printer

Abstract

To solve the problem that fluid flowing out from a drying part housing to the outside may move to a printing part area in which a printing part is positioned.SOLUTION: A printer 10 includes: a printing part 13 for applying ink to a medium M; a drying part 14 for drying the medium M applied with ink; an airflow generating part 70 having a blowout part VP; and a device housing 18 having in the inside a printing part area PA in which the printing part 13 is positioned, and a drying part area DA in which the drying part 14 is positioned. The drying part 14 has a carry-in port 40D through which the medium M is carried into a drying part housing 40, and an exhaust port 40E through which the medium M is exhausted from the drying part housing 40. The blowout part VP is disposed in an area TA adjacent to the lateral face of the drying part housing 40 in a plan view as the area TA to which fluid flowing out to the outside of the drying part housing 40 moves via at least one of the carry-in port 40D and the exhaust port 40E, and gas is blown out from the blowout part VP so as to prevent fluid flowing out from the drying part housing 40 to the outside from moving toward the printing part area PA.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet printer including an ink head mounted on a carriage disposed in an internal space and ejecting ink onto a recording medium. The ink head mounted on the carriage is an example of a printing unit, and the inkjet printer is an example of a printing apparatus. The inkjet printer is disclosed to include a heat source that raises the ambient temperature of the internal space and an exhaust fan that discharges the air in the internal space to the outside from an exhaust port.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the inkjet printer of Patent Document 1, when the air in the internal space is discharged to the outside from the exhaust port, the air heated by the heat source passes around the ink head due to the air flow in the internal space. In this case, there is a risk that the printing accuracy of the ink head on the recording medium decreases due to the increase in the ambient temperature around the ink head.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The printing apparatus includes a support unit that supports a medium, a printing unit that applies a liquid to the medium supported by the support unit, a conveyance unit that conveys the medium, a drying unit that dries the medium to which the liquid has been applied by the printing unit, an air flow generation unit having a blowing unit that blows out a gas, and an apparatus housing that houses the support unit, the printing unit, the conveyance unit, and the drying unit. The drying unit includes a drying unit housing, an inlet provided in the drying unit housing through which the medium is conveyed into the drying unit housing, and an outlet provided in the drying unit housing through which the medium is discharged from the drying unit housing. The apparatus housing has an internal printing unit area where the printing unit is located and a drying unit area where the drying unit is located. The blowing unit is provided in an area where fluid flowing out of the drying unit housing to the outside moves through at least one of the inlet and the outlet, and the area adjacent to the side surface of the drying unit housing in plan view. By blowing out the gas from the blowing unit, the movement of the fluid flowing out of the drying unit housing to the outside toward the printing unit area is blocked.

[0006] The printing apparatus includes a support unit that supports a medium, a printing unit that forms an image by applying ink to the medium supported by the support unit, a conveyance unit that conveys the medium, a drying unit that dries the medium to which the ink has been applied by the printing unit, an airflow generation unit that has a suction unit for sucking gas, and an apparatus housing that houses the support unit, the printing unit, the conveyance unit, and the drying unit. The drying unit includes a drying unit housing, an inlet provided in the drying unit housing through which the medium is conveyed into the drying unit housing, and an outlet provided in the drying unit housing through which the medium is discharged from the drying unit housing. The apparatus housing has a printing unit area where the printing unit is located and a drying unit area where the drying unit is located inside. The suction unit is provided at a position facing a region where fluid flowing out of the drying unit housing through at least one of the inlet and the outlet moves, which does not overlap with the support unit and the drying unit housing in a plan view and is adjacent to a side surface of the drying unit housing where at least one of the inlet and the outlet is provided in a plan view. By sucking the gas from the suction unit, the movement of the fluid flowing out of the drying unit housing toward the printing unit area is hindered.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

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Figure 14

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Figure 17

Figure 18

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described based on embodiments. In each figure, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. In this specification, "the same", "identical", and "simultaneous" do not only mean completely the same. For example, in this specification, "the same", "identical", and "simultaneous" include cases where they are the same considering measurement errors. Also, for example, in this specification, "the same", "identical", and "simultaneous" include cases where they are the same considering manufacturing variations of the members.

[0009] Also, for example, in this specification, "the same", "identical", and "simultaneous" shall include cases where they are the same within a range that does not impair the function. Thus, for example, "the dimensions of both are the same" means that, considering measurement errors and manufacturing variations of the members, the dimensional difference between the two is within ±5 percent, particularly preferably within ±3 percent, of one of the dimensions.

[0010] In each figure, X, Y, and Z represent three mutually orthogonal spatial axes. In this specification, the directions along these axes are referred to as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. When specifying a direction, the positive direction is denoted as "+", the negative direction is denoted as "-", and the positive and negative signs are used together in the direction notation. The direction in which the arrow in each figure points is the + direction, and the opposite direction of the arrow is the - direction for explanation.

[0011] The Z-axis direction indicates the direction of gravity, the +Z direction indicates vertically upward, and the -Z direction indicates vertically downward. The plane including the X-axis and Y-axis is the X-Y plane, the plane including the X-axis and Z-axis is the X-Z plane, and the plane including the Y-axis and Z-axis is the Y-Z plane for explanation. The X-Y plane is the horizontal plane. For the three spatial axes X, Y, and Z without limiting the positive and negative directions, they are explained as the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis.

[0012] The X-axis direction is the depth direction of the printing apparatus 10 and is the width direction that intersects the conveyance direction D of the medium M. The +X direction is the direction from the back surface to the front surface of the printing apparatus 10, and the -X direction is the direction from the front surface to the back surface of the printing apparatus 10. In this embodiment, among the side surfaces constituting the periphery of the printing apparatus 10, the side surface in the +X direction is the front surface of the printing apparatus 10, and the side surface in the -X direction is the back surface of the printing apparatus 10. The X-axis direction is the horizontal direction along the installation surface, which is the horizontal plane on which the printing apparatus 10 is installed.

[0013] The Y-axis direction is the width direction of the printing apparatus 10 and is the direction along the conveyance direction D of the medium M during printing. When viewed from the operator located on the front side of the printing apparatus 10, the +Y direction is on the right side, and the -Y direction is on the left side. The Y-axis direction is the horizontal direction along the installation surface on which the printing apparatus 10 is installed.

[0014] The Z-axis direction is the normal direction to the installation surface on which the printing device 10 is installed, and is the height direction of the printing device 10. In the following description, the +Z direction may be referred to as "upward" and the -Z direction may be referred to as "downward".

[0015] In the following, the direction in which the medium M is sent may be referred to as "downstream", and the opposite direction may be referred to as "upstream".

[0016] 1. Embodiment 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 10 is a roll-to-roll printing device. The roll-to-roll printing device 10 performs printing on a medium M as continuous paper. The printing device 10 is a printer that performs printing on a label sheet, which is an example of the medium M, by discharging ink. The printing device 10 is an inkjet printer of a serial printing method.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 10 includes a device housing 18, a feeding unit 15, a conveying unit 12, a support unit 11, a printing unit 13, a winding unit 16, a drying unit 14, an air flow generation unit 70, and a control unit 17. Inside the device housing 18, a conveying unit 12, a support unit 11, a printing unit 13, a drying unit 14, and a control unit 17 are provided.

