In the above embodiment, the first edge portion 317 is disposed around at least one of the first insertion port 312 and the first delivery port 314. Alternatively, the first edge portion 317 may not be disposed around the first insertion port 312 or the first delivery port 314. Similarly, the second edge portion 327 may not be disposed around the second insertion port 322 or the second delivery port 324.

[0113] (I-2) In the above embodiment, the total opening area of ​​each second opening 326 is larger than the total opening area of ​​each first opening 316. However, the total opening area of ​​each second opening 326 may be less than the total opening area of ​​each first opening 316.

[0114] (I-3) In the above embodiment, the first cover 310 is formed of zinc. However, the first cover 310 may be formed of a metal other than zinc, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or alloys of various metals. Similarly, the second cover 320 and the third cover 330 may also be formed of a metal other than zinc.

[0115] (I-4) In the above embodiment, the second electrode 40 is arranged so as to surround the first electrode 30 when viewed along the Z direction. In contrast, for example, the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 may be arranged so as to be adjacent to each other when viewed along the Z direction. In this case, for example, when the frequency f0 of the high-frequency voltage applied to the electrode unit 20 is 2.45 GHz, the area of ​​the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 when viewed along the Z direction is preferably 0.01 cm 2 Over 100.0cm 2 Below, more preferably 0.1 cm 2 More than 10.0cm 2 Below, more preferably 0.5cm 2 Above and 2.0cm 2 Below, more preferably 0.5cm 2 More than 1.0cm 2 Below. Thus, the radiation of the distant electromagnetic field from the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 can be suppressed. It should be noted that, when the frequency f0 is lower than 2.45 GHz, even if each area is smaller than the above, the radiation of the distant electromagnetic field from the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 can be effectively suppressed. In addition, in this case, the shape of the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 can be arbitrary, and can also be circular or elliptical, rectangular, polygonal, etc. In addition, when observed along the Z direction, the areas of the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 can be the same as or different from each other. It is preferred that the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 are configured in a manner that does not overlap each other when observed along the Z direction.

[0116] (I-5) In the above embodiment, a high-frequency voltage is applied to the electrode unit 20. In contrast, the frequency of the AC voltage applied to the electrode unit 20 may be any frequency sufficient to heat the object OH, and need not be high frequency. In this case, the frequency of the AC voltage is preferably, for example, not less than 100 kHz and not more than 1 MHz.

[0117] (I-6) In the above embodiment, the housing portion 300 may also include a box portion made of resin, and for example, the first cover portion 310 may be fixed to the inner wall surface of the box portion. In this case, one or more opening portions are provided on the box portion at a position corresponding to at least any one of the first opening portions 316 of the first cover portion 310. For example, a pipe or duct for supplying air to or inhaling air to the housing portion 300 may be connected to the opening portion. In addition, the first cover portion 310 may be buried in the wall surface of the box portion, in which case the same opening portion as described above is also provided on the box portion. In addition, in the case where the housing portion 300b includes the second cover portion 320 described in the second embodiment, similarly, the second cover portion 320 may be fixed to the inner wall surface of the box portion, or the second cover portion 320 may be buried in the wall surface of the box portion. Since a plurality of first openings 316 and second openings 326 are provided on the first cover 310 and the second cover 320 , the degree of freedom in configuring the openings provided on the box portion can be increased compared to a case where only a single opening is provided on the first cover 310 and the second cover 320 .

[0118] J.Other methods:

[0119] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and can be implemented in various ways without departing from its purpose. For example, the present disclosure can also be implemented in the following ways. In order to solve part or all of the technical problems of the present disclosure, or to achieve part or all of the effects of the present disclosure, the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various methods described below can be appropriately replaced or combined. In addition, if the technical features are not described as necessary content in this specification, they can be appropriately deleted.

[0120] (1) According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, an induction heating device is provided. The induction heating device comprises: a conveying portion for conveying an object to be heated; an electrode unit having a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode being opposed to the object to be heated conveyed in a first direction in a second direction intersecting the first direction and being applied with an AC voltage; and a first metal cover portion surrounding the electrode unit. The first cover portion comprises: a first insertion port for inserting the object to be heated into the first cover portion; a first delivery port for delivering the object to be heated to the outside of the first cover portion; and a plurality of first openings, which are different from the first insertion port and the first delivery port.

