Printer

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of suppressing a decline in workability of work related to a contact heating part.SOLUTION: A first contact heating part includes: a first contact heating surface configured to contact a rear surface of a medium after printing; a first engagement part that can be engaged with a first guide part; a second engagement part that can be engaged with a second guide part; a first sliding part that is arranged on a first surface where the first engagement part is provided and slidable in a state of being in contact with a first support part; and a second sliding part that is arranged on a second surface where the second engagement part is provided and slidable in a state of being in contact with a second support part. The first contact heating part can change its posture from a first posture to a second posture by moving from a first position where the first contact heating surface faces the rear surface of the medium after printing to a second position where the first contact heating surface is moved away more from the rear surface of the medium after printing than at the first position in a state where the first engagement part is engaged with the first guide part of the first support part and the second engagement part is engaged with the second guide part of the second support part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device that prints on a medium by ejecting a liquid onto the medium and dries the medium after printing. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device that prints on a medium by ejecting liquid onto the medium transported in a transport direction. The printing device includes a drying unit that dries the medium after printing. One such drying unit includes a housing and a contact heating unit provided inside the housing. The contact heating unit dries the medium after printing by coming into contact with the medium after printing.

[0003] In such printing devices, improvements in the configuration of the drying unit, such as reducing the space between the housing and the contact heating unit, are desired in order to improve the efficiency of drying the medium after printing and to reduce the size of the printing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-199660 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in such a printing device, depending on the configuration of the drying section, there is a risk that the workability of the work related to the contact heating section may be reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A printing device that solves the above problem includes a transport unit configured to transport a medium in a transport direction, a printing unit configured to print on the medium by ejecting liquid onto the medium transported by the transport unit, and a drying unit configured to dry the medium after printing by the printing unit, wherein the drying unit has a housing, a first contact heating unit provided inside the housing, a first support unit provided inside the housing and at one of positions that sandwich the first contact heating unit in the transport direction, and a second support unit provided inside the housing and at the other of positions that sandwich the first contact heating unit in the transport direction, wherein the first support unit and the second support unit are configured to support the first contact heating unit, the first support unit has a first guide unit provided at a position facing the first contact heating unit, and the second support unit has a guide unit provided at a position facing the first contact heating unit. the first contact heating unit has a first contact heating surface configured to face the back surface of the printed medium, which is opposite to the printed surface of the printed medium, and to come into contact with the back surface of the printed medium, a first engagement portion engageable with the first guide portion, a second engagement portion engageable with the second guide portion, a first sliding portion disposed on a first surface on which the first engagement portion is provided, and capable of sliding in contact with the first support portion, and a second sliding portion disposed on a second surface on which the second engagement portion is provided, and capable of sliding in contact with the second support portion, and when the first engagement portion is engaged with the first guide portion and the second engagement portion is engaged with the second guide portion, the first contact heating unit is capable of changing its posture from a first posture to a second posture by moving from a first position where the first contact heating surface faces the back surface of the printed medium to a second position where the first contact heating surface is further away from the back surface of the printed medium than the first position. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic diagram of a printing apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the drying section and the conveying section. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a side view showing the first support part as viewed from the second longitudinal direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the second support part as viewed from the first longitudinal direction. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the drying section as viewed from the second longitudinal direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view showing the drying section as viewed from the first longitudinal direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view showing the cam follower and the ball roller. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view showing the drying section as viewed from the first longitudinal direction. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view showing the drying section as viewed from the first longitudinal direction. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the drying section as viewed from the first longitudinal direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view showing the drying section as viewed from the first longitudinal direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] [First embodiment] An embodiment of a printing device will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the short side direction of the medium M is referred to as the width direction X, and the direction intersecting (for example, perpendicular to) the width direction X and the vertical direction Z is referred to as the longitudinal direction Y. One side of the width direction X is referred to as the first width direction X1, and the other side of the width direction X is referred to as the second width direction X2. One side of the longitudinal direction Y is referred to as the first longitudinal direction Y1, and the other side of the longitudinal direction Y is referred to as the second longitudinal direction Y2. The upper side of the vertical direction Z is referred to as the upper direction Z1, and the lower side of the vertical direction Z is referred to as the lower direction Z2. The direction in which the medium M is transported is referred to as the transport direction D.

[0009] <Configuration of Printer 10> 1, the printing device 10 may be, for example, a roll-to-roll printing device. A roll-to-roll printing device prints on a medium M as continuous paper. The printing device 10 may be a printer that prints on a label sheet as the medium M. The printing device 10 may be an inkjet printer that uses a serial printing method.

[0010] The printing device 10 includes a support unit 11, a transport unit 12, and a printing unit 13. The support unit 11 is configured to support a medium M. In particular, the support unit 11 supports the medium M transported by the transport unit 12 in a printing area PA where printing is performed by the printing unit 13.

[0011] The printing device 10 may include a feeding unit 15. The feeding unit 15 feeds the medium M. The feeding unit 15 includes a support shaft 15A and a feeding motor 15B. The support shaft 15A rotatably supports a roll R on which the medium M is wound in a roll shape. The feeding motor 15B is a power source that rotates the support shaft 15A. In the feeding unit 15, the support shaft 15A is rotated by the drive of the feeding motor 15B, so that the long medium M is unwound from the roll R.

[0012] The transport unit 12 is configured to transport the medium M in the transport direction D. The transport unit 12 transports the medium M fed by the feeding unit 15 in the transport direction D. The transport unit 12 includes a transport roller pair 20 and a transport motor 21. The transport roller pair 20 is provided upstream of the printing unit 13 in the transport direction D. The transport roller pair 20 includes a transport drive roller 20A and a transport driven roller 20B. The transport drive roller 20A can be rotated by the drive of the transport motor 21. The transport driven roller 20B rotates together with the rotation of the transport drive roller 20A. The transport motor 21 is a power source for the transport drive roller 20A. The transport unit 12 transports the medium M fed from the feeding unit 15 in the transport direction D while nipping it (nicking) as the transport drive roller 20A rotates by the drive of the transport motor 21. In this manner, the transport unit 12 is configured to transport the medium M in the transport direction D along the transport path 22. In other words, it can be said that the printing device 10 is equipped with the transport path 22 along which the medium M is transported.

[0013] The printing device 10 may include a winding unit 16. The winding unit 16 winds the printed medium M into a roll. The winding unit 16 includes a winding shaft 16A and a winding motor 16B. The winding shaft 16A supports the printed medium M. The winding motor 16B is a drive source for the winding shaft 16A. The winding unit 16 winds up the medium M by rotating the winding shaft 16A as a result of the drive of the winding motor 16B. The winding unit 16 may include a tension applying unit that applies tension to the printed medium M.

[0014] The printing unit 13 is configured to perform printing on the medium M supported by the support unit 11. The printing unit 13 includes a guide shaft 30, a carriage 31, a liquid ejection head 32, and a carriage motor 33. The guide shaft 30 is provided along the width direction X. The carriage 31 is supported by the guide shaft 30. The carriage 31 supports the liquid ejection head 32. The carriage 31 is scanned along the axial direction of the guide shaft 30 by the drive of the carriage motor 33. In other words, the carriage 31 is scanned along the width direction X.

[0015] The liquid ejection head 32 is provided on the downward Z2 side of the carriage 31 in the vertical direction Z. The liquid ejection head 32 includes a plurality of nozzles 34 from which liquid is ejected. The plurality of nozzles 34 open toward the medium M supported by the support unit 11. The liquid ejection head 32 ejects liquid from the plurality of nozzles 34 toward the medium M supported by the support unit 11. In this manner, the printing unit 13 is configured to print on the medium M by ejecting liquid onto the medium M transported by the transport unit 12.

[0016] The liquid ejection head 32 is a serial head type that ejects liquid as the carriage 31 moves in the width direction X, but may be a line head type. The liquid may be, for example, ink. The liquid may be, for example, one type of color or multiple types of colors.

[0017] In this way, the printing device 10 alternates between a transport operation and a printing operation to print on the entire medium M. The transport operation is an operation in which the transport unit 12 transports the medium M. The printing operation is an operation in which the liquid ejection head 32 ejects liquid onto the medium M supported by the support unit 11 while the carriage 31 moves back and forth.

[0018] The printing device 10 includes a drying unit 14. The drying unit 14 is located downstream of the printing unit 13 in the transport direction D. The drying unit 14 is configured to dry the medium M after printing by the printing unit 13. The drying unit 14 includes a housing 40. The transport path 22 passes through the inside of the housing 40.

[0019] The housing 40 may include an opening / closing door 40A. The opening / closing door 40A is provided on the first width direction X1 side of the housing 40. The drying unit 14 can dry the medium M transported through the transport path 22 when the opening / closing door 40A is closed. When the opening / closing door 40A is open, the user can place the medium M inside the housing 40 in the drying unit 14. When the opening / closing door 40A is open, the user can perform maintenance on the inside of the housing 40 in the drying unit 14.

[0020] The printing device 10 includes a control unit 17. The control unit 17 may control the printing device 10 as a whole and control various operations performed by the printing device 10. In particular, the control unit 17 can control the transport unit 12, the printing unit 13, the drying unit 14, the feeding unit 15, and the winding unit 16. In other words, the control unit 17 is configured to perform control related to printing on the medium M. The control unit 17 may include one or more processors that perform various processes according to a program, one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as application specific integrated circuits that perform at least some of the various processes, or a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM, and the memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to perform processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any readable medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0021] <Configuration of drying unit 14> 2, in the drying section 14, the housing 40 includes a first side wall 40B and a second side wall 40C. The first side wall 40B is a wall portion on the first longitudinal direction Y1 side of the housing 40. The second side wall 40C is a wall portion on the second longitudinal direction Y2 side of the housing 40. Note that in FIG. 2, the transport path 22 inside the housing 40 is omitted from illustration.

[0022] The housing 40 includes a supply port 40D. The supply port 40D is provided in the first side wall 40B. The supply port 40D is an opening for transporting the printed medium M from the outside of the housing 40 to the inside of the housing 40. In other words, the supply port 40D is an opening for transporting the printed medium M from the outside of a first drying section 41 described below to the inside of the first drying section 41.

[0023] The housing 40 includes a discharge outlet 40E. The discharge outlet 40E is provided in the first side wall 40B. The discharge outlet 40E is an opening for transporting the printed medium M from inside the housing 40 to outside the housing 40. In other words, the discharge outlet 40E is an opening for transporting the printed medium M from inside a second drying unit 42 (described later) to outside the second drying unit 42.

[0024] The housing 40 includes a first communication port 40F. The first communication port 40F is provided in the second side wall 40C. The first communication port 40F is an opening for transporting the printed medium M from the inside of a first drying unit 41 to the outside of the first drying unit 41, which will be described later.

[0025] The housing 40 includes a second communication port 40G. The second communication port 40G is provided in the second side wall 40C. The second communication port 40G is an opening for transporting the printed medium M from the outside of the second drying unit 42 to the inside of the second drying unit 42, which will be described later.

[0026] The drying section 14 may include a first drying section 41. The first drying section 41 is provided inside the housing 40. The first drying section 41 dries the printed medium M that is transported from the supply port 40D.

[0027] The drying section 14 may include a second drying section 42. The second drying section 42 is provided inside the housing 40. The second drying section 42 dries the printed medium M that is transported from the second communication port 40G.

[0028] The first drying section 41 is located upstream of the second drying section 42 in the transport direction D. In the first drying section 41, the direction toward the second longitudinal direction Y2 is the transport direction D. In the second drying section 42, the direction toward the first longitudinal direction Y1 is the transport direction D.

[0029] The first drying section 41 includes a first contact heating section 43. That is, the drying section 14 includes the first contact heating section 43. The first contact heating section 43 is provided inside the housing 40. The first contact heating section 43 is provided at a position facing the back surface of the medium M after printing. The back surface of the medium M after printing is the surface opposite the printed surface of the medium M after printing. The first contact heating section 43 dries the medium M after printing by coming into contact with the back surface of the medium M after printing.

[0030] The first contact heating section 43 includes a first contact heating surface 51. The first contact heating surface 51 is a surface in the first contact heating section 43 that faces the rear surface of the medium M after printing. The first contact heating surface 51 is configured to come into contact with the rear surface of the medium M after printing. The first contact heating surface 51 is positioned so as to face the second contact heating surface 55 described below in the opposite direction. The first contact heating surface 51 may be a surface having an area larger than the support surface on which the medium M is supported in the support section 11.

[0031] The first contact heating surface 51 is curved to form a convex shape toward the downward Z2 side in the vertical direction Z. That is, the first contact heating surface 51 is curved to form a convex shape toward the first non-contact heating section 44 described later. In other words, the first contact heating surface 51 is curved to form a convex shape toward the opposite direction to the second contact heating surface 55 described later.

[0032] The first contact heating surface 51 may be a surface formed of a metal plate material, for example, an aluminum plate material. In particular, the first contact heating surface 51 may be configured to be curved along a support member (not shown). In addition, the first contact heating surface 51 may have a curvature radius that increases the degree of contact with the medium M after printing while suppressing an increase in size of the drying unit 14 in the vertical direction Z.

[0033] Furthermore, the first contact heating surface 51 may be electroless Ni plated on the surface that comes into contact with the back surface of the printed medium M. As a specific example, the thickness of the first contact heating surface 51 may be about 3 mm, and the thickness of the electroless Ni plating may be about 10 μm. In this way, the first contact heating surface 51 is configured to reduce the frictional force with the back surface of the printed medium M when it comes into contact with the back surface of the printed medium M.

[0034] The first contact heating section 43 includes a first heater 52. The first heater 52 may be a rubber heater provided on the rear surface of the first contact heating surface 51. The first heater 52 heats the first contact heating surface 51. In this way, the first contact heating section 43 dries the printed medium M that is in contact with the first contact heating surface 51.

[0035] The first contact heating part 43 has a first surface 43A. The first surface 43A faces the first longitudinal direction Y1 of the first contact heating part 43. The first surface 43A faces a first support part 47 described later. The first surface 43A is a surface on which a first engagement part 53 described later is provided.