[0018] The device housing 18 has a printing unit area PA where the printing unit 13 is provided. The printing unit area PA includes a printing area EA where printing is performed by discharging ink from a printing head 32 included in the printing unit 13 onto the medium M, and a reciprocating movement area RA where the direction of the reciprocating movement of the printing head 32 along the Y-axis direction is changed. The device housing 18 has a drying unit area DA where the drying unit 14 is provided.

[0019] 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 body R around which the medium M is wound in a roll shape. The feeding motor 15B is a power source for rotating the support shaft 15A. The feeding unit 15 feeds out the long-shaped medium M from the roll body R by rotating the support shaft 15A by driving the feeding motor 15B.

[0020] The feeding unit 15 is capable of feeding media M with different width dimensions, which are the dimensions of the media M in the X-axis direction. The media M with different width dimensions includes the media Ms with the minimum width Ws and the media Mb with the maximum width Wb. The media Ms and Mb are examples of the media M.

[0021] The conveying unit 12 conveys the media M in the conveying direction D. The conveying unit 12 conveys the media M fed by the feeding unit 15 in the conveying direction D. The conveying unit 12 includes a pair of conveying rollers 20 and a conveying motor 21. The pair of conveying rollers 20 is provided upstream of the printing unit area PA in the conveying direction D.

[0022] The pair of conveying rollers 20 includes a driving conveying roller 20A and a driven conveying roller 20B. The driving conveying roller 20A is rotatable by the drive of the conveying motor 21. The driven conveying roller 20B rotates following the rotation of the driving conveying roller 20A. The conveying motor 21 is the power source of the driving conveying roller 20A. The conveying unit 12 conveys the media M fed from the feeding unit 15 in the conveying direction D while sandwiching it by the rotation of the driving conveying roller 20A due to the drive of the conveying motor 21. The conveying unit 12 conveys the media M in the conveying direction D along the conveying path 22. That is, the printing apparatus 10 includes a conveying path 22 for conveying the media M.

[0023] The support unit 11 supports the media M. The support unit 11 supports the media M conveyed by the conveying unit 12 in the printing area EA where printing is performed by the printing unit 13.

[0024] The printing unit 13 applies ink to the media M supported by the support unit 11 to form an image. The printing unit 13 includes a carriage 31, a print head 32, and a carriage motor 33. The carriage 31 is supported by a scanning guide (not shown). The printing unit area PA where the printing unit 13 is provided is located between the support unit 11 and the ceiling, which is the +Z-direction side surface of the apparatus housing 18, in the Z-axis direction. The printing unit area PA includes a printing area EA and a reciprocating movement area RA.

[0025] The carriage 31 supports the print head 32. The carriage 31 scans along the Y-axis direction along the scanning guide by the drive of the carriage motor 33. The carriage 31 reciprocates along the Y-axis direction in the printing area EA and the reciprocating movement area RA. The reciprocating movement area RA is provided adjacent to the +Y direction of the printing area EA. The reciprocating movement area RA is an area where the direction of movement is changed in the reverse direction when the carriage 31 reciprocates along the Y-axis in the printing area EA. The carriage 31 may change the direction of movement in the reverse direction in the area adjacent to the -Y direction side of the printing area EA.

[0026] The print head 32 is provided on the -Z direction side of the carriage 31. The print head 32 includes a plurality of nozzles 34 from which ink is ejected. The plurality of nozzles 34 open toward the medium M supported by the support portion 11. The print head 32 ejects ink from the plurality of nozzles 34 toward the medium M supported by the support portion 11.

[0027] The print head 32 reciprocates along the Y-axis direction in the printing area EA and the reciprocating movement area RA as the carriage 31 moves. The print head 32 ejects ink onto the medium M while reciprocating along the +Z direction side of the medium M conveyed to the support portion 11 in the printing area EA along the Y-axis direction. Thereby, the printing unit 13 performs printing by applying ink to the medium M.

[0028] The print head 32 of the present embodiment is a serial head type that ejects ink as the carriage 31 moves in the Y-axis direction, but may also be a line head type. The ink may be, for example, one color or a plurality of colors. Ink is an example of a liquid.

[0029] The printing apparatus 10 performs printing on the entire medium M by alternately performing a conveying operation and a printing operation. The conveying operation is an operation of conveying the medium M to the conveying unit 12. The printing operation is an operation of ejecting ink from the print head 32 onto the medium M supported by the support portion 11 while reciprocating the carriage 31.

[0030] 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 driving source of the winding shaft 16A. The winding unit 16 winds the medium M by rotating the winding shaft 16A by driving the winding motor 16B. The winding unit 16 may include a tension applying unit that applies tension to the printed medium M.

[0031] The drying unit 14 is located downstream of the printing unit 13 in the conveyance direction D. The drying unit 14 dries the medium M on which ink is applied by the printing unit 13. The drying unit area DA where the drying unit 14 is provided is located on the -Z direction side of the printing unit area PA. The drying unit area DA where the drying unit 14 is provided is located between the support unit 11 and the bottom surface which is the -Z direction side surface of the apparatus housing 18 in the Z-axis direction. The drying unit 14 includes a drying unit housing 40. The conveyance path 22 passes through the inside of the drying unit housing 40.

[0032] The drying unit housing 40 includes an opening / closing door 40A. The opening / closing door 40A is provided on the +X direction side of the drying unit housing 40. The drying unit 14 can dry the medium M conveyed through the conveyance path 22 with the opening / closing door 40A closed. With the opening / closing door 40A open, the medium M can be installed inside the drying unit housing 40 by the user. With the opening / closing door 40A open, the user can perform maintenance inside the drying unit housing 40.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the drying unit housing 40 includes a first side wall 40B and a second side wall 40C. The first side wall 40B is the wall portion on the +Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40. The second side wall 40C is the wall portion on the -Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40. In FIG. 3, the illustration of the conveyance path 22 inside the drying unit housing 40 is omitted.

[0034] The drying unit housing 40 is provided with a loading port 40D. The loading port 40D is provided on the first side wall 40B. The loading port 40D opens to the outer surface on the +Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40, which is the outer surface of the first side wall 40B. The loading port 40D is an opening for conveying the printed medium M from the outside of the drying unit housing 40 to the inside of the drying unit housing 40. In other words, the loading port 40D is an opening for conveying the printed medium M from the outside of the first drying unit 41 described later to the inside of the first drying unit 41.

[0035] The drying unit housing 40 is provided with a discharge port 40E. The discharge port 40E is provided on the first side wall 40B. The discharge port 40E opens to the outer surface on the +Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40, which is the outer surface of the first side wall 40B. The discharge port 40E is provided on the +Z direction side above the loading port 40D. The discharge port 40E is an opening for conveying the printed medium M from the inside of the drying unit housing 40 to the outside of the drying unit housing 40. In other words, the discharge port 40E is an opening for conveying the printed medium M from the inside of the second drying unit 42 described later to the outside of the second drying unit 42.

