Drying device and recording apparatus

Abstract

To provide a drying device and a recording device capable of drying a medium while maintaining the quality of the medium.SOLUTION: A drying device includes a heating unit that heats a medium onto which a pigment ink containing a pigment, water, and a solvent is discharged, a first contact portion that is provided between the heating unit and the medium and is capable of coming into contact with the medium, and a second contact portion that is provided at a position where the medium is interposed between the heating unit and the second contact portion and is capable of coming into contact with the medium. The heating portion heats the pigment ink discharged onto the medium in a state in which the medium is nipped by the first contact portion and the second contact portion in the first period to vaporize water contained in the pigment ink, and then heats the pigment ink discharged onto the medium in a state in which the medium is nipped by the first contact portion and the second contact portion in the second period to vaporize a solvent contained in the pigment ink. The drying device releases the pinching of the medium by the first contact section and the second contact section after the medium is heated by the heating section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drying device and a recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a drying device that dries a medium onto which a liquid has been ejected. Such a drying device generates a strong electric field across the medium by supplying a high-frequency voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode. This allows the liquid ejected onto the medium to dry. Pigment ink is sometimes used as the liquid ejected onto the medium. Pigment ink contains pigment, water, and a solvent, and the solvent may contain, for example, glycerin. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-155811 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in such a liquid ejection device, there is a risk that the medium may be thermally altered, and therefore it is desirable to dry the medium while maintaining the quality of the medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A drying device that solves the above problem comprises a heating unit that heats a medium onto which pigment ink containing pigment, water, and a solvent has been ejected, a first contact unit that is provided between the heating unit and the medium and can come into contact with the medium, and a second contact unit that is provided in a position that sandwiches the medium relative to the heating unit and can come into contact with the medium, wherein the heating unit heats the pigment ink ejected onto the medium while the medium is sandwiched between the first contact unit and the second contact unit during a first period to evaporate the water contained in the pigment ink, and then heats the pigment ink ejected onto the medium while the medium is sandwiched between the first contact unit and the second contact unit during a second period to evaporate the solvent contained in the pigment ink, and after the medium has been heated by the heating unit, releases the medium from being sandwiched between the first contact unit and the second contact unit.

[0006] A recording device that solves the above problem includes a recording unit that performs recording by ejecting a pigment ink containing pigment, water, and a solvent onto a medium, a heating unit that heats the medium onto which the pigment ink has been ejected by the recording unit, a first contact unit that is provided between the heating unit and the medium and can contact the medium, and a second contact unit that is provided in a position that sandwiches the medium relative to the heating unit and can contact the medium, wherein the heating unit heats the pigment ink ejected onto the medium while the medium is sandwiched between the first contact unit and the second contact unit during a first period to evaporate the water contained in the pigment ink, and then heats the pigment ink ejected onto the medium while the medium is sandwiched between the first contact unit and the second contact unit during a second period to evaporate the solvent contained in the pigment ink, and after the medium has been heated by the heating unit, releases the medium from being sandwiched between the first contact unit and the second contact unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a recording system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the heating unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the drying device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the first contact portion of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the drying step of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a drying device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a drying device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the drying control process of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [First embodiment] An embodiment of a recording system including a drying device and a recording device will be described below. In the following description, the direction intersecting the vertical direction Z will be referred to as the width direction X, and the direction intersecting the vertical direction Z and the width direction X will be referred to as the depth direction Y. One direction along the width direction X will be referred to as the first width direction X1, and the other direction along the width direction X will be referred to as the second width direction X2. One direction along the depth direction Y will be referred to as the first depth direction Y1, and the other direction along the depth direction Y will be referred to as the second depth direction Y2. The upper side of the vertical direction Z will be referred to as the upper direction Z1, and the lower side of the vertical direction Z will be referred to as the lower direction Z2. The vertical direction Z corresponds to an example of the first direction. A planar view from the vertical direction Z will simply be referred to as a planar view.

[0009] <Configuration of recording system 10> 1, the recording system 10 is a system that performs recording on a medium 90. In particular, the recording system 10 is a system that performs recording on the medium 90 by ejecting a liquid onto the medium 90. The recording system 10 is a system that dries the medium 90 after recording by ejecting the liquid.

[0010] The liquid is a pigment ink. The pigment ink contains a pigment, water, and a solvent. The solvent may contain, for example, glycerin. The glycerin is a solvent that prevents clogging of the nozzles that eject the liquid. Vaporization of the glycerin improves the abrasion resistance of the medium 90 onto which the pigment ink is ejected. The medium 90 has a front surface 90A and a back surface 90B. The medium 90 is fabric, but may also be, for example, paper.

[0011] The recording system 10 includes a recording device 11. The recording device 11 is configured to perform recording on a medium 90. In particular, the recording device 11 performs recording on the medium 90 by ejecting a liquid onto the medium 90. The recording device 11 may be an inkjet printer that performs recording by ejecting a pigment ink as the liquid onto the medium 90.

[0012] The recording system 10 includes a drying device 12. The drying device 12 is configured to dry the medium 90 after recording onto which the recording device 11 ejects the liquid. In particular, the drying device 12 dries the medium 90 after recording by generating electromagnetic waves.

[0013] The recording system 10 includes a feed unit 13. The feed unit 13 feeds a pre-recorded medium 90 to the recording device 11. The feed unit 13 includes a feed roller 13A. The feed roller 13A extends along the width direction X. In the width direction X, the width of the feed roller 13A is longer than the width of the medium 90. The feed roller 13A is configured to rotatably hold a first roll body 91. The first roll body 91 is a wound pre-recorded medium 90. The medium 90 may be long. In this manner, the feed roller 13A holds the medium 90 to be fed to the recording device 11.

[0014] The recording system 10 includes a winding unit 14. The winding unit 14 winds up the recorded medium 90 that has been recorded by the recording device 11. In particular, the winding unit 14 winds up the recorded medium 90 that has been dried by the drying device 12. The winding unit 14 includes a winding roller 14A. The winding roller 14A extends along the width direction X. In the width direction X, the width of the winding roller 14A is longer than the width of the medium 90. The winding roller 14A is configured to rotatably hold a second roll body 92. The second roll body 92 is the recorded medium 90 that has been wound up. In this way, the winding roller 14A winds up the medium 90 that has been recorded by the recording device 11 and dried by the drying device 12.

