Recording device

Abstract

To prevent high-temperature air from leaking out from a drying part.SOLUTION: A recording device comprises: a conveying mechanism that conveys a recording medium in a conveying direction; a recording part that records an image on a recording surface of the recording medium being conveyed in the conveying direction, while discharging liquid on the recording surface; a drying part that dries the liquid on the recording surface by spraying high-temperature air to the recording surface, while opposing the recording medium at a side closer to a downstream side of the recording part in the conveying direction; an air-blowing port formed to oppose the recording medium at a position between the recording part and the drying part in the conveying direction, through which the air is blown to the downstream side in the conveying direction, toward the recording surface; and an air suction port, formed to oppose the recording medium at a position between the recording part and the air-blowing port in the conveying direction, through which the air between the recording surface and the medium is sucked.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus having a recording unit and a drying unit. [Background technology]

[0002] A known recording device that performs a recording operation by ejecting a liquid such as ink onto a recording medium has a configuration that includes a recording unit that ejects the liquid onto the recording medium and a drying unit that blows high-temperature air onto the recording medium onto which the liquid has been ejected to dry it.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which two types of nozzles, one for emitting hot air and one for emitting warm air, are provided in the drying section of a printing press for sheet-fed printing in order to reduce the impact of the hot air in the drying section on surrounding equipment. In this configuration, the warm air pushes back the hot air, functioning as an air curtain to contain the diffusion of the hot air. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-20507 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the above-described configuration cannot necessarily prevent leakage of high-temperature air from the drying unit. For example, when drying a continuous sheet of recording medium wound in a roll, the high-temperature air blown out from the drying unit is more likely to flow along the recording medium than when drying a sheet of recording medium. Therefore, with the above-described configuration that simply radiates air and pushes back the hot air, there is a risk that the hot air will flow along the recording medium and leak out to the surrounding area. For example, if high-temperature air enters a recording unit located near the drying unit, it may have a negative impact on image quality and durability of the recording unit.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to suppress leakage of high-temperature air from a drying section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the recording apparatus of the present invention comprises: a conveying mechanism that conveys the recording medium in a conveying direction; a recording unit that ejects a liquid onto a recording surface of the recording medium transported in the transport direction to record an image; a drying unit located downstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and configured to blow high-temperature air onto a recording surface of the recording medium transported in the transport direction to dry the liquid on the recording surface; an air outlet that is disposed between the recording unit and the drying unit in the transport direction and faces the recording medium transported in the transport direction, and that blows air toward the recording medium and downstream in the transport direction; an air intake port that is disposed at a position between the recording unit and the air outlet in the transport direction and that faces the recording medium transported in the transport direction, and that sucks air between the recording unit and the recording surface of the recording medium; The present invention is characterized by comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent high-temperature air from leaking from the drying section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the recording apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of a sheet conveying unit of the recording unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording head lifting mechanism. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the drying unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an airflow space in the drying section. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an airflow duct of the cooling section. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a first recording process unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between a first recording process unit and a second recording process unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first nozzle. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cross section of the air curtain in the XZ plane. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the flow of air flowing from the first drying section. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a method for replacing the air intake port. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a recording apparatus divided into a plurality of housings. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the air curtain attached to the housing. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement position of the air curtain. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a method for replacing an air curtain. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the components described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the configuration and various conditions of the device to which the present invention is applied can be modified or changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. For example, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the following embodiments can be modified as appropriate depending on the configuration and various conditions of the device to which the present invention is applied, and unless otherwise specified, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0011] [First embodiment] <Recording device> A recording apparatus 1 (printing apparatus) according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the recording apparatus 1. The recording apparatus 1 is a high-speed line printer that uses a continuous sheet (hereinafter referred to as sheet S) with its end wound into a roll as a recording medium. In the following description, the up-down direction in FIG. 1 is defined as the vertical direction of the recording apparatus 1, the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction of the recording apparatus 1, and the depth direction from the front to the back of the page as the width direction of the recording apparatus 1. The conveyance direction of the sheet S in the recording apparatus 1 intersects with the width direction, and in this example, is perpendicular to it. The width direction of the conveyed sheet S is approximately parallel to the width direction of the recording apparatus 1. In the drawings, the longitudinal direction of the recording apparatus 1 is shown as the X direction, the width direction as the Y direction, and the up-down direction as the Z direction. Of the Z directions, the +Z direction is the vertically upward direction, and the -Z direction is the vertically downward direction. 1 (-Y direction) is the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 1, and the back side of the paper surface (+Y direction) is the back side of the recording device 1. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0012] The recording device 1 according to the first embodiment includes an unwinding roll section 2, a first dancer section 3, a first main conveying section 4, a meandering correction section 5, a conveying detection section 6, and a recording section 7. Furthermore, the recording device 1 includes the following units: a conveying tension detection section 9, a recorded image position detection section 10, a scanner section 11, a second main conveying section 12, a second dancer section 13, a winding roll section 14, a maintenance section 15, a drying section 40, and a cooling section 50. A continuous sheet S, which is a recording medium, is conveyed along the sheet conveying path indicated by the solid line in the figure, and is processed in each unit. The recording device 1 includes a plurality of some of the above-mentioned units. Hereinafter, similar units that are provided in plurality will be described as necessary. They are distinguished and explained using letters.

[0013] The recording apparatus 1 has a first recording process unit and a second recording process unit along the sheet transport path (sheet S). The second recording process unit is located downstream of the first recording process unit in the transport direction of the sheet S. The first recording process unit includes a first recording unit 7a, a first drying unit 40a, and a first cooling unit 50a. As the sheet S passes through each unit, an image is fixed and recorded on the sheet S. The second recording process unit includes a second recording unit 7b, a second drying unit 40b, and a second cooling unit 50b. As the sheet S passes through each unit, an image is fixed and recorded on the sheet S that has passed the first recording process. In this way, the recording apparatus 1 can record images consecutively on the sheet S by passing the sheet S through the first recording process unit and the second recording process unit. The recording apparatus 1 can also selectively select a recording process unit depending on the recording conditions. In this case, the image is recorded on the sheet S only in the selected recording process unit.

[0014] In the following description, the conveying direction of the sheet S is defined as the forward direction from the unwinding roll unit 2 to the winding roll unit 14, and the opposite direction as reverse conveyance. In the following description, conveying the sheet S in the forward direction may be referred to as forward conveyance, and conveying the sheet S in the reverse direction may be referred to as reverse conveyance.

[0015] The unwinding roll unit 2 is a unit for holding and supplying a continuous sheet wound into a roll. The unwinding roll unit 2 is configured to store an unwinding roll and pull out and supply the sheet S. The number of rolls that can be stored is not limited to one, and two or three or more rolls may be stored and the sheet S may be selectively pulled out and supplied. The unwinding roll unit 2 is independently controlled to rotate forward and backward by a drive motor (not shown).

[0016] The first dancer section 3 is a unit (tension applying section) for applying a constant tension to the sheet S between the unwinding roll section 2 and the first main conveying section 4. In the first dancer section 3, tension is applied to the sheet S by a tension applying means (not shown).

[0017] The first main conveying section 4 is a unit (tensioning section) that feeds the sheet S to each unit provided along the sheet conveying path (sheet S) and applies tension to the sheet S between it and the second main conveying section 12. The first main conveying section 4 has rollers that rotate by driving a motor (not shown), and conveys the sheet S under tension (conveys the sheet S while applying tension).