[0036] The drying unit 14 is provided with a first drying unit 41. The first drying unit 41 is provided inside the drying unit housing 40. The first drying unit 41 dries the printed medium M conveyed from the loading port 40D.

[0037] The drying unit 14 is provided with a second drying unit 42. The second drying unit 42 is provided inside the drying unit housing 40. The second drying unit 42 dries the printed medium M discharged from the first communication port 40F of the first drying unit 41 and conveyed to the second drying unit 42 through the second communication port 40G.

[0038] The first drying unit 41 is located upstream of the second drying unit 42 in the conveying direction D. In the first drying unit 41, the direction toward the -Y direction is the conveying direction D. In the second drying unit 42, the direction toward the +Y direction is the conveying direction D.

[0039] The first drying unit 41 includes a first contact heating unit 43. The first contact heating unit 43 is provided inside the drying unit housing 40. The first contact heating unit 43 is provided at a position facing the back surface of the printed medium M. The back surface of the printed medium M is the surface on the opposite side of the printed surface of the printed medium M. The first contact heating unit 43 dries the printed medium M by contacting the back surface of the printed medium M.

[0040] The first contact heating unit 43 includes a first contact heating surface 51. The first contact heating surface 51 is the surface facing the back surface of the printed medium M in the first contact heating unit 43. The first contact heating surface 51 is configured to contact the back surface of the printed medium M. The first contact heating surface 51 is positioned to face in the opposite direction to the second contact heating surface 55 described later. The first contact heating surface 51 may be a surface having a larger area than the support surface on which the medium M is supported in the support unit 11.

[0041] The first contact heating surface 51 curves so as to have a protruding shape in the -Z direction. The first contact heating surface 51 curves so as to have a protruding shape toward the first non-contact heating unit 44 described later. In other words, the first contact heating surface 51 curves so as to have a protruding shape in the opposite direction to the second contact heating surface 55 described later.

[0042] The first contact heating surface 51 may be a surface formed of a metal plate material, for example, a surface formed of an aluminum plate material. The first contact heating surface 51 may be configured to curve along a support member (not shown). The first contact heating surface 51 may adopt a radius of curvature that increases the adhesion to the printed medium M while suppressing the enlargement of the drying unit 14 in the Z-axis direction.

[0043] The first contact heating surface 51 may be subjected to electroless Ni plating on the surface that contacts the back surface of the printed medium M. To give 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 contacting the back surface of the printed medium M.

[0044] The first contact heating unit 43 includes a first heater 52. The first heater 52 may be a rubber heater provided on the back surface of the first contact heating surface 51. The first heater 52 heats the first contact heating surface 51. Thereby, the first contact heating unit 43 dries the printed medium M that contacts the first contact heating surface 51.

[0045] The first drying unit 41 includes a first non-contact heating unit 44. The first non-contact heating unit 44 is provided inside the drying unit housing 40. The first non-contact heating unit 44 is arranged to face the first contact heating unit 43. The first non-contact heating unit 44 is arranged to face the first contact heating surface 51. The first non-contact heating unit 44 is arranged so as to sandwich the conveyance path 22 with the first contact heating unit 43.

[0046] The first non-contact heating unit 44 is configured to blow air onto the printed surface of the printed medium M without contacting the printed surface of the printed medium M. Specifically, the first non-contact heating unit 44 includes a heater (not shown) and a plurality of air outlets 48a, 48b. The plurality of air blowing nozzles (not shown) are provided at positions facing the conveyance path 22.

[0047] The first non-contact heating unit 44 heats the internal air with a heater. The first non-contact heating unit 44 blows the heated air onto the medium M from a plurality of air blowing nozzles by driving the air blowers 47a, 47b.

[0048] The first non-contact heating unit 44 dries the printed medium M by blowing air onto the printed surface of the printed medium M without contacting the printed surface of the printed medium M. The first non-contact heating unit 44 is an example of a gas supply unit GS that can blow the heated gas onto the medium M conveyed into the inside of the drying unit housing 40 from the carry-in port 40D.

[0049] In the first drying unit 41, the first contact heating unit 43 and the first non-contact heating unit 44 are provided at a predetermined distance from each other. As the predetermined distance, the minimum distance is adopted in order to enhance the drying efficiency of the medium M and to reduce the size of the drying unit 14. The predetermined distance may be, for example, about 15 mm.

[0050] The second drying unit 42 includes a second contact heating unit 45. The second contact heating unit 45 is provided inside the drying unit housing 40. The second contact heating unit 45 is provided at a position facing the back surface of the medium M after printing. The second contact heating unit 45 dries the medium M after printing by contacting the back surface of the medium M after printing.

[0051] The second contact heating unit 45 includes a second contact heating surface 55. The second contact heating surface 55 is a surface facing the back surface of the medium M after printing in the second contact heating unit 45. The second contact heating surface 55 is configured to contact the back surface of the medium M after printing. The second contact heating surface 55 is positioned so as to face in the opposite direction to the first contact heating surface 51. The second contact heating surface 55 may be a surface having a larger area than the support surface on which the medium M is supported in the support unit 11.

[0052] The second contact heating surface 55 curves so as to have a protruding shape in the +Z direction. The second contact heating surface 55 curves so as to have a protruding shape toward the second non-contact heating unit 46 described later. In other words, the second contact heating surface 55 curves so as to have a protruding shape in the direction opposite to the first contact heating surface 51.

[0053] The second contact heating surface 55 may be a surface formed of a metal plate material in the same manner as the first contact heating surface 51, for example, a surface formed of an aluminum plate material. The second contact heating surface 55 may be configured to curve along a support member (not shown). The second contact heating surface 55 may adopt a radius of curvature that enhances the adhesion to the medium M after printing while suppressing the increase in size of the drying unit 14 in the Z-axis direction.

[0054] The second contact heating surface 55 may be electroless Ni-plated on the surface that contacts the back surface of the medium M after printing. Taking 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. Thus, when the second contact heating surface 55 contacts the back surface of the medium M after printing, it is configured to reduce the frictional force with the back surface of the medium M after printing.

[0055] The second contact heating unit 45 includes a second heater 56. The second heater 56 may be a rubber heater provided on the back surface of the second contact heating surface 55. The second heater 56 heats the second contact heating surface 55. Thereby, the second contact heating unit 45 dries the medium M after printing that contacts the second contact heating surface 55.

[0056] The second drying unit 42 includes a second non-contact heating unit 46. The second non-contact heating unit 46 is provided inside the drying unit housing 40. The second non-contact heating unit 46 is arranged to face the second contact heating unit 45. The second non-contact heating unit 46 is arranged to face the second contact heating surface 55. The second non-contact heating unit 46 is arranged to sandwich the conveyance path 22 with the second contact heating unit 45.

[0057] The second non-contact heating unit 46 is configured to blow air onto the printed surface of the medium M after printing without contacting the printed surface of the medium M after printing, in the same manner as the first non-contact heating unit 44. Specifically, the second non-contact heating unit 46 includes a heater (not shown) and a plurality of air outlets 48c, 48d. A plurality of air blowing nozzles (not shown) are provided at positions facing the conveyance path 22.