[0015] <Configuration of Recording Device 11> Here, the configuration of the recording device 11 will be described in detail. The recording device 11 includes a recording unit 20, a recording support unit 21, and a recording transport unit 22. The recording unit 20 is configured to perform recording on the medium 90 by ejecting a liquid onto the medium 90. The recording unit 20 is configured to perform recording on the medium 90 by ejecting a liquid onto a surface 90A of the medium 90. The recording unit 20 performs recording on the medium 90 supported by the recording support unit 21. The recording unit 20 performs recording on the medium 90 transported by the recording transport unit 22.

[0016] The recording unit 20 includes a head 23. The head 23 may be a serial head or a line head. A serial head is a head that scans the width direction X of the medium 90. A line head is a head that records simultaneously across the width direction X of the medium 90.

[0017] The head 23 has a nozzle surface 24 in which a plurality of nozzles (not shown) open. The nozzle surface 24 faces downward Z2. The nozzle surface 24 faces the surface 90A of the medium 90 transported by the recording transport unit 22. Each of the plurality of nozzles is configured to open downward Z2. Each of the plurality of nozzles is configured to eject liquid.

[0018] The recording unit 20 may include a carriage 25 and a carriage support unit 26. The carriage 25 is configured to support the head 23. The carriage support unit 26 extends along the width direction X. The carriage support unit 26 supports the carriage 25 so that it can move along the width direction X. The carriage 25 can move in the width direction X along the carriage support unit 26 by a driving force from a driving source (not shown).

[0019] The recording support unit 21 is configured to support the medium 90 transported by the recording transport unit 22. The recording support unit 21 is located below the recording unit 20 in the Z2 direction. The recording support unit 21 supports the back surface 90B of the medium 90 transported by the recording transport unit 22. The recording support unit 21 is located below the head 23 in the Z2 direction.

[0020] The recording transport unit 22 is configured to transport the medium 90 in a transport direction D. The transport direction D is a direction along the depth direction Y. The recording transport unit 22 may include multiple rollers. The recording transport unit 22 transports the medium 90 in the transport direction D using multiple rollers, but may also transport the medium 90 in the transport direction D using a transport belt driven by multiple rollers. The recording transport unit 22 may perform intermittent transport by repeatedly transporting and stopping the medium 90.

[0021] <Configuration of Drying Device 12> Next, the configuration of the drying device 12 will be described in detail. The drying device 12 includes a drying unit 30. The drying unit 30 is configured to dry the medium 90 after recording. That is, the drying device 12 dries the medium 90 that has been recorded by the recording section 20.

[0022] The drying unit 30 is configured to dry the recorded medium 90 by generating electromagnetic waves. The drying unit 30 is located above the medium 90 at Z1, but may also be located below the medium 90 at Z2, or may be located both above and below the medium 90 at Z1 and Z2. Thus, the vertical direction Z is the direction toward the medium 90.

[0023] The drying device 12 includes a high-frequency voltage generating section 31. The high-frequency voltage generating section 31 is configured to generate a high-frequency voltage. The high-frequency voltage generating section 31 supplies the high-frequency voltage to the drying unit 30 via a transmission line 32.

[0024] The transmission line 32 is a line that connects the drying unit 30 and the high-frequency voltage generating unit 31. The transmission line 32 is capable of transmitting the high-frequency voltage from the high-frequency voltage generating unit 31 to the drying unit 30. In other words, the transmission line 32 is capable of transmitting the high-frequency voltage.

[0025] The transmission line 32 may be a coaxial cable, but is not limited to a coaxial cable. The transmission line 32 may include a first line and a second line. The first line may be the core wire of the transmission line 32. The second line may be an electromagnetic shield that covers the first line.

[0026] The drying device 12 includes a dry conveying section 33. The dry conveying section 33 is configured to convey the medium 90 in the conveying direction D. The dry conveying section 33 may use multiple rollers to convey the medium 90 in the conveying direction D. The dry conveying section 33 conveys the medium 90 at a predetermined speed in the conveying direction D. The dry conveying section 33 performs intermittent conveyance by repeatedly conveying and stopping the medium 90. Slack in the medium 90 may occur between the recording conveying section 22 and the dry conveying section 33.

[0027] The drying device 12 includes a control unit 35. The control unit 35 controls the drying device 12. More specifically, the control unit 35 controls the drying unit 30. The control unit 35 controls the high-frequency voltage generating unit 31. The control unit 35 controls the drying conveying unit 33.

[0028] The control unit 35 may be configured with one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program. The control unit 35 may be configured with one or more dedicated hardware circuits. The control unit 35 may be configured with an application specific integrated circuit that executes at least some of the various processes. The control unit 35 may be configured with a circuit that includes a combination of a processor and a hardware circuit. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM. The memory stores program code or instructions that are configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any readable medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0029] The drying unit 30 includes a heating section 36. That is, the drying device 12 includes a heating section 36. The drying unit 30 may include a plurality of heating sections 36. The heating section 36 may be rectangular in plan view. The heating sections 36 may be arranged such that the width direction X is the longitudinal direction.

[0030] The heating unit 36 ​​is configured to generate electromagnetic waves in response to application of a high-frequency voltage, thereby heating the medium 90 onto which the liquid has been ejected by the recording unit 20. The heating unit 36 ​​is an electromagnetic wave generating unit.

[0031] The heating unit 36 ​​generates an AC electric field by generating electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic waves generated by the heating unit 36 ​​are mainly composed of an electric field. Compared to electromagnetic wave generating units that generate normal electromagnetic waves, the heating unit 36 ​​can significantly reduce the induction of a magnetic field by the generated electric field.

[0032] As a specific example, the heating unit 36 ​​generates electromagnetic waves of 2.4 GHz, but is not limited to this. The heating unit 36 ​​may generate electromagnetic waves of, for example, 3 MHz to 300 MHz. The heating unit 36 ​​may generate electromagnetic waves of, for example, 300 MHz to 30 GHz, and particularly, may generate electromagnetic waves of 10 MHz to 20 GHz.

[0033] The heating unit 36 ​​dries the medium 90 by heating the medium 90 from the surface 90A. Specifically, the heating unit 36 ​​heats the liquid ejected onto the medium 90 from the surface 90A. The heating unit 36 ​​dries the medium 90 by vaporizing the liquid ejected onto the medium 90. In other words, the heating unit 36 ​​dries the medium 90 regardless of whether the water vapor around the medium 90 is saturated. Therefore, the heating unit 36 ​​can dry the medium 90 without blowing dry gas that is not saturated with water vapor onto the medium 90.

