Printing device

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of printing device for inhibiting the deformation of contact heating plate due to heat, thereby increasing the case of conveying load.The printing device (1) has: conveying part (6), which conveys medium (P) in conveying direction (A);Printing part (3), which sprays liquid to the conveyed medium (P) to print;Drying part (10), which dries the printed medium (P), and the drying part (10) has: contact heating plate (1311), which contacts the back (P2) of the printed medium (P) on the first surface (1311A);Heating part (1312), which heats the contact heating plate (1311) from the second surface (1311B) side;Heating plate holding part (1313), which is installed with contact heating plate (1311), and the upstream side end (1311X) and downstream side end (1311Y) of the second surface (1311B) of contact heating plate (1311) and conveying direction (A) are fixed with reinforcing component (1316) extending in width direction (B) respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a printing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Various printing apparatuses have been used throughout history. Among them, for drying liquid sprayed onto a medium, there exists a printing apparatus with a contact heating plate in the drying section, which brings the heating section into contact with the back side of the medium opposite to the printing surface. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus having a first heater and a second heater in the drying section that heat the medium by contacting the back side of the medium.

[0003] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-133808. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In printing apparatuses with a contact heating plate in the drying section that contacts the heating element against the back of the medium opposite to the printing surface, the contact heating plate may deform due to heat. If the contact heating plate deforms, the transport load may increase, thereby reducing the transport accuracy of the medium and consequently reducing the print quality.

[0005] The printing apparatus of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is characterized by comprising: a conveying section that conveys a medium in a conveying direction; a printing section that sprays liquid onto the medium conveyed by the conveying section for printing; and a drying section that dries the medium after printing by the printing section, the drying section comprising: a contact heating plate that contacts the back side of the printed medium opposite to the printing surface on a first surface; a heating section that heats the contact heating plate; and a heating plate holding section on which the contact heating plate is mounted, wherein reinforcing members extending in a width direction intersecting the conveying direction are fixed on the second surface of the contact heating plate on the side opposite to the first surface, at an upstream end and a downstream end in the conveying direction, respectively. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a side view of the printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 2 To indicate Figure 1 A side view of the area surrounding the drying section of the printing apparatus.

[0008] Figure 3 To indicate Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of the drying section of a printing apparatus.

[0009] Figure 4 To indicate in Figure 1A conceptual diagram of the state of the medium being transported in the drying section of a printing apparatus.

[0010] Figure 5 To indicate from and Figure 3 Observed from different angles Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of the drying section of a printing apparatus.

[0011] Figure 6 To indicate Figure 1 An enlarged perspective sectional view of the mounting portion of the contact heating plate of the drying section of the printing apparatus relative to the heating plate holding section.

[0012] Figure 7 To indicate Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of the mounting portion of the contact heating plate of the drying section of the printing apparatus relative to the heating plate holding section.

[0013] Figure 8 To indicate from and Figure 3 as well as Figure 5 Observed from different angles Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of the drying section of a printing apparatus, showing the upstream end of the contact heating plate.

[0014] Figure 9 To observe from the second side Figure 1 A perspective view of the periphery of the reinforcing member of the drying section of the printing apparatus, showing the upstream or downstream end of the contact heating plate.

[0015] Figure 10 To observe from the first side Figure 1 A perspective view of the periphery of the reinforcing member of the drying section of the printing apparatus, showing the upstream or downstream end of the contact heating plate.

[0016] Figure 11 To indicate Figure 1 A perspective view of the reinforcing component of the drying section of the printing apparatus.

[0017] Figure 12 To indicate Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the installation state of the contact heating plate and reinforcing components of the drying section of the printing apparatus.

[0018] Figure 13 A perspective view showing a portion of the drying section of a printing apparatus for a reference example.

[0019] Figure 14 To indicate in Figure 13 A schematic diagram showing the state of the medium being transported in the drying section of a printing apparatus.

[0020] Figure 15 To indicate Figure 13A schematic diagram of the contact heating plate in the drying section of the printing apparatus. Detailed Implementation

[0021] First, the present invention will be described in summary.