[0058] The second non-contact heating unit 46 heats the internal air with a heater. The second non-contact heating unit 46 blows the heated air onto the medium M from a plurality of air blowing nozzles by driving the air blowers 47a, 47b.

[0059] In this way, the second non-contact heating unit 46 dries the printed medium M by blowing air onto the printed surface of the printed medium M without contacting the printed surface of the printed medium M. The second non-contact heating unit 46 is an example of a gas supply unit GS that can blow heated gas onto the medium M conveyed from the carry-in port 40D into the drying unit housing 40.

[0060] In the second drying unit 42, the second contact heating unit 45 and the second non-contact heating unit 46 are provided so as to be separated by a predetermined distance. As the predetermined distance, the minimum distance is adopted in order to enhance the drying efficiency of the medium M and to reduce the size of the drying unit 14. The predetermined distance may be, for example, about 15 mm.

[0061] In the drying unit 14, the second non-contact heating unit 46, the second contact heating unit 45, the first contact heating unit 43, and the first non-contact heating unit 44 are arranged in this order from the +Z direction side. The second non-contact heating unit 46, the second contact heating unit 45, the first contact heating unit 43, and the first non-contact heating unit 44 are provided at positions overlapping in the Z-axis direction. The first contact heating unit 43 is provided on the -Z direction side of the second contact heating unit 45.

[0062] The first contact heating unit 43 is located upstream of the second contact heating unit 45 and the second non-contact heating unit 46 in the conveyance direction D. The first non-contact heating unit 44 is located upstream of the second contact heating unit 45 and the second non-contact heating unit 46 in the conveyance direction D. That is, the second contact heating unit 45 is provided downstream of the first contact heating unit 43 in the conveyance direction D.

[0063] The conveyance unit 12 includes a first conveyance roller 23 and a second conveyance roller 24. The first conveyance roller 23 is a roller for conveying the printed medium M from the outside of the first drying unit 41 to the inside of the first drying unit 41. The second conveyance roller 24 is a roller for conveying the printed medium M from the inside of the second drying unit 42 to the outside of the second drying unit 42.

[0064] The first conveying roller 23 and the second conveying roller 24 are driven rollers that rotate by being carried around by the friction of the printed medium M. The first conveying roller 23 and the second conveying roller 24 may be driving rollers that rotate by the drive of a drive source, or may be a pair of rollers composed of a driven roller and a driving roller.

[0065] The conveying unit 12 includes a first folding roller 26 and a second folding roller 27. The first folding roller 26 is a roller for conveying the printed medium M conveyed inside the first drying unit 41 to the second folding roller 27. The second folding roller 27 is a roller for conveying the printed medium M conveyed by the first folding roller 26 inside the second drying unit 42.

[0066] The first folding roller 26 and the second folding roller 27 are driven rollers that rotate by being carried around by the friction of the printed medium M. The first folding roller 26 and the second folding roller 27 may be driving rollers that rotate by the drive of a drive source, or may be a pair of rollers composed of a driven roller and a driving roller.

[0067] The first conveying roller 23 is arranged to convey the printed medium M on the +Z direction side of the conveyance inlet 40D. The first folding roller 26 is arranged to convey the printed medium M on the +Z direction side of the first contact heating surface 51. The first conveying roller 23 and the first folding roller 26 are arranged at positions where the back surface of the printed medium M in the first drying unit 41 contacts the first contact heating surface 51.

[0068] As a result, in the first drying unit 41, the back surface of the printed medium M is pressed against the first contact heating surface 51, and a tension is applied in the conveyance direction D. In this way, the first conveyance roller 23 and the first folding roller 26 are arranged at positions where the printed medium M in the first drying unit 41 contacts the first contact heating unit 43. The first conveyance roller 23 and the first folding roller 26 are arranged at positions where the printed medium M in the first drying unit 41 does not contact the first non-contact heating unit 44.

[0069] The second conveyance roller 24 is arranged such that the lowermost end of the roller conveys the printed medium M on the -Z direction side of the discharge port 40E. The second folding roller 27 is arranged such that it conveys the printed medium M on the -Z direction side of the second contact heating surface 55. That is, the second conveyance roller 24 and the second folding roller 27 are arranged at positions where the printed medium M in the second drying unit 42 contacts the second contact heating surface 55.

[0070] As a result, in the second drying unit 42, the back surface of the printed medium M is pressed against the second contact heating surface 55, and a tension is applied in the conveyance direction D. In this way, the second conveyance roller 24 and the second folding roller 27 are arranged at positions where the printed medium M in the second drying unit 42 contacts the second contact heating unit 45. The second conveyance roller 24 and the second folding roller 27 are arranged at positions where the printed medium M in the second drying unit 42 does not contact the second non-contact heating unit 46.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 2, the airflow generation unit 70 has a blower fan 71. The blower fan 71 is provided on the ceiling of the device housing 18. The blower fan 71 is provided on the +Z direction side above the carry-in port 40D and the discharge port 40E. The blower fan 71 is provided in the region TA. The region TA is a region adjacent to the outer surface on the +Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40 inside the device housing 18 when viewed in plan, that is, when viewed from the direction along the Z-axis direction. The region TA is adjacent to the outer surface on the +Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40 on the +Y direction side in plan. The blower fan 71 is provided on the +Z direction side directly above the gap formed between the support portion 11 and a partition member 81 described later.

[0072] On the outer surface on the +Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40, a carry-in port 40D and a discharge port 40E that open toward the region TA are provided. Therefore, the region TA is a region through which the fluid flowing out from the inside of the drying unit housing 40 to the outside moves through at least one of the carry-in port 40D and the discharge port 40E. The fluid flowing out from the inside of the drying unit housing 40 to the outside includes air and water vapor.

[0073] When the drying unit 14 is drying the medium M, the fluid flowing out from the inside of the drying unit housing 40 to the outside through at least one of the carry-in port 40D or the discharge port 40E is heated. For this reason, the fluid flowing out to the drying unit region DA located on the -Z direction side of the support portion 11 in the region TA is likely to move in the +Z direction toward the printing unit region PA through the boundary adjacent to the +Y direction of the support portion 11.

[0074] The blower fan 71 is provided such that the air outlet of the blower fan 71 faces the region TA. The air outlet of the blower fan 71 opens in the -Z direction, which is the direction toward the region TA. The airflow generation unit 70 blows out gas from the air outlet of the blower fan 71 in the -Z direction. Thereby, the airflow generation unit 70 can prevent the fluid flowing out from the inside of the drying unit housing 40 to the outside from moving toward the printing unit region PA. The blower fan 71 is an example of the blowing portion VP that blows out gas.

[0075] The airflow generation unit 70 blows gas from the air outlet of the blower fan 71 into the printing unit area PA. The volume of gas blown out per unit time from the air outlet of the blower fan 71 may be set to be larger than the volume of gas blown out per unit time from the air nozzles of the first non-contact heating unit 44 and the second non-contact heating unit 46.