[0034] The drying device 12 includes an air blower 34. The air blower 34 is provided downstream of the heating unit 36 ​​in the conveyance direction D. The air blower 34 is provided downstream of a first contact unit 51 and a second contact unit 52, which will be described later, in the conveyance direction D. The air blower 34 is configured to blow air to the medium 90. After drying the medium 90, the air blower 34 can remove vaporized water and solvent from the vicinity of the medium 90 by blowing air to the medium 90. This improves drying performance and abrasion resistance.

[0035] <Configuration of heating unit 36> 2, the heating unit 36 ​​includes a first electrode 41, a second electrode 42, a first conductor 43, and a second conductor 44. In FIG. 2, the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 are disposed on the downward Z2 side.

[0036] The first electrode 41 has a plate shape. The first electrode 41 has a longitudinal direction in the width direction X in a plan view. That is, the first electrode 41 extends in the width direction X in a plan view. The first electrode 41 may have a rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0037] The first electrode 41 has a first electrode surface 41A. The first electrode surface 41A faces downward Z2. In other words, the first electrode surface 41A faces the surface 90A of the medium 90. The first electrode 41 is disposed so that the first electrode surface 41A abuts against the first abutment portion 51.

[0038] The second electrode 42 has a plate shape. The second electrode 42 has a second electrode surface 42A. The second electrode surface 42A faces downward Z2. In other words, the second electrode surface 42A faces the surface 90A of the medium 90. The second electrode 42 is disposed so that the second electrode surface 42A abuts against the first abutment portion 51.

[0039] The second electrode 42 is provided so as to have an arc shape centered on an axis along the width direction X. The second electrode 42 is provided so as to have an arc shape with the center in the depth direction Y facing upward Z1 and both ends in the depth direction Y facing downward Z2. As a result, the second electrode surface 42A is provided so as to have a curved surface shape centered on an axis along the width direction X.

[0040] The second electrode 42 has an opening 42B. The opening 42B has a rounded rectangular shape in a plan view, but may have a rectangular shape. The first electrode 41 is located in the opening 42B in a plan view. In other words, the second electrode 42 is disposed so as to surround the first electrode 41 in a plan view.

[0041] The first conductor 43 is configured to electrically connect the transmission line 32 and the first electrode 41. The first conductor 43 includes a coil 43A. The coil 43A extends in the vertical direction Z. One end of the coil 43A is connected to the first electrode 41. The other end of the coil 43A is connected to the conducting wire 43B.

[0042] The second conductor 44 is configured to electrically connect the transmission line 32 and the second electrode 42. The second conductor 44 may include a support pillar 44A. The second conductor 44 may include a plurality of support pillars 44A. The support pillars 44A are electrically connected to the second electrode 42. The support pillars 44A extend upward Z1 from the second electrode 42. The support pillars 44A are made of metal.

[0043] The second conductor 44 may include a connecting portion 44B. The connecting portion 44B is electrically connected to the support pillar 44A. The connecting portion 44B is provided on the upper end of the support pillar 44A. The connecting portion 44B connects multiple support pillars 44A together. The connecting portion 44B may be integral with the support pillar 44A. The connecting portion 44B may be H-shaped in a plan view. The connecting portion 44B is made of metal.

[0044] The second conductor 44 may include a top plate 44C. The top plate 44C is located above Z1 the connecting portion 44B. The top plate 44C is electrically connected to the connecting portion 44B. The top plate 44C may be integral with the connecting portion 44B. The top plate 44C is made of metal.

[0045] With the heating unit 36 ​​configured in this way, when a high-frequency voltage is applied, the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 generate electromagnetic waves in response to the application of the high-frequency voltage, thereby heating the medium 90.

[0046] Such a heating unit 36 ​​can transmit large amounts of thermal energy to the medium 90 by generating electromagnetic waves. The heating unit 36 ​​uses electromagnetic waves rather than heat conduction, and does not need to include components such as heating wires for heating. This allows the heating unit 36 ​​to be made smaller.

[0047] Furthermore, the minimum separation distance between the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 is 1 / 10 or less of the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves output from the heating unit 36. This allows the electromagnetic waves generated when a high-frequency voltage is applied to be attenuated in the vicinity of the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42. This allows the intensity of the electromagnetic waves that reach distant locations from the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 to be reduced. In other words, the electromagnetic waves generated from the heating unit 36 ​​are very strong in the vicinity of the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 and very weak in the distant locations.

[0048] By appropriately controlling the frequency band of the generated electromagnetic waves, such heating unit 36 ​​can generate an AC electric field intensively near the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42. In other words, it is possible to suppress the influence of the generated electromagnetic waves on the surroundings beyond the vicinity of the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42. The vicinity of the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 may correspond to a range of 3 mm to 3 cm, for example.

[0049] <First Contact Portion 51 and Second Contact Portion 52> 3, the drying device 12 includes a first contact portion 51 and a second contact portion 52. The first contact portion 51 is provided between the heating portion 36 and the medium 90. The first contact portion 51 can contact the medium 90 from a surface 90A of the medium 90.

[0050] The first contact portion 51 may be plate-shaped. The first contact portion 51 is provided so as to have an arc shape centered on an axis along the width direction X. The first contact portion 51 is provided so as to have an arc shape with the center in the depth direction Y facing upward Z1 and both ends in the depth direction Y facing downward Z2. In other words, the first contact portion 51 has a curved surface shape.

[0051] The first contact portion 51 has a first contact surface 51A. The first contact portion 51 is provided so that the first contact surface 51A contacts the surface 90A of the medium 90. The first contact portion 51 may contact the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 from above Z1. The first contact portion 51 protects the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 from the medium 90.

[0052] The first contact portion 51 is made of a material that transmits the electromagnetic waves generated by the heating portion 36. The first contact portion 51 is made of an insulating member. The first contact portion 51 may be a glass plate. The first contact portion 51 may be heat-resistant silica glass. In other words, the first contact portion 51 may be configured to include glass. The first contact portion 51 may be highly transparent ceramic. The first contact portion 51 may be made of a resin with a low dielectric tangent. The first contact portion 51 may be made of polypropylene. The first contact portion 51 may be made of polyethylene.