[0022] The printing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is characterized by comprising: a conveying section that conveys a medium in a conveying direction; a printing section that sprays liquid onto the medium conveyed by the conveying section for printing; and a drying section that dries the medium after printing by the printing section, the drying section comprising: a contact heating plate that contacts the back side of the printed medium opposite to the printing surface on a first surface; a heating section that heats the contact heating plate; and a heating plate holding section on which the contact heating plate is mounted, wherein reinforcing members extending in a width direction intersecting the conveying direction are fixed on a second surface of the contact heating plate on the side opposite to the first surface, at an upstream end and a downstream end in the conveying direction, respectively.

[0023] According to this method, reinforcing members extending in a width direction intersecting the conveying direction are fixed to the second surface of the contact heating plate at both the upstream and downstream ends in the conveying direction. This structure suppresses deformation of the contact heating plate. Therefore, it prevents deformation of the contact heating plate from increasing the conveying load.

[0024] The printing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention is a subordinate aspect of the first aspect, characterized in that the reinforcing member does not contact the heating plate holding part but is only fixed to the second surface.

[0025] According to this method, the reinforcing member is fixed only to the second surface and not to any other component. This structure prevents the force applied to the reinforcing member via the contact heating plate from directly affecting components other than the reinforcing member.

[0026] The third-party printing apparatus of the present invention is a method subordinate to the first or second method, characterized in that the surface of the reinforcing member that is mounted on the side of the contact heating plate is concave.

[0027] According to this method, the side of the reinforcing member that is mounted on the heating plate is concave. By designing it in this way, the friction between the conveyed medium and the first surface can be reduced, thereby effectively suppressing the increase of the conveying load.

[0028] The printing apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to third aspects, characterized in that the contact heating plate is provided with a plurality of first through holes arranged at both ends in the width direction along the conveying direction, and is threadedly fastened to the heating plate holding portion at the positions of the plurality of first through holes, and is movable relative to the heating plate holding portion in a direction intersecting the thickness direction of the contact heating plate while being threadedly fastened at the positions of the plurality of first through holes.

[0029] According to this method, the contact heating plate can be moved relative to the heating plate holding portion in a direction intersecting the thickness direction of the contact heating plate while being threadedly fastened at the positions of the plurality of first through holes. With this structure, even if the contact heating plate expands due to heating, the amount of expansion can be released in the direction intersecting the thickness direction of the contact heating plate, thereby suppressing the expansion of the contact heating plate in the thickness direction. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the situation where the contact heating plate deforms due to heat, thereby increasing the conveying load.

[0030] The printing apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention is a subordinate aspect of the fourth aspect, characterized in that the drying section has a spacer that is thicker than the depth of the first through hole.

[0031] According to this method, the drying section has a spacer that is thicker than the depth of the first through hole. By configuring it in this way, even if the contact heating plate expands due to heating, the amount of expansion of the contact heating plate can be released particularly effectively in the direction intersecting the thickness direction of the contact heating plate, thereby particularly effectively suppressing the expansion of the contact heating plate in the thickness direction. Therefore, it is particularly effective to suppress the situation where the contact heating plate deforms due to heat, thereby increasing the conveying load.

[0032] The printing apparatus of the sixth aspect of the present invention is a subordinate aspect of the fourth aspect, characterized in that the screw is a stepped screw having a stepped portion, the thickness of which is greater than the depth of the first through hole.

[0033] According to this method, the screw is a stepped screw with a stepped portion, the thickness of which is greater than the depth of the first through hole. By configuring it in this way, even if the contact heating plate expands due to heating, the amount of expansion of the contact heating plate can be released particularly effectively in the direction intersecting the thickness direction of the contact heating plate, thereby particularly effectively suppressing the expansion of the contact heating plate in the thickness direction. Therefore, it is particularly effective to suppress the situation where the contact heating plate deforms due to heat, thereby increasing the conveying load.