[0036] The first contact heating part 43 has a second surface 43B. The second surface 43B faces the second longitudinal direction Y2 of the first contact heating part 43. The second surface 43B faces a second support part 48 described later. The second surface 43B is a surface on which a second engagement part 54 described later is provided.

[0037] The first contact heating section 43 includes a first engagement section 53 and a second engagement section 54. The first engagement section 53 is provided on the first longitudinal direction Y1 side of the first contact heating section 43. The first engagement section 53 is provided on the first surface 43A. The first engagement section 53 is provided so as to protrude from the first surface 43A in the first longitudinal direction Y1. The first engagement section 53 is engageable with a first support section 47 described later.

[0038] The second engagement portion 54 is provided on the second longitudinal direction Y2 side of the first contact heating portion 43. The second engagement portion 54 is provided on the second surface 43B. The second engagement portion 54 is provided so as to protrude from the second surface 43B in the second longitudinal direction Y2. The second engagement portion 54 is engageable with the second support portion 48 described later. In this manner, the first contact heating portion 43 is supported by the first support portion 47 and the second support portion 48 described later.

[0039] The first drying section 41 may include a first non-contact heating section 44. That is, the drying section 14 may include the first non-contact heating section 44. The first non-contact heating section 44 is provided inside the housing 40. The first non-contact heating section 44 is disposed so as to face the first contact heating section 43. In particular, the first non-contact heating section 44 is disposed so as to face the first contact heating surface 51. The first non-contact heating section 44 is disposed so as to sandwich the transport path 22 with the first contact heating section 43.

[0040] The first non-contact heating section 44 is configured to blow air to the printed surface of the medium M after printing without coming into contact with the printed surface of the medium M after printing. In detail, the first non-contact heating section 44 may include a heater (not shown), a blower (not shown), and a plurality of air outlets (not shown). The plurality of air outlets (not shown) are provided at positions facing the transport path 22. The first non-contact heating section 44 heats the air inside with the heater. The first non-contact heating section 44 blows the heated air from a plurality of blower nozzles by driving the blower. In this way, the first non-contact heating section 44 dries the medium M after printing by blowing air to the printed surface of the medium M after printing without coming into contact with the medium M after printing.

[0041] In the first drying section 41, the first contact heating section 43 and the first non-contact heating section 44 are provided so as to be separated by a predetermined distance. In the first drying section 41, the first contact heating section 43 and the first non-contact heating section 44 are provided so as to sandwich the transport path 22. As the predetermined distance, a minimum distance is adopted so as to increase the drying efficiency of the medium M and to reduce the size of the drying section 14. The predetermined distance may be, for example, about 15 mm.

[0042] The second drying section 42 includes a second contact heating section 45. That is, the drying section 14 may include the second contact heating section 45. The second contact heating section 45 is provided inside the housing 40. The second contact heating section 45 is provided at a position facing the back surface of the medium M after printing. The second contact heating section 45 dries the medium M after printing by coming into contact with the back surface of the medium M after printing.

[0043] The second contact heating section 45 includes a second contact heating surface 55. The second contact heating surface 55 is a surface that faces the back surface of the medium M after printing in the second contact heating section 45. The second contact heating surface 55 is configured to come into contact with the back surface of the medium M after printing. The second contact heating surface 55 is positioned so as to face the first contact heating surface 51 in the opposite direction. The second contact heating surface 55 may be a surface having an area larger than the support surface on which the medium M is supported in the support section 11.

[0044] The second contact heating surface 55 is curved to form a convex shape toward the upper Z1 side in the vertical direction Z. That is, the second contact heating surface 55 is curved to form a convex shape toward the second non-contact heating section 46 described later. In other words, the second contact heating surface 55 is curved to form a convex shape toward the opposite direction to the first contact heating surface 51.

[0045] The second contact heating surface 55 may be a surface formed of a metal plate material, for example, an aluminum plate material, like the first contact heating surface 51. In particular, the second contact heating surface 55 may be configured to be curved along a support member (not shown). In addition, the second contact heating surface 55 may have a curvature radius that increases the degree of contact with the medium M after printing while suppressing an increase in size of the drying unit 14 in the vertical direction Z.

[0046] Furthermore, the second contact heating surface 55 may be electroless Ni plated on the surface that comes into contact with the back surface of the printed medium M. As a specific example, the thickness of the second contact heating surface 55 may be about 3 mm, and the thickness of the electroless Ni plating may be about 10 μm. In this way, the second contact heating surface 55 is configured to reduce the frictional force with the back surface of the printed medium M when it comes into contact with the back surface of the printed medium M.

[0047] The second contact heating section 45 includes a second heater 56. The second heater 56 may be a rubber heater provided on the rear surface of the second contact heating surface 55. The second heater 56 heats the second contact heating surface 55. In this way, the second contact heating section 45 dries the printed medium M that is in contact with the second contact heating surface 55.

[0048] The second contact heating part 45 has a third surface 45A. The third surface 45A faces the first longitudinal direction Y1 of the second contact heating part 45. The third surface 45A faces the first support part 47 described later. The third surface 45A is a surface on which a third engagement part 57 described later is provided.

[0049] The second contact heating part 45 has a fourth surface 45B. The fourth surface 45B is a surface facing the second longitudinal direction Y2 of the second contact heating part 45. The fourth surface 45B is a surface facing a second support part 48 described later. The fourth surface 45B is a surface on which a fourth engagement part 58 described later is provided.

[0050] The second contact heating part 45 includes a third engagement part 57 and a fourth engagement part 58. The third engagement part 57 is provided on the first longitudinal direction Y1 side of the second contact heating part 45. The third engagement part 57 is provided on the third surface 45A. The third engagement part 57 is provided so as to protrude from the third surface 45A in the first longitudinal direction Y1. The third engagement part 57 is engageable with the first support part 47 described later.

[0051] The fourth engagement portion 58 is provided on the second longitudinal direction Y2 side of the second contact heating portion 45. The fourth engagement portion 58 is provided on the fourth surface 45B. The fourth engagement portion 58 is provided so as to protrude from the fourth surface 45B in the second longitudinal direction Y2. The fourth engagement portion 58 is engageable with the second support portion 48 described later. In this manner, the second contact heating portion 45 is supported by the first support portion 47 and the second support portion 48 described later.

[0052] The second drying section 42 includes a second non-contact heating section 46. That is, the drying section 14 may include the second non-contact heating section 46. The second non-contact heating section 46 is provided inside the housing 40. The second non-contact heating section 46 is disposed so as to face the second contact heating section 45. In particular, the second non-contact heating section 46 is disposed so as to face the second contact heating surface 55. The second non-contact heating section 46 is disposed so as to sandwich the transport path 22 between itself and the second contact heating section 45.

[0053] The second non-contact heating section 46 is configured to blow air to the printed surface of the medium M after printing, in the same manner as the first non-contact heating section 44, without coming into contact with the printed surface of the medium M after printing. In detail, the second non-contact heating section 46 may include a heater (not shown), a blower (not shown), and a plurality of air outlets (not shown). The plurality of air outlets (not shown) are provided at positions facing the transport path 22. The second non-contact heating section 46 heats the air inside with the heater. The second non-contact heating section 46 blows the heated air from a plurality of blower nozzles by driving the blower. In this way, the second non-contact heating section 46 dries the medium M after printing by blowing air to the printed surface of the medium M after printing without coming into contact with the medium M after printing.

[0054] In the second drying section 42, the second contact heating section 45 and the second non-contact heating section 46 are provided so as to be separated by a predetermined distance. In the second drying section 42, the second contact heating section 45 and the second non-contact heating section 46 are provided so as to sandwich the transport path 22. As the predetermined distance, a minimum distance is adopted so as to increase the drying efficiency of the medium M and to reduce the size of the drying section 14. The predetermined distance may be, for example, about 15 mm.

[0055] In this manner, the drying section 14 is arranged in the order of the second non-contact heating section 46, the second contact heating section 45, the first contact heating section 43, and the first non-contact heating section 44 from the upper Z1 side in the vertical direction Z. That is, the second non-contact heating section 46, the second contact heating section 45, the first contact heating section 43, and the first non-contact heating section 44 are provided at overlapping positions in the vertical direction Z. In other words, the first contact heating section 43 is provided on the lower Z2 side in the vertical direction Z than the second contact heating section 45.

[0056] Moreover, the first contact heating section 43 is located upstream of the second contact heating section 45 and the second non-contact heating section 46 in the transport direction D. The first non-contact heating section 44 is located upstream of the second contact heating section 45 and the second non-contact heating section 46 in the transport direction D. In other words, the second contact heating section 45 is provided downstream of the first contact heating section 43 in the transport direction D.

[0057] The drying section 14 includes a first support section 47. The first support section 47 is provided inside the housing 40. The first support section 47 is disposed on the first longitudinal direction Y1 side of the first contact heating section 43 and the second contact heating section 45. The first support section 47 may be attached to the first side wall 40B. The first support section 47 is configured to support the first contact heating section 43 and the second contact heating section 45 from the first longitudinal direction Y1 side.

[0058] The drying section 14 includes a second support section 48. The second support section 48 is provided inside the housing 40. The second support section 48 is disposed on the second longitudinal direction Y2 side of the first contact heating section 43 and the second contact heating section 45. The second support section 48 may be attached to the second side wall 40C. The second support section 48 is configured to support the first contact heating section 43 and the second contact heating section 45 from the second longitudinal direction Y2 side.

[0059] In this way, the first support portion 47 is provided at one of the positions sandwiching the first contact heating portion 43 and the second contact heating portion 45 in the transport direction D. The second support portion 48 is provided at the other of the positions sandwiching the first contact heating portion 43 and the second contact heating portion 45 in the transport direction D. In other words, the first support portion 47 and the second support portion 48 are a pair of support portions provided at positions sandwiching the first contact heating portion 43 and the second contact heating portion 45 in the transport direction D.

[0060] <Configuration of the conveying unit 12> The transport section 12 includes a first transport roller 23 and a second transport roller 24. The first transport roller 23 is a roller for transporting the printed medium M from the outside of the first drying section 41 to the inside of the first drying section 41. The second transport roller 24 is a roller for transporting the printed medium M from the inside of the second drying section 42 to the outside of the second drying section 42.

[0061] The first transport roller 23 and the second transport roller 24 may be driven rollers that rotate together due to friction with the printed medium M. The first transport roller 23 and the second transport roller 24 may be drive rollers that rotate by being driven by a drive source, or may be a roller pair composed of a driven roller and a drive roller.

[0062] The transport section 12 includes a folding section 25. The folding section 25 is provided downstream of the first contact heating section 43 in the transport direction D and upstream of the second contact heating section 45 in the transport direction D. The folding section 25 is configured to transport the printed medium M transported to the outside of the first drying section 41 into the inside of the second drying section 42. In other words, the folding section 25 is configured to fold back the printed medium M that has come into contact with the first contact heating surface 51 onto the second contact heating surface 55. In other words, the folding section 25 transports the printed medium M transported toward the second longitudinal direction Y2 so as to fold it back toward the first longitudinal direction Y1.

[0063] The folding unit 25 may include a first folding roller 26 and a second folding roller 27. The first folding roller 26 is a roller for transporting the printed medium M transported to the outside of the first drying unit 41, to the second folding roller 27. The second folding roller 27 is a roller for transporting the printed medium M transported by the first folding roller 26, into the inside of the second drying unit 42.

[0064] The first turning roller 26 and the second turning roller 27 may be driven rollers that rotate together due to friction with the printed medium M. The first turning roller 26 and the second turning roller 27 may be drive rollers that rotate by being driven by a drive source, or may be a roller pair composed of a driven roller and a drive roller.

[0065] The first transport roller 23 is disposed so as to transport the printed medium M on the upper Z1 side in the vertical direction Z from the supply port 40D. The first turn-back roller 26 is disposed so as to transport the printed medium M on the upper Z1 side in the vertical direction Z from the first communication port 40F. That is, the first transport roller 23 and the first turn-back roller 26 are disposed at a position where the back surface of the printed medium M in the first drying section 41 contacts the first contact heating surface 51. As a result, in the first drying section 41, the back surface of the printed medium M is pressed against the first contact heating surface 51 and tension is applied in the transport direction D. In this way, the first transport roller 23 and the first turn-back roller 26 are disposed at a position where the printed medium M in the first drying section 41 contacts the first contact heating section 43 and where the printed medium M in the first drying section 41 does not contact the first non-contact heating section 44.

[0066] The second transport roller 24 is disposed so that the lowermost end of the roller transports the printed medium M on the lower Z2 side in the vertical direction Z than the discharge port 40E. The second turn-back roller 27 is disposed so that the printed medium M is transported on the lower Z2 side in the vertical direction Z than the second communication port 40G. That is, the second transport roller 24 and the second turn-back roller 27 are disposed at a position where the printed medium M in the second drying section 42 contacts the second contact heating surface 55. As a result, in the second drying section 42, the back surface of the printed medium M is pressed against the second contact heating surface 55 and tension is applied in the transport direction D. In this way, the second transport roller 24 and the second turn-back roller 27 are disposed at a position where the printed medium M in the second drying section 42 contacts the second contact heating section 45 and does not contact the printed medium M in the second drying section 42 with the second non-contact heating section 46.

[0067] In the present embodiment, the folded portion 25 and the second side wall 40C are provided inside the housing 40, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the second side wall 40C may be the outermost part of the housing 40, and the folded portion 25 may be provided outside the housing 40. The first transport roller 23 and the second transport roller 24 are provided outside the housing 40, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the first side wall 40B may not be the outermost part of the housing 40, and at least one of the first transport roller 23 and the second transport roller 24 may be provided inside the housing 40. The housing 40 may include an intake port (not shown) for taking in outside air and an exhaust port (not shown) for discharging internal air to the outside.