[0053] The second contact portion 52 is provided at a position where the medium 90 is sandwiched between the heating portion 36. The second contact portion 52 can contact the medium 90 from the back surface 90B of the medium 90. The second contact portion 52 may be a roller having a curved surface, or may be a roller for transporting the medium 90 in the transport direction D.

[0054] The second contact portion 52 has a second contact surface 52A. The second contact surface 52A forms the curved surface of the roller. The second contact portion 52 is provided so that the second contact surface 52A comes into contact with the back surface 90B of the medium 90.

[0055] The second contact portion 52 may be made of silicone rubber. The second contact portion 52 may be made of aromatic polyether ketone. The second contact portion 52 may be made of a heat-resistant polyimide material, or may have a heat-resistant polyimide material attached thereto. The second contact portion 52 may be a glass plate. The second contact portion 52 may be made of heat-resistant silicon glass. In other words, the second contact portion 52 may be configured to include glass.

[0056] In this way, the front surface 90A of the medium 90 contacts the first contact portion 51, and the back surface 90B of the medium 90 contacts the second contact portion 52. As a result, the medium 90 is sandwiched between the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52. In other words, the heating unit 36 ​​is configured to heat the medium 90 while it is sandwiched between the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52.

[0057] The first contact portion 51 may have an uneven first contact surface 51A that comes into contact with the medium 90. The second contact portion 52 may have an uneven second contact surface 52A that comes into contact with the medium 90. The first contact surface 51A and the second contact surface 52A may have an uneven shape due to a dimple structure.

[0058] This reduces the contact area between the first contact surface 51A and the second contact surface 52A and the medium 90. This makes it difficult for liquid ejected onto the medium 90 to adhere to the first contact surface 51A, and the medium 90 becomes more likely to separate from the first contact surface 51A and the second contact surface 52A. This improves the transportability of the medium 90. In addition, evaporated moisture is more likely to remain between the first contact surface 51A and the second contact surface 52A and the medium 90.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4, the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52 may have grooves 55 formed in addition to the dimple structure on the first contact surface 51A and the second contact surface 52A. As a specific example, the first contact portion 51 may have first grooves 55A on the first contact surface 51A. The first grooves 55A are diagonally striped grooves. When the medium 90 is fabric, the medium 90 tends to have a woven texture along the width direction X and the depth direction Y. In such a case, by not matching the first grooves 55A with the unevenness of the medium 90, it is possible to prevent imbalances in the areas where evaporated moisture accumulates.

[0060] The first contact portion 51 may have second grooves 55B on the first contact surface 51A. The second grooves 55B are lattice-shaped grooves extending in the width direction X and the depth direction Y. In this case, the amount of vaporized moisture that can be retained can be increased. The second grooves 55B may also be lattice-shaped grooves that do not extend in the width direction X or the depth direction Y. The first contact portion 51 may have third grooves 55C on the first contact surface 51A. The third grooves 55C are grooves that extend in the depth direction Y.

[0061] 3, the drying device 12 includes a first heat insulating section 53 and a second heat insulating section 54. The first heat insulating section 53 is provided on the upper Z1 side of the medium 90. The second heat insulating section 54 is provided on the lower Z2 side of the medium 90. The first heat insulating section 53 and the second heat insulating section 54 are provided so as to ensure a transport path for the medium 90.

[0062] The first heat insulating section 53 is configured to cover the heating section 36 and the first contact section 51 from above Z1. The first heat insulating section 53 suppresses heat radiation from the heating section 36, the first contact section 51, and the medium 90. The first heat insulating section 53 suppresses cooling of the heating section 36, the first contact section 51, and the medium 90 due to air blown from the air blower 34.

[0063] The second heat insulating section 54 is configured to cover the second contact section 52 from below Z2. The second heat insulating section 54 suppresses heat radiation from the second contact section 52 and the medium 90. The second heat insulating section 54 suppresses cooling of the second contact section 52 and the medium 90 due to air blown from the air blower 34.

[0064] As the medium 90 is transported in the transport direction D, it changes from a state in which it is sandwiched between the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52 to a released state in which it is not sandwiched between the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52. In other words, after the medium 90 is heated by the heating portion 36, the drying device 12 releases the medium 90 from being sandwiched between the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52.

[0065] When the medium 90 is in the released state, it receives air from the air blower 34. The air blowing direction of the air blower 34 is preferably the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 3. That is, the air blowing direction of the air blower 34 is preferably a direction toward the medium 90 and is also preferably the second depth direction Y2 in which the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52 are located in the conveyance direction D. With this configuration, water and solvent vaporized from the medium 90 between the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52 can be quickly removed from the medium 90.

[0066] <Drying principle of Media 90> Pigment ink as a liquid is ejected onto the medium 90 by the recording device 11. Unlike dye ink, which soaks into the medium 90, the pigment ink is fixed to the surface 90A of the medium 90 to record.

[0067] Pigment ink contains water in addition to pigment. Pigment ink also contains glycerin as a solvent. When the temperature of pigment ink reaches approximately 100°C, the water contained in the pigment ink evaporates. When the temperature of pigment ink reaches approximately 290°C, the glycerin contained in the pigment ink evaporates.

[0068] The pigment ink ejected onto the surface 90A of the medium 90 is heated by electromagnetic waves generated by the heating unit 36. This causes the water and solvent contained in the pigment ink to evaporate, drying the medium 90. In particular, the evaporation of glycerin contained in the pigment ink can improve the abrasion resistance of the medium 90.

[0069] The electromagnetic waves generated by the heating unit 36 ​​do not heat the gas surrounding the medium 90. Therefore, the electromagnetic waves do not directly heat the medium 90 itself, but heat the pigment ink. In this way, the generation of electromagnetic waves itself is not a direct cause of thermal degradation of the medium 90. When the pigment ink is heated by the generation of electromagnetic waves, the heat of the pigment ink is transferred to the medium 90. Excessive transfer of heat from the pigment ink to the medium 90 can cause thermal degradation of the medium 90.

[0070] As shown in Figure 5, the drying process includes a preliminary drying process and a main drying process. The preliminary drying process is performed during a first period. The first period is the period until the time required for the preliminary drying process has elapsed. For example, the first period is the period during which the temperature of the pigment ink reaches approximately 100°C, thereby evaporating the water contained in the pigment ink.