[0034] The printing apparatus of the seventh aspect of the present invention is a type subordinate to the fourth aspect, characterized in that the depth of the threaded hole of the heating plate holding part that engages with the screw is such that when the screw is threaded at the position of the first through hole, the distance between the screw head of the screw and the forming surface of the threaded hole is larger than the thickness of the contact heating plate.

[0035] According to this method, the depth of the threaded hole in the heating plate retaining part is such that when the screw head and the forming surface of the threaded hole are threaded at the position of the first through hole, the distance between them is larger than the thickness of the contact heating plate. By configuring it in this way, even if the contact heating plate expands due to heating, the amount of expansion of the contact heating plate can be released particularly effectively in the direction intersecting the thickness direction of the contact heating plate, thereby particularly effectively suppressing the expansion of the contact heating plate in the thickness direction. Therefore, it is particularly effective to suppress the situation where the contact heating plate deforms due to heat, thereby increasing the conveying load.

[0036] The printing apparatus of the eighth aspect of the present invention is a method belonging to any one of the fourth to seventh aspects, characterized in that the first through hole has a width that leaves a gap between it and the screw shaft of the screw.

[0037] According to this method, the first through hole has a width that leaves a gap between it and the screw shaft. By setting it in this way, it is possible to easily form a structure in which the contact heating plate can be moved relative to the heating plate holding part in a direction intersecting the thickness direction of the contact heating plate while being threaded at the positions of the plurality of first through holes.

[0038] The printing apparatus of the ninth aspect of the present invention is a method belonging to any one of the fourth to eighth aspects, characterized in that the contact heating plate has a second through hole at both ends in the width direction, and is fixed relative to the heating plate holding part at the position of the second through hole by being threaded to the heating plate holding part at the position of the second through hole.

[0039] According to this method, the contact heating plate has second through holes at both ends in the width direction, and is threaded onto the heating plate retaining part at the position of the second through holes, thereby being fixed relative to the heating plate retaining part at the position of the second through holes. With such a structure, even if the contact heating plate expands due to heating, the amount of expansion of the contact heating plate can be released to both sides with reference to the position of the second through holes.

[0040] The printing apparatus of the tenth aspect of the present invention is a type subordinate to the ninth aspect, characterized in that the second through hole is respectively provided at both ends of the contact heating plate in the width direction at the center of the contact heating plate in the conveying direction.

[0041] According to this method, the second through holes are respectively provided at both ends of the contact heating plate in the width direction and at the center of the contact heating plate in the conveying direction. With such a structure, even if the contact heating plate expands due to heating, the amount of expansion of the contact heating plate can be released to both sides with reference to the center in the conveying direction corresponding to the position of the second through holes.

[0042] The printing apparatus of the eleventh aspect of the present invention is a type belonging to any one of the first to tenth aspects, characterized in that the contact heating plate, while being held by the heating plate holding portion, is bent such that, when viewed from the width direction, the center protrudes toward the side opposite to the side held by the heating plate holding portion.

[0043] According to this method, the contact heating plate, while held by the heated plate holding part, is bent such that, when viewed from the width direction, its center bulges toward the side opposite to the side held by the heated plate holding part. By configuring it with this structure, the conveyed medium can be effectively heated on the contact heating plate.

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, referring to... Figure 1 The general outline of printing apparatus 1, which is an embodiment of the present invention, will now be described. Figure 1 As shown, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes: a placement section 2 for placing a roll-shaped medium P; a take-up section 5 for taking up the medium P conveyed from the placement section 2; and a print head 3, which serves as a printing section, sprays liquid ink onto the printing surface P1 of the medium P conveyed along the conveying direction A from the placement section 2 to the take-up section 5 to form an image. Furthermore, it includes: a medium support section 4 for supporting the medium P in the image forming area where an image is formed by the print head 3; and multiple rollers 6 provided along the conveying path of the medium P. As rollers 6, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a drive roller that provides conveying force to the medium P as a conveying section, and a driven roller that rotates passively in conjunction with the conveying of the medium P.