[0068] <Configuration of the first support portion 47> 3, the first support portion 47 may include notches 47A and 47B. The notch 47A is provided on a lower Z2 side in the vertical direction Z of the first support portion 47. The notch 47B is provided on an upper Z1 side in the vertical direction Z of the first support portion 47. The notches 47A and 47B are formed to transport the medium M after printing.

[0069] The first support portion 47 has a first support surface 47C. The first support surface 47C is an XZ plane of the first support portion 47 and faces the second longitudinal direction Y2. The XZ plane is a plane that includes the width direction X and the vertical direction Z. The first support portion 47 has a first side end portion 47D. The first side end portion 47D is an end portion of the first support portion 47 on the first width direction X1 side.

[0070] The first support portion 47 includes a first guide portion 61 and a third guide portion 63. The first support portion 47 is provided at a position facing the second longitudinal direction Y2 side of the first contact heating portion 43. The first guide portion 61 is provided on the first support surface 47C. The first guide portion 61 is provided at a position facing the first contact heating portion 43. The first guide portion 61 is provided at a position facing the first surface 43A on which the first engagement portion 53 of the first contact heating portion 43 is formed. The first guide portion 61 is engageable with the first engagement portion 53 of the first contact heating portion 43.

[0071] The first guide portion 61 may be composed of a plurality of grooves 61A, 61B formed in the first support surface 47C. In other words, the first guide portion 61 may be composed of a plurality of grooves 61A, 61B formed in the first support portion 47. The plurality of grooves 61A, 61B may be open at the first side end portion 47D.

[0072] The first guide portion 61 has positions P1A, P1B where it engages with the first engagement portion 53 when the first contact heating portion 43 is in the first position. The first guide portion 61 has positions P2A, P2B where it engages with the first engagement portion 53 when the first contact heating portion 43 is in the second position. The first guide portion 61 has positions P3A, P3B where it engages with the first engagement portion 53 when the first contact heating portion 43 is in the third position.

[0073] Each of the grooves 61A, 61B includes a first movement area 61C and a first attachment / detachment area 61D. That is, the first guide portion 61 includes a first movement area 61C and a first attachment / detachment area 61D. In the drawing, the first movement area 61C is an area indicated by a two-dot chain line in each of the grooves 61A, 61B.

[0074] The first movement region 61C includes a region with which the first engagement portion 53 engages when the first contact heating portion 43 moves between the first position and the second position. The first movement region 61C includes a region with which the first engagement portion 53 engages when the first contact heating portion 43 moves between the second position and the third position. The first position is a position where the first contact heating portion 43 is in the first posture. The second position is a position where the first contact heating portion 43 is in the second posture. The third position is a position where the first contact heating portion 43 is in the third posture.

[0075] The first detachable region 61D is a region that connects the first movement region 61C and the first side end portion 47D. The first detachable region 61D includes a region with which the first engagement portion 53 engages when the first contact heating portion 43 is attached to or detached from the first support portion 47 and the second support portion 48.

[0076] The third guide portion 63 is provided on the first support surface 47C. The third guide portion 63 is provided at a position facing the second contact heating portion 45. As will be described in detail later, the third guide portion 63 is provided at a position facing the third surface 45A on which the third engagement portion 57 of the second contact heating portion 45 is formed. The third guide portion 63 is engageable with the third engagement portion 57 of the second contact heating portion 45.

[0077] The third guide portion 63 may be composed of a plurality of grooves 63A, 63B formed in the first support surface 47C. In other words, the third guide portion 63 may be composed of a plurality of grooves 63A, 63B formed in the first support portion 47. The plurality of grooves 63A, 63B may be open at the first side end portion 47D.

[0078] The third guide portion 63 has positions P4A and P4B where it engages with the third engagement portion 57 when the second contact heating portion 45 is in the fourth position. The third guide portion 63 has positions P5A and P5B where it engages with the third engagement portion 57 when the second contact heating portion 45 is in the fifth position.

[0079] Each of the plurality of grooves 63A, 63B includes a third movement area 63C and a third attachment / detachment area 63D. That is, the third guide section 63 includes a third movement area 63C and a third attachment / detachment area 63D. In the drawing, the third movement area 63C is an area indicated by a two-dot chain line in each of the plurality of grooves 63A, 63B.

[0080] The third movement region 63C includes a region where the third engagement portion 57 engages when the second contact heating portion 45 moves between the fourth position and the fifth position. The fourth position is a position where the second contact heating portion 45 is in the fourth posture. The fifth position is a position where the second contact heating portion 45 is in the fifth posture.

[0081] The third detachment region 63D is a region that connects the third movement region 63C and the first side end portion 47D. The third detachment region 63D includes a region with which the third engagement portion 57 engages when the second contact heating portion 45 is attached to or detached from the first support portion 47 and the second support portion 48.

[0082] The first support portion 47 includes a first attachment portion 47E. The first support portion 47 may include a plurality of first attachment portions 47E. The first attachment portion 47E can attach the first lid member 70A. The first attachment portion 47E is provided in a part of the first detachable region 61D of the groove portion 61B. The first lid member 70A is a member that blocks a part of the first detachable region 61D of the groove portion 61B. The first attachment portion 47E is provided in a part of the third detachable region 63D of the groove portion 63B. The first lid member 70A is a member that blocks a part of the third detachable region 63D of the groove portion 63B. The first attachment portion 47E is not provided in the first movement region 61C and the third movement region 63C. That is, the first lid member 70A does not block the first movement region 61C and the third movement region 63C.

[0083] <Configuration of second support portion 48> 4, the second support portion 48 may include notches 48A and 48B. The notch 48A is provided on a lower Z2 side in the vertical direction Z of the second support portion 48. The notch 48B is provided on an upper Z1 side in the vertical direction Z of the second support portion 48. The notches 48A and 48B are formed for transporting the medium M after printing.

[0084] The second support portion 48 has a second support surface 48C. The second support surface 48C is an XZ plane of the second support portion 48 and faces the first longitudinal direction Y1. The second support portion 48 has a second side end portion 48D. The second side end portion 48D is an end portion of the second support portion 48 on the first width direction X1 side.

[0085] The second support portion 48 includes a second guide portion 62 and a fourth guide portion 64. The second support portion 48 is provided at a position facing the first longitudinal direction Y1 side of the first contact heating portion 43. The second guide portion 62 is provided on the second support surface 48C. The second guide portion 62 is provided at a position facing the first contact heating portion 43. As will be described in detail later, the second guide portion 62 is provided at a position facing the second surface 43B on which the second engagement portion 54 of the first contact heating portion 43 is formed. The second guide portion 62 is engageable with the second engagement portion 54 of the first contact heating portion 43.

[0086] The second guide portion 62 may be composed of a plurality of grooves 62A, 62B formed in the second support surface 48C. In other words, the second guide portion 62 may be composed of a plurality of grooves 62A, 62B formed in the second support portion 48. The plurality of grooves 62A, 62B may be open at the second side end portion 48D.

[0087] The second guide portion 62 has positions P1C, P1D where it engages with the second engagement portion 54 when the first contact heating portion 43 is in the first position. The second guide portion 62 has positions P2C, P2D where it engages with the second engagement portion 54 when the first contact heating portion 43 is in the second position. The second guide portion 62 has positions P3C, P3D where it engages with the second engagement portion 54 when the first contact heating portion 43 is in the third position.

[0088] Each of the plurality of grooves 62A, 62B includes a second movement area 62C and a second attachment / detachment area 62D. That is, the second guide section 62 includes a second movement area 62C and a second attachment / detachment area 62D. In the drawing, the second movement area 62C is an area indicated by a two-dot chain line in each of the plurality of grooves 62A, 62B.

[0089] The second movement region 62C includes a region with which the second engagement portion 54 engages when the first contact heating portion 43 moves between the first position and the second position. The second movement region 62C includes a region with which the second engagement portion 54 engages when the first contact heating portion 43 moves between the second position and the third position.

[0090] The second attachment / detachment region 62D is a region that connects the second movement region 62C and the second side end portion 48D. The second attachment / detachment region 62D includes a region with which the second engagement portion 54 engages when the first contact heating portion 43 is attached to or detached from the first support portion 47 and the second support portion 48.

[0091] The fourth guide portion 64 is provided on the second support surface 48C. The fourth guide portion 64 is provided at a position facing the second contact heating portion 45. As will be described in detail later, the fourth guide portion 64 is provided at a position facing the fourth surface 45B on which the fourth engagement portion 58 of the second contact heating portion 45 is formed. The fourth guide portion 64 is engageable with the fourth engagement portion 58 of the second contact heating portion 45.

[0092] The fourth guide portion 64 may be composed of a plurality of grooves 64A, 64B formed in the second support surface 48C. In other words, the fourth guide portion 64 may be composed of a plurality of grooves 64A, 64B formed in the second support portion 48. The plurality of grooves 64A, 64B may be open at the second side end portion 48D.

[0093] The fourth guide portion 64 has positions P4C and P4D where it engages with the fourth engagement portion 58 when the second contact heating portion 45 is in the fourth position. The fourth guide portion 64 has positions P5C and P5D where it engages with the fourth engagement portion 58 when the second contact heating portion 45 is in the fifth position.

[0094] Each of the plurality of grooves 64A, 64B includes a fourth movement area 64C and a fourth attachment / detachment area 64D. That is, the fourth guide portion 64 includes a fourth movement area 64C and a fourth attachment / detachment area 64D. In the drawing, the fourth movement area 64C is an area indicated by a two-dot chain line in each of the plurality of grooves 64A, 64B.

[0095] The fourth movement region 64C includes a region with which the fourth engagement portion 58 engages when the second contact heating portion 45 moves between the fourth position and the fifth position. The fourth detachment region 64D is a region that connects the fourth movement region 64C and the second side end portion 48D. The fourth detachment region 64D includes a region with which the fourth engagement portion 58 engages when the second contact heating portion 45 is attached to or detached from the first support portion 47 and the second support portion 48.

[0096] The second support portion 48 includes a second attachment portion 48E. The second support portion 48 may include a plurality of second attachment portions 48E. The second attachment portion 48E can attach the second cover member 70B. The second attachment portion 48E is provided in a part of the second attachment / detachment area 62D of the groove portion 62B. The second cover member 70B is a member that blocks a part of the second attachment / detachment area 62D of the groove portion 62B. The second attachment portion 48E is provided in a part of the fourth attachment / detachment area 64D of the groove portion 64B. The second cover member 70B is a member that blocks a part of the fourth attachment / detachment area 64D of the groove portion 64B. The second attachment portion 48E is not provided in the second movement area 62C and the fourth movement area 64C. That is, the second cover member 70B does not block the second movement area 62C and the fourth movement area 64C.

[0097] <Configuration of the first contact heating section 43 and the second contact heating section 45> As shown in FIG. 5, the first engagement portion 53 may include a plurality of cam followers 53A, 53B. That is, the first contact heating portion 43 may include a plurality of cam followers 53A, 53B. The plurality of cam followers 53A, 53B are provided on the first surface 43A. The plurality of cam followers 53A, 53B are provided so as to protrude from the first surface 43A in the first longitudinal direction Y1. The cam follower 53A engages with the groove portion 61A. The cam follower 53B engages with the groove portion 61B. This allows the cam follower 53A to slide smoothly in the groove portion 61A, and the cam follower 53B to slide smoothly in the groove portion 61B. The cam follower 53A corresponds to an example of a first convex portion, and the cam follower 53B corresponds to an example of a second convex portion.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 6, the second engagement portion 54 may include a plurality of cam followers 54A, 54B. That is, the first contact heating portion 43 may include a plurality of cam followers 54A, 54B. The plurality of cam followers 54A, 54B are provided on the second surface 43B. The plurality of cam followers 54A, 54B are provided so as to protrude from the second surface 43B in the second longitudinal direction Y2. The cam follower 54A engages with the groove portion 62A. The cam follower 54B engages with the groove portion 62B. This allows the cam follower 54A to slide smoothly in the groove portion 62A, and the cam follower 54B to slide smoothly in the groove portion 62B. The cam follower 54A corresponds to an example of a third convex portion, and the cam follower 54B corresponds to an example of a fourth convex portion.

[0099] In this manner, the first contact heating part 43 can move along the first guide part 61 and the second guide part 62 with the first engagement part 53 engaged with the first guide part 61 and the second engagement part 54 engaged with the second guide part 62. This allows the first contact heating part 43 to change its position.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 5, the first contact heating part 43 includes a first sliding part 71. The first sliding part 71 is disposed on the first surface 43A on which the first engagement part 53 of the first contact heating part 43 is provided. The first sliding part 71 is provided so as to protrude from the first surface 43A in the first longitudinal direction Y1. The first sliding part 71 is slidable in contact with the first support part 47. More specifically, the first sliding part 71 is slidable in contact with the first support surface 47C. The first sliding part 71 may be a sliding roller that is rotatable along the first support part 47 in contact with the first support part 47. The first sliding part 71 may be a ball roller.

[0101] The first sliding portion 71 may include a plurality of sliding portions. The first sliding portion 71 may include a third sliding portion 71A and a fourth sliding portion 71B. The third sliding portion 71A is disposed on the cam follower 53A side of a center 81A of a line segment 81 connecting the cam follower 53A and the cam follower 53B. The fourth sliding portion 71B is disposed on the cam follower 53B side of the center 81A of the line segment 81.

[0102] The third sliding part 71A may be a third sliding roller that is rotatable along the first support part 47 in a state of contact with the first support part 47. The third sliding part 71A may be a ball roller. The fourth sliding part 71B may be a fourth sliding roller that is rotatable along the first support part 47 in a state of contact with the first support part 47. The fourth sliding part 71B may be a ball roller.