[0121] According to this embodiment, steam generated by heating the object to be heated within the first cover portion can move out of the first cover portion through the first opening, thereby preventing the steam from stagnating within the first cover portion. This prevents contamination of the object to be heated by liquid generated by condensation of the stagnant steam, or reduces drying efficiency when the object to be heated is dried.

[0122] (2) In the above embodiment, an edge portion may be provided, the edge portion being formed of an electrically insulating magnetic material and continuously surrounding at least one of the first insertion port and the first delivery port. In this embodiment, the edge portion can suppress electromagnetic fields radiated from the first insertion port or the first delivery port to the outside of the first cover portion.

[0123] (3) In the above-mentioned embodiment, a second cover portion made of metal surrounding the first cover portion may also be provided, wherein the second cover portion has: a second insertion port for inserting the heated object into the second cover portion; a second delivery port for delivering the heated object to the outside of the second cover portion; and a plurality of second openings, which are different from the second insertion port and the second delivery port. According to such an embodiment, the radiation waves from the electrode unit can be suppressed not only by the first cover portion but also by the second cover portion, so that the radiation waves of higher intensity can be blocked as a whole compared to the case where the second cover portion is not provided. Therefore, for example, a higher voltage can be applied to the first electrode and the second electrode of the electrode unit, which can further improve the heating efficiency of the heated object.

[0124] (4) In the above embodiment, the total opening area of ​​each of the second openings may be larger than the total opening area of ​​each of the first openings. According to this embodiment, compared with a case where the total opening area of ​​each of the second openings is less than the total opening area of ​​each of the first openings, the accumulation of steam in the second cover can be further suppressed, and the second cover can be made lighter.

[0125] (5) In the above embodiment, a plurality of electrode units may be provided, and the plurality of electrode units may be arranged in a third direction intersecting the first direction and orthogonal to the second direction. According to this embodiment, even when heating an object to be heated that is larger in the third direction, the object to be heated can be effectively heated by the plurality of electrode units while being conveyed in the first direction.

[0126] (6) In the above embodiment, a moving portion may be provided, wherein the moving portion is configured to reciprocate the electrode unit in a fourth direction intersecting the first direction and orthogonal to the second direction. According to such an embodiment, even when heating an object to be heated that is larger in the fourth direction, the object to be heated can be effectively heated by the electrode unit reciprocating in the fourth direction while the object to be heated is transported in the first direction. Therefore, even without providing a plurality of electrode units, an object to be heated that is larger in the fourth direction can be effectively heated.

[0127] (7) In the above-mentioned embodiment, a third metal cover may be provided. The third cover is arranged inside the first cover, covers the electrode unit, and faces the object to be heated that is conveyed in the first direction in the second direction. The third cover is configured to be reciprocating in the fourth direction together with the electrode unit, and has: a third opening that opens in the second direction toward the object to be heated and surrounds the first electrode and the second electrode when viewed along the second direction; and a plurality of fourth openings that are different from the third openings. According to such an embodiment, since the radiation waves from the electrode unit can be suppressed not only by the first cover but also by the third cover, a higher intensity radiation wave can be blocked as a whole compared to a case where the third cover is not provided. In addition, since the third cover is configured to be reciprocating in the fourth direction together with the electrode unit, by setting the dimension of the third cover in the fourth direction to a dimension sufficient to accommodate the electrode unit, the induction heating device can be made lighter and the cost reduced. Furthermore, since the plurality of fourth openings are provided on the third cover, it is possible to suppress the steam generated by the heating of the object to be heated from being retained in the third cover.

[0128] (8) In the above embodiment, the first cover portion may be formed of zinc. According to this embodiment, the first cover portion can be made lighter than when the first cover portion is formed of carbon steel or copper, for example. In addition, the strength of the first cover portion can be further increased compared to when the first cover portion is formed of aluminum, for example.

[0129] (9) In the above embodiment, an airflow generating unit for generating airflow within the first cover portion may be provided. In this embodiment, the airflow generating unit generates airflow within the first cover portion, thereby effectively ventilating the inside and outside of the first cover portion. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the accumulation of steam generated by heating the object within the first cover portion.