[0045] The print head 3 is positioned on a side opposite to the printing surface P1 of the medium P being transported in the transport direction A. With the back surface P2 of the medium P, opposite to the printing surface P1, supported by the medium support 4, ink is ejected onto the printing surface P1 to form an image. Specifically, in this embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 reciprocates the print head 3 in the scanning direction C along the transport direction A to perform printing. More specifically, in this embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 intermittently drives (intermittently transports) the medium P in the transport direction A, and reciprocates the print head 3 in the scanning direction C, ejecting ink from the print head 3 to perform printing.

[0046] In this embodiment, the printhead 3 can complete the image formation of the entire image formation area supported by the medium support portion 4 on the printing surface P1 in one scan (one cycle), and can also complete the image formation by performing multiple scans (multiple cycles) on the entire image formation area. Compared with the case where the image formation is completed in one cycle, when the image formation is completed in multiple cycles, of course, the transport stop time of the medium P caused by intermittent transport will be longer.

[0047] In this embodiment, the print head 3 is structured to reciprocate along the scanning direction C of the transport direction A for printing. However, the structure of the print head 3 is not particularly limited. Instead of a print head 3 that reciprocates along the scanning direction C of the transport direction A for printing, a print head 3 that reciprocates along the width direction B intersecting the transport direction A for printing may also be provided. A so-called line print head may also be provided, in which nozzles that eject ink across the entire width direction B of the medium P are arranged along the width direction B and printing is performed even when the print head is stopped.

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, in the transport path of the medium P, a drying section 10 is provided downstream of the print head 3 in the transport direction A to dry the ink sprayed onto the medium P. Multiple rollers 6 are provided on the transport path of the medium P from the print head 3 to the drying section 10, and on the transport path of the medium P from the drying section 10 to the winding section 5. As the drying section 10, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a first drying section 10A that the medium P first arrives at from the print head 3, and a second drying section 10B that can further dry the medium P after it has been dried by the first drying section 10A. Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the first drying section 10A and the second drying section 10B are arranged vertically. However, this structure is not limited to this configuration.

[0049] The following is for reference Figures 2 to 12 Let's now provide a more detailed explanation of the drying section 10. For example... Figure 2As shown, the drying unit 10 includes a plurality of fans 11. As described above, the drying unit 10 is divided into a first drying unit 10A and a second drying unit 10B. In the first drying unit 10A, airflow generated by the fans 11 can be sprayed from a first airflow jet 12A, which is the lower surface side, toward the printing surface P1 of the medium P. In the second drying unit 10B, airflow generated by the fans 11 can be sprayed from a second airflow jet 12B, which is the upper surface side, toward the printing surface P1 of the medium P. The first airflow jet 12A and the second airflow jet 12B have the same structure.

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, the first drying section 10A has a first contact heating section 131A, which serves as a contact heating section 131, in the region opposite the first airflow jet section 12A in the transport path of the medium P. The first contact heating section 131A has a contact heating plate 1311 that contacts and heats the back surface P2 of the medium P. On the other hand, the second drying section 10B has a second contact heating section 131B, which serves as a contact heating section 131, in the region opposite the second airflow jet section 12B in the transport path of the medium P. The second contact heating section 131B has a contact heating plate 1311 that contacts and heats the back surface P2 of the medium P. The first contact heating section 131A and the second contact heating section 131B have the same structure. As the contact heating plate 1311, for example, it can be configured to have a structure such as a rubber heater 1312 as described in this embodiment below.

[0051] Thus, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes: a roller 6 serving as a conveying unit, which conveys a medium P in the conveying direction A; a print head 3 serving as a printing unit, which sprays liquid onto the medium P conveyed by the roller 6 for printing; and a drying unit 10, which dries the medium P after printing by the print head 3. Hereinafter, refer to Figures 3 to 13 The details of the contact heating section 131 in the second drying section 10B, which is a main part of the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, will now be described. Since the first drying section 10A and the second drying section 10B have the same structure, the description of the contact heating section 131 in the first drying section 10A will be omitted.