[0103] The first sliding part 71 is disposed at a position facing the first support part 47 when the first contact heating part 43 moves between the first position and the second position. The first sliding part 71 is disposed at a position facing the first support part 47 when the first contact heating part 43 moves between the second position and the third position. In particular, the first sliding part 71 is disposed at a position where the center does not face the first guide part 61 when viewed from the longitudinal direction Y perpendicular to the first surface 43A when the first contact heating part 43 moves between the first position and the second position. The first sliding part 71 is disposed at a position where the center does not face the first guide part 61 when viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, except when the center faces the first cover member 70A when viewed from the longitudinal direction Y when the first contact heating part 43 moves between the second position and the third position. In detail, when the first contact heating portion 43 moves between the second position and the third position, the fourth sliding portion 71B is positioned at a position where its center does not face the first guiding portion 61 when viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, except when the center faces the first cover member 70A when viewed from the longitudinal direction Y.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 6, the first contact heating part 43 includes a second sliding part 72. The second sliding part 72 is disposed on the second surface 43B on which the second engagement part 54 of the first contact heating part 43 is provided. The second sliding part 72 is provided so as to protrude from the second surface 43B in the second longitudinal direction Y2. The second sliding part 72 is slidable in contact with the second support part 48. More specifically, the second sliding part 72 is slidable in contact with the second support surface 48C. The second sliding part 72 may be a sliding roller that is rotatable along the second support part 48 in contact with the second support part 48. The second sliding part 72 may be a ball roller.

[0105] The second sliding portion 72 may include a plurality of sliding portions. The second sliding portion 72 may include a fifth sliding portion 72A and a sixth sliding portion 72B. The fifth sliding portion 72A is disposed on the cam follower 54A side of a center 82A of a line segment 82 connecting the cam follower 54A and the cam follower 54B. The sixth sliding portion 72B is disposed on the cam follower 54B side of the center 82A of the line segment 82.

[0106] The fifth sliding part 72A may be a fifth sliding roller that is rotatable along the second support part 48 in a state of contact with the second support part 48. The fifth sliding part 72A may be a ball roller. The sixth sliding part 72B may be a sixth sliding roller that is rotatable along the second support part 48 in a state of contact with the second support part 48. The sixth sliding part 72B may be a ball roller.

[0107] The second sliding part 72 is disposed at a position facing the second support part 48 when the first contact heating part 43 moves between the first position and the second position. The second sliding part 72 is disposed at a position facing the second support part 48 when the first contact heating part 43 moves between the second position and the third position. In particular, the second sliding part 72 is disposed at a position where the center does not face the second guide part 62 when viewed from the longitudinal direction Y perpendicular to the second surface 43B when the first contact heating part 43 moves between the first position and the second position. The second sliding part 72 is disposed at a position where the center does not face the second guide part 62 when viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, except when the center faces the second cover member 70B when viewed from the longitudinal direction Y when the first contact heating part 43 moves between the second position and the third position. In detail, when the first contact heating portion 43 moves between the second position and the third position, the sixth sliding portion 72B is positioned at a position where its center does not face the second guide portion 62 when viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, except when its center faces the second cover member 70B when viewed from the longitudinal direction Y.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 5, the third engagement portion 57 may include a plurality of cam followers 57A, 57B. That is, the second contact heating portion 45 may include a plurality of cam followers 57A, 57B. The plurality of cam followers 57A, 57B are provided on the third surface 45A. The plurality of cam followers 57A, 57B are provided so as to protrude from the third surface 45A in the first longitudinal direction Y1. The cam follower 57A engages with the groove portion 63A. The cam follower 57B engages with the groove portion 63B. This allows the cam follower 57A to slide smoothly in the groove portion 63A, and the cam follower 57B to slide smoothly in the groove portion 63B.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 6, the fourth engagement portion 58 may include a plurality of cam followers 58A, 58B. That is, the second contact heating portion 45 may include a plurality of cam followers 58A, 58B. The plurality of cam followers 58A, 58B are provided on the fourth surface 45B. The plurality of cam followers 58A, 58B are provided so as to protrude from the fourth surface 45B in the second longitudinal direction Y2. The cam follower 58A engages with the groove portion 64A. The cam follower 58B engages with the groove portion 64B. This allows the cam follower 58A to slide smoothly in the groove portion 64A, and the cam follower 58B to slide smoothly in the groove portion 64B.

[0110] In this manner, the second contact heating part 45 can move along the third guide part 63 and the fourth guide part 64 with the third engagement part 57 engaged with the third guide part 63 and the fourth engagement part 58 engaged with the fourth guide part 64. This allows the second contact heating part 45 to change its position.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 5, the second contact heating part 45 includes a seventh sliding part 73. The seventh sliding part 73 is disposed on the third surface 45A on which the third engagement part 57 of the second contact heating part 45 is provided. The seventh sliding part 73 is provided so as to protrude from the third surface 45A in the first longitudinal direction Y1. The seventh sliding part 73 is slidable in contact with the first support part 47. More specifically, the seventh sliding part 73 is slidable in contact with the first support surface 47C. The seventh sliding part 73 may be a sliding roller that is rotatable along the first support part 47 in contact with the first support part 47. The seventh sliding part 73 may be a ball roller.

[0112] The seventh sliding portion 73 may include a plurality of sliding portions. The seventh sliding portion 73 may include a ninth sliding portion 73A and a tenth sliding portion 73B. The ninth sliding portion 73A is disposed on the cam follower 57A side of a center 83A of a line segment 83 connecting the cam follower 57A and the cam follower 57B. The tenth sliding portion 73B is disposed on the cam follower 57B side of the center 83A of the line segment 83.

[0113] The seventh sliding portion 73 is disposed at a position facing the first support portion 47 when the second contact heating portion 45 moves between the fourth position and the fifth position. In particular, the seventh sliding portion 73 is disposed at a position where the center does not face the third guide portion 63 as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, except when the center faces the first cover member 70A as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, when the second contact heating portion 45 moves between the fourth position and the fifth position. In particular, the tenth sliding portion 73B is disposed at a position where the center does not face the third guide portion 63 as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, except when the center faces the first cover member 70A as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, when the second contact heating portion 45 moves between the fourth position and the fifth position.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 6, the second contact heating part 45 includes an eighth sliding part 74. The eighth sliding part 74 is disposed on the fourth surface 45B on which the fourth engagement part 58 of the second contact heating part 45 is provided. The eighth sliding part 74 is provided so as to protrude from the fourth surface 45B in the second longitudinal direction Y2. The eighth sliding part 74 is slidable in contact with the second support part 48. More specifically, the eighth sliding part 74 is slidable in contact with the second support surface 48C. The eighth sliding part 74 may be a sliding roller that is rotatable along the second support part 48 in contact with the second support part 48. The eighth sliding part 74 may be a ball roller.

[0115] The eighth sliding portion 74 may include a plurality of sliding portions. The eighth sliding portion 74 may include an eleventh sliding portion 74A and a twelfth sliding portion 74B. The eleventh sliding portion 74A is disposed on the cam follower 58A side of a center 84A of a line segment 84 connecting the cam follower 58A and the cam follower 58B. The twelfth sliding portion 74B is disposed on the cam follower 58B side of the center 84A of the line segment 84.

[0116] The eighth sliding portion 74 is disposed at a position facing the second support portion 48 when the second contact heating portion 45 moves between the fourth position and the fifth position. In particular, the eighth sliding portion 74 is disposed at a position where the center does not face the fourth guide portion 64 as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, except when the center faces the second cover member 70B as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, when the second contact heating portion 45 moves between the fourth position and the fifth position. In particular, the twelfth sliding portion 74B is disposed at a position where the center does not face the fourth guide portion 64 as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, except when the center faces the second cover member 70B as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, when the second contact heating portion 45 moves between the fourth position and the fifth position.

[0117] <Positions of each engagement part and each sliding part> Here, the positions of the respective engaging portions and sliding portions will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In particular, the cam follower 53A and the third sliding portion 71A will be mainly described as representatives of the respective engaging portions and sliding portions.

[0118] 7, when the first contact heating part 43 is disposed so that the first surface 43A faces the first support part 47, the first distance d1 is shorter than the second distance d2 in the longitudinal direction Y. The first distance d1 is the distance from the third sliding part 71A to the first support surface 47C of the first support part 47 in the longitudinal direction Y. The second distance d2 is the distance from the cam follower 53A to the bottom surface of the groove part 61A in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0119] In this way, before the cam follower 53A contacts the bottom surface of the groove portion 61A in the longitudinal direction Y, the third sliding portion 71A contacts the first support surface 47C. This allows the third sliding portion 71A to support the first contact heating portion 43 such that the first surface 43A faces the first support portion 47. Note that when the first surface 43A faces the first support portion 47, the first contact heating portion 43 is disposed such that the second surface 43B faces the second support portion 48.

[0120] Similarly, when the first contact heating portion 43 is positioned so that the first surface 43A faces the first support portion 47, in the longitudinal direction Y, the distance from the fourth sliding portion 71B to the first support surface 47C is shorter than the distance from the cam follower 53B to the bottom surface of the groove portion 61B.

[0121] In this manner, the fourth sliding portion 71B comes into contact with the first support surface 47C before the cam follower 53B comes into contact with the bottom surface of the groove portion 61B in the longitudinal direction Y. This allows the fourth sliding portion 71B to support the first contact heating portion 43 such that the first surface 43A faces the first support portion 47.

[0122] That is, when the first contact heating part 43 is disposed so that the first surface 43A faces the first support part 47, the distance from the first sliding part 71 to the first support part 47 in the longitudinal direction Y is shorter than the distance from the first engagement part 53 to the first guide part 61. As a result, the first sliding part 71 comes into contact with the first support surface 47C before the first engagement part 53 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the first guide part 61. Also, the first sliding part 71 can support the first contact heating part 43 so that the first surface 43A faces the first support part 47.

[0123] Similarly, when the first contact heating portion 43 is positioned so that the second surface 43B faces the second support portion 48, in the longitudinal direction Y, the distance from the fifth sliding portion 72A to the second support surface 48C is shorter than the distance from the cam follower 54A to the bottom surface of the groove portion 62A.

[0124] In this manner, the fifth sliding portion 72A comes into contact with the second support surface 48C before the cam follower 54A comes into contact with the bottom surface of the groove portion 62A in the longitudinal direction Y. This allows the fifth sliding portion 72A to support the first contact heating portion 43 such that the second surface 43B faces the second support portion 48.

[0125] Similarly, when the first contact heating portion 43 is positioned so that the second surface 43B faces the second support portion 48, in the longitudinal direction Y, the distance from the sixth sliding portion 72B to the second support surface 48C is shorter than the distance from the cam follower 54B to the bottom surface of the groove portion 62B.

[0126] In this manner, the sixth sliding portion 72B comes into contact with the second support surface 48C before the cam follower 54B comes into contact with the bottom surface of the groove portion 62B in the longitudinal direction Y. This allows the sixth sliding portion 72B to support the first contact heating portion 43 such that the second surface 43B faces the second support portion 48.

[0127] That is, when the first contact heating part 43 is disposed so that the second surface 43B faces the second support part 48, the distance from the second sliding part 72 to the second support part 48 in the longitudinal direction Y is shorter than the distance from the second engagement part 54 to the second guide part 62. As a result, the second sliding part 72 abuts against the second support surface 48C before the second engagement part 54 abuts against the bottom surface of the second guide part 62. Also, the second sliding part 72 can support the first contact heating part 43 so that the second surface 43B faces the second support part 48. Also, the same can be said about the second contact heating part 45 as about the first contact heating part 43.

[0128] <Position of each contact heating part> Next, the attitudes of the first contact heating portion 43 and the second contact heating portion 45 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 to FIG.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 6, the first contact heating unit 43 is disposed at a first position during normal drying of the printed medium M. The first contact heating unit 43 is disposed at the first position, thereby taking a first attitude. The first position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 faces downward Z2 in the vertical direction Z. The first position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 is disposed so as to straddle both the first end W1 and the second end W2 of the printed medium M. In other words, the first position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 faces the back surface of the printed medium M. In the figure, the length in the width direction X of the printed medium M is indicated as width W, the end on the first width direction X1 side is indicated as first end W1, and the end on the second width direction X2 side is indicated as second end W2.

[0130] When the first contact heating portion 43 is disposed at the first position, the first engagement portion 53 engages with the first guide portion 61, and the second engagement portion 54 engages with the second guide portion 62. As a specific example, when the first contact heating portion 43 is disposed at the first position, the cam follower 54A engages with the groove portion 62A at position P1C. When the first contact heating portion 43 is disposed at the first position, the cam follower 54B engages with the groove portion 62B at position P1D.

[0131] In this way, the first contact heating portion 43 is positioned in the first position with the first engagement portion 53 engaged with the first guide portion 61 and the second engagement portion 54 engaged with the second guide portion 62, thereby assuming the first posture.

[0132] Moreover, the first contact heating part 43 is disposed at the first position with the first sliding part 71 in contact with the first support part 47 and the second sliding part 72 in contact with the second support part 48. As a result, the first contact heating part 43 is disposed at the first position with the first surface 43A being horizontal with the first support surface 47C of the first support part 47 and the second surface 43B being horizontal with the second support surface 48C of the second support part 48. However, this is not limited thereto, and the first contact heating part 43 may be disposed so that the first sliding part 71 does not contact the first support part 47 and the second sliding part 72 does not contact the second support part 48 when the first contact heating part 43 is disposed at the first position.

[0133] In this case, when the first contact heating part 43 tries to tilt while moving between the first position and the second position, at least one of the following occurs: the first sliding part 71 slides in contact with the first support part 47, and the second sliding part 72 slides in contact with the second support part 48. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating part 43 from coming into contact with at least one of the first support part 47 and the second support part 48, preventing the first contact heating part 43 from being unable to move smoothly between the first position and the second position.

[0134] Moreover, the second contact heating section 45 is disposed in a fourth position during normal drying of the medium M after printing. The second contact heating section 45 is in a fourth posture when disposed in the fourth position. The fourth position is a position where the second contact heating surface 55 faces upward Z1 in the vertical direction Z. The fourth position is a position where the second contact heating surface 55 is disposed so as to straddle both the first end W1 and the second end W2 of the medium M after printing. In other words, the fourth position is a position where the second contact heating surface 55 faces the back surface of the medium M after printing.