[0076] As a result, in the internal space of the apparatus housing 18, the internal pressure of the upper space where the printing unit area PA is provided becomes higher than that of the lower space where the drying unit area DA is provided. It can also be expected that this will prevent the fluid flowing out from the inside of the drying unit housing 40 to the outside from moving toward the printing unit area PA.

[0077] The blower fan 71 is provided at a position that does not overlap with the drying unit housing 40 in a plan view. The +Y-direction side end of the support portion 11 is located on the -Y direction side from the +Y-direction side outer surface of the drying unit housing 40. Therefore, the blower fan 71 is provided at a position that does not overlap with the support portion 11 in a plan view. The blower fan 71 is provided in a region TA that does not overlap with the support portion 11 and the drying unit housing 40 in a plan view.

[0078] Adjacent to the support portion 11 in the +Y direction, at the boundary that divides the printing unit area PA and the drying unit area DA, the printing unit area PA and the drying unit area DA communicate with each other. At this boundary, a partition member 81 is provided that shields at least a part of the portion excluding the conveyance path 22 along which the medium M is conveyed.

[0079] The partition member 81, together with the support portion 11, divides the upper space where the printing unit area PA is provided and the lower space where the drying unit area DA is provided. The partition member 81 is a plate-like member that extends from the +Y-direction side end of the apparatus housing 18 toward the -Y direction.

[0080] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a gap is provided between the +Y-direction end of the support portion 11 and the -Y-direction end of the partition member 81 so that the medium M can be conveyed along the conveyance path 22. The air outlet of the blower fan 71 is provided vertically above this gap, on the +Z-direction side. The partition member 81 has the same width as the internal dimension of the apparatus housing 18 in the X-axis direction. In FIG. 4, for the sake of explanation, the illustration of the ceiling of the apparatus housing 18 is omitted.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 2, the partition member 81 is positioned between the support portion 11 and the upper surface which is the +Z-direction side surface of the drying unit housing 40 in the Z-axis direction. The partition member 81 may be provided at the same position as the support portion 11 in the Z-axis direction.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the airflow generation unit 70 has two blower fans 71a and 71b as the blower fan 71. The blower fan 71b is positioned on the +X-direction side of the blower fan 71a with an interval.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 4, in a plan view, that is, when viewed from the direction along the Z-axis direction, the blower fans 71a and 71b are provided at positions that do not overlap with the medium Ms having the minimum width Ws. In a plan view, that is, when viewed from the direction along the Z-axis direction, the blower fans 71a and 71b are provided at positions where at least a part overlaps with the medium Mb having the maximum width Wb.

[0084] The control unit 17 comprehensively controls the printing apparatus 10 and controls various operations executed by the printing apparatus 10. The control unit 17 can control the conveyance unit 12, the printing unit 13, the drying unit 14, the feeding unit 15, the winding unit 16, and the airflow generation unit 70. That is, the control unit 17 is configured to perform control related to printing on the medium M.

[0085] The control unit 17 may include one or more processors that execute various processes according to a program, one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as application-specific integrated circuits that execute at least some of the various processes, or a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memories such as a RAM and a ROM, and the memories store program codes or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., the computer-readable medium, includes any readable medium accessible by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0086] As described above, according to the printing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1, the following effects can be obtained.

[0087] The printing apparatus 10 includes a support unit 11 that supports a medium M, a printing unit 13 that applies ink to the medium M supported by the support unit 11, and a conveyance unit 12 that conveys the medium M. The printing apparatus 10 includes a drying unit 14 that dries the medium M to which ink has been applied by the printing unit 13, and an airflow generation unit 70 having a blowing unit VP that blows out gas. The printing apparatus 10 includes an apparatus housing 18 that houses the support unit 11, the printing unit 13, the conveyance unit 12, and the drying unit 14. The drying unit 14 has a drying unit housing 40. The drying unit 14 is provided in the drying unit housing 40 and has a carry-in port 40D through which the medium M is conveyed into the drying unit housing 40. The drying unit 14 is provided in the drying unit housing 40 and has a discharge port 40E through which the medium M is discharged from the drying unit housing 40. The apparatus housing 18 has a printing unit area PA where the printing unit 13 is located and a drying unit area DA where the drying unit 14 is located inside. The blowing unit VP is provided in a region TA where fluid flowing out to the outside of the drying unit housing 40 moves through at least one of the carry-in port 40D and the discharge port 40E, and in a region TA adjacent to the side surface of the drying unit housing 40 in plan view. The printing apparatus 10 prevents the movement of the fluid flowing out from the inside to the outside of the drying unit housing 40 toward the printing unit area PA by blowing out gas from the blowing unit VP.

[0088] According to this, the heated fluid flowing out from the drying unit 14 moves to the printing unit area PA, and the ambient temperature of the printing unit area PA rises, so that it is possible to prevent the printing accuracy of the medium M by the printing unit 13 from decreasing.

[0089] The printing unit 13 has a print head 32. The print head 32 discharges ink onto the medium M while reciprocating in the +Z direction side of the medium M conveyed to the support unit 11. The drying unit 14 is disposed on the -Z direction side of the support unit 11. The printing unit area PA includes the reciprocating movement area RA of the print head 32. The blowing unit VP is provided in a region TA that does not overlap with the support unit 11 and the drying unit housing 40 in plan view and is adjacent to at least one of the inlet 40D and the outlet 40E of the drying unit housing 40 in plan view.

[0090] According to this, the heated fluid flowing out from the drying unit 14 moves to the printing unit area PA, and the temperature of the print head 32 rises, so that it is possible to efficiently prevent the printing accuracy of the medium M by the printing unit 13 from decreasing.

[0091] The blowing unit VP is provided on the ceiling of the device housing 18. According to this, the arrangement of other components housed inside the device housing 18 becomes easy.

[0092] In the X-axis direction, the blowing unit VP is provided at a position that does not overlap with the medium Ms having the minimum width Ws among the media M in plan view and at least partially overlaps with the medium Mb having the maximum width Wb in plan view. According to this, when the medium Ms having the minimum width Ws is conveyed, the gas blown out from the blowing unit VP can be efficiently used to prevent the fluid flowing out from the inside of the drying unit housing 40 to the outside from moving toward the printing unit area PA.

[0093] The printing apparatus 10 includes a partition member 81 that shields at least a part of a portion excluding the conveyance path 22 along which the medium M is conveyed, among the boundaries between the printing unit area PA and the drying unit area DA. According to this, the movement of the heated fluid flowing out from the drying unit 14 into the printing unit area PA is suppressed by the partition member 81. According to this, the range in which the heated fluid flowing out from the drying unit 14 enters the printing unit area PA is limited. Thereby, the movement of the heated fluid flowing out from the drying unit 14 into the printing unit area PA is efficiently suppressed by the gas blown out from the blowing unit VP.