[0071] The main drying process is performed in the second period. The second period is a period that follows the first period. The second period is a period until the time required for the main drying process has elapsed. For example, the second period is a period during which the temperature of the pigment ink reaches approximately 290°C, thereby vaporizing the solvent contained in the pigment ink. The second period is a period during which the medium 90 is heated to a temperature higher than that in the first period.

[0072] In this way, during the first period, the heating unit 36 ​​heats the medium 90 while it is sandwiched between the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52. In this way, the heating unit 36 ​​vaporizes the water contained in the pigment ink.

[0073] Thereafter, in the second period, the heating unit 36 ​​heats the medium 90 while it is sandwiched between the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52. In this way, the heating unit 36 ​​vaporizes the solvent contained in the pigment ink.

[0074] The medium 90 is sandwiched between the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52. This makes it possible to prevent imbalance in the distance between the medium 90 and the heating portion 36. Even in the case of medium 90 that is prone to shrinkage due to heating by the heating portion 36, shrinkage of the medium 90 can be prevented. The airtightness between the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52 and the medium 90 is improved. This makes it possible to dry the medium 90 in an environment where the pigment ink is less likely to oxidize.

[0075] In particular, the amount of water vaporized varies depending on the type of liquid ejected onto the medium 90, and the degree to which the vaporized water remains tends to vary depending on the type of medium 90. For this reason, in the main drying step, the amount of heat generated by the liquid tends to differ depending on the degree to which the vaporized water remains near the medium 90 in the preliminary drying step.

[0076] Therefore, by performing this drying process while the medium 90 is clamped between the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52, the evaporated moisture becomes more likely to remain near the medium 90, and the difference in the amount of moisture remaining near the medium 90 from the evaporated moisture becomes smaller.

[0077] In particular, the first contact surface 51A and the second contact surface 52A are uneven, which makes it easier for the evaporated moisture to remain near the medium 90. This makes it possible to reduce the difference in the amount of heat generated by the liquid depending on the type of medium 90 and the type of liquid.

[0078] <Actions and Effects of the First Embodiment> The operation and effects of the first embodiment will be described. (1-1) The heating unit 36 ​​vaporizes water contained in the pigment ink by heating the medium 90 while it is sandwiched between the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52 during the first period. Then, the heating unit 36 ​​vaporizes the solvent contained in the pigment ink by heating the medium 90 while it is sandwiched between the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52 during the second period. With this configuration, when the solvent is vaporized during the second period, the moisture vaporized during the first period remains near the medium 90. This reduces the difference in heat generation amount of the pigment ink depending on the type of medium 90 and the type of liquid. Additionally, improving the airtightness between the first contact portion 51, the second contact portion 52, and the medium 90 allows the medium 90 to dry in an environment where the pigment ink is less likely to oxidize. This reduces imbalances in the distance between the medium 90 and the heating unit 36. This reduces shrinkage of the medium 90 due to heating. This reduces thermal degradation of the medium 90. Therefore, the medium 90 can be dried while maintaining the quality of the medium 90.

[0079] (1-2) The heating unit 36 ​​generates electromagnetic waves in response to the application of a high-frequency voltage, thereby heating the medium 90 onto which the pigment ink has been ejected. With this configuration, the pigment ink ejected onto the medium 90 is boiled, thereby drying the medium 90 in a short time. In addition, even when high-intensity electromagnetic waves are generated, thermal degradation of the medium 90 can be suppressed. Therefore, the medium 90 can be dried while maintaining its quality.

[0080] (1-3) The first contact surface 51A and the second contact surface 52A of the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52 that contact the medium 90 are uneven. This configuration can increase the amount of moisture that remains near the medium 90 and improve the transportability of the medium 90. Therefore, the medium 90 can be dried while maintaining the quality of the medium 90.

[0081] (1-4) The first contact portion 51 is configured to include glass. With this configuration, the inclusion of glass in the first contact portion 51 can improve the transportability of the medium 90. In addition, the first contact portion 51 is less likely to absorb electromagnetic waves from the heating portion 36, which can improve the drying performance of the medium 90. Therefore, the medium 90 can be dried while maintaining the quality of the medium 90.

[0082] (1-5) The first contact portion 51 has a curved surface. With this configuration, when the medium 90 is transported along a curved transport path, the airtightness between the medium 90 and the first contact portion 51 can be improved. This can prevent the medium 90 from being thermally degraded. This allows the medium 90 to be dried while maintaining its quality.

[0083] (1-6) The second contact portion 52 is a roller having a curved surface. With this configuration, when the medium 90 is transported along the curved second contact portion 52, the airtightness between the medium 90 and the second contact portion 52 can be improved, and the transportability of the medium 90 can be improved. This can prevent the medium 90 from being thermally degraded. Therefore, the medium 90 can be dried while maintaining the quality of the medium 90.

[0084] (1-7) The air blower 34 blows air to the medium 90 in the conveyance direction D from the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52. With this configuration, water is vaporized from the medium 90 in the first period, and the solvent is vaporized from the medium 90 in the second period. After that, the water and solvent vaporized from the medium 90 can be removed from the vicinity of the medium 90. This improves the drying performance of the medium 90 and also improves its abrasion resistance. Therefore, the medium 90 can be dried while maintaining its quality.

[0085] (1-8) The heating unit 36 ​​is provided on the surface 90A side of the medium 90. Therefore, the medium 90 can be dried by heating the liquid from the surface 90A side of the medium 90 onto which the liquid has been ejected.

[0086] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same configuration as in the already described embodiment will be omitted or simplified, and only the configuration different from the already described embodiment will be described.

[0087] 6, in the second embodiment, the drying device 12 includes a first contact portion 61 and a second contact portion 62. The first contact portion 61 can contact the medium 90 from the back surface 90B of the medium 90. The first contact portion 61 may be a roller having a curved surface, or the first contact portion 61 may be a roller for transporting the medium 90 in the transport direction D.

[0088] The first contact portion 61 is provided so as to incorporate the heating portion 36. The heating portion 36 is provided inside the first contact portion 61. In other words, the heating portion 36 is provided below the medium 90 in the direction Z2. The heating portion 36 is provided so that the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 face the medium 90. The first contact portion 61 does not contact the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42. Therefore, even if the first contact portion 61 rotates, the heating portion 36 does not rotate.