[0135] The second contact heating portion 45 has the third engagement portion 57 engaged with the third guide portion 63 and the fourth engagement portion 58 engaged with the fourth guide portion 64. As a specific example, when the second contact heating portion 45 is disposed in the fourth position, the cam follower 58A engages with the groove portion 64A at a position P4C. When the second contact heating portion 45 is disposed in the fourth position, the cam follower 58B engages with the groove portion 64B at a position P4D.

[0136] In this way, the second contact heating portion 45 is positioned in the fourth position with the third engagement portion 57 engaged with the third guiding portion 63 and the fourth engagement portion 58 engaged with the fourth guiding portion 64, thereby assuming the fourth posture.

[0137] Moreover, the second contact heating part 45 is disposed at the fourth position with the seventh sliding part 73 in contact with the first support part 47 and the eighth sliding part 74 in contact with the second support part 48. As a result, the second contact heating part 45 is disposed at the fourth position with the third surface 45A being horizontal with the first support surface 47C of the first support part 47 and the fourth surface 45B being horizontal with the second support surface 48C of the second support part 48. However, this is not limited thereto, and the second contact heating part 45 may be disposed at the fourth position with the seventh sliding part 73 not in contact with the first support part 47 and the eighth sliding part 74 not in contact with the second support part 48.

[0138] In this case, when the second contact heating part 45 tries to tilt while moving between the fourth position and the fifth position, at least one of the seventh sliding part 73 slides in contact with the first support part 47 and the eighth sliding part 74 slides in contact with the second support part 48. This makes it possible to prevent the second contact heating part 45 from coming into contact with at least one of the first support part 47 and the second support part 48, preventing the second contact heating part 45 from being unable to move smoothly between the fourth position and the fifth position.

[0139] 8, the first contact heating unit 43 is placed in the second position when installing and maintaining the medium M. The first contact heating unit 43 is placed in the second position and thus takes the second posture.

[0140] The second position is different from the first position, and is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 has moved toward the first width direction X1 side from the first position. The first width direction X1 is also a direction intersecting with the conveying direction D. The first width direction X1 side is also the side where the opening and closing door 40A is provided. The second position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 is disposed so as to straddle the first end W1 of the medium M after printing but not the second end W2. In this way, the second position can also be said to be a position where the first contact heating surface 51 does not face the back surface of the medium M after printing. In other words, the second position is a position where the XY plane of the first contact heating surface 51 is inclined with respect to the XY plane of the medium M, and is a position where the XY plane of the first contact heating surface 51 is not parallel. The XY plane is a plane that includes the width direction X and the longitudinal direction Y.

[0141] The second position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 is farther from the first non-contact heating section 44 than the first position. More specifically, the second position is a position where the first end 51A on the first width direction X1 side of the first contact heating surface 51 is farther from the first non-contact heating section 44 than the first position. The second position is a position where the second end 51B on the second width direction X2 side of the first contact heating surface 51 is farther from the first non-contact heating section 44 than the first position.

[0142] The second position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 is inclined toward the first width direction X1 side. In particular, the second position may be a position where the first contact heating surface 51 is inclined at an angle less than 90 degrees from the first position. That is, the second position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 faces in a direction closer to the downward Z2 in the vertical direction Z than the position facing the first width direction X1, and is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 faces in a direction closer to the first width direction X1 than the position facing the downward Z2 in the vertical direction Z. In other words, the second position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 faces in a direction closer to the downward Z2 in the vertical direction Z than the position where the inclination angle of the first contact heating surface 51 is 90 degrees based on the first position. Also, the second position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 faces in a direction closer to the first width direction X1 than the position where the inclination angle of the first contact heating surface 51 is 0 degrees based on the first position. The second position is a position where the first end 51A of the first contact heating surface 51 is farther from the first non-contact heating section 44 than the second end 51B of the first contact heating surface 51.

[0143] When the first contact heating portion 43 is disposed at the second position, the first engagement portion 53 engages with the first guide portion 61, and the second engagement portion 54 engages with the second guide portion 62. As a specific example, when the first contact heating portion 43 is disposed at the second position, the cam follower 54A engages with the groove portion 62A at position P2C. When the first contact heating portion 43 is disposed at the second position, the cam follower 54B engages with the groove portion 62B at position P2D.

[0144] In this manner, the first contact heating unit 43 can change its position from the first position to the second position by moving from the first position to the second position with the first engagement portion 53 engaged with the first guiding portion 61 and the second engagement portion 54 engaged with the second guiding portion 62. In other words, by having the first contact heating unit 43 assume the second position, workability is improved when installing and maintaining the medium M.

[0145] Moreover, the first contact heating part 43 is disposed at the second position with the first sliding part 71 in contact with the first support part 47 and the second sliding part 72 in contact with the second support part 48. As a result, the first contact heating part 43 is disposed at the second position with the first surface 43A being horizontal with the first support surface 47C of the first support part 47 and the second surface 43B being horizontal with the second support surface 48C of the second support part 48. However, this is not limited thereto, and the first contact heating part 43 may be disposed so that the first sliding part 71 does not contact the first support part 47 and the second sliding part 72 does not contact the second support part 48 when the first contact heating part 43 is disposed at the second position.

[0146] In this case, when the first contact heating part 43 tries to tilt while moving between the first position and the second position, at least one of the following occurs: the first sliding part 71 slides in contact with the first support part 47, and the second sliding part 72 slides in contact with the second support part 48. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating part 43 from coming into contact with at least one of the first support part 47 and the second support part 48, preventing the first contact heating part 43 from being unable to move smoothly between the first position and the second position.

[0147] Furthermore, when the first contact heating part 43 tries to tilt while moving between the second position and the third position, at least one of the following occurs: the first sliding part 71 slides in contact with the first support part 47, and the second sliding part 72 slides in contact with the second support part 48. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating part 43 from coming into contact with at least one of the first support part 47 and the second support part 48, preventing the first contact heating part 43 from being unable to move smoothly between the second position and the third position.

[0148] The second contact heating unit 45 is disposed in a fifth position when installing and maintaining the medium M. The second contact heating unit 45 is in a fifth posture when disposed in the fifth position. The second contact heating unit 45 cannot be disposed in the fifth position when the first contact heating unit 43 is disposed in a third position, which will be described later; however, this is not limiting, and for example, the second contact heating unit 45 may be disposed in the fifth position when the first contact heating unit 43 is disposed in the third position, which will be described later.

[0149] The fifth position is different from the fourth position, and is a position where the second contact heating surface 55 has moved further toward the first width direction X1 than the fourth position. The fifth position is a position where the second contact heating surface 55 is disposed so as to straddle the first end W1 of the printed medium M but not the second end W2. In this way, the fifth position can also be said to be a position where the second contact heating surface 55 does not face the back surface of the printed medium M.

[0150] The fifth position is a position where the second contact heating surface 55 is farther from the second non-contact heating section 46 than the fourth position. More specifically, the fifth position is a position where the first end 55A on the first width direction X1 side of the second contact heating surface 55 is farther from the second non-contact heating section 46 than the fourth position. The fifth position is a position where the second end 55B on the second width direction X2 side of the second contact heating surface 55 is farther from the second non-contact heating section 46 than the fourth position.

[0151] The fifth position is a position where the second contact heating surface 55 is inclined toward the first width direction X1 side. In particular, the fifth position may be a position where the second contact heating surface 55 is inclined at an angle less than 90 degrees from the fourth position. That is, the fifth position is a position where the second contact heating surface 55 faces in a direction closer to the upward Z1 of the vertical direction Z than the position where the second contact heating surface 55 faces in the first width direction X1, and is a position where the second contact heating surface 55 faces in a direction closer to the first width direction X1 than the position where the second contact heating surface 55 faces in the upward Z1 of the vertical direction Z. In other words, the fifth position is a position where the second contact heating surface 55 faces in a direction closer to the upward Z1 of the vertical direction Z than the position where the inclination angle of the second contact heating surface 55 is 90 degrees based on the fourth position. Also, the fifth position is a position where the second contact heating surface 55 faces in a direction closer to the first width direction X1 than the position where the inclination angle of the second contact heating surface 55 is 0 degrees based on the fourth position. The fifth position is a position where the first end 55A of the second contact heating surface 55 is farther from the second non-contact heating section 46 than the second end 55B of the second contact heating surface 55.

[0152] The second contact heating portion 45 has the third engagement portion 57 engaged with the third guide portion 63 and the fourth engagement portion 58 engaged with the fourth guide portion 64. As a specific example, when the second contact heating portion 45 is disposed at the fifth position, the cam follower 58A engages with the groove portion 64A at a position P5C. When the second contact heating portion 45 is disposed at the fifth position, the cam follower 58B engages with the groove portion 64B at a position P5D.

[0153] In this manner, the second contact heating unit 45 can change its position from the fourth position to the fifth position by moving from the fourth position to the fifth position with the third engagement portion 57 engaged with the third guiding portion 63 and the fourth engagement portion 58 engaged with the fourth guiding portion 64. In other words, by having the second contact heating unit 45 in the fifth position, workability is improved when installing and maintaining the medium M.

[0154] In addition, the second contact heating part 45 is disposed at the fifth position with the seventh sliding part 73 in contact with the first support part 47 and the eighth sliding part 74 in contact with the second support part 48. As a result, the second contact heating part 45 is disposed at the fifth position with the third surface 45A being horizontal with the first support surface 47C of the first support part 47 and the fourth surface 45B being horizontal with the second support surface 48C of the second support part 48. However, this is not limited thereto, and the seventh sliding part 73 may be disposed so as not to contact the first support part 47 and the eighth sliding part 74 not to contact the second support part 48 when the second contact heating part 45 is disposed at the fifth position.

[0155] In this case, when the second contact heating part 45 tries to tilt while moving between the fourth position and the fifth position, at least one of the seventh sliding part 73 slides in contact with the first support part 47 and the eighth sliding part 74 slides in contact with the second support part 48. This makes it possible to prevent the second contact heating part 45 from coming into contact with at least one of the first support part 47 and the second support part 48, preventing the second contact heating part 45 from being unable to move smoothly between the fourth position and the fifth position.

[0156] 9, the first contact heating unit 43 can also be placed in a third position during maintenance. The first contact heating unit 43 is placed in the third position and takes a third posture. When the first contact heating unit 43 is placed in the third position, the second contact heating unit 45 is placed in a fourth position.

[0157] The third position is different from the first position and the second position, and is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 has moved further toward the first width direction X1 than the second position. The third position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 is disposed so as not to straddle both the first end W1 and the second end W2 of the printed medium M. In this way, the third position can also be said to be a position where the first contact heating surface 51 does not face the back surface of the printed medium M.

[0158] The third position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 is farther from the first non-contact heating section 44 than the first position and the second position. More specifically, the third position is a position where the first end 51A of the first contact heating surface 51 is farther from the first non-contact heating section 44 than the first position and the second position. The third position is a position where the second end 51B of the first contact heating surface 51 is farther from the first non-contact heating section 44 than the first position and the second position. The third position is a position where the first end 51A of the first contact heating surface 51 is farther from the first non-contact heating section 44 than the second end 51B of the first contact heating surface 51. Thus, the third position is a position farther from the first position than the second position.

[0159] The third position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 is inclined toward the first width direction X1 side. In particular, the third position may be a position where the first contact heating surface 51 is inclined at an angle of 90 degrees or more from the first position. That is, the third position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 faces the first width direction X1, or a position where the first contact heating surface 51 faces a direction closer to the upper Z1 of the vertical direction Z than the first width direction X1. In other words, the third position is a position where the inclination angle of the first contact heating surface 51 is 90 degrees based on the first position, or a position where the inclination angle of the first contact heating surface 51 faces a direction closer to the upper Z1 of the vertical direction Z than the position where the inclination angle of the first contact heating surface 51 is 90 degrees. The third position is a position where the first end 51A of the first contact heating surface 51 is farther from the first non-contact heating portion 44 than the second end 51B of the first contact heating surface 51.

[0160] When the first contact heating portion 43 is disposed in the third position, the first engagement portion 53 engages with the first guide portion 61, and the second engagement portion 54 engages with the second guide portion 62. As a specific example, when the first contact heating portion 43 is disposed in the third position, the cam follower 54A engages with the groove portion 62A at position P3C. When the first contact heating portion 43 is disposed in the third position, the cam follower 54B engages with the groove portion 62B at position P3D.

[0161] In this way, the first contact heating unit 43 can change its posture from the second posture to the third posture by moving from the second position to the third position with the first engagement portion 53 engaged with the first guide portion 61 and the second engagement portion 54 engaged with the second guide portion 62. In other words, the first contact heating unit 43 can change its posture from the first posture to the third posture by moving from the first position to the third position with the first engagement portion 53 engaged with the first guide portion 61 and the second engagement portion 54 engaged with the second guide portion 62. In this way, by the first contact heating unit 43 being in the third posture, workability is improved when installing and maintaining the medium M, compared to when the first contact heating unit 43 is in the second posture.

[0162] Moreover, the first contact heating part 43 is disposed at the third position with the first sliding part 71 in contact with the first support part 47 and the second sliding part 72 in contact with the second support part 48. As a result, the first contact heating part 43 is disposed at the third position with the first surface 43A being horizontal with the first support surface 47C of the first support part 47 and the second surface 43B being horizontal with the second support surface 48C of the second support part 48. However, this is not limited thereto, and the first contact heating part 43 may be disposed so that the first sliding part 71 does not contact the first support part 47 and the second sliding part 72 does not contact the second support part 48 when the first contact heating part 43 is disposed at the third position.