[0130] (10) According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, an induction heating device is provided. The induction heating device comprises: a conveying portion for conveying an object to be heated; an electrode unit having a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode being opposed to each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction relative to the object to be heated being conveyed in the first direction, and having an AC voltage applied thereto; a moving portion configured to enable the electrode unit to reciprocate in a fifth direction intersecting the first direction and orthogonal to the second direction; a fourth metal cover portion, opposed to the object to be heated being conveyed in the first direction in the second direction, covering the electrode unit; and a metal opposing portion, opposed to the first electrode and the second electrode across the object to be heated in a direction along the second direction. The fourth cover portion is configured to be able to reciprocate in the fifth direction together with the electrode unit, and has a fifth opening portion, the fifth opening portion being open in the second direction toward the object to be heated, and surrounding the first electrode and the second electrode when viewed along the second direction.

[0131] According to this method, even without a housing for preventing leakage of radiation waves from the electrode unit and heating the object to be heated, the fourth cover portion and the opposing portion can block the radiation waves while still heating the object to be heated via the electrode unit. This prevents the accumulation of steam generated by heating the object to be heated. This also prevents contamination of the object to be heated by liquid generated by condensation of the accumulated steam, or reduces drying efficiency during heating and drying of the object to be heated.

[0132] (11) According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a printing system is provided. The printing system includes the induction heating device of the above aspect and a liquid ejecting unit that ejects liquid onto a printing medium, wherein the transport unit transports the printing medium to which the liquid is attached as the object to be heated.

Claims

1. An induction heating device, characterized in that: have: Conveying unit, for conveying heated objects; an electrode unit including a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode being opposed to the object to be heated being transported in the first direction in a second direction intersecting the first direction and being applied with an AC voltage; as well as A first metal cover portion surrounds the electrode unit. The first cover portion has: a first insertion opening, for inserting the heated object into the first cover; a first delivery port, for delivering the heated object out of the first cover; as well as a plurality of first openings, different from the first insertion opening and the first delivery opening; as well as The moving portion is configured to reciprocate the electrode unit in a fourth direction that intersects the first direction and is orthogonal to the second direction.

2. The induction heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that The induction heating device includes an edge portion formed of an electrically insulating magnetic material and continuously surrounding at least one of the first insertion port and the first delivery port.

3. The induction heating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The induction heating device includes a second metal cover portion surrounding the first cover portion. The second cover portion has: a second insertion opening, for inserting the heated object into the second cover portion; a second delivery port, for delivering the heated object out of the second cover portion; as well as The plurality of second openings are different from the second insertion opening and the second delivery opening.

4. The induction heating device according to claim 3, characterized in that The sum of the opening areas of the second openings is larger than the sum of the opening areas of the first openings.

5. The induction heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that The induction heating device includes a plurality of electrode units. The plurality of electrode units are arranged in a third direction that intersects the first direction and is orthogonal to the second direction.

6. The induction heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that The induction heating device includes a third metal cover, the third cover being arranged inside the first cover, covering the electrode unit, and facing the object to be heated being conveyed in the first direction in the second direction. The third cover portion is configured to be reciprocatable in the fourth direction together with the electrode unit, and includes: a third opening portion, opening in the second direction toward the object to be heated and surrounding the first electrode and the second electrode when viewed along the second direction; as well as The plurality of fourth openings are different from the third openings.

7. The induction heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first cover portion is formed of zinc.

8. The induction heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that The induction heating device includes an airflow generating portion that generates an airflow in the first cover portion.

9. An induction heating device, characterized in that: have: Conveying unit, for conveying heated objects; an electrode unit including a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode being opposed to the object to be heated being transported in the first direction in a second direction intersecting the first direction and being applied with an AC voltage; a moving portion configured to reciprocate the electrode unit in a fifth direction intersecting the first direction and orthogonal to the second direction; a fourth metal cover portion, facing the object to be heated conveyed in the first direction in the second direction, and covering the electrode unit; as well as The metal opposing portion is opposed to the first electrode and the second electrode with the object to be heated interposed therebetween in a direction along the second direction. The fourth cover portion is configured to be reciprocally movable in the fifth direction together with the electrode unit. The fourth cover has a fifth opening that opens in the second direction toward the object to be heated and surrounds the first electrode and the second electrode when viewed along the second direction.

10. A printing system, characterized in that: have: The induction heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and The liquid ejecting unit ejects liquid onto the printing medium. The transport unit transports the printing medium to which the liquid is attached as the object to be heated.

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