[0094] The inlet 40D and the outlet 40E are provided on the same side surface of the drying unit housing 40. According to this, the number of the blowing units VP can be reduced as compared with the case where the inlet 40D and the outlet 40E are provided on different side surfaces of the drying unit housing 40. Thereby, it is easy to reduce the cost of the printing apparatus 10.

[0095] The printing apparatus 10 according to the above-described Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is basically configured as described above, but it is of course possible to make partial configuration changes, omissions, etc. within a range not departing from the gist of the present disclosure. Further, the above-described Embodiment 1 and other embodiments described below can be implemented in combination with each other within a range where there is no technical contradiction. Hereinafter, other embodiments will be described.

[0096] In the above-described Embodiment 1, the blower fan 71 does not necessarily have to be provided on the ceiling of the apparatus housing 18. For example, the blower fan 71 may be provided at a position between the support portion 11 and the ceiling of the apparatus housing 18 in the Z-axis direction. In this case, the airflow generation unit 70 may have a gas intake pipe capable of supplying air from the outside of the apparatus housing 18 to the gas intake port of the blower fan 71.

[0097] In the above-described Embodiment 1, the blower fan 71 does not necessarily have to be provided on the ceiling of the apparatus housing 18. For example, the blower fan 71 may be provided at a position between at least one of the carry-in port 40D and the discharge port 40E and the support portion 11 in the Z-axis direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the blower fan 71 may be provided on the +Z direction side above the carry-in port 40D and the discharge port 40E in the Z-axis direction and on the -Z direction side of the support portion 11. As described above, according to the printing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0098] The blowing portion VP is provided between at least one of the carry-in port 40D and the discharge port 40E and the support portion 11 in the Z-axis direction. According to this, the gas blown out from the blowing portion VP can be efficiently used to prevent the fluid flowing out from the inside of the drying unit housing 40 to the outside from moving toward the printing unit region PA.

[0099] In the above-described Embodiment 1, the blowing portion VP does not necessarily have to be the blower fan 71. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the airflow generation unit 70 may have a first duct 72 provided in the apparatus housing 18 so as to be able to blow out gas from one opening 73. In this case, one opening 73 may be provided at the same position on the ceiling of the apparatus housing 18 where the blower fan 71 is provided in Embodiment 1.

[0100] In this case, the blowout port of the blower fan 71 is connected to the other opening of the first duct 72. In this case, one opening 73 of the first duct 72 is an example of the blowing portion VP that blows out gas. As shown in FIG. 7, one opening 73 may have an opening width equal to or greater than the width of the medium Mb having the maximum width Wb within the medium M in the X-axis direction. The airflow generation unit 70 may have a shutter 74 capable of changing the opening width of one opening 73 in the X-axis direction. The shutter 74 may close the region that overlaps the conveyed medium M in a plan view within one opening 73. In this case, one opening 73 may be constituted by openings 73a and 73b. In FIG. 7, for the sake of explanation, the illustration of the ceiling of the apparatus housing 18 is omitted. As described above, according to the printing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0101] The air flow generation unit 70 has a first duct 72 provided so as to be able to blow out gas from one opening 73, and the blowing unit VP is the one opening 73. According to this, the arrangement of other components accommodated inside the device housing 18 becomes easy. According to this, the constraints on the arrangement position of the blower fan 71 can be reduced.

[0102] One opening 73 has an opening width equal to or greater than the width of the medium Mb having the maximum width Wb among the media M in the X-axis direction. The air flow generation unit 70 has a shutter 74 capable of changing the opening width of one opening 73 in the X-axis direction. The shutter 74 closes the region of one opening 73 that overlaps the conveyed medium M in a plan view. According to this, even when the width dimensions of the medium M are different, the gas blown out from the blowing unit VP can be efficiently used to prevent the fluid from flowing out from the inside of the drying unit housing 40 to the printing unit region PA facing the outside.

[0103] In the above-described Embodiment 1, the air flow generation unit 70 may further include a blowing unit movement mechanism MM capable of changing the positions of the blower fans 71a and 71b in the X-axis direction, and a lid member 76. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the air flow generation unit 70 may include a drive motor 77, pulleys 78 and 79, and an endless belt 80 that constitute the blowing unit movement mechanism MM.

[0104] The pulley 78 is attached to the rotation shaft of the drive motor 77. The endless belt 80 is wound around the pulleys 78 and 79. The endless belt 80 rotates when the drive motor 77 is driven. The blower fans 71a and 71b are fixed to the endless belt 80 so that the interval in the X-axis direction changes as the endless belt 80 rotates.

[0105] The lid member 76 closes an area in the opening provided in the ceiling of the apparatus housing 18 where the air blow fans 71a and 71b move and where the air blow fans 71a and 71b are not located. The lid member 76 is stretchable in the X-axis direction according to the positions of the air blow fans 71a and 71b. The lid member 76 is fixed to the endless belt 80 so as to close the opening in the ceiling of the apparatus housing 18 by stretching and contracting according to the positions of the air blow fans 71a and 71b. The air blow fans 71a and 71b are an example of the blowing part VP. As described above, according to the printing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0106] The air flow generation unit 70 includes a blowing part movement mechanism MM capable of changing the position of the blowing part VP in the X-axis direction. According to this, even when the width dimension of the medium M is different, the gas blown out from the blowing part VP can be efficiently used to prevent the fluid flowing out from the inside of the drying part housing 40 to the outside from moving toward the printing part area PA.

[0107] The air flow generation unit 70 has a lid member 76 that closes an area in the opening provided in the ceiling where the blowing part VP moves and where the blowing part VP is not located. The lid member 76 is stretchable so as to close the opening according to the position of the blowing part VP. According to this, even when the position of the blowing part VP is changed, the opening in the ceiling can be closed, so that the scattering of the liquid mist generated in the apparatus housing 18 to the outside and the outflow of noise can be suppressed.

[0108] In the above-described Embodiment 1, the air flow generation unit 70 may have a gas suction part 84 that sucks the gas located in the area TA. The gas suction part 84 may be provided in the drying part area DA. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the gas suction part 84 may be provided on the bottom surface of the apparatus housing 18 on the -Z direction side of the air blow fans 71a and 71b, the support part 11, and the partition member 81. In FIG. 13, for the sake of explanation, the illustration of a part of the ceiling and side surfaces of the apparatus housing 18 is omitted. As shown in FIG. 14, the gas suction part 84 may have a suction fan 75 capable of sucking gas, a housing 82 that houses the suction fan 75, and a second duct 83.

[0109] The gas suction unit 84 may have a plurality of suction fans 75. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, three suction fans 75 are accommodated in the container 82. In FIG. 15, for the sake of explanation, illustration of a part of the ceiling and side surface of the device housing 18 is omitted. The container 82 may have a bottomed box shape with an opening on the +Z direction side. The second duct 83 may have one opening attached to the container 82 so that the gas sucked by the suction fan 75 can pass through. The other opening of the second duct 83 may be connected to the blower 47a of the drying unit 14.