[0052] like Figures 3 to 13 As shown, the contact heating section 131 of the drying section 10 has a contact heating plate 1311 that contacts the back side P2, which is opposite to the printed surface P1 and the printed surface P1, on the first surface 1311A. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 as well as Figure 4As shown, the contact heating part 131 includes: a rubber heater 1312 serving as a heating part, which attaches the contact heating plate 1311 to the second surface 1311B opposite to the first surface 1311A and heats it from the second surface 1311B side; and a heating plate holding part 1313 on which the contact heating plate 1311 is mounted.

[0053] In addition, such as Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the contact heating section 131 has reinforcing members 1316 fixed on the second surface 1311B of the contact heating plate 1311 at the upstream end 1311X and the downstream end 1311Y in the conveying direction A, respectively. These members extend in the width direction B, which intersects the conveying direction A. This structure prevents the contact heating plate 1311 from deforming into a shape that bulges towards the first surface 1311A when viewed from the conveying direction A. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment can suppress the situation where the contact heating plate 1311 deforms into a shape that bulges towards the first surface 1311A due to the manufacturing process of the drying section or the heat during drying, thereby increasing the conveying load.

[0054] The above situation will be explained in more detail. Figure 13 In the printing apparatus of the reference example shown, where the contact heating plate 1311 does not have a reinforcing member 1316, at the upstream end 1311X and downstream end 1311Y of the contact heating plate 1311, the following may occur: Figure 13 The deformation of the contact heating plate 1311 is shown by the dashed line. Thus, as... Figure 14 As shown, relative to the medium P being transported, the contact heating plate 1311 has creases at the upstream end 1311X and the downstream end 1311Y, and the frictional force is stronger at the upstream end 1311X and the downstream end 1311Y of the contact heating plate 1311 relative to the medium P being transported.

[0055] When the frictional force relative to the conveyed medium P increases at the upstream end 1311X and downstream end 1311Y of the contact heating plate 1311, the conveying load increases, which may lead to a decrease in conveying accuracy. In particular, in situations such as... Figure 13 As shown by the dashed line, when viewed from the conveying direction A, if the heating plate holder 1313 bends in such a way that it protrudes from the center toward the side opposite to the side held by the heating plate holder 1311, there is a tendency for the frictional force to increase at the upstream end 1311X and the downstream end 1311Y of the contact heating plate 1311.

[0056] On the other hand, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, no deformation of the contact heating plate 131 occurs at the upstream end 1311X and the downstream end 1311Y of the contact heating plate 1311. Therefore, as Figure 4 As shown, there will be no creases forming on the upstream end 1311X and downstream end 1311Y of the contact heating plate 1311 relative to the conveyed medium P. Therefore, there will be no increase in frictional force at the upstream end 1311X and downstream end 1311Y of the contact heating plate 1311 relative to the conveyed medium P, thus preventing a decrease in conveying accuracy due to increased conveying load.

[0057] Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, the contact heating plate 1311 has a plurality of first through holes H1 and second through holes H2 arranged at both ends in the width direction B along the conveying direction A, and is threadedly fastened to the heating plate holding part 1313 by screws 1314 at the positions of the plurality of first through holes H1 and second through holes H2. Here, the contact heating plate 1311 can be threadedly fastened at the positions of the plurality of first through holes H1 and second through holes H2, and the thickness direction D (refer to the thickness direction) is the direction corresponding to the thickness direction intersecting the surface direction of the contact heating plate 1311. Figure 6 and Figure 7 It moves relative to the heating plate holding part 1313 in the direction intersecting the thickness direction D (the surface direction of the first surface 1311A and the second surface 1311B).