[0089] The first contact portion 61 has a first contact surface 61A. The first contact surface 61A forms the curved surface of the roller. The first contact portion 61 is provided so that the first contact surface 61A comes into contact with the back surface 90B of the medium 90.

[0090] The first contact portion 61 may be made of silicone rubber. The first contact portion 61 may be a glass plate. The first contact portion 61 may be made of heat-resistant silicon glass. In other words, the first contact portion 61 may be configured to include glass.

[0091] The second contact portion 62 can contact the medium 90 from a surface 90A of the medium 90. The second contact portion 62 has a second contact surface 62A. The second contact portion 62 may have a configuration similar to that of the second contact portion 52.

[0092] In this way, the medium 90 abuts against the first contact portion 61 on the back surface 90B, and abuts against the second contact portion 62 on the front surface 90A. As a result, the medium 90 is sandwiched between the first contact portion 61 and the second contact portion 62. In other words, the heating unit 36 ​​is configured to heat the medium 90 while it is sandwiched between the first contact portion 61 and the second contact portion 62.

[0093] The first contact portion 61 may have an uneven first contact surface 61A that contacts the medium 90. The second contact portion 62 may have an uneven second contact surface 62A that contacts the medium 90. The drying device 12 includes a first heat insulating section 63 and a second heat insulating section 64. The first heat insulating section 63 is provided on the lower Z2 side of the medium 90. The second heat insulating section 64 is provided on the upper Z1 side of the medium 90. The first heat insulating section 63 and the second heat insulating section 64 are provided so as to ensure a transport path for the medium 90.

[0094] The first heat insulating section 63 is configured to cover the heating section 36 and the first contact section 61 from below Z2. The first heat insulating section 63 suppresses heat radiation from the heating section 36, the first contact section 61, and the medium 90. The first heat insulating section 63 suppresses cooling of the heating section 36, the first contact section 61, and the medium 90 due to air blown from the air blower 34.

[0095] The second heat insulating section 64 is configured to cover the second contact section 62 from above Z1. The second heat insulating section 64 suppresses heat radiation from the second contact section 62 and the medium 90. The second heat insulating section 64 suppresses cooling of the second contact section 62 and the medium 90 due to air blown from the air blower 34.

[0096] <Actions and Effects of the Second Embodiment> The operation and effects of the second embodiment will be described. (2-1) Both the first contact portion 61 and the second contact portion 62 are rollers having curved surfaces. This can suppress thermal denaturation of the medium 90 and improve the transportability of the medium 90. This allows the medium 90 to be dried while maintaining its quality.

[0097] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. 7, in the third embodiment, the drying device 12 includes a first contact portion 71 and a second contact portion 72. The first contact portion 71 can contact the medium 90 from the back surface 90B of the medium 90.

[0098] The first contact portion 71 may have a flat plate shape. The first contact portion 71 includes a first contact surface 71A. The first contact portion 71 is provided so that the first contact surface 71A includes the width direction X and the depth direction Y. The first contact portion 71 may be a glass plate. The first contact portion 71 may be made of heat-resistant silicon glass. In other words, the first contact portion 71 may be configured to include glass. The first contact surface 71A of the first contact portion 71 that comes into contact with the medium 90 may be uneven.

[0099] The heating unit 36 ​​is provided below the medium 90 in a direction Z2. The heating unit 36 ​​is provided so that the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 face the medium 90. The first electrode 41 may have a flat plate shape. As a result, the first electrode surface 41A is provided so as to have a planar shape. The second electrode 42 may have a flat plate shape. As a result, the second electrode surface 42A is provided so as to have a planar shape.

[0100] The second contact portion 72 can contact the medium 90 from a surface 90A of the medium 90. The second contact portion 72 may have a flat plate shape. The second contact portion 72 has a second contact surface 72A. The second contact portion 72 is provided so that the second contact surface 72A includes the width direction X and the depth direction Y.

[0101] The second contact portion 72 may be a glass plate. The second contact portion 72 may be heat-resistant silica glass. That is, the second contact portion 72 may be configured to include glass. The second contact portion 72 may have an uneven second contact surface 72A that comes into contact with the medium 90.

[0102] The drying device 12 includes a first heat insulating section 73 and a second heat insulating section 74. The first heat insulating section 73 is provided on the lower Z2 side of the medium 90. The second heat insulating section 74 is provided on the upper Z1 side of the medium 90. The first heat insulating section 73 and the second heat insulating section 74 are provided so as to ensure a transport path for the medium 90.

[0103] The first heat insulating section 73 is configured to cover the heating section 36 and the first contact section 71 from below Z2. The first heat insulating section 73 suppresses heat radiation from the heating section 36, the first contact section 71, and the medium 90. The first heat insulating section 73 suppresses cooling of the heating section 36, the first contact section 71, and the medium 90 due to air blown from the air blower 34.

[0104] The second heat insulating section 74 is configured to cover the second contact section 72 from above Z1. The second heat insulating section 74 suppresses heat radiation from the second contact section 72 and the medium 90. The second heat insulating section 74 suppresses cooling of the second contact section 72 and the medium 90 due to air blown from the air blower 34.

[0105] The drying device 12 includes a moving unit 75. The moving unit 75 moves the heating unit 36, the first contact unit 71, and the second contact unit 72 along the depth direction Y. The moving unit 75 may also move the first heat insulating unit 73 and the second heat insulating unit 74 along the depth direction Y.

[0106] The moving unit 75 may include a first moving unit 76 and a second moving unit 77. The first moving unit 76 moves the heating unit 36 ​​and the first contact unit 71 along the depth direction Y. The first moving unit 76 may move the first heat insulating unit 73 along the depth direction Y. The second moving unit 77 moves the second contact unit 72 along the depth direction Y. The second moving unit 77 may move the second heat insulating unit 74 along the depth direction Y.

[0107] The drying device 12 includes a lifting unit 78. The lifting unit 78 lifts and lowers the second contact unit 72 along the vertical direction Z. The lifting unit 78 may lift and lower the second heat insulating unit 74 along the vertical direction Z.

[0108] When the lifting / lowering unit 78 lowers the second contact portion 72, the medium 90 is clamped between the first contact portion 71 and the second contact portion 72. When the lifting / lowering unit 78 raises the second contact portion 72, the medium 90 is released from being clamped between the first contact portion 71 and the second contact portion 72.