[0110] Thereby, the suction fan 75 of the gas suction unit 84 is connected to the gas supply unit GS via the second duct 83 and the blower 47a. The gas sucked by the suction fan 75 of the gas suction unit 84 is supplied to the gas supply unit GS via the second duct 83 and the blower 47a. As described above, according to the printing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0111] The printing apparatus 10 is provided inside the drying unit housing 40 and includes a gas supply unit GS capable of blowing a heated gas onto the medium M conveyed into the drying unit housing 40 from the carry-in port 40D. The airflow generation unit 70 has a gas suction unit 84 that sucks the gas located in the region TA adjacent to the side surface of the drying unit housing 40 where at least one of the carry-in port 40D and the discharge port 40E is provided, in a plan view. The gas suction unit 84 has a second duct 83 through which the gas sucked by the gas suction unit 84 passes. The gas suction unit 84 and the gas supply unit GS are connected via the second duct 83.

[0112] According to this, the heated gas that stays in the drying unit region DA due to being obstructed from moving to the printing unit region PA by the gas blown out from the blowing unit VP can be supplied to the gas supply unit GS. Thereby, the heating efficiency of the air by the heater in the gas supply unit GS can be enhanced.

[0113] In the above-described Embodiment 1, the airflow generation unit 70 may have a suction fan 75 capable of sucking gas instead of the blowing unit VP. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the suction fan 75 may be provided in the drying unit region DA. The suction fan 75 may be provided in the region TA. The suction fan 75 may be provided on the side surface of the apparatus housing 18 on the -X direction side. The suction fan 75 may be provided on the +Z direction side above the carry-in port 40D and the discharge port 40E. The suction fan 75 may be provided vertically below the partition member 81 in the -Z direction.

[0114] The suction fan 75 is provided such that the suction port of the suction fan 75 faces the region TA. The suction port of the suction fan 75 opens in the +X direction, which is the direction toward the region TA. The airflow generation unit 70 sucks the gas existing in the drying unit region DA from the suction port of the suction fan 75. Thereby, the airflow generation unit 70 can prevent the fluid flowing out from the inside of the drying unit housing 40 to the outside from moving toward the printing unit region PA. The suction fan 75 is an example of a suction unit SP that sucks gas.

[0115] The airflow generation unit 70 sucks the gas existing in the drying unit region DA from the suction port of the suction fan 75. At this time, the volume of the gas sucked per unit time from the suction port of the suction fan 75 may be set to be larger than the volume of the gas blown out per unit time from the air blowing nozzles of the first non-contact heating unit 44 and the second non-contact heating unit 46.

[0116] Thereby, in the internal space of the apparatus housing 18, the internal pressure of the lower space where the drying unit region DA is provided becomes lower than the internal pressure of the upper space where the printing unit region PA is provided. It can also be expected that this can prevent the fluid flowing out from the inside of the drying unit housing 40 to the outside from moving toward the printing unit region PA. As described above, according to the printing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0117] The printing apparatus 10 includes a support unit 11 that supports a medium M, a printing unit 13 that applies ink to the medium M supported by the support unit 11, and a conveyance unit 12 that conveys the medium M. The printing apparatus 10 includes a drying unit 14 that dries the medium M to which ink has been applied by the printing unit 13, and an air flow generation unit 70 having a suction unit SP that sucks gas. The printing apparatus 10 includes an apparatus housing 18 that houses the support unit 11, the printing unit 13, the conveyance unit 12, and the drying unit 14. The drying unit 14 has a drying unit housing 40. The drying unit 14 is provided in the drying unit housing 40 and has a carry-in port 40D through which the medium M is conveyed into the drying unit housing 40. The drying unit 14 is provided in the drying unit housing 40 and has a discharge port 40E through which the medium M is discharged from the drying unit housing 40. The apparatus housing 18 has, inside thereof, a printing unit area PA where the printing unit 13 is located and a drying unit area DA where the drying unit 14 is located. The suction unit SP is provided at a position facing a region TA in which fluid flowing out to the outside of the drying unit housing 40 moves through at least one of the carry-in port 40D and the discharge port 40E. The region TA does not overlap with the support unit 11 and the drying unit housing 40 in plan view, and is adjacent in plan view to a side surface of the drying unit housing 40 where at least one of the carry-in port 40D and the discharge port 40E is provided. The printing apparatus 10 prevents the fluid flowing out of the drying unit 14 from moving toward the printing unit area PA by sucking gas from the suction unit SP.

[0118] According to this, it is possible to prevent the accuracy of printing on the medium M by the printing unit 13 from decreasing due to an increase in the ambient temperature of the printing unit area PA caused by the heated fluid flowing out of the drying unit 14 moving to the printing unit area PA.

[0119] In the above-described embodiment, the loading port 40D and the discharge port 40E do not necessarily have to be provided on the same side surface of the drying unit housing 40. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the loading port 40D may be provided on the side wall on the +Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40. In this case, the loading port 40D opens to the outer surface on the +Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40, which is the outer surface of the side wall on the +Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40. The discharge port 40E may be provided on the side wall on the -Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40. In this case, the discharge port 40E opens to the outer surface on the -Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40, which is the outer surface of the side wall on the -Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40.

[0120] In the above-described embodiment, a conveyance passage 81s through which the medium M conveyed along the conveyance path 22 passes may be provided in the partition member 81. For example, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the conveyance passage 81s may be a rectangular through-hole provided in the partition member 81 at a position vertically below the blower fan 71. The dimension of the conveyance passage 81s in the X-axis direction is smaller than the dimension of the partition member 81 in the X-axis direction. When the conveyance passage 81s is provided in the partition member 81, the gap between the end of the support portion 11 in the +Y direction and the end of the partition member 81 in the -Y direction can be made smaller as compared with the partition member 81 of the first embodiment. According to these, the movement of the heated fluid flowing out from the drying unit 14 to the printing unit region PA is further suppressed. In FIG. 18, for the sake of explanation, the illustration of the ceiling of the apparatus housing 18 and the airflow generation unit 70 is omitted.

[0121] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the drying unit 14 may be provided at a position adjacent to the +Y direction side of the printing unit area PA. In this case, the drying unit housing 40 of the drying unit 14 may be provided on the +Z direction side above the support unit 11 through which the medium M is conveyed. The loading port 40D may be provided at the lower end of the side surface on the -Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40. The discharge port 40E may be provided at the lower end of the side surface on the +Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40. The region TA where the blower fan 71 of the air flow generation unit 70 is provided may be adjacent to the side surface on the -Y direction side of the drying unit housing 40 where the loading port 40D is provided. The region TA may be adjacent to the +Y direction side of the reciprocating movement region RA. The blower fan 71 may be provided in a posture inclined to the +Z direction side above the support unit 11 so as to be able to blow out the gas obliquely upward toward the loading port 40D.

[0122] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, the blower fan 71 may be provided on the side surface on the -X direction side of the apparatus housing 18. The blower fan 71 may blow out the gas in the +X direction from the blowout port. In this case, the air flow generation unit 70 may have a suction fan 75 at a position on the side surface on the +X direction side of the apparatus housing 18 that faces the blower fan 71. The suction fan 75 may suck the gas existing in the region TA from the suction port. The volume of the gas sucked per unit time from the suction port of the suction fan 75 may be set to be larger than the volume of the gas blown out per unit time from the blowout port of the blower fan 71.