[0163] In this case, when the first contact heating part 43 tries to tilt while moving between the second position and the third position, at least one of the following occurs: the first sliding part 71 slides in contact with the first support part 47, and the second sliding part 72 slides in contact with the second support part 48. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating part 43 from coming into contact with at least one of the first support part 47 and the second support part 48, preventing the first contact heating part 43 from being unable to move smoothly between the second position and the third position.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 10, while the first contact heating part 43 moves from the second position to the third position, the center of the sixth sliding part 72B may face the second cover member 70B as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y. In this case, the center of the fourth sliding part 71B faces the first cover member 70A as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, similarly to the sixth sliding part 72B. As a result, the first contact heating part 43 moves from the second position to the third position so that the center of the sixth sliding part 72B does not face the groove part 62B as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, except when it faces the second cover member 70B. In addition, the center of the fourth sliding part 71B as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y moves from the second position to the third position so that the center of the fourth sliding part 71B does not face the groove part 61B as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, except when it faces the first cover member 70A.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 11, while the second contact heating part 45 moves from the fourth position to the fifth position, the center of the twelfth sliding part 74B may face the second cover member 70B as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y. In this case, the center of the tenth sliding part 73B faces the first cover member 70A as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, similar to the twelfth sliding part 74B. As a result, the second contact heating part 45 moves from the fourth position to the fifth position so as not to face the groove part 64B as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, except when the center of the twelfth sliding part 74B faces the second cover member 70B. In addition, the second contact heating part 45 moves from the fourth position to the fifth position so as not to face the groove part 63B as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, except when the center of the tenth sliding part 73B faces the first cover member 70A.

[0166] <Operation of the First Embodiment> The operation of the first embodiment will be described. When a print command is input to the printing device 10, the medium M is transported by the transport unit 12 along the transport path 22. The medium M transported along the transport path 22 is supported by the support unit 11 in the printing area PA. Printing is performed on the medium M supported by the support unit 11 by the printing unit 13. The printed medium M is transported to the drying unit 14. The printed medium M transported to the drying unit 14 is dried by the drying unit 14.

[0167] Specifically, in the first drying section 41, the printed medium M is transported such that the back surface of the printed medium M contacts the first contact heating surface 51 and the printed surface of the printed medium M faces the first non-contact heating section 44, but does not contact the first non-contact heating section 44. In particular, the printed medium M is positioned such that the back surface of the printed medium M is pressed against the curved first contact heating surface 51. This allows the printed medium M to be dried by the first contact heating section 43 and the first non-contact heating section 44. The printed medium M dried by the first drying section 41 is transported from the first drying section 41 to the second drying section 42 by the folding section 25.

[0168] In the second drying section 42, the printed medium M is transported such that the back surface of the printed medium M contacts the second contact heating surface 55 and the printed surface of the printed medium M faces the second non-contact heating section 46, but does not contact the second non-contact heating section 46. In particular, the printed medium M is positioned such that the back surface of the printed medium M is pressed against the curved second contact heating surface 55. As a result, the printed medium M is dried by the second contact heating section 45 and the second non-contact heating section 46.

[0169] The first contact heating unit 43 is placed in a first position and takes a first posture during normal drying of the printed medium M. In the first position, the first contact heating unit 43 is placed such that the first contact heating surface 51 faces the back surface of the printed medium M. In the first position, the first contact heating unit 43 is placed such that the first contact heating surface 51 faces the first non-contact heating unit 44 with the printed medium M in between.

[0170] In order to improve drying efficiency, the first contact heating section 43 is disposed at the first position so as to shorten the distance between the first non-contact heating section 44. Therefore, when the first contact heating section 43 is disposed at the first position, the workability of the work related to the first contact heating section 43 is reduced.

[0171] For example, in the first drying section 41, when the medium M is placed between the first contact heating section 43 and the first non-contact heating section 44, if the first contact heating section 43 is arranged at the first position, the workability is reduced. Also, in the first drying section 41, when maintenance such as cleaning the surface of the first contact heating surface 51 is performed, for example, if the first contact heating section 43 is arranged at the first position, the workability is reduced.

[0172] The second contact heating unit 45 is positioned at the fourth position during normal drying of the printed medium M, thereby assuming a fourth posture. In the fourth position, the second contact heating unit 45 is positioned such that the second contact heating surface 55 faces the back surface of the printed medium M. In the fourth position, the second contact heating unit 45 is positioned such that the second contact heating surface 55 faces the second non-contact heating unit 46, sandwiching the printed medium M therebetween.

[0173] In order to improve drying efficiency, the second contact heating section 45 is arranged at the fourth position so as to shorten the distance from the second non-contact heating section 46. Therefore, when the second contact heating section 45 is arranged at the fourth position, the drying efficiency is improved as in the case of the first contact heating section 43, but the workability of the work related to the second contact heating section 45 is reduced.

[0174] The first contact heating unit 43 is placed in the second position from the first position during installation and maintenance of the medium M. In the second position, the first contact heating unit 43 is placed such that the first contact heating surface 51 is farther away from the rear surface of the medium M after printing than in the first position. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of work related to the first contact heating unit 43.

[0175] In particular, the first contact heating section 43 is arranged from the second position to the third position during installation and maintenance of the medium M, thereby assuming the third posture. In the third position, the first contact heating section 43 is arranged so that the first contact heating surface 51 is farther away from the rear surface of the medium M after printing than in the second position. In the third position, the first contact heating section 43 is arranged so that the first contact heating surface 51 is farther away from the first non-contact heating section 44 than in the second position. In the third position, the first contact heating section 43 is arranged so that the first contact heating surface 51 faces the first width direction X1, or faces in a direction closer to the upper side Z1 of the vertical direction Z than the position in which the first contact heating surface 51 faces the first width direction X1. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the workability of the work related to the first contact heating section 43.

[0176] Furthermore, when installing and maintaining the medium M, the second contact heating unit 45 is moved from the fourth position to the fifth position, thereby assuming the fifth posture. In the fifth position, the second contact heating unit 45 is positioned so that the second contact heating surface 55 is farther away from the rear surface of the medium M after printing than in the fourth position. In the fifth position, the second contact heating unit 45 is positioned so that the second contact heating surface 55 faces in a direction closer to the first width direction X1 than in a position facing upward Z1 in the vertical direction Z. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of work related to the second contact heating unit 45.

[0177] Furthermore, when the first contact heating unit 43 is disposed at the second and third positions, maintenance of the first contact heating unit 43 can be performed with the medium M disposed therein. When the second contact heating unit 45 is disposed at the fifth position, maintenance of the second contact heating unit 45 can be performed with the medium M disposed therein.

[0178] As an example of maintenance, it is possible to remove dirt adhering to the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55. In particular, when a label sheet is used as an example of the medium M, even if the adhesive of the label sheet adheres to the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 due to heating of the label sheet, it is possible to remove the adhesive.

[0179] In addition, the first contact heating part 43 can move between the first position and the second position in a state where the first sliding part 71 is in contact with the first support part 47 and the second sliding part 72 is in contact with the second support part 48. In a state where the first sliding part 71 is in contact with the first support part 47 and the second sliding part 72 is in contact with the second support part 48, the first contact heating part 43 can move between the second position and the third position. This allows the first surface 43A to be horizontal with the first support surface 47C of the first support part 47 and the second surface 43B to be horizontal with the second support surface 48C of the second support part 48 even when the first contact heating part 43 moves.

[0180] Furthermore, the second contact heating part 45 can move between the fourth position and the fifth position in a state where the seventh sliding part 73 is in contact with the first support part 47 and the eighth sliding part 74 is in contact with the second support part 48. This allows the third surface 45A to be horizontal with the first support surface 47C of the first support part 47 and the fourth surface 45B to be horizontal with the second support surface 48C of the second support part 48 to be maintained even when the second contact heating part 45 moves.

[0181] <Advantages of the First Embodiment> The effects of the first embodiment will be described. (1) The first contact heating unit 43 has a first contact heating surface 51 configured to come into contact with the back surface of the medium M after printing, a first engagement portion 53 that can engage with the first guide portion 61 of the first support portion 47, and a second engagement portion 54 that can engage with the second guide portion 62 of the second support portion 48. The first contact heating unit 43 can change its posture from the first posture to the second posture by moving from the first position to the second position in a state in which the first engagement portion 53 is engaged with the first guide portion 61 and the second engagement portion 54 is engaged with the second guide portion 62. The first position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 faces the back surface of the medium M after printing, and the second position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 is farther away from the back surface of the medium M after printing than the first position. Therefore, the first contact heating unit 43 can be changed from a first position in which the first contact heating surface 51 faces the back surface of the printed medium M to a second position in which the first contact heating surface 51 is further away from the back surface of the printed medium M than in the first position. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of work related to the first contact heating unit 43, even when the configuration of the drying unit 14 is designed to be space-saving.

[0182] Furthermore, the first sliding portion 71 can slide in contact with the first support portion 47 separately from the first engagement portion 53, and the second sliding portion 72 can slide in contact with the second support portion 48 separately from the second engagement portion 54. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating portion 43 from tilting. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the operability of the work related to the first contact heating portion 43 even when the configuration of the drying portion 14 is designed to be space-saving.

[0183] (2) The second position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 has moved toward the first width direction X1 side in the width direction X intersecting with the conveying direction D from the first position. Therefore, the first contact heating surface 51 can be moved toward the first width direction X1 side by moving the first contact heating section 43 from the first position to the second position. This makes it possible to reduce the space required for arranging the drying section 14 compared to a configuration in which the first contact heating section 43 is moved upward Z1 side in the vertical direction Z. Even when reducing the space required for arranging the drying section 14, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of work related to the first contact heating section 43.

[0184] (3) The second position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 is more inclined than the first position. Therefore, the first contact heating surface 51 can be inclined by moving the first contact heating section 43 from the first position to the second position. This makes it possible to reduce the space required for arranging the drying section 14 compared to a configuration in which the first contact heating section 43 is moved upward Z1 in the vertical direction Z. Even when reducing the space required for arranging the drying section 14, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of work related to the first contact heating section 43.

[0185] (4) When the first engagement portion 53 is engaged with the first guide portion 61 and the second engagement portion 54 is engaged with the second guide portion 62, the first contact heating portion 43 can change its position from the second position to the third position by moving from the second position to the third position. The third position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 is farther away from the back surface of the printed medium M than the second position. Therefore, by moving the first contact heating portion 43 from the second position to the third position, the first contact heating surface 51 can be moved to a position farther away from the back surface of the printed medium M than the second position. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of work related to the first contact heating portion 43 even when space saving is attempted for the arrangement of the drying portion 14.

[0186] (5) The first position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 faces downward Z2 in the vertical direction Z. The third position is a position where the first contact heating surface 51 is inclined toward the first width direction X1 at an angle of 90 degrees or more from the first position. Therefore, by moving the first contact heating section 43 from the first position to the third position, the first contact heating surface 51 can be changed from the first posture where the first contact heating surface 51 faces downward Z2 in the vertical direction Z to the third posture where the first contact heating surface 51 faces the first width direction X1. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the workability of the work related to the first contact heating section 43 even when space saving is attempted for the arrangement of the drying section 14.

[0187] (6) The drying unit 14 has a first non-contact heating unit 44 that faces the first contact heating surface 51 and is configured to blow air to the printed surface of the printed medium M without contacting the printed surface of the printed medium M. Therefore, the printed medium M is dried from the back side by the first contact heating unit 43 and from the printed surface by the first non-contact heating unit 44. This improves the drying efficiency of the medium M. Therefore, the quality of the printed medium M can be improved as the printed medium M is dried. In addition, by positioning the first non-contact heating unit 44 at a position facing the first contact heating surface 51, even when the configuration of the drying unit 14 is designed to be space-saving, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the workability of the first contact heating unit 43.

[0188] (7) The drying unit 14 has a second contact heating unit 45 provided inside the housing 40. The second contact heating unit 45 has a second contact heating surface 55 configured to face the back surface of the printed medium M and to contact the back surface of the printed medium M. The second contact heating surface 55 is arranged so as to face the opposite direction to the first contact heating surface 51. Therefore, the printed medium M is dried from the back surface by the first contact heating unit 43 and the second contact heating unit 45. This can improve the drying efficiency of the medium M. Therefore, the quality of the printed medium M can be improved as the printed medium M is dried. In addition, by arranging the second contact heating surface 55 of the second contact heating unit 45 so as to face the opposite direction to the first contact heating surface 51, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the workability related to the first contact heating unit 43 even when the configuration of the drying unit 14 is space-saving.

[0189] (8) The second contact heating unit 45 has a third engagement portion 57 that can engage with the third guide portion 63 of the first support portion 47, and a fourth engagement portion 58 that can engage with the fourth guide portion 64 of the second support portion 48. The second contact heating unit 45 can change its posture from the fourth posture to the fifth posture by moving from the fourth position to the fifth position in a state in which the third engagement portion 57 is engaged with the third guide portion 63 and the fourth engagement portion 58 is engaged with the fourth guide portion 64. The fourth position is a position where the second contact heating surface 55 faces the back surface of the medium M after printing, and the fifth position is a position where the second contact heating surface 55 is further away from the back surface of the medium M after printing than the fourth position. Therefore, by moving the second contact heating unit 45 from the fourth position to the fifth position, the second contact heating surface 55 can be changed from the fourth position, in which it faces the back surface of the printed medium M, to the fifth position, in which the second contact heating surface 55 is further away from the back surface of the printed medium M than in the fourth position. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of work related to the second contact heating unit 45, even when the configuration of the drying unit 14 is intended to be space-saving.

[0190] (9) In particular, when the first contact heating section 43 is arranged in the second position and the second contact heating section 45 is arranged in the fifth position, the medium M can be arranged continuously across the first drying section 41 and the second drying section 42. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of operations related to the first contact heating section 43 and the second contact heating section 45, even when the configuration of the drying section 14 is designed to be space-saving.

[0191] (10) The drying unit 14 has a second non-contact heating unit 46 that faces the second contact heating surface 55 and is configured to blow air to the printed surface of the printed medium M without contacting the printed surface of the printed medium M. Therefore, the printed medium M is dried from the back side by the first contact heating unit 43 and the second contact heating unit 45, and is dried from the printed surface by the second non-contact heating unit 46. This improves the drying efficiency of the medium M. Therefore, the quality of the printed medium M can be improved as the printed medium M is dried. In addition, by positioning the second non-contact heating unit 46 at a position facing the second contact heating surface 55, even when the configuration of the drying unit 14 is designed to be space-saving, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the workability of the second contact heating unit 45.