[0058] The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is configured in such a way that even if the contact heating plate 1311 expands due to heating, the amount of expansion of the contact heating plate 1311 can be released in the thickness direction D and in the direction intersecting the thickness direction D, thereby suppressing the expansion of the contact heating plate 1311 in the thickness direction of the screw. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment can effectively suppress the situation where the contact heating plate 1311 deforms due to heat, thereby increasing the conveying load.

[0059] The above situation will be explained in more detail. Figure 13 In the printing apparatus of the reference example shown, the contact heating plate 1311 is fixed relative to the heating plate holding portion 1313 and is not configured to be movable relative to the heating plate holding portion 1313. Therefore, as... Figure 15 As shown, the contact heating plate 1311 deforms from the state shown by the solid line to the state shown by the dashed line, and this deformation also increases the frictional force. If the frictional force between the contact heating plate 1311 and the conveyed medium P increases, the conveying load will increase, which may lead to a decrease in conveying accuracy, etc. On the other hand, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment can suppress such... Figure 15 The deformation of the contact heating plate 1311 shown will not cause an increase in the conveying load and a decrease in conveying accuracy.

[0060] In addition, although Figure 15 As shown by the dotted line, the contact heating plate 1311 as a whole bends considerably in a manner that, when viewed from the width direction B, bulges towards the side opposite to the side held by the heated plate holder 1313. However, this is only an illustrative representation. In reality, the portions corresponding to the gaps between the parts fastened by the screws 1314 will bend by approximately 1mm to 2mm towards the side opposite to the side held by the heated plate holder 1313. Moreover, this phenomenon tends to occur immediately after the contact heating plate 1311 has been heated, but there are also cases where this phenomenon is mitigated shortly after heating due to the expansion of the heated plate holder 1313 and the like.

[0061] Here, as Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, the drying section 10 of the printing apparatus 1 has a spacer 1315 at the lower part of the screw head 1314A of the screw 1314, which engages with the first through hole H1. More specifically, as... Figure 6 As shown, the drying section 10 has a spacer 1315 with a thickness L2 that is larger than the depth L1 of the first through hole H1.

[0062] The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is configured in such a way that even if the contact heating plate 1311 expands due to heating, the amount of expansion of the contact heating plate 1311 can be released particularly effectively in the thickness direction D and in the direction intersecting the thickness direction D (the surface direction of the first surface 1311A and the second surface 1311B), thereby particularly effectively suppressing the expansion of the contact heating plate 1311 in the thickness direction D and in the direction intersecting the thickness direction D. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment can particularly effectively suppress the situation where the contact heating plate 1311 deforms due to heat, thereby increasing the transport load.

[0063] Furthermore, although in this embodiment the spacer 1315 has a different structure than the screw 1314, it could also be configured as a stepped screw where the screw 1314 and spacer 1315 are integrally formed. In this case, the stepped portion of the stepped screw functions as the spacer 1315. Additionally, although in this embodiment, as... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, a washer 1318 is provided between the screw head 1314A and the first face 1311A. However, if the screw head 1314A is a size that will not be inserted into the first through hole H1, the washer 1318 may be omitted. When the washer 1318 is provided, the screw head 1314A can be considered as including the washer 1318.

[0064] Alternatively, instead of providing such a spacer 1315, the depth L3 of the threaded hole 1313A that engages with the screw of the heating plate retaining part 1313 can be set such that when the screw 1314 is threaded at the position of the first through hole H1, the distance L4 between the forming surfaces 1313B of the threaded hole 1313A of the screw head 1314A and the first through hole H1 is larger than the thickness of the contact heating plate 1311, i.e., the depth L1 of the first through hole H1. With this structure, even if the contact heating plate 1311 expands due to heating, the amount of expansion of the contact heating plate 1311 can be released particularly effectively in the thickness direction D and in the direction intersecting the thickness direction D, thereby particularly effectively suppressing the expansion of the contact heating plate 1311 in the thickness direction D and in the direction intersecting the thickness direction D.