[0018] The meandering correction unit 5 is a unit for correcting meandering in the width direction of the sheet S during tensioned transport of the sheet S. The meandering correction unit 5 includes, in the forward direction, a first meandering correction unit 5a provided upstream of the first recording unit 7a, and a second meandering correction unit 5b provided downstream of the first cooling unit 50a and upstream of the second recording unit 7b. The first meandering correction unit 5a and the second meandering correction unit 5b each include a meandering correction roller and a meandering detection sensor (not shown) that detects meandering of the sheet S. The meandering correction roller can change its inclination with respect to the sheet S using a motor (not shown), and corrects meandering of the sheet S based on measurements from the meandering detection sensor. The meandering correction unit 5 enhances the meandering correction function by wrapping the sheet S around the meandering correction roller.

[0019] The transport detection unit 6 is a unit for detecting the transport speed of the sheet S and marks printed in advance on the sheet S in order to control the image formation timing of the recording unit 7. The transport detection unit 6 includes, in the forward direction, a first transport detection unit 6a provided downstream of the first meandering correction unit 5a and upstream of the first recording unit 7a, and a second transport detection unit 6b provided downstream of the second meandering correction unit 5b and upstream of the second recording unit 7b. The first transport detection unit 6a is used to control the image formation timing of the first recording unit 7a, and the second transport detection unit 6b is used to detect the image formation timing of the second recording unit 7b. It is used to control timing.

[0020] The recording unit 7 is a sheet processing unit that applies a liquid composition (ink) onto the conveyed sheet S from above using a recording head 22 to form an image. The conveyance path in the recording unit 7 is formed by guide rollers 23 arranged in an upwardly convex arc shape, and a certain tension is applied to the sheet S, thereby ensuring clearance with the recording head 22. In the recording unit 7, a plurality of recording heads 22 are arranged along the sheet conveyance path. The recording head 22 in the first embodiment is a line-type recording head.

[0021] The recording device 1 includes a first recording unit 7a and a second recording unit 7b as the recording unit 7. The first recording unit 7a and the second recording unit 7b are positioned at separate locations, with the second recording unit 7b located downstream in the forward direction relative to the first recording unit 7a. The first recording unit 7a has two line-type recording heads corresponding to W (white) ink and reaction liquid. The second recording unit 7b has eight line-type recording heads corresponding to four colors, Bk (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan), as well as reaction liquid and three spot colors.

[0022] The reaction liquid is a liquid containing a component that increases the viscosity of the ink. Here, increasing the viscosity of the ink refers to a state in which the coloring material, resin, or other components of the ink come into contact with the component that increases the viscosity of the ink, resulting in a chemical reaction or physical adsorption, resulting in an increase in the viscosity of the ink. Increasing the viscosity of the ink does not only refer to an increase in the viscosity of the ink as a whole, but also includes a local increase in viscosity due to partial aggregation of the components that make up the ink, such as the coloring material or resin. The component that increases the viscosity of the ink may be, but is not limited to, a metal ion, a polymer flocculant, or the like. The component that increases the viscosity of the ink may, for example, be a substance that changes the pH of the ink and causes the coloring material in the ink to aggregate, such as an organic acid.

[0023] By applying the reaction liquid before applying the ink onto the sheet S, the ink that has reached the sheet S can be fixed immediately on the sheet S. This makes it possible to prevent adjacent inks from mixing with each other, which is called bleeding. Note that the types of colors, the number of colors, and the number of recording heads 22 are not limited to those described above. In addition, the inkjet method can be a method using a heating element, a method using a piezoelectric element, a method using an electrostatic element, a method using a MEMS element, or the like. The ink is supplied to the recording heads 22 from ink tanks (not shown) via ink tubes.

[0024] The recording unit 7 has a transport unit housing 71 provided with a plurality of positioning members 711 for positioning the recording heads 22. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the details of the transport unit housing 71 of the recording unit 7. The positioning members 711 are provided on one side and two on the other side corresponding to one recording head 22 so as to sandwich the sheet S in the width direction of the sheet S. In addition, the recording head 22 is provided with positioned portions 221a, 221b, and 221c corresponding to the positioning members 711.

[0025] The recording head 22 is disposed opposite the recording surface of the sheet S and is configured to be able to approach and move away from the sheet S. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the lifting mechanism of the recording head 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the recording head 22 has a recording head support shaft 27, and is supported from below by a recording head holding section 26 that holds the recording head 22 and lifts it up and down. The recording head holding section 26 moves up and down along lifting rails 29 provided in a recording head lifting frame 28 by a drive mechanism (not shown) provided inside. In the first embodiment, ink is applied onto the sheet S using the recording head 22, which is an inkjet head, but the method of applying ink onto the sheet in the recording section 7 is not limited to this. For example, the reaction liquid may be applied not by the recording head 22 but by a roller, a die coating device (die coater), a blade coating device (blade coater), or the like. The mark may be applied to the sheet S by a marking agent (e.g., a marking tape).

[0026] The conveying tension detection unit 9 is a unit for detecting tension when tension conveyance is performed between the first main conveyance unit 4 and the second main conveyance unit 12. The recorded image position detection unit 10 is a unit for detecting misalignment of the image formed on the sheet S by the recording unit 7 during printing (recording operation) and correcting the printing. The conveying tension detection unit 9 and the recorded image position detection unit 10 are located downstream of the second recording unit 7b and upstream of the second drying unit 40b in the forward direction.

[0027] The winding guide roller R1 is located downstream of the second recording unit 7b in the forward direction, and is a roller that wraps the surface of the sheet S opposite the ink-applied surface at a constant winding angle. In the first embodiment, two winding guide rollers R1 are arranged between the second recording unit 7b and the second drying unit 40b. The second drying unit 40b is arranged below the second recording unit 7b, and the two winding guide rollers R1 fold the sheet S approximately parallel between the top and bottom of the device.

[0028] The drying section 40 is a unit that reduces the liquid content contained in the liquid composition applied to the recording surface of the sheet S by the recording section 7, thereby improving the fixation of the ink between the sheet S and the sheet S. The drying section 40 of the recording apparatus 1 includes a first drying section 40a and a second drying section 40b. The first drying section 40a is located downstream in the forward direction from the first recording section 7a. The second drying section 40b is located downstream in the forward direction from the second recording section 7b.

[0029] The drying unit 40 blows air onto the sheet S on which an image has been recorded, drying the applied ink. Inside the drying unit 40, air is blown onto the sheet S passing through from at least the ink-applied side of the sheet S, drying the ink-applied side of the sheet S. Note that, as a drying method, in addition to the method of blowing air, a method of irradiating the surface of the sheet S with electromagnetic waves (ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, etc.) or a conductive heat transfer method by contact with a heating element may be used, or a combination of these methods may be used.

[0030] The cooling section 50 is a unit that cools the sheet S that has been fixed in the drying section 40, solidifies the softened ink, and suppresses the amount of temperature change of the sheet S in downstream processes of the recording apparatus 1. The cooling section 50 of the recording apparatus 1 includes a first cooling section 50a and a second cooling section 50b. The first cooling section 50a is located downstream of the first drying section 40a in the forward direction. The second cooling section 50b is located downstream of the second drying section 40b in the forward direction.

[0031] Inside the cooling section 50, air having a temperature lower than that of the sheet S is applied to the passing sheet S from at least the ink-applied surface side of the sheet S, thereby cooling the ink-applied surface of the sheet S. The cooling method is not limited to the method of applying air, but may also be a conductive heat transfer method using contact with a heat dissipation member, or a combination of these methods.

[0032] The scanner unit 11 is a unit that reads a test image formed on the sheet S by the recording unit 7 before actual printing, detects image misalignment and density, and makes corrections for the actual printing. The scanner unit 11 is located downstream of the second cooling unit 50b in the forward direction.

[0033] The second main conveying section 12 is a unit (tension applying section) that conveys the sheet S while applying tension to the sheet S together with the first main conveying section 4, and adjusts the tension of the sheet S. The second main conveying section 12 has rollers that are rotated by being driven by a motor (not shown), and the roller speed is controlled by a tension control section (not shown) in accordance with the tension value detected by the conveying tension detection section 9.