[0192] (11) The first contact heating surface 51 is curved to have a convex shape in the opposite direction to the second contact heating surface 55, and the second contact heating surface 55 is curved to have a convex shape in the opposite direction to the first contact heating surface 51. Therefore, the printed medium M can be brought into contact with the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 while being pressed against them. This allows both the first contact heating section 43 and the second contact heating section 45 to be used, and also allows the degree of adhesion between the printed medium M and the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 to be increased, thereby improving the drying efficiency of the printed medium M. Therefore, as the printed medium M dries, the quality of the printed medium M can be improved.

[0193] (12) The folding back section 25 is provided downstream of the first contact heating section 43 in the transport direction D and upstream of the second contact heating section 45 in the transport direction D. The folding back section 25 is configured to fold the printed medium M that has come into contact with the first contact heating surface 51 back to the second contact heating surface 55. The first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 face in opposite directions. For this reason, by using the folding back section 25, the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 can be arranged so that they are not adjacent to each other along the transport direction D. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the drying section 14 from becoming large in size in the transport direction D.

[0194] (13) The first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 are surfaces formed of a metal plate material. Therefore, by using the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 formed of a metal plate material with high thermal conductivity, the drying efficiency of the medium M can be improved. Therefore, as the medium M dries after printing, the quality of the medium M after printing can be improved.

[0195] (14) The first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 are surfaces that have been subjected to electroless plating. Therefore, even if the degree of contact between the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 and the printed medium M is increased, the frictional force between the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 and the printed medium M can be reduced. In this way, damage to the printed medium M that comes into contact with the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 can be suppressed. In addition to this, for example, even if a mechanism for separating the printed medium M from the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 is not provided, the printed medium M that comes into contact with the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 can be smoothly transported. Therefore, the quality of the printed medium M can be improved as the printed medium M dries.

[0196] (15) When the first contact heating unit 43 moves between the first position and the second position, the first sliding portion 71 can slide in contact with the first support portion 47, and the second sliding portion 72 can slide in contact with the second support portion 48. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating unit 43 from tilting. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the efficiency of work related to the first contact heating unit 43, even when the configuration of the drying unit 14 is designed to be space-saving.

[0197] (16) When the first contact heating section 43 moves between the first position and the second position, the center of the first sliding section 71 does not face the first guide section 61 as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y, and the center of the second sliding section 72 does not face the second guide section 62 as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y. This makes it possible to prevent the first sliding section 71 from fitting into the first guide section 61, and to prevent the second sliding section 72 from fitting into the second guide section 62. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating section 43 from tilting. Therefore, even when the configuration of the drying section 14 is designed to be space-saving, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the operability of the work related to the first contact heating section 43.

[0198] (17) In the longitudinal direction Y, the first sliding portion 71 abuts against the first support portion 47 before the first engaging portion 53 abuts against the bottom surface of the first guiding portion 61. In addition, in the longitudinal direction Y, the second sliding portion 72 abuts against the second support portion 48 before the second engaging portion 54 abuts against the bottom surface of the second guiding portion 62. As a result, the first sliding portion 71 and the second sliding portion 72 can support the first contact heating portion 43 so that the first surface 43A faces the first support portion 47 and the second surface 43B faces the second support portion 48. As a result, it is possible to prevent the first contact heating portion 43 from tilting. Therefore, even when the configuration of the drying portion 14 is designed to be space-saving, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the workability related to the first contact heating portion 43.

[0199] (18) It is possible to prevent the first sliding part 71 from fitting into the first guide part 61 in a part of the first attachment / detachment area 61D to which the first lid member 70A is attached. It is possible to prevent the second sliding part 72 from fitting into the second guide part 62 in a part of the second attachment / detachment area 62D to which the second lid member 70B is attached. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating part 43 from tilting. Therefore, even when the configuration of the drying part 14 is designed to be space-saving, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the efficiency of work related to the first contact heating part 43.

[0200] (19) The third sliding portion 71A, the fourth sliding portion 71B, the fifth sliding portion 72A, and the sixth sliding portion 72B can stably support the first contact heating portion 43. This can prevent the first contact heating portion 43 from tilting. Therefore, even when the configuration of the drying portion 14 is designed to be space-saving, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the efficiency of work related to the first contact heating portion 43.

[0201] (20) The first sliding portion 71 and the second sliding portion 72 can smoothly support the first contact heating portion 43. This can prevent the first contact heating portion 43 from tilting. Therefore, even when the configuration of the drying portion 14 is designed to be space-saving, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the efficiency of work related to the first contact heating portion 43.

[0202] (21) The first sliding portion 71 and the second sliding portion 72 can smoothly support the first contact heating portion 43 regardless of the sliding direction. This can prevent the first contact heating portion 43 from tilting. Therefore, even when the configuration of the drying portion 14 is designed to be space-saving, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the efficiency of work related to the first contact heating portion 43.

[0203] [Example of change] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.

[0204] The first sliding portion 71 may include one or more sliding portions. That is, the first sliding portion 71 may include one or more sliding portions. The second sliding portion 72 may include one or more sliding portions. That is, the second sliding portion 72 may include one or more sliding portions.

[0205] The first sliding part 71 and the second sliding part 72 may be sliding rollers that can rotate around a rotation axis along one direction, instead of ball rollers. The first sliding part 71 does not have to be a roller as long as it can slide in contact with the first support part 47, and may be a protrusion having slidability, such as a protrusion that has been fluorine-treated. The second sliding part 72 does not have to be a roller as long as it can slide in contact with the second support part 48, and may be a protrusion having slidability, such as a protrusion that has been fluorine-treated.

[0206] The first attachment portion 47E may be capable of attaching a first lid member 70A that completely covers the first attachment area 61D. The second attachment portion 48E may be capable of attaching a second lid member 70B that completely covers the second attachment area 62D. The first attachment portion 47E may be capable of attaching a first lid member 70A that completely covers the third attachment area 63D. The second attachment portion 48E may be capable of attaching a second lid member 70B that completely covers the fourth attachment area 64D.

[0207] When the center of the first sliding portion 71 does not face the first guide portion 61, the first support portion 47 does not need to include the first attachment portion 47E. When the center of the second sliding portion 72 does not face the second guide portion 62, the second support portion 48 does not need to include the second attachment portion 48E.

[0208] In the above embodiment, for example, the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 may each be subjected to electroless plating different from electroless Ni plating on the surface that comes into contact with the back surface of the printed medium M. In other words, the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 may each be subjected to electroless plating on the surface that comes into contact with the back surface of the printed medium M. This makes it possible to improve the quality of the printed medium M as the printed medium M dries.

[0209] In the above embodiment, for example, the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 may be subjected to a fluorine coating treatment on the surface that comes into contact with the back surface of the printed medium M. This makes it possible to improve the quality of the printed medium M as the printed medium M dries.

[0210] In the above embodiment, for example, the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 may be embossed. This can improve the quality of the printed medium M as the printed medium M dries.

[0211] In the above embodiment, for example, the first contact heating surface 51 and the second contact heating surface 55 may further have an embossed surface subjected to electroless plating, or may further have a fluorine coating treatment applied to the embossed surface. This makes it possible to improve the quality of the printed medium M as the printed medium M dries.

[0212] In the above embodiment, for example, the first drying section 41 and the second drying section 42 may be arranged so as to overlap in the horizontal direction. That is, the first drying section 41 and the second drying section 42 may be arranged so as to overlap in the longitudinal direction Y. In such a case, for example, the vertical direction Z in FIG. 2 is the longitudinal direction Y, and the longitudinal direction Y in FIG. 2 is the vertical direction Z. In detail, for example, the upper Z1 of the vertical direction Z in FIG. 2 is the second longitudinal direction Y2, the lower Z2 of the vertical direction Z in FIG. 2 is the first longitudinal direction Y1, the first longitudinal direction Y1 in FIG. 2 is the upper Z1 of the vertical direction Z, and the second longitudinal direction Y2 in FIG. 2 is the lower Z2 of the vertical direction Z. In this way, the first position may be a position where the first contact heating surface 51 faces the horizontal direction, and the fourth position may be a position where the second contact heating surface 55 faces the horizontal direction.

[0213] In the above embodiment, for example, at least one of the first non-contact heating unit 44 and the second non-contact heating unit 46 may not be provided. In other words, the non-contact heating unit may or may not be provided at a position facing the first contact heating surface 51 or at a position facing the second contact heating surface 55. Also, at least one of the first non-contact heating unit 44 and the second non-contact heating unit 46 corresponds to an example of a non-contact heating unit.

[0214] In the above embodiment, for example, with respect to the first position as a reference, the third position may be a position where the first contact heating surface 51 is inclined at an angle less than 90 degrees from the first position, as long as the third position is inclined at an angle greater than the second position.

[0215] In the above embodiment, for example, the first guide portion 61, the second guide portion 62, the third guide portion 63, and the fourth guide portion 64 may have a convex shape instead of a groove shape as long as they are capable of engaging with the first engagement portion 53, the second engagement portion 54, the third engagement portion 57, and the fourth engagement portion 58, respectively. In this case, the first engagement portion 53, the second engagement portion 54, the third engagement portion 57, and the fourth engagement portion 58 may have a concave shape.

[0216] In the above embodiment, for example, the first contact heating unit 43 may be configured to be fixable at each of the first position, the second position, and the third position, and the second contact heating unit 45 may be configured to be fixable at each of the fourth position and the fifth position.

[0217] In the above embodiment, for example, the first support portion 47 may be composed of a plurality of members. For example, the first support portion 47 may be divided into a member that supports the first contact heating portion 43 and a member that supports the second contact heating portion 45. For example, the second support portion 48 may be composed of a plurality of members. For example, the second support portion 48 may be divided into a member that supports the first contact heating portion 43 and a member that supports the second contact heating portion 45.

[0218] In the above embodiment, for example, the control unit 17 may adjust the control contents by the drying unit 14. As a specific example, the control unit 17 may be capable of switching whether or not to drive each of the first contact heating unit 43, the first non-contact heating unit 44, the second contact heating unit 45, and the second non-contact heating unit 46 based on an instruction input by a user's operation. For example, the control unit 17 may be capable of adjusting the drying time for drying the medium M after printing based on an instruction input by a user's operation. For example, the control unit 17 may be capable of setting a drying temperature that is a standard for drying based on an instruction input by a user's operation. For example, a drying temperature of 50 to 100 degrees may be set.

[0219] In the above embodiment, a serial printer is used as the printing device 10, but this is not limited to the present invention. For example, a lateral printer or a line printer may be used as the printing device 10. A lateral printer is a printer in which the carriage can move in two directions, the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. A line printer is a printer that has a plurality of nozzles arranged at a constant pitch in the width direction X, and is capable of ejecting liquid simultaneously across the width of the medium M.

[0220] The medium M is not limited to being unwound from a roll R. The medium M may be paper, a resin film or sheet, a composite film of resin and metal, a laminate film, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a metal foil, a metal film, a ceramic sheet, etc. The medium M may also be clothing such as a towel or a shirt.

[0221] The printing device 10 is not limited to a printer, but may be a multifunction device having a scanner mechanism and a copy function in addition to a printing function. The term "at least any" as used herein means one or more of the desired options. As an example, the term "at least any" as used herein means only one option or both options if the number of options is two. As another example, the term "at least any" as used herein means only one option or any combination of two or more options if the number of options is three or more.

[0222] [Note] The technical ideas and effects obtained from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below.

[0223] (A) A printing apparatus comprising: a transport unit configured to transport a medium in a transport direction; a printing unit configured to print on the medium by ejecting a liquid onto the medium transported by the transport unit; and a drying unit configured to dry the medium after printing by the printing unit, wherein the drying unit has a housing, a first contact heating unit provided inside the housing, a first support unit provided inside the housing and at one of positions that sandwich the first contact heating unit in the transport direction, and a second support unit provided inside the housing and at the other of positions that sandwich the first contact heating unit in the transport direction, wherein the first support unit and the second support unit are configured to support the first contact heating unit, the first support unit has a first guide unit provided at a position facing the first contact heating unit, and the second support unit is provided at a position facing the first contact heating unit. the first contact heating unit has a first contact heating surface configured to face the back surface of the printed medium, which is opposite to the printed surface of the printed medium, and to come into contact with the back surface of the printed medium, a first engagement portion engageable with the first guide portion, a second engagement portion engageable with the second guide portion, a first sliding portion arranged on a first surface on which the first engagement portion is provided, and capable of sliding in a state of contact with the first support portion, and a second sliding portion arranged on a second surface on which the second engagement portion is provided, and capable of sliding in a state of contact with the second support portion, and when the first engagement portion is engaged with the first guide portion and the second engagement portion is engaged with the second guide portion, the first contact heating unit is capable of changing its posture from a first posture to a second posture by moving from a first position where the first contact heating surface faces the back surface of the printed medium to a second position where the first contact heating surface is further away from the back surface of the printed medium than the first position.

[0224] According to this configuration, by moving the first contact heating unit from the first position to the second position, the first contact heating unit can be changed from a first position in which the first contact heating surface faces the back surface of the printed medium to a second position in which the first contact heating surface is further away from the back surface of the printed medium than in the first position. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of work related to the first contact heating unit, even when a space-saving configuration of the drying unit is sought.

[0225] Furthermore, the first sliding part can slide in contact with the first support part separately from the first engagement part, and the second sliding part can slide in contact with the second support part separately from the second engagement part. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating part from tilting. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the operability of the first contact heating part even when the drying part is configured to be space-saving.

[0226] (B) In a printing device, the first sliding portion may be positioned at a position facing the first support portion when the first contact heating portion moves between the first position and the second position, and the second sliding portion may be positioned at a position facing the second support portion when the first contact heating portion moves between the first position and the second position.

[0227] According to this configuration, when the first contact heating unit moves between the first position and the second position, the first sliding unit can slide in contact with the first support unit, and the second sliding unit can slide in contact with the second support unit. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating unit from tilting. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the operability of the first contact heating unit, even when the drying unit is configured to be space-saving.