[0065] Here, as Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the first through hole H1 is an elongated hole that is longer in one direction (conveyance direction A) when viewed from the first surface 1311A. In other words, as Figure 6 As shown, the first through hole H1 has a width of G between itself and the screw shaft 1314B of the screw 1314 in the surface direction of the first surface 1311A and the second surface 1311B. By providing this structure, it is possible to easily form a structure in which the contact heating plate 1311, while being threaded at the positions of the plurality of first through holes H1, can move relative to the heating plate holding portion 1313 in a direction intersecting the thickness direction D. Furthermore, the fact that the width of the first through hole H1 has a gap G between itself and the screw shaft 1314B of the screw 1314 means that, in the case of a spacer 1315 as in this embodiment, the spacer 1315 is also included and considered as the screw shaft, and the first through hole H1 has a width that leaves a gap between itself and the spacer 1315.

[0066] Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, the contact heating plate 1311 has second through holes H2 at both ends in the width direction B. Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, by being threaded onto the heating plate holding portion 1313 at the position of the second through holes H2, the contact heating plate 1311 is fixed relative to the heating plate holding portion 1313 at the position of the second through holes H2 in a manner that prevents it from moving in the thickness direction D and in directions intersecting the thickness direction D. By providing such a structure, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment can release the amount of expansion of the contact heating plate 1311 to both sides (along both sides of the transport direction A) with reference to the position of the second through holes H2, even if the contact heating plate 1311 expands due to heating.

[0067] In detail, such as Figure 5 As shown, the second through holes H2 are respectively provided at both ends of the contact heating plate 1311 in the width direction B and at the center of the contact heating plate 1311 in the conveying direction A. With this structure, even if the contact heating plate 1311 expands due to heating, the amount of expansion of the contact heating plate 1311 can be released to both sides with reference to the center in the conveying direction A corresponding to the position of the second through holes H2. Furthermore, the term "center" here does not require a strictly literal center, but rather approximate centrality.

[0068] Here, the reinforcing member 1316 will be described in more detail. In the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, as... Figure 10 As shown, a threaded hole H3, serving as a through hole H, is provided in the contact heating plate 1311, and as... Figure 9 As shown, the reinforcing member 1316 is provided with a threaded hole H4 as a through hole H. The reinforcing member 1316 is fixed to the contact heating plate 1311 by having a screw 1317 inserted into the threaded hole H3 from the second surface 1311B side of the contact heating plate 1311 via the threaded hole H4.

[0069] At this time, as Figure 12 As shown, the shaft of the screw 1317 that secures the reinforcing member 1316 and the contact heating plate 1311 does not extend to the first surface 1311A. That is, the reinforcing member 1316 includes a fixing member (screw 1317) and is fixed only to the second surface 1311B relative to the contact heating plate 1311, without extending to the first surface 1311A. Thus, by configuring the reinforcing member 1316 not to any component other than the second surface 1311B, it is possible to prevent the reinforcing member 1316 and its fixing portion from extending to the first surface 1311A and coming into contact with the transported medium P. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the force applied to the reinforcing member 1316 via the contact heating plate 1311 from directly affecting components other than the reinforcing member 1316.

[0070] In addition, such as Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the reinforcing member 1316 has a concave surface 1316A in the thickness direction D, which intersects the surface direction of the contact heating plate 1311, and the thickness gradually decreases from the outer side of the width direction B towards the center. The height difference of the concave surface 1316A can be set to, for example, 0.25 mm. Furthermore, as... Figure 12As shown, the contact heating plate 1311 is fixed along the concave surface 1316A using screws 1317. That is, the side of the reinforcing member 1316 that is mounted on the contact heating plate 1311 is concave. With this structure, when the reinforcing member 1316 is fixed to the contact heating plate 1311, the contact heating plate 1311 bends in a way that the center is recessed towards the side where the contact heating plate 1311 is fixed, when viewed from the conveying direction A. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the situation where the contact heating plate 1311 bends in a way that the center is convex towards the side opposite to the side held by the heated plate holding part 1313 when viewed from the conveying direction A, thereby reducing the friction between the conveyed medium P and the first surface 1311A, and thus effectively suppressing the increase of the conveying load.