[0034] As an additional configuration for adjusting the tension of the sheet S, a configuration for adjusting the tension of the sheet S by a clutch (not shown) that can control the torque that is drive-coupled may be added to the recording apparatus 1. In this case, as a tension control method, a torque value transmitted from the clutch is controlled. Two methods are available: a torque control method and a speed control method that controls the roller speed of the second main transport section 12. It is preferable to configure the system so that these two tension control methods can be switched between or both can be used simultaneously depending on the purpose.

[0035] The second dancer section 13 is a unit (tension applying section) for applying a constant sheet tension between the second main conveying section 12 and the winding roll section 14. The second dancer section 13 applies sheet tension by a tension applying means (not shown).

[0036] The winding roll unit 14 is a unit for winding the recorded sheet S onto a core. The number of recoverable rolls is not limited to one, and the unit may have two or three or more cores, and may be configured to selectively switch between them to recover the sheet S. The winding roll unit 14 is independently controlled to rotate forward and reverse by a drive motor (not shown). The sheet S is conveyed in the forward direction and the reverse direction by controlling the drive motors (not shown) of the unwinding roll unit 2 and the winding roll unit 14 to rotate forward or reverse. In the reverse direction, the sheet S is conveyed under tension between the first main conveyance unit 4 and the second main conveyance unit 12, as in the forward direction. Depending on the content of the post-recording processing, the continuous sheet may be cut using a cutter and the cut sheets S may be stacked, rather than being wound onto a core.

[0037] The transport mechanism (transport section) that transports the sheet S includes a plurality of rollers in addition to the first main transport section 4 and the second main transport section 12. The plurality of rollers that form the transport path of the sheet S include a winding guide roller R1, a contact roller R2 provided downstream of the first cooling section 50a in the forward direction, and a contact roller R3 provided downstream of the second cooling section 50b in the forward direction.

[0038] The control unit 31 is a unit that controls each part of the entire recording device. The control unit 31 has a CPU, a storage device, a controller equipped with various control units, an external interface, and an operation unit 32 through which the user performs input and output. The operation of the recording device 1 is controlled based on commands from the controller or a host device 33 such as a host computer connected to the controller via an external interface.

[0039] The maintenance unit 15 is a unit equipped with a mechanism for restoring the ejection performance of the recording head 22. Examples of recovery mechanisms for the recording head 22 include a cap mechanism for protecting the ink ejection surface of the recording head 22, a wiper mechanism for wiping the ink ejection surface, and a suction mechanism for negatively pressurizing the ink inside the recording head 22 and sucking it away from the ink ejection surface. The maintenance unit 15 also includes a drive mechanism and rails (not shown) and is capable of horizontally reciprocating along the rails. The maintenance unit 15 moves directly below the recording head 22 during maintenance of the recording head 22, and moves to a retracted position away from directly below the recording head when maintenance is not performed. The maintenance unit 15 includes a first maintenance unit 15a corresponding to the first recording unit 7a and a second maintenance unit 15b corresponding to the second recording unit 7b.

[0040] <Configuration of Drying Section 40> The airflow generating configuration of the drying section 40 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 4(a) and (b). Figures 4(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of the internal structure of the drying section 40, and are cross-sectional views of the drying section 40 when viewed in the width direction (Y direction). Figure 4(a) shows the internal configuration of the first drying section 40a, and Figure 4(b) shows the internal configuration of the second drying section 40b. In the following, the forward direction of the sheet transport direction is indicated as SD in the figures. Furthermore, configurations common to the first drying section 40a and the second drying section 40b will be described together without distinction.

[0041] The drying unit 40 has a housing 401 in which an airflow space 430, which is a space accommodating one or more airflow ducts, is formed. The housing 401 has a sheet S at a position where the sheet S comes into contact with the sheet S to be conveyed. The drying unit 40 is provided with a sheet support unit 410 on which a support roller 411 is disposed. The sheet support unit 410 limits displacement of the sheet S in the Z direction by the sheet support roller 411. In the first drying unit 40a, an airflow space 430 is provided at a distance in the +Z direction (upward) from the sheet S conveyed facing the sheet support unit 410. In the second drying unit 40b, an airflow space 430 is provided at a distance in the -Z direction (downward) from the sheet S conveyed facing the sheet support unit 410. In the first embodiment, three airflow ducts 431a, 431b, and 431c are installed in the airflow space 430. In the first embodiment, the drying unit 40 is configured with multiple housings 401 lined up in the forward direction SD. The number of housings 401 is determined depending on the required productivity (the conveying speed of the sheet S). There is no limitation on the number of airflow spaces 430, airflow ducts 431, and housings 401. The internal configuration of the first drying section 40a will be described in further detail below.

[0042] <Configuration of Airflow Space 430> The configuration of airflow space 430 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of airflow space 430 as seen in the +Z direction from seat S. Airflow space 430 is a space formed by housing 405, and multiple airflow ducts 431 (431a to 431c) are stored inside.

[0043] The housing 405 is provided with a circulation exhaust port 434, a ventilation port 435, an exhaust port 436, and a connection path (not shown) for sending air to the airflow duct 431.

[0044] An air circulation heating unit 408 equipped with a blower 432 and a plurality of heaters 433 is provided outside the airflow space 430. The blower 432 takes in air from the airflow space 430 in the direction F21 through a circulation exhaust port 434. The taken-in air is blown out from the blower 432, passes through the heater 433 where it is heated, and is then ejected into the airflow duct 431 in the direction F22. In the first embodiment, a heater 433a is provided corresponding to the airflow duct 431a, a heater 433b is provided corresponding to the airflow duct 431b, and a heater 433c is provided corresponding to the airflow duct 431c.

[0045] The temperature of the air heated by the heater 433 is detected by an air temperature detection unit (not shown). Based on the detected temperature, the heating of the heater 433 is controlled according to a predetermined target temperature. In the first embodiment, the temperature of the air passing through the heater 433 is controlled within a range of 50 to 100°C. The heated air flows in the direction F22 and is blown onto the sheet S from the air flow duct 431. The air flow duct 431 has a plurality of small-diameter (e.g., 1.5 to 5 mm) circular holes formed regularly, and is configured so that air is blown out uniformly from the circular holes onto the recording surface of the sheet S. Note that the hole shape of the air flow duct 431 is not limited to circular holes, and may be linear slit holes, elliptical holes, or a combination thereof.

[0046] When the liquid portion of the ink on the sheet S evaporates, the vapor pressure in the airflow space 430 increases. If the vapor pressure in the airflow space 430 increases excessively, the desired amount of evaporation cannot be obtained, resulting in insufficient drying. For this reason, the recording device 1 is ventilated by taking in outside air through an intake fan 437 provided in the housing 405 and expelling the air containing accumulated vapor with an exhaust fan 438.

[0047] The intake fan 437 takes in external air from an opening (not shown) of the recording device 1 in the direction of F23 and draws the air into the airflow space 430 through the ventilation opening 435. The exhaust fan 438 exhausts air from the airflow space 430 in the direction of F24 through the exhaust opening 436. The exhausted air is discharged outside the drying unit 40.

[0048] In the first embodiment, ventilation is performed by the intake fan 437 and the exhaust fan 438, but this is not limited to this embodiment. For example, even if the configuration is performed by using only one of the fans, In addition, the ventilation opening 435 and the exhaust opening 436 may be provided on the air circulation heating section 408 side.

[0049] Any drying method for blowing air onto the sheet S can be applied to the airflow space 430. For example, the airflow duct 431 and the air circulation heating unit 408 are not limited to those in this embodiment and may be realized by any number of installed air blowing means, heating means, etc. In addition, they can also be used in conjunction with or combined with a drying method using a radiant heater.