[0228] (C) In a printing device, the first guide portion may be a groove portion formed in the first support portion, the second guide portion may be a groove portion formed in the second support portion, the first sliding portion may be positioned at a position where its center does not face the first guide portion when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first surface when the first contact heating portion moves between the first position and the second position, and the second sliding portion may be positioned at a position where its center does not face the second guide portion when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the second surface when the first contact heating portion moves between the first position and the second position.

[0229] According to this configuration, when the first contact heating unit moves between the first position and the second position, the center of the first sliding unit does not face the first guide unit when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first surface, and the center of the second sliding unit does not face the second guide unit when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the second surface. This makes it possible to prevent the first sliding unit and the second sliding unit from getting stuck in the groove. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating unit from tilting. Therefore, even when the configuration of the drying unit is designed to be space-saving, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the operability of the work related to the first contact heating unit.

[0230] (D) In ​​a printing device, the first guide portion is a groove portion formed in the first support portion, and the second guide portion is a groove portion formed in the second support portion, and when the first contact heating portion is arranged so that the first surface faces the first support portion, the distance from the first sliding portion to the first support portion in a direction perpendicular to the first surface is shorter than the distance from the first engagement portion to the first guide portion, and when the first contact heating portion is arranged so that the second surface faces the second support portion, the distance from the second sliding portion to the second support portion in the direction perpendicular to the second surface is shorter than the distance from the second engagement portion to the second guide portion.

[0231] According to this configuration, in a direction perpendicular to the first surface, the first sliding portion abuts against the first support portion before the first engaging portion abuts against the bottom surface of the first guide portion. Also, in a direction perpendicular to the second surface, the second sliding portion abuts against the second support portion before the second engaging portion abuts against the bottom surface of the second guide portion. This allows the first sliding portion and the second sliding portion to support the first contact heating portion 43 so that the first surface faces the first support portion and the second surface faces the second support portion. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating portion from tilting. Therefore, even when the space of the drying portion is reduced, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the workability of the work related to the first contact heating portion.

[0232] (E) In a printing device, the first guide portion may be a groove portion formed in the first support portion, and the second guide portion may be a groove portion formed in the second support portion, the first guide portion may have a first movement region with which the first engagement portion engages when the first contact heating portion moves between the first position and the second position, a first attachment / detachment region with which the first engagement portion engages when the first contact heating portion is attached to and detached from the first support portion and the second support portion, and a first mounting portion capable of mounting a first cover member that covers part or all of the first attachment / detachment region, and the second guide portion may have a second movement region with which the second engagement portion engages when the first contact heating portion moves between the first position and the second position, a second attachment / detachment region with which the second engagement portion engages when the first contact heating portion is attached to and detached from the first support portion and the second support portion, and a second mounting portion capable of mounting a second cover member that covers part or all of the second attachment / detachment region.

[0233] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the first sliding part from fitting into the groove in a part or all of the first detachable region to which the first lid member is attached. It is possible to prevent the second sliding part from fitting into the groove in a part or all of the second detachable region to which the second lid member is attached. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating part from tilting. Therefore, even when the space of the drying part is reduced, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the operability of the work related to the first contact heating part.

[0234] (F) In a printing device, the first engagement portion has a first convex portion and a second convex portion, the second engagement portion has a third convex portion and a fourth convex portion, the first sliding portion has a third sliding portion arranged on the first convex portion side of the center of a line segment connecting the first convex portion and the second convex portion and a fourth sliding portion arranged on the second convex portion side of the center of the line segment connecting the first convex portion and the second convex portion, and the second sliding portion may have a fifth sliding portion arranged on the third convex portion side of the center of the line segment connecting the third convex portion and the fourth convex portion and a sixth sliding portion arranged on the fourth convex portion side of the center of the line segment connecting the third convex portion and the fourth convex portion.

[0235] According to this configuration, the third sliding part, the fourth sliding part, the fifth sliding part, and the sixth sliding part can stably support the first contact heating part. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating part from tilting. Therefore, even when the drying part is configured to be space-saving, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the workability of the work related to the first contact heating part.

[0236] (G) In the printing device, the first sliding portion may have a first sliding roller that is in contact with the first support portion and can rotate along the first support portion, and the second sliding portion may have a second sliding roller that is in contact with the second support portion and can rotate along the second support portion.

[0237] According to this configuration, the first sliding part and the second sliding part can smoothly support the first contact heating part. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating part from tilting. Therefore, even when the space of the drying part is reduced, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the efficiency of work related to the first contact heating part.

[0238] (H) In the printing device, the first sliding roller and the second sliding roller may be ball rollers. According to this configuration, the first sliding part and the second sliding part can smoothly support the first contact heating part regardless of the sliding direction. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating part from tilting. Therefore, even when the space of the drying part is reduced, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the workability of the work related to the first contact heating part.

[0239] (I) In the printing device, the third sliding portion may have a third sliding roller that is in contact with the first support portion and can rotate along the first support portion, the fourth sliding portion may have a fourth sliding roller that is in contact with the first support portion and can rotate along the first support portion, the fifth sliding portion may have a fifth sliding roller that is in contact with the second support portion and can rotate along the second support portion, and the sixth sliding portion may have a sixth sliding roller that is in contact with the second support portion and can rotate along the second support portion.

[0240] According to this configuration, the third sliding part, the fourth sliding part, the fifth sliding part, and the sixth sliding part can smoothly support the first contact heating part. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating part from tilting. Therefore, even when the space of the drying part is reduced, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the workability of the work related to the first contact heating part.

[0241] (J) In the printing device, the third sliding roller, the fourth sliding roller, the fifth sliding roller, and the sixth sliding roller may be ball rollers. According to this configuration, the third sliding part, the fourth sliding part, the fifth sliding part, and the sixth sliding part can smoothly support the first contact heating part regardless of the sliding direction. This makes it possible to prevent the first contact heating part from tilting. Therefore, even when the space of the drying part is reduced, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the workability of the work related to the first contact heating part. [Explanation of symbols]

[0242] D...conveyance direction, d1...first distance, d2...second distance, M...medium, PA...printing area, R...roll body, W...width, W1...first end, W2...second end, X...width direction, X1...first width direction, X2...second width direction, Y...longitudinal direction, Y1...first length direction, Y2...second length direction, Z...vertical direction, Z1...upper, Z2...lower, 10...printing device, 11...support section, 12...conveyance section, 13...printing section, 14...drying section, 15...feed section, 15A...support shaft, 15B...feed motor, 16...winding section, 16A...winding shaft, 16B...winding motor, 17...control section, 20...pair of conveying rollers, 20A ...transport drive roller, 20B...transport driven roller, 21...transport motor, 22...transport path, 23...first transport roller, 24...second transport roller, 25...turning section, 26...first turn-up roller, 27...second turn-up roller, 30...guide shaft, 31...carriage, 32...liquid ejection head, 33...carriage motor, 34...nozzle, 40...housing, 40A...opening and closing door, 40B...first side wall, 40C...second side wall, 40D...supply port, 40E...discharge port, 40F...first communication port, 40G...second communication port, 41...first drying section, 42...second drying section, 43...first contact pressure Heating portion, 43A...first surface, 43B...second surface, 44...first non-contact heating portion, 45...second contact heating portion, 45A...third surface, 45B...fourth surface, 46...second non-contact heating portion, 47...first support portion, 47A, 47B...notch, 47C...first support surface, 47D...first side end portion, 47E...first mounting portion, 48...second support portion, 48A, 48B...notch, 48C...second support surface, 48D...second side end portion, 48E...second mounting portion, 51...first contact heating surface, 51A...first end portion, 51B...second end portion, 52...first heater, 53...first engagement portion, 53A, 53B...cam follower, 54...second engagement portion portion, 54A, 54B... cam follower, 55... second contact heating surface, 55A... first end portion, 55B... second end portion, 56... second heater, 57... third engagement portion, 57A, 57B... cam follower, 58... fourth engagement portion, 58A, 58B... cam follower, 61... first guide portion, 61A, 61B... groove portion, 61C... first movement region, 61D... first detachment region, 62... second guide portion, 62A, 62B... groove portion, 62C... second movement region, 62D... second detachment region, 63... third guide portion, 63A, 63B... groove portion, 63C... third movement region, 63D... third detachment region, 64... fourth guide portion, 64A,64B...groove portion, 64C...fourth movement region, 64D...fourth attachment / detachment region, 70A...first cover member, 70B...second cover member, 71...first sliding portion, 71A...third sliding portion, 71B...fourth sliding portion, 72...second sliding portion, 72A...fifth sliding portion, 72B...sixth sliding portion, 73...seventh sliding portion, 73A...ninth sliding portion, 73B...tenth sliding portion, 74...eighth sliding portion, 74A...eleventh sliding portion, 74B...twelfth sliding portion, 81-84...line segment, 81A-84A...center,

Claims

1. a transport section configured to transport the medium in a transport direction; a printing unit configured to print on a medium by ejecting liquid onto the medium transported by the transport unit; A drying unit configured to dry the medium printed by the printing unit; Equipped with The drying section includes: A housing and A first contact heating unit provided inside the housing; a first support portion provided inside the housing and provided at one of positions sandwiching the first contact heating portion in the conveying direction; a second support portion provided inside the housing and at the other of the positions sandwiching the first contact heating portion in the conveying direction; The first support portion and the second support portion are configured to support the first contact heating portion, The first support portion has a first guide portion provided at a position opposite to the first contact heating portion, The second support portion has a second guide portion provided at a position opposite to the first contact heating portion, The first contact heating unit is a first contact heating surface configured to face and contact a back surface of the printed media opposite the printing surface of the printed media; a first engagement portion engageable with the first guide portion; A second engagement portion engageable with the second guide portion; a first sliding portion that is disposed on a first surface on which the first engagement portion is provided and is slidable in a state of contacting the first support portion; a second sliding portion that is disposed on a second surface on which the second engagement portion is provided and is slidable in a state of contacting the second support portion; having the first contact heating unit is capable of changing its posture from a first posture to a second posture by moving from a first position where the first contact heating surface faces the back surface of the printed medium to a second position where the first contact heating surface is farther away from the back surface of the printed medium than the first position, when the first engagement portion is engaged with the first guide portion and the second engagement portion is engaged with the second guide portion; A printing device comprising:

2. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the first sliding portion is disposed at a position facing the first support portion when the first contact heating portion moves between the first position and the second position; the second sliding portion is disposed at a position facing the second support portion when the first contact heating portion moves between the first position and the second position; A printing device comprising:

3. 3. The printing device according to claim 2, the first guide portion is a groove portion formed in the first support portion, the second guide portion is a groove portion formed in the second support portion, the first sliding portion is disposed at a position where a center thereof does not face the first guide portion when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first surface when the first contact heating portion moves between the first position and the second position, the second sliding portion is disposed at a position such that a center thereof does not face the second guide portion when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the second surface when the first contact heating portion moves between the first position and the second position. A printing device comprising:

4. 3. The printing device according to claim 2, the first guide portion is a groove portion formed in the first support portion, the second guide portion is a groove portion formed in the second support portion, When the first contact heating portion is disposed so that the first surface faces the first support portion, a distance from the first sliding portion to the first support portion in a direction perpendicular to the first surface is shorter than a distance from the first engagement portion to the first guide portion, When the first contact heating portion is disposed so that the second surface faces the second support portion, in a direction perpendicular to the second surface, a distance from the second sliding portion to the second support portion is shorter than a distance from the second engagement portion to the second guide portion. A printing device comprising:

5. 3. The printing device according to claim 2, the first guide portion is a groove portion formed in the first support portion, the second guide portion is a groove portion formed in the second support portion, The first guide portion is a first movement region in which the first engagement portion engages when the first contact heating portion moves between the first position and the second position; a first attachment / detachment region with which the first engagement portion engages when the first contact heating portion is attached to or detached from the first support portion and the second support portion; a first attachment portion to which a first cover member that covers a part or the whole of the first attachment / detachment area can be attached; The second guide portion is a second movement region in which the second engagement portion engages when the first contact heating portion moves between the first position and the second position; a second attachment / detachment region with which the second engagement portion engages when the first contact heating portion is attached to or detached from the first support portion and the second support portion; and a second mounting portion to which a second cover member that covers a part or the whole of the second attachment / detachment area can be attached. A printing device comprising:

6. In the printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The first engagement portion has a first protrusion and a second protrusion, The second engagement portion has a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion, the first sliding portion has a third sliding portion disposed on the first convex portion side of a center of a line segment connecting the first convex portion and the second convex portion, and a fourth sliding portion disposed on the second convex portion side of a center of a line segment connecting the first convex portion and the second convex portion, The second sliding portion has a fifth sliding portion arranged on the third convex portion side from the center of a line segment connecting the third convex portion and the fourth convex portion, and a sixth sliding portion arranged on the fourth convex portion side from the center of a line segment connecting the third convex portion and the fourth convex portion. A printing device comprising:

7. In the printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the first sliding portion has a first sliding roller that is in contact with the first support portion and can rotate along the first support portion, The second sliding portion has a second sliding roller that is in contact with the second support portion and can rotate along the second support portion. A printing device comprising:

8. 8. The printing device according to claim 7, The first sliding roller and the second sliding roller are ball rollers. A printing device comprising:

9. 7. The printing device according to claim 6, the third sliding portion has a third sliding roller that is in contact with the first support portion and can rotate along the first support portion, the fourth sliding portion has a fourth sliding roller that is in contact with the first support portion and can rotate along the first support portion, the fifth sliding portion has a fifth sliding roller that is in contact with the second support portion and can rotate along the second support portion, The sixth sliding portion has a sixth sliding roller that is rotatable along the second support portion while being in contact with the second support portion. A printing device comprising:

10. 10. The printing device according to claim 9, The third sliding roller, the fourth sliding roller, the fifth sliding roller, and the sixth sliding roller are ball rollers. A printing device comprising:

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