[0123] In the above embodiment, instead of the blower fan 71, a pump capable of blowing out the sucked gas may be used. As the pump capable of blowing out the gas, a rotary pump, a diaphragm pump, etc. can be adopted. In this case, the rotary pump and the diaphragm pump are examples of a blowing-out part VP that blows out the gas.

[0124] In the above embodiment, instead of the suction fan 75, a pump capable of sucking the gas may be used. As the pump capable of sucking the gas, a rotary pump, a diaphragm pump, etc. can be adopted. In this case, the rotary pump and the diaphragm pump are examples of a suction part SP that sucks the gas.

Description of Symbols

[0125] 10…Printing device, 11…Support part, 12…Conveying part, 13…Printing part, 14…Drying part, 15…Feeding part, 15A…Support shaft, 15B…Feeding motor, 16…Rewinding part, 16A…Rewinding shaft, 16B…Rewinding motor, 17…Control part, 18…Device housing, 20…Pair of conveying rollers, 20A…Conveying drive roller, 20B…Conveying driven roller, 21…Conveying motor, 22…Conveying path, 23…First conveying roller, 24…Second conveying roller, 26…First folding roller, 27…Second folding roller, 31…Carriage, 32…Printing head, 33…Carriage motor, 34…Nozzle, 40…Drying part housing, 40A…Opening / closing door, 40B…First side wall, 40C…Second side wall, 40D…Inlet, 40E…Outlet, 40F…First communication port, 40G…Second communication port, 41…First drying part, 42…Second drying part, 43…First contact heating part, 44…First non-contact heating part, 45…Second contact heating part, 46…Second non-contact heating part, 47a, 47b…Air blowers, 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d…Air outlets, 51…First contact heating surface, 52…First heater, 55…Second contact heating surface, 56…Second heater, 70…Airflow generating part, 71, 71a, 71b…Air blowing fans, 72…First duct, 73…Opening, 74…Shutter, 75…Suction fan, 76…Cover member, 77…Drive motor, 78, 79…Pulleys, 80…Endless belt, 81…Partition member, 81s…Conveying passage, 82…Container, 83…Second duct, 84…Gas suction part, D…Conveying direction, DA…Drying part area, EA…Printing area, PA…Printing part area, RA…Reciprocating movement area, GS…Gas supply part, M, Mb, Ms…Media, MM…Blowing part movement mechanism, SP…Suction part, VP…Blowing part, Wb…Maximum width, Ws…Minimum width.

Claims

1. a support section that supports a medium; a printing section that applies a liquid to the medium supported by the support section; a conveyance section that conveys the medium; a drying section that dries the medium to which the liquid has been applied by the printing section; an air flow generation section having a blowing section that blows out a gas; a device housing that houses the support section, the printing section, the conveyance section, and the drying section; characterized by comprising; the drying section includes; a drying section housing; a carry-in port that is provided in the drying section housing and through which the medium is conveyed into the drying section housing; a discharge port that is provided in the drying section housing and through which the medium is discharged from the drying section housing; characterized by having; the device housing has, inside thereof, a printing section area where the printing section is located and a drying section area where the drying section is located; a region through which fluid flowing out to the outside of the drying section housing moves through at least one of the carry-in port and the discharge port, and the blowing section is provided in the region that is adjacent in plan view to the side surface of the drying section housing; by blowing out the gas from the blowing section, preventing the movement of the fluid flowing out from the inside of the drying section housing toward the printing section area; a printing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. the printing section has a print head; while reciprocating above the medium conveyed to the support section, the print head discharges the liquid onto the medium; the drying section is disposed below the support section; the printing section area includes the reciprocating movement area of the print head; the blowing section is provided in a region that does not overlap with the support section and the drying section housing in plan view and that is adjacent in plan view to the side surface of the drying section housing where at least one of the carry-in port and the discharge port is provided; the printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. the blowing section is provided on the ceiling of the device housing; the printing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. the blowing section is provided between at least one of the carry-in port and the discharge port and the support section in the direction of gravity; the printing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the above.

5. the air flow generation section has a first duct provided so as to be able to blow out the gas from one opening; the blowing section is the one opening; the printing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

6. the one opening has an opening width that is equal to or greater than the width of the medium having the maximum width among the media in the width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the medium; The airflow generation unit has a shutter capable of changing the opening width in the width direction of the one opening. The shutter closes a region that overlaps with the medium to be conveyed in a plan view within the one opening. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that.

7. In the width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the medium, the blowing unit is provided at a position where it does not overlap with the medium having the minimum width and at least partially overlaps with the medium having the maximum width in a plan view within the medium. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that.

8. The airflow generation unit has a blowing unit movement mechanism capable of changing the position of the blowing unit in the width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the medium. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that.

9. The airflow generation unit includes a blowing unit movement mechanism capable of changing the position of the blowing unit in the width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the medium. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

10. The airflow generation unit includes a lid member that closes a region where the blowing unit is not located among the openings provided in the region where the blowing unit moves on the ceiling, The lid member is stretchable and contractible so as to close the opening according to the position of the blowing unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that.

11. It is provided inside the drying unit housing and includes a gas supply unit capable of blowing heated gas against the medium conveyed from the loading port into the inside of the drying unit housing. The airflow generation unit has a gas suction unit that sucks gas located in the region adjacent in a plan view to the side surface of the drying unit housing where at least one of the loading port and the discharge port is provided. The gas suction unit has a second duct through which the gas sucked by the gas suction unit passes. The gas suction unit and the gas supply unit are connected via the second duct. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that.

12. It includes a partition member that shields at least a part of the portion excluding the conveyance path along which the medium is conveyed among the boundaries between the printing unit region and the drying unit region. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that.

13. The loading port and the discharge port are provided on the same side surface of the drying unit housing. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that.

14. A support part for supporting the medium, A printing unit that applies ink to the medium supported by the support unit to form an image; A conveyance unit that conveys the medium; A drying unit that dries the medium to which the ink has been applied by the printing unit; An air flow generation unit having a suction unit that sucks gas; An apparatus housing that houses the support unit, the printing unit, the conveyance unit, and the drying unit; Comprising; The drying unit is; A drying unit housing; A conveyance inlet provided in the drying unit housing through which the medium is conveyed into the drying unit housing; A discharge outlet provided in the drying unit housing through which the medium is discharged from the drying unit housing; Having; The apparatus housing has a printing unit area where the printing unit is located and a drying unit area where the drying unit is located inside; A region where the fluid flowing out to the outside of the drying unit housing moves through at least one of the conveyance inlet and the discharge outlet, and that does not overlap with the support unit and the drying unit housing in plan view, and the suction unit is provided at a position facing a region adjacent in plan view to a side surface of the drying unit housing where at least one of the conveyance inlet and the discharge outlet is provided; By sucking the gas from the suction unit, preventing the movement of the fluid flowing out to the outside of the drying unit housing toward the printing unit area; A printing apparatus characterized by the above.

Images