[0050] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, hot air is circulated by the heater 433, but the heater 433 may not be provided and room temperature air may be circulated.

[0051] <Control of Drying Unit 40> The following describes the control procedure for the drying unit 40, which is carried out by the control unit 31. When recording data is sent from the host device 33 to the control unit 31, the recording apparatus 1 starts a preparation operation for recording.

[0052] The control unit 31 determines the drive table values ​​for the drying unit 40 based on the printing conditions. The drive table conditions are determined based on the printing medium, printing density, and user-specified values. The airflow temperature of each airflow duct 431 and the drive duty of the airflow source are specified according to the conditions. The duty indicates the drive pulse duty cycle of the airflow source, and a drive signal is issued between 0% (stop) and 100% (full speed rotation). While the first embodiment adjusts the airflow volume of each airflow duct based on the drive duty of the airflow source, this is not limiting. For example, a nozzle pressure detection unit (not shown) may be provided in each airflow duct 431, and the pressure value in the nozzle may be set as a target value, and the airflow source may be feedback-controlled based on the detected pressure value.

[0053] <Configuration of Cooling Unit 50> The configuration of the cooling unit 50 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6. The cooling unit 50 of the first embodiment is configured as an air-cooling unit provided with a plurality of airflow ducts, similar to the drying unit 40, and has a cooled airflow duct 503. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooled airflow duct 503 as viewed in the forward direction SD. Fans 501 and 502 are provided in the air path formed in the cooled airflow duct 503. In the cooling unit 50, air is taken in from outside the recording apparatus 1 and blown onto the recording surface of the sheet S on the conveying path via a nozzle unit 504. The approximate air flow in the cooling unit 50 is indicated by arrows 510 in FIG. 6.

[0054] <Control of Cooling Unit 50> The following describes the control procedure for the cooling unit 50, which is carried out by the control unit 31. When recording data is sent from the host device 33 to the control unit 31, the recording device 1 starts a preparation operation for recording.

[0055] The control unit 31 determines the drive table values ​​for the cooling unit 50 based on the recording conditions. The drive table conditions are determined based on the recording medium, recording density, and user-specified values. The drive duty of the fans 501 and 502 of each cooling airflow duct 503 is specified according to the conditions. The duty indicates the fan drive pulse duty cycle, and a drive signal is issued between 0% (stop) and 100% (full speed rotation). While the first embodiment adjusts the airflow volume of each cooling airflow duct based on the fan drive duty, this is not a limitation. For example, each cooling airflow duct may be provided with a nozzle pressure detection unit (not shown), with the pressure value in the nozzle set as a target value, and the airflow source may be feedback-controlled based on the detected pressure value.

[0056] <Configuration of the first recording process unit> The configuration of the first recording process unit will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the first recording process unit. The first recording process unit includes a first recording unit 7a and a first recording unit 7b. The forward direction SD is composed of a first transport path 8a provided next to the first recording unit 7a downstream in the forward direction SD. The first transport path 8a is a transport path for the sheet S from the time when the first recording unit 7a completes applying ink to the sheet S until it reaches the contact roller R2. The first transport path 8a includes a first drying unit 40a and a first cooling unit 50a. In FIG. 7, the forward direction SD is the direction roughly from right to left.

[0057] In the first recording process unit, the first recording unit 7a sequentially applies reaction liquid and W ink onto the sheet S. The ink-applied sheet S is then fixed by the first drying unit 40a in the first transport path 8a. A contact roller R2 is provided downstream of the first transport path 8a in the forward direction SD to form a sheet transport path. The surface of the contact roller R2 on which the ink has been applied comes into contact with the surface of the contact roller R2. To maintain the ink surface layer on the sheet S in good condition, it is preferable to solidify the ink before it reaches the contact roller R2. Therefore, in the first embodiment, a first cooling unit 50a is provided downstream of the first drying unit 40a in the forward direction SD in the first transport path 8a, and the ink on the sheet S is solidified before it reaches the contact roller R2.

[0058] <Configuration of the second recording step> The configuration of the second recording process will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the first recording process section and the second recording process section. The second recording process is composed of a second recording section 7b and a second transport path 8b provided next to the second recording section 7b downstream in the forward direction SD. The second transport path 8b is a transport path for the sheet S from the time when the second recording section 7b completes applying ink to the sheet S to the time when the sheet S reaches the contact roller R3. The second transport path 8b includes a winding guide roller R1, a second drying section 40b, and a second cooling section 50b.

[0059] In the second recording process, the second recording unit 7b sequentially applies a reaction liquid and a color ink based on the image to be recorded onto the sheet S. The sheet S to which the ink has been applied is folded back toward the bottom of the device by the winding guide roller R1, and then the ink is fixed by the second drying unit 40b in the second transport path 8b. A contact roller R3 is provided downstream of the second transport path 8b in the forward direction SD to form a sheet transport path. The surface of the contact roller R3 contacts the ink-applied surface of the sheet S. In the second recording process, too, to maintain the ink surface of the sheet S in good condition, it is preferable to solidify the ink before it reaches the contact roller R3. Therefore, in the first embodiment, a second cooling unit 50b is provided downstream of the second drying unit 40b in the second transport path 8b, so that the ink solidifies before it reaches the contact roller R3.

[0060] <Recording device control> The control unit 31 that performs data flow processing of the recording device 1 in the first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a block diagram of the control unit 31. The control unit 31 has a host I / F unit 324. Print data input from the host device 33 via the host I / F unit 324 is rendered by the RIP processing unit 303 into multi-value bitmap data. The print data input here is written in, for example, PDL (Page Description Language).

[0061] The multi-value bitmap data undergoes ink color conversion and quantization processing in the print data generation unit 304, becoming halftone data of the ink colors. The halftone data is assigned to each nozzle by the nozzle data generation unit 305 for each color, and becomes nozzle data (binary data) for the number of nozzles per line. The nozzle data undergoes non-discharge complement processing (reassigning ejection data assigned to non-discharge nozzles to nozzles that are not non-discharge nozzles) in a non-discharge complement processing unit 307 according to the non-discharge nozzle information stored in a non-discharge nozzle information storage unit 306. The nozzle data that has undergone non-discharge complement processing is subjected to head tilt correction (transporting data according to the amount of tilt) in a head tilt correction unit 309 according to the head tilt information stored in a head tilt information storage unit 308. The nozzle data after head tilt correction is stored in the image memory 323.

[0062] The CPU 320 transfers the nozzle data stored in the image memory 323 to the nozzle data thinning unit 310. The transferred nozzle data after tilt correction is thinned out by the nozzle data thinning unit 310 and then transferred to the recording heads 22 of the first recording unit 7a and the second recording unit 7b by the ejection data transfer unit 311. The CPU 320 also controls the above-mentioned components. This control is executed based on a control program stored in ROM 322. The control program stored in ROM 322 includes an OS for performing time-sharing control in units of a large number of load modules using a system clock. RAM 321 is used as the working area of ​​the CPU 320. The components including the CPU 320 are connected to a system bus 325.

[0063] The control unit 31 also includes a drying control unit 326, a cooling control unit 327, and a conveyance control unit 328. The drying control unit 326 controls the temperatures of the first drying unit 40a and the second drying unit 40b and the driving of the fans. The cooling control unit 327 controls the cooling operation of the first cooling unit 50a and the second cooling unit 50b. The conveyance control unit 328 controls the conveyance units (the unwinding roll unit 2, the first dancer unit 3, the first main conveyance unit 4, the meandering correction unit 5, the conveyance detection unit 6, the conveyance tension detection unit 9, the second main conveyance unit 12, the second dancer unit 13, and the rewinding roll unit 14) from the unwinding roll unit 2 to the rewinding roll unit 14, and conveys the sheet S at a predetermined conveyance speed. When print data is input from the host device 33, the drying control unit 326, the cooling control unit 327, and the conveyance control unit 328 apply drive tables to each unit based on the print data. The drive table stores predetermined values ​​based on recording conditions such as the type of image data and recording medium, or values ​​entered by the user via the operation unit 32. By performing control based on the recording conditions, it is possible to achieve optimal recording processing according to the image data, recording medium, desired productivity, etc.