[0109] In this way, the medium 90 abuts on the first contact portion 71 at the rear surface 90B, and also abuts on the second contact portion 72 at the rear surface 90B. As a result, the medium 90 is sandwiched between the first contact portion 71 and the second contact portion 72. In other words, the heating unit 36 ​​is configured to heat the medium 90 in a state where the medium 90 is sandwiched between the first contact portion 71 and the second contact portion 72.

[0110] When the medium 90 is transported in the transport direction D, the moving unit 75 moves the heating unit 36, the first contact unit 71, and the second contact unit 72 in the transport direction D. In this case, the moving unit 75 moves the heating unit 36, the first contact unit 71, and the second contact unit 72 at the same moving speed as the transport speed of the medium 90. This allows the drying device 12 to dry the medium 90 while transporting the medium 90.

[0111] <Drying control treatment> Next, the drying control process will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The drying control process is a process executed by the control unit 35 when a drying instruction is received from the user.

[0112] 8, in step S10, the control unit 35 executes a lowering control process. In this process, the control unit 35 controls the lifting unit 78 to lower the second contact unit 72. As a result, the control unit 35 controls the first contact unit 71 and the second contact unit 72 to sandwich the medium 90.

[0113] In step S11, the control unit 35 executes a heating process. In this process, the control unit 35 controls the high-frequency voltage generating unit 31 to supply a high-frequency voltage to the heating unit 36. As a result, the control unit 35 controls the high-frequency voltage generating unit 31 to drive the heating unit 36.

[0114] In step S12, the control unit 35 executes a heating unit movement process. In this process, the control unit 35 controls the movement unit 75 to move the heating unit 36, the first contact unit 71, and the second contact unit 72 in the conveyance direction D at a predetermined movement speed.

[0115] In step S13, control unit 35 executes a medium transport control process. In this process, control unit 35 controls dry transport unit 33 to transport medium 90 at a predetermined transport speed in transport direction D. The predetermined movement speed and the predetermined transport speed are the same speed.

[0116] In step S14, the control unit 35 determines whether the first period and the second period have ended. In this process, the control unit 35 determines whether the first period and the second period have ended based on whether the time required for the preliminary drying step and the main drying step has elapsed since heating by the heating unit 36 ​​started. In other words, the control unit 35 determines whether the preliminary drying step and the main drying step have been completed.

[0117] If the control unit 35 determines that the first period and the second period have not ended, the process proceeds to step S11. If the control unit 35 determines that the first period and the second period have ended, the process proceeds to step S15. That is, the control unit 35 repeatedly executes steps S11 to S13 until it determines that the first period and the second period have ended.

[0118] In this way, the control unit 35 controls the moving unit 75 to move the heating unit 36, the first contact unit 71, and the second contact unit 72 in the transport direction D while the medium 90 is sandwiched between the first contact unit 71 and the second contact unit 72. In other words, while the medium 90 is sandwiched between the first contact unit 71 and the second contact unit 72, the moving unit 75 moves the heating unit 36, the first contact unit 71, and the second contact unit 72 in the transport direction D.

[0119] In step S15, the control unit 35 executes an elevation control process. In this process, the control unit 35 controls the lifting unit 78 to lift the second contact unit 72. As a result, the control unit 35 performs control to release the clamping of the medium 90 between the first contact unit 71 and the second contact unit 72.

[0120] In step S16, the control unit 35 executes a heating unit reset process. In this process, the control unit 35 controls the moving unit 75 to move the heating unit 36, the first contact unit 71, and the second contact unit 72 in the second depth direction Y2. As a result, the control unit 35 controls the moving unit 75 to move the heating unit 36, the first contact unit 71, and the second contact unit 72 to their initial positions. The initial positions may be positions for drying the medium 90 before drying.

[0121] In this way, the control unit 35 controls the moving unit 75 to move the heating unit 36, the first contact unit 71, and the second contact unit 72 in the direction opposite to the conveying direction D, with the first contact unit 71 and the second contact unit 72 releasing the clamping of the medium 90. In other words, the moving unit 75 moves the heating unit 36, the first contact unit 71, and the second contact unit 72 in the direction opposite to the conveying direction D, with the first contact unit 71 and the second contact unit 72 releasing the clamping of the medium 90.

[0122] In step S17, the control unit 35 determines whether the drying of the medium 90 is complete. In this process, the control unit 35 determines that the drying of the medium 90 is complete when there is a drying completion instruction from the user. If the control unit 35 determines that the drying of the medium 90 is not complete, the control unit 35 proceeds to step S10. If the control unit 35 determines that the drying of the medium 90 is complete, the control unit 35 ends the drying control process. In other words, the control unit 35 repeatedly executes steps S10 to S16 until it determines that the drying of the medium 90 is complete.

[0123] <Actions and Effects of the Third Embodiment> The operation and effects of the third embodiment will be described. (3-1) The moving unit 75 moves the heating unit 36, the first contact unit 71, and the second contact unit 72 in the transport direction D while the medium 90 is sandwiched between the first contact unit 71 and the second contact unit 72. With this configuration, the medium 90 can be dried while being transported in the transport direction D. This improves the drying performance of the medium 90. Therefore, the medium 90 can be dried while maintaining the quality of the medium 90.

[0124] (3-2) Thereafter, the moving unit 75 moves the heating unit 36, the first contact unit 71, and the second contact unit 72 in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction D, while releasing the medium 90 from the clamping state between the first contact unit 71 and the second contact unit 72. With this configuration, the medium 90 can be repeatedly dried by moving the heating unit 36, the first contact unit 71, and the second contact unit 72 in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction D. This improves the drying performance of the medium 90. Therefore, the medium 90 can be dried while maintaining the quality of the medium 90.

[0125] [Example of change] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0126] In the first embodiment, the second contact portion 52 may be a roller that rotates in response to a driving force from a driving source. Alternatively, the second contact portion 52 may be a roller that rotates in response to contact with the medium 90 being transported, regardless of the driving source.

[0127] In the second embodiment, the first contact portion 61 may be a roller that rotates in response to a driving force from a driving source. The first contact portion 61 may also be a roller that rotates in response to contact with the medium 90 being transported, regardless of the driving source.

[0128] In the second embodiment, the second contact portion 62 may be a roller that rotates in response to a driving force from a driving source. The second contact portion 62 may also be a roller that rotates in response to contact with the medium 90 being transported, regardless of the driving source.