[0071] In addition, such as Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, when the contact heating plate 1311 is held by the heated plate holding portion 1313, it is bent in a manner that protrudes from the center toward the side opposite to the side held by the heated plate holding portion 1313 when viewed from the width direction B. With such a structure, the conveyed medium P can be effectively heated on the contact heating plate 1311.

[0072] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can be implemented through various structures without departing from its spirit. For example, in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various methods described in the summary of the invention can be appropriately replaced or combined. Furthermore, any technical feature that is not described as an essential technical feature in this specification can be appropriately deleted.

[0073] Symbol Explanation

[0074] 1…Printing apparatus; 2…Setting section; 3…Print head (printing section); 4…Media support section; 5…Rewinding section; 6…Roller (conveyor section); 10…Drying section; 10A…First drying section; 10B…Second drying section; 11…Fan; 12…Air jet section; 12A…First air jet section; 12B…Second air jet section; 131…Contact heating section; 131A…First contact heating section; 131B…Second contact heating section; 1311…Contact heating plate; 1311A…First surface; 1311B…Second surface; 1311X…Upstream end; 1311Y…Downstream side End; 1312… Rubber heater (heating part); 1313… Heating plate holding part; 1313A… Threaded hole; 1313B… Forming surface; 1314… Screw; 1314A… Screw head; 1314B… Screw shaft; 1315… Spacer; 1316… Reinforcing member; 1316A… Concave surface; 1317… Screw; 1318… Washer; G… Spacer; H… Through hole; H1… First through hole; H2… Second through hole; H3… Threaded hole; H4… Threaded hole; L1… Depth; L2… Thickness; L3… Depth; P… Medium; P1… Printed surface; P2… Back side.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus, characterized in that, have: The conveying unit, which conveys the medium in the conveying direction; A printing unit that sprays liquid onto the medium being conveyed through the conveying unit to perform printing; The drying section dries the printed medium after printing, which is performed by the printing section. The drying section has: The contact heating plate is in contact with the back side of the printed medium on its first surface, which is opposite to the printed surface. A heating section that heats the contact heating plate; The heating plate holding part is equipped with the aforementioned contact heating plate. On the second surface of the contact heating plate on the side opposite to the first surface, at the upstream end and downstream end in the conveying direction, respectively, reinforcing members extending in a width direction intersecting the conveying direction are fixed.

2. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The reinforcing component does not contact the heating plate retaining part but is only fixed to the second surface.

3. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The side of the reinforcing component that is mounted on the contact heating plate is concave.

4. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The contact heating plate has a plurality of first through holes arranged at both ends in the width direction along the conveying direction, and is threadedly fastened to the heating plate holding part at the positions of the plurality of first through holes, and can move relative to the heating plate holding part in a direction intersecting the thickness direction of the contact heating plate while being threadedly fastened at the positions of the plurality of first through holes.

5. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The drying section has a spacer that is thicker than the depth of the first through hole between the forming surface of the threaded hole that engages with the screw in the heating plate retaining section and the screw head.

6. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The screw is a stepped screw with a stepped portion, the thickness of which is greater than the depth of the first through hole.

7. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The depth of the threaded hole in the heating plate retaining part that engages with the screw is such that when the screw is threaded at the position of the first through hole, the distance between the screw head and the forming surface of the threaded hole is larger than the thickness of the contact heating plate.

8. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that, The first through hole has a width that leaves a gap between it and the screw shaft of the screw.

9. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that, The contact heating plate has a second through hole at both ends in the width direction, and is fixed relative to the heating plate holding part at the position of the second through hole by being threaded to the heating plate holding part at the position of the second through hole.

10. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, The second through hole is respectively provided at both ends of the contact heating plate in the width direction and at the center of the contact heating plate in the conveying direction.

11. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The contact heating plate, while being held by the heating plate holding part, is bent such that, when viewed from the width direction, the center bulges toward the side opposite to the side held by the heating plate holding part.

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