[0064] <Air curtain configuration> The configuration of an air curtain 420 for preventing high-temperature air from leaking from the drying unit 40 to the recording unit 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11(a), 11(b), and 12. The air curtain 420 is disposed facing the sheet S and is a duct unit that functions as an intake and exhaust unit, combining an air blower that blows air toward the sheet S and an intake unit that sucks air between the sheet S. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the air curtain 420. The air curtain 420 has a first nozzle 421, an intake duct 428 formed by a first duct cover 428a and a second duct cover 428b, and an intake port 429. The second duct cover 428b is located downstream (+X side) in the forward direction SD with respect to the first duct cover 428a and is removable from the downstream side (+X side) in the forward direction SD. Note that the air curtain 420 is not shown in FIG. 1.

[0065] Next, we will explain in detail the configuration of the first nozzle 421. Figures 11(a) and (b) are perspective views of the first nozzle 421. Figure 11(a) shows the first nozzle 421 as seen in the width direction (+Y direction) from the front side of the device, and Figure 11(b) shows the first nozzle 421 as seen in the width direction (-Y direction) from the back side of the device.

[0066] The first nozzle 421 has a first nozzle housing 422, a plurality of first blower fans 423a, 423b (hereinafter, referred to as first blower fans 423 when there is no need to distinguish between them), and a first nozzle surface 424. The first nozzle surface 424 is provided with a plurality of small diameter (e.g., 1.5 to 5 mm) circular through-holes 425 arranged regularly as air outlets for blowing air, and is configured so that air is blown out uniformly from the plurality of through-holes 425 toward the sheet S. Note that the shape of the through-holes 425 of the first nozzle surface 424 is not limited to a circular hole, and may be a linear slit hole, an elliptical shape, or a combination thereof. The diameter and number of the through-holes 425, the first nozzle The placement position within the surface 424 can be adjusted depending on the air volume required to suppress leakage.

[0067] In order to prevent leakage of high-temperature air traveling along sheet S, it is preferable that the arrangement range of through-holes 425 in the Y direction be equal to or greater than the width of sheet S so that air can be blown out uniformly across the entire width of sheet S. First nozzle 421 includes a front bracket 426a and a rear bracket 426b for fixing its position relative to intake duct 428, and a nozzle seal member 427 as a sealing member for sealing the gap between first nozzle 421 and intake duct 428. In other words, intake duct 428 supports first nozzle 421 via front bracket 426a and rear bracket 426b.

[0068] When the first nozzle 421 is attached to the apparatus body, the front bracket 426a is located on the front side in the width direction (-Y direction side), and the rear bracket 426b is located on the rear side in the width direction (+Y direction side). The nozzle seal member 427 is a compressible member such as a foam material, and can seal the gap between the first nozzle 421 and the intake duct 428 without any gaps. The nozzle seal member 427 may be fixed to the intake duct 428 instead of the first nozzle 421. Note that in the first embodiment, the nozzle seal member 427 is provided to ensure a reliable seal, but the nozzle seal member 427 is not necessarily required. For example, if communication into the intake duct 428 can be blocked by increasing pressure loss by minimizing the gap between the first nozzle 421 and the intake duct 428, the nozzle seal member 427 may be removed.

[0069] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a cross section of the air curtain 420 in the XZ plane. The first blower fan 423 draws air from outside the intake duct 428 into the intake duct 428 through the intake port 429 in the direction of arrow F11. The intake port 429 is provided with a porous foam material as a filter member for catching foreign matter. The foam material catches foreign matter such as dust and dirt as well as ink mist generated in the recording unit while passing air outside the intake duct 428. Inside the intake duct 428, air is drawn into the first nozzle housing 422 by the first blower fan 423 in the direction of arrow F12. The drawn air flows through the first nozzle housing 422 and is blown out from the first nozzle surface 424 in the direction of arrow F14 (a direction perpendicular to the first nozzle surface 424) and blown onto the sheet S. As described above, in the first embodiment, the first blower fan 423 has both a blower section that blows air and an intake section that draws air.

[0070] 13 is an explanatory diagram of the internal structure of the device from the first recording unit 7a to the first drying unit 40a, showing a cross section on the XZ plane. The sheet S flowing in the forward direction SD passes through each unit in the order of the first recording unit 7a, the air curtain 420, and the first drying unit 40a. Here, the internal arrangement and configuration of the first recording unit 7a, the air curtain 420, and the first drying unit 40a will be described.

[0071] The air curtain 420 is provided with a first nozzle 421, a first duct cover 428a, and a second duct cover 428b, which are positioned above and spaced apart from the sheet S being conveyed. In the space between the sheet S and the first duct cover 428a, an air curtain first opening 450a communicating with the first recording unit 7a is formed on the upstream side (-X direction side) in the forward direction SD. Meanwhile, in the space between the sheet S and the second duct cover 428b, an air curtain second opening 450b communicating with the first drying unit 40a is formed on the downstream side (+X direction side) in the forward direction SD.

[0072] A recording section partition 451 is provided above the air curtain 420 (the portion on the +Z direction side) and in the portion protruding on both sides in the Y direction from the air curtain 420. Therefore, the recording section space 452 including the first recording section 7a and the air curtain 420 does not communicate with the first drying section 40a except at the air curtain second opening 450b.

[0073] The housing 405 of the drying unit 40 has a first partition 405a upstream of the forward direction SD, separating the airflow space 430 from the outside. The first partition 405a is provided with a second opening 406a that connects the air curtain 420 to the airflow space 430. An external opening 453, which is a gap between the first partition 405a and the second duct cover 428b and the recording unit partition 451, communicates with the outside of the recording apparatus 1. This configuration makes it possible to separably configure the first recording unit 7a and the first drying unit 40a. If the first recording unit 7a and the first drying unit 40a are to be inseparable, a single partition that separates the first recording unit 7a and the first drying unit 40a and has an opening through which the sheet S passes may be provided instead of the first partition 405a, the second duct cover 428b, and the recording unit partition 451.

[0074] Next, the flow of air blown out from the air curtain 420 and the first drying section 40a will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the flow of air flowing from the first drying section 40a. The white arrows in Fig. 13 indicate the flow of air, with the solid arrows indicating the flow of unheated, low-temperature air and the dotted arrows indicating the flow of high-temperature air in the heated first drying section 40a.

[0075] A first nozzle surface 424 in the air curtain 420 is inclined with respect to the recording surface of the sheet S, which is transported opposite the air curtain 420. The distance in the Z direction between the first nozzle surface 424 and the sheet S increases toward the downstream side (+X direction) of the forward direction SD (closer to the airflow space 430). The air blown out from the first nozzle 421 flows in the direction of arrow F14 perpendicular to the first nozzle surface 424 and includes a component toward the airflow space 430, i.e., a component toward the forward direction SD (+X direction component). Therefore, the air blown out in the direction of arrow F14 perpendicular to the first nozzle surface 424 hits the sheet S, and then flows along the sheet S in the forward direction SD (arrow F15) toward the airflow space 430.

[0076] The angle formed between the first nozzle surface 424 and the recording surface of the sheet S is defined as angle θ. If the angle θ of the first nozzle surface 424 relative to the sheet S is too large, the air blown out from the first nozzle surface 424 and the high-temperature air blown out from the airflow duct 431 will interfere with each other, which may result in reduced drying performance or uneven drying. There is also a balance between the effects on drying performance of the flow rate Qd of the high-temperature air blown out from the airflow duct 431 and the flow rate Qa of the air blown out from the first nozzle surface 424. In other words, if the flow rate Qa is not large compared to the flow rate Qd, air that is hotter than the flow rate balance will leak out upstream in the forward direction SD. However, if the flow rate Qa is too large compared to the flow rate Qd, the airflows will interfere with each other, which may result in reduced drying performance or uneven drying. In the first embodiment, in order to suppress the impact on drying performance and effectively prevent high-temperature air from leaking upstream of the forward direction SD, the angle θ is set to 9° or more and 10° or less (θ = 9° to 10°), and Qa = Qd × 1.1.

[0077] High-temperature air blown out from the air flow duct 431 in the first drying unit 40a is blown in a direction perpendicular to the sheet S (-Z direction, direction of arrow F16). In FIG. 13, the flow of high-temperature air that hits the sheet S and heads upstream in the forward direction SD is shown as arrow F17. The high-temperature air flow indicated by arrow F17 passes through the second opening 406b and the second air curtain opening 450b and attempts to flow toward the first recording unit 7a on the upstream side in the forward direction SD. However, the high-temperature air flow (arrow F17) is pushed back by the air flow (arrow F14) blown out from the first nozzle surface 424 and the air flow toward the downstream side in the forward direction SD (arrow F15). The pushed-back high-temperature air is separated into a flow that changes direction toward the downstream side in the forward direction SD and a flow that heads upstream in the forward direction SD (arrow F18).

[0078] Of the decomposed high-temperature air flows, the high-temperature air that has changed direction to the downstream side of the forward direction SD flows in the direction of arrow F19 so as to be taken into the airflow space 430, or flows in the direction of arrow F20 so as to be discharged outside the machine from the external opening 453. A nozzle seal member 427 is provided to close the gap between the first nozzle housing 422 and the intake duct 428. Therefore, the high-temperature air blown out from the air flow duct 431 does not enter the intake duct 428 through any other route than the intake port 429, and the high-temperature air does not flow through the inside of the intake duct 428 to the upstream side (-X direction side) in the forward direction SD.

[0079] Consider a case where the nozzle seal member 427 is not provided and the intake duct 428 communicates with the outside through a communication hole other than the intake port 429. In this case, there is a risk that high-temperature air will be drawn in through the other communication holes, pass through the intake duct 428, and cause a backflow of air from the intake port 429 to the upstream side in the forward direction SD. That is, in the first embodiment, the nozzle seal member 427 is provided and the communication hole through which the intake duct 428 communicates with the outside is limited to the intake port 429 on the upstream side in the forward direction SD of the first nozzle 421, thereby suppressing leakage of high-temperature air from the drying unit 40 to the upstream side in the forward direction SD.

[0080] If the exterior part that forms the space in which the air curtain 420 is provided is referred to as the first exterior part, the wall surface of the first exterior part on the downstream side in the forward direction SD is composed of the second duct cover 428b and the recording part partition 451. If the exterior part that forms the space in which the first drying part 40a is provided is referred to as the second exterior part, the wall surface of the second exterior part on the upstream side in the forward direction SD is composed of the first partition 405a of the housing 405. In this example, the second duct cover 428b has a first convex part 428b1 that protrudes downstream in the forward direction SD, and the first partition 405a has a second convex part 405a1 that protrudes upstream in the forward direction SD. The second convex part 405a1 is located above the sheet S and away from the first convex part 428b1, and is positioned so as to overlap with the first convex part 428b1 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the recording surface of the sheet S. That is, the first partition 405a has a recessed portion on the downstream side of the forward direction SD corresponding to the first convex portion 428b1, and the second duct cover 428b and the recording section partition 451 have recessed portions on the upstream side of the forward direction SD corresponding to the second convex portion 405a1 of the first partition 405a.

[0081] With the above-described configuration, the external opening 453, which is the gap between the intake duct 428 and the airflow space 430, is not linear in the Z direction. Instead, it extends from the recording surface of the sheet S in the +Z direction, then curves in the -X direction, and then curves again in the +Z direction. By configuring the external opening 453 in a curved, stepped configuration, the pressure loss in the flow path for exhausting the air to the outside of the recording apparatus 1 increases, making it difficult for high-temperature air to be released outside the apparatus. The high-temperature air that remains inside the apparatus and is taken into the airflow space 430 is reused by the air circulation heating unit 408 as high-temperature air for drying, thereby improving heating efficiency. Regardless of whether or not the intake duct 428 is formed with a convex shape, adding a seal member to the external opening 453 to close the opening can more effectively prevent high-temperature air from leaking outside the apparatus.

[0082] A portion of the high-temperature air flow split as indicated by arrow F18 cannot be pushed back by the air flow (arrow F14) blown out from the first nozzle surface 424 and the air flow (arrow F15) toward the downstream side in the forward direction SD, and may leak toward the upstream side in the forward direction SD (arrow F21). Because the first blower fan 423 draws in the air in the direction of arrow F11 on the upstream side in the forward direction SD of the first nozzle surface 424 as described above, the high-temperature air leaking toward the upstream side in the forward direction SD indicated by arrow F21 is also collected into the intake duct 428. At the same time, the first blower fan 423 collects unheated air from the upstream side in the forward direction SD through the air curtain first opening 450a into the intake duct 428 in the direction of arrow F22. This prevents the air in the intake duct 428 from becoming a high temperature, and the air curtain 420 does not become a heat source and adversely affect the first recording unit 7a. In this way, the air curtain 420 can more effectively prevent high-temperature air from the drying unit 40 from leaking into the recording unit 7 by blowing air from the first nozzle surface 424 and taking in air from the intake port 429.

[0083] In the above-described configuration, the air curtain 420 both blows and draws air. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, in the forward direction SD, a blower that blows air toward the recording medium between the first recording unit 7a and the first drying unit 40a, and an intake unit that sucks air between the blower and the first recording unit 7a may be configured separately.

[0084] <How to replace the air intake> A method for replacing the filter member provided at the intake port 429 of the air curtain 420 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the air curtain 420, illustrating a method for replacing the filter member at the intake port 429. As the operating time and number of printed sheets of the recording apparatus 1 increase, foreign matter and ink mist that have been caught accumulate on the filter member. If the accumulated foreign matter and ink mist exceeds a certain amount, the pressure loss at the intake port 429 increases, preventing the desired airflow from the air curtain 420 and potentially adversely affecting the suppression of leakage of high-temperature air from the drying unit 40. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the filter member is configured to be removable by pulling it out along with the intake port 429 from the front side (-Y direction) of the recording apparatus 1 in the direction of arrow F30 (+Y direction). The user can easily replace the filter member at the intake port 429 by opening a front cover (not shown) from the front side of the recording apparatus 1.

[0085] So far, the configuration for preventing leakage of high-temperature air from the first drying section 40a to the first recording section 7a in the first recording process section has been described, but the second recording process section may also be configured in a similar manner. That is, in order to prevent leakage of high-temperature air from the second drying section 40b to the second recording section 7b, an intake / exhaust section similar to the air curtain 420 may be provided in the second recording process section.

[0086] <Example of recording device configuration> Fig. 1 shows the internal configuration of the recording device 1, but if all the components inside the recording device 1 were housed in one large housing, it could be difficult to transport. Therefore, the housing of the recording device 1 may be divided, and functional units may be placed in each housing. Fig. 15 shows an example of the configuration of the recording device 1 in which the recording device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is divided into seven housings 480 (480a to 480g).

[0087] FIG. 15 shows the arrangement of casings 480a, 480b, 480c, 480d, 480e, 480f, and 480g, from the right side of the figure. The casing 480a has the unwinding roll unit 2 and other components provided therein. The casing 480b has the first recording unit 7a and the first main transport unit 4 provided therein. The casing 480c has the first drying unit 40a and the second cooling unit 50b and other components provided therein. The casing 480d has the first cooling unit 50a and the second drying unit 40b and other components provided therein. The casing 480e has the second recording unit 7b and other components provided therein. The casing 480f has the second main transport unit 12 and other components provided therein. The casing 480g has the take-up roll unit 14 and other components provided therein. These casings 480 may form the exterior of each unit provided therein.

[0088] In a configuration in which such a recording device 1 includes a plurality of divided housings 480, the housings 480 are transported individually, and at the destination, they are moved using casters 481 provided on the underside of the housings 480. Then, by arranging the housings 480 side by side as shown in FIG. 15 and connecting and fixing the housings 480 together using connecting members 482, the recording device 1 can be used.

[0089] When the recording apparatus 1 is configured with a plurality of housings 480, the air curtain 420 can be attached to, for example, the housing 480b in which the first recording unit 7a and the first main transport unit 4 are provided. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the state in which the air curtain 420 is attached to the housing 480b. In FIG. 16, a part of the exterior of the housing 480b is not shown, and only the housing 4 The frame and other components constituting 80b are shown.

[0090] After hitting the sheet S, a portion of the high-temperature air blown out from the airflow duct 431 of the drying unit 40 flows along the sheet S toward the upstream side in the forward direction SD (arrow F17 in FIG. 13). The air is then pushed back by the air flow flowing from the first nozzle surface 424 of the air curtain 420 toward the downstream side in the forward direction SD (arrow F15 in FIG. 13). To minimize the impact on the first recording unit 7a, it is desirable to push back the high-temperature air as quickly as possible, that is, from a position far from the first recording unit 7a. To achieve this, it is advisable to position the air curtain 420 adjacent to a position close to the first drying unit 40a. Therefore, in order to position the air curtain 420 closer to the first drying unit 40a, it is preferable to position the air curtain 420 so that a portion of the air curtain 420 extends beyond the housing 480b toward the housing 480c. FIG. 16 shows a state in which a part of the air curtain 420 does not fit within the outline of the housing 480b but protrudes downstream in the forward direction SD and approaches the first drying section 40a.

[0091] An opening 480b1 that connects the inside and outside of housing 480b is provided on the downstream side of housing 480b in the forward direction SD. Air curtain 420 is provided in housing 480b so as to extend through opening 480b1 toward housing 480c (downstream side in the forward direction SD). In other words, air curtain 420 is disposed across the inside and outside of housing 480b via opening 480b1.

[0092] 17(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams illustrating the position of the air curtain 420. FIG. 17(a) is a view of the housing 480b (first housing) and the housing 480c (second housing) adjacent to the housing 480b and constituting the first drying unit 40a, viewed from the front side of the recording apparatus 1 in the +Y direction. FIG. 17(b) is a cross-sectional view of the air curtain 420 in FIG. 17(a). In FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b), portions of the exteriors of the housings 480b and 480c are not shown, and only the frames constituting each housing 480 are illustrated. Because the air curtain 420 is positioned adjacent to the first drying unit 40a, the air flow from the first nozzle surface 424 within the air curtain 420 can be directed early against the high-temperature air flow from the first drying unit 40a. Therefore, this configuration can reduce the thermal impact on the first recording unit 7a.

[0093] Furthermore, when air curtain 420 is arranged so that it protrudes from the outline of housing 480b in this way, the amount of air curtain 420 that occupies inside housing 480b is smaller than when air curtain 420 is arranged so that it is contained within the outline of housing 480b. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to save space in housing 480b.

[0094] 17(b), by arranging air curtain 420 as described above, first drying unit 40a is arranged downstream of air curtain 420 in the forward direction SD, and first recording unit 7a is arranged upstream of air curtain 420 in the forward direction SD. In addition, frames of housings 480b and 480c are arranged on both sides of air curtain 420 in the vertical and width directions. In other words, air curtain 420 is surrounded by structures on all four sides.

[0095] Since the air curtain 420 is an electrical device component, it needs to be replaced in the event of a malfunction. As mentioned above, this configuration involves arranging the divided housings 480 at the destination, connecting and fixing them, so when replacing the air curtain 420, it is possible to do so by disconnecting the housings 480 and shifting the position of the housings 480. However, to ensure the recording quality of the recording device 1, positional accuracy of the housings 480 is required when connecting, and the connecting work may take time to achieve this accuracy. In other words, it is preferable to be able to replace the air curtain 420 without disconnecting the housings 480. Therefore, in this example, by retracting the first drying section 40a, it becomes possible to replace the air curtain 420 without disconnecting the housings 480. The configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

[0096] 18(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of a method for replacing the air curtain 420, and are perspective views of the housings 480b and 480c as viewed diagonally from the front side of the recording device 1. In FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b), portions of the exteriors of the housings 480b and 480c are not shown, and only frames constituting each housing 480 are shown. In this example, the housing 480b is provided with an openable / closable member (not shown) such as a cover that can be switched between a closed state that covers the first drying unit 40a and an open state that exposes the first drying unit 40a, on the front side (-Y direction side) of the recording device 1. Therefore, a user can open the openable / closable member from the front side of the recording device 1 to access the inside of the housing 480b.

[0097] In this example, the first drying section 40a is supported by a hinge section 483 provided at the rear side of the recording apparatus 1 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending parallel to the forward direction SD (horizontal direction) in the drying section 40. More specifically, the first drying section 40a is configured to be rotatable between a first position for performing a drying operation on the sheet S and a second position for making the air curtain 420 replaceable.

[0098] 18(a) shows a state in which first drying section 40a is in the first position. When first drying section 40a is in the first position, first drying section 40a is adjacent to air curtain 420. At this time, air curtain 420 is covered by first drying section 40a and housings 480b and 480c, and the user cannot remove air curtain 420 from housing 480b.

[0099] 18(b) shows the first drying section 40a in the second position. When the first drying section 40a is in the second position, the first drying section 40a retreats from next to the air curtain 420. When the first drying section 40a moves from the first position to the second position, the first drying section 40a retreats from the position adjacent to the air curtain 420 so that the gap between the first drying section 40a and the sheet S or the sheet support roller 411 increases, and the air curtain 420 is exposed.

[0100] When replacing air curtain 420, the user manually lifts the front side of first drying section 40a, causing first drying section 40a to rotate from the first position to the second position, creating space for removing air curtain 420. At this time, air flow duct 431, which is fixed to first drying section 40a, also lifts at the same time. When first drying section 40a opens in this manner, space is created to the left of air curtain 420. This space makes it possible to remove air curtain 420 in the direction of arrow F40 in the figure. Note that the configuration for retracting first drying section 40a from next to air curtain 420 is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, first drying section 40a may be configured to be movable (slidable) in the vertical or horizontal directions.

[0101] Air curtain 420 is supported by housing 480b via front bracket 426a provided on one end side in the Y direction and rear bracket 426b provided on the other end side in the Y direction.

[0102] 11(a), front bracket 426a has a through-hole through which a screw serving as a fixing member is inserted, and serves as a fixed portion for fixing to housing 480b. One end (first end) of housing 480b in the Y direction has a hole (not shown) through which a screw is attached, and serves as a fixing portion for fixing front bracket 426a. Therefore, on the front side (-Y direction side) of recording device 1, air curtain 420 is fixed to housing 480b.

[0103] 11(b), the rear bracket 426b is provided with a cylindrical protrusion protruding in the +Y direction as a hooked portion to be hooked onto the housing 480b. At the other end (second end) opposite to the one end of housing 480b in the Y direction, a support portion (not shown) that supports the protrusion from below is provided as a hook portion onto which rear bracket 426b is hooked. The support portion can be formed, for example, to have a curved surface that follows the outer periphery of the protrusion of rear bracket 426b. Therefore, at the rear side (+Y direction side) of recording device 1, air curtain 420 is hooked to housing 480b and supported from below.

[0104] In this way, air curtain 420 is configured so that the front side (-Y direction side) of recording device 1 is fixed with screws by front bracket 426a, and the back side (+Y direction side) of recording device 1 is hooked and supported by back bracket 426b. By using a hook configuration for the back side, which is difficult to reach when replacing air curtain 420, and a screw-fixing configuration for the front side, which is easy to reach, the workability of replacing air curtain 420 is further improved. However, the engagement configuration between air curtain 420 and housing 480b is not limited to the above.

[0105] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) a conveying mechanism that conveys the recording medium in a conveying direction; a recording unit that ejects a liquid onto a recording surface of the recording medium transported in the transport direction to record an image; a drying unit that faces the recording medium downstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and blows high-temperature air onto the recording surface to dry the liquid on the recording surface; an air outlet that faces the recording medium at a position between the recording unit and the drying unit in the transport direction, and that blows air toward the recording surface and downstream in the transport direction; an air intake port that faces the recording medium at a position between the recording unit and the air outlet in the transport direction and that sucks air between the recording surface and the air intake port; A recording device comprising: (Configuration 2) The air outlet includes a plurality of nozzle surfaces, The recording device described in configuration 1, characterized in that the nozzle surface is inclined with respect to the recording surface of the recording medium so that the gap between the nozzle surface and the recording surface of the recording medium facing the nozzle surface increases as the nozzle surface moves downstream in the transport direction. (Configuration 3) The recording device according to configuration 2, wherein the angle between the nozzle surface and the recording surface of the recording medium is 9° or more and 10° or less. (Configuration 4) The recording device according to configuration 1 is characterized in that it comprises a duct unit comprising a duct cover in which the air outlet and the air intake are formed, and a blower fan provided inside the duct cover, which takes in air sucked in through the air intake and blows it onto the recording medium through the air outlet. (Configuration 5) 5. The recording apparatus according to configuration 4, wherein the duct unit has a sealing member that closes a gap between the duct cover and the blower fan. (Configuration 6) 6. The recording device according to configuration 4 or 5, further comprising a partition wall that separates the space in which the drying unit is provided from the space in which the duct unit is provided, the partition wall having an opening formed therein through which the recording medium can pass. (Configuration 7) a first exterior part that forms a space in which the duct unit is provided, and a second exterior part that forms a space in which the drying part is provided, the second exterior part being disposed with a gap between it and the first exterior part; a partition wall on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the first exterior part has a first protrusion protruding downstream in the conveying direction, The recording device according to any one of configurations 4 to 6, characterized in that the partition wall of the second exterior part on the upstream side in the transport direction has a second convex portion that protrudes on the upstream side in the transport direction and is positioned so as to overlap the first convex portion when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the recording surface of the recording medium. (Configuration 8) 8. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 4 to 7, wherein the air intake is provided with a filter member that passes air and catches foreign matter. (Configuration 9) 9. The recording apparatus according to configuration 8, wherein the filter member is configured to be able to be pulled out from the duct cover in the width direction of the recording medium being transported by the transport mechanism. (Configuration 10) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the drying unit includes a heater that heats air and a blower that blows the air heated by the heater toward the recording surface of the recording medium. (Configuration 11) a first housing in which the recording unit and the duct unit are provided, the first housing having an opening at an end on a downstream side in the transport direction; a second housing in which the drying unit is provided; Furthermore, The recording device according to any one of configurations 4 to 8, wherein the duct unit is provided in the first housing so that a portion of the duct unit protrudes from the first housing toward the second housing through the opening. (Configuration 12) The recording device described in configuration 11, wherein the drying unit is supported by the second housing so as to be movable between a first position adjacent to the duct unit and a second position retracted from the side of the duct unit. (Configuration 13) the second housing has an opening / closing member that is switchable between a closed state that covers the drying unit and an open state that exposes the drying unit, the opening / closing member being provided on one end side of the second housing in a width direction of the recording medium transported by the transport mechanism; the first housing has a first end in the width direction, a fixing portion provided at the first end and to which the duct unit is fixed, a second end opposite to the first end in the width direction, and a hook portion provided at the second end and to which the duct unit is hooked, 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the duct unit has a fixed portion that is fixed to the fixing portion and a hooked portion that is hooked onto the hooking portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1...recording device, 7...recording section, 40...drying section, S...sheet (recording medium), 425...through hole, 429...air intake

Claims

1. a conveying mechanism that conveys the recording medium in a conveying direction; a recording unit that ejects a liquid onto a recording surface of the recording medium transported in the transport direction to record an image; a drying unit that faces the recording medium downstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and blows high-temperature air onto the recording surface to dry the liquid on the recording surface; an air outlet that faces the recording medium at a position between the recording unit and the drying unit in the transport direction, and that blows air toward the recording surface and downstream in the transport direction; an air intake port that faces the recording medium at a position between the recording unit and the air outlet in the transport direction and that sucks air between the recording surface and the air intake port; A recording device comprising:

2. The air outlet includes a plurality of nozzle surfaces, 2. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle surface is inclined relative to the recording surface of the recording medium facing the nozzle surface so that the distance between the nozzle surface and the recording surface of the recording medium facing the nozzle surface increases as the nozzle surface moves downstream in the transport direction.

3. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the angle between the nozzle surface and the recording surface of the recording medium is 9 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less.

4. 2. The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising a duct unit comprising: a duct cover in which the air outlet and the air intake are formed; and a blower fan provided inside the duct cover, which takes in air sucked in through the air intake and blows it onto the recording medium through the air outlet.

5. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the duct unit has a sealing member that closes a gap between the duct cover and the blower fan.

6. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a partition wall separating the space in which the drying section is provided from the space in which the duct unit is provided, the partition wall having an opening formed therein through which the recording medium passes.

7. a first exterior part that forms a space in which the duct unit is provided, and a second exterior part that forms a space in which the drying part is provided, the second exterior part being disposed with a gap between it and the first exterior part, a partition wall on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the first exterior part has a first protrusion protruding downstream in the conveying direction, The recording device described in claim 4, characterized in that the partition wall on the upstream side of the second exterior part in the transport direction has a second convex portion that protrudes upstream in the transport direction and is positioned in a position that overlaps with the first convex portion when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the recording surface of the recording medium.

8. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the air intake is provided with a filter member that passes air and catches foreign matter.

9. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the filter member is configured to be able to be pulled out from the duct cover in the width direction of the recording medium being transported by the transport mechanism.

10. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drying unit includes a heater for heating air, and a blower for blowing the air heated by the heater toward the recording surface.

11. a first housing in which the recording unit and the duct unit are provided, the first housing having an opening at an end on a downstream side in the transport direction; a second housing in which the drying unit is provided; Furthermore, 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the duct unit is provided in the first housing so that a portion of the duct unit protrudes from the first housing toward the second housing through the opening.

12. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the drying unit is supported by the second housing so as to be movable between a first position adjacent to the duct unit and a second position retracted from the side of the duct unit.

13. the second housing has an opening / closing member that is switchable between a closed state that covers the drying unit and an open state that exposes the drying unit, the opening / closing member being provided on one end side of the second housing in a width direction of the recording medium transported by the transport mechanism; the first housing has a first end in the width direction, a fixing portion provided at the first end and to which the duct unit is fixed, a second end opposite to the first end in the width direction, and a hook portion provided at the second end and to which the duct unit is hooked, 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the duct unit has a fixed portion that is fixed to the fixing portion and a hooked portion that is hooked onto the hooking portion.

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