[0129] In the third embodiment, the lifting unit 78 may lift and lower the heating unit 36 ​​and the first contact unit 71 along the vertical direction Z. The lifting unit 78 may lift and lower the first insulation unit 73 along the vertical direction Z. The lifting unit 78 may lift and lower the heating unit 36, the first contact unit 71, and the second contact unit 72 along the vertical direction Z. The lifting unit 78 may lift and lower the first insulation unit 73 and the second insulation unit 74 along the vertical direction Z.

[0130] The control unit 35 may transport the medium 90 continuously or may transport the medium 90 intermittently. The heating unit 36 ​​may generate electromagnetic waves such that the intensity of the electromagnetic waves in the pre-drying step is higher than the intensity of the electromagnetic waves in the main drying step. The heating unit 36 ​​may generate electromagnetic waves such that the intensity of the electromagnetic waves in the pre-drying step is lower than the intensity of the electromagnetic waves in the main drying step.

[0131] The control unit 35 may control the high-frequency voltage generating unit 31 to generate pulsed electromagnetic waves in the preliminary drying step. The control unit 35 may control the high-frequency voltage generating unit 31 to generate pulsed electromagnetic waves in the main drying step.

[0132] The heating unit 36 ​​is disposed so that its longitudinal direction is the width direction X, but may be disposed so that its longitudinal direction is the depth direction Y. The heating unit 36 ​​may be disposed so that its longitudinal direction is inclined with respect to the width direction X and the depth direction Y, for example.

[0133] The drying unit 30 may include a plurality of heating sections 36. When the drying unit 30 includes a plurality of heating sections 36, the plurality of heating sections 36 may be arranged in a plurality of rows in the width direction X. When the drying unit 30 includes a plurality of heating sections 36, the plurality of heating sections 36 may be arranged in a plurality of rows in the depth direction Y.

[0134] The control unit 35 may control the high-frequency voltage supplied from the high-frequency voltage generation unit 31 to the heating unit 36 ​​by the heating unit 36 ​​itself, rather than by the high-frequency voltage generation unit 31. The relationship between the high-frequency voltage generation unit 31 and the heating unit 36 ​​may be one-to-many or one-to-one.

[0135] The heating unit 36 ​​may be provided integrally with the first contact portions 51, 61, and 71. That is, the heating unit 36 ​​may include the first contact portions 51, 61, and 71. In this case, the first contact portions 51, 61, and 71 are provided between the first electrode 41 and the medium 90 and between the second electrode and the medium 90.

[0136] At least one of the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 is not limited to a flat plate shape and may be, for example, a generally flat plate shape or a curved surface shape. The generally flat plate shape may include, for example, a shape curved in the thickness direction, which is the direction along the vertical direction Z, or a linear shape with an extremely large aspect ratio of a rectangular shape. At least one of the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 may be a shape having a thickness in the vertical direction Z, and multiple electrode members may be connected in the vertical direction Z.

[0137] At least one of the first electrode surface 41A and the second electrode surface 42A may be flat, substantially flat, or curved. The substantially flat shape may include, for example, a shape curved in the thickness direction, which is the direction along the vertical direction Z, or a linear shape with an extremely large aspect ratio of a rectangular shape.

[0138] During the first period, the heating unit 36 ​​may heat the medium 90 without the medium 90 being sandwiched between the first contact portions 51, 61, 71 and the second contact portions 52, 62, 72. The heating unit 36 ​​may dry the medium 90 by generating infrared rays instead of electromagnetic waves.

[0139] The heating unit 36 ​​may be provided in the recording device 11, rather than in the drying device 12. That is, the recording device 11 may include the heating unit 36. In this case, the heating unit 36 ​​may be provided downstream of the recording unit 20 in the transport direction D. In this way, the heating unit 36 ​​may be applied to the recording device 11, rather than the drying device 12.

[0140] A lateral printer may be used as the recording device 11. A lateral printer is a printer in which a carriage 25 can move in two directions, the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.

[0141] The medium 90 is not limited to a roll, and may be paper, a resin film or sheet, a resin-metal composite film, a laminate film, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a metal foil, a metal film, a ceramic sheet, clothing, or the like.

[0142] The liquid can be any pigment ink that adheres to the medium 90 and records on the medium 90. The pigment ink may contain a solvent other than glycerin. In such cases, the intensity of the electromagnetic waves irradiated onto the medium may be varied depending on the boiling point and solvent ratio of the solvent contained in the pigment ink. Specifically, the intensity of the electromagnetic waves irradiated onto the medium can be adjusted by adjusting at least one of the first pulse width, the second pulse width, the number of times the electromagnetic waves are generated at the second pulse width, the intensity at which the electromagnetic waves are generated, and the number and arrangement of the heating units 36. The liquid may be a liquid other than pigment ink.

[0143] The phrase "at least any" used herein means one or more of the desired options. As an example, when the number of options is two, the phrase "at least any" used herein means only one option or both options. As another example, when the number of options is three or more, the phrase "at least any" used herein means only one option or any combination of two or more options.

[0144] [Note] The technical concepts and their effects that can be understood from the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below. The technical concepts and their effects can be combined with each other to the extent that they are not technically inconsistent.

[0145] (A) The drying device includes a heating unit that heats a medium onto which pigment ink containing pigment, water, and a solvent has been ejected, a first contact unit that is provided between the heating unit and the medium and is capable of contacting the medium, and a second contact unit that is provided in a position that sandwiches the medium relative to the heating unit and is capable of contacting the medium, wherein the heating unit heats the pigment ink ejected onto the medium while the medium is sandwiched between the first contact unit and the second contact unit during a first period to evaporate the water contained in the pigment ink, and then heats the pigment ink ejected onto the medium while the medium is sandwiched between the first contact unit and the second contact unit during a second period to evaporate the solvent contained in the pigment ink, and after the medium has been heated by the heating unit, releases the medium from being sandwiched between the first contact unit and the second contact unit.

[0146] According to this configuration, when the solvent is vaporized in the second period, the moisture vaporized in the first period remains near the medium. This reduces the difference in heat generation amount of the pigment ink depending on the type of medium and the type of liquid. In addition, by improving the airtightness between the first contact portion and the second contact portion and the medium, the medium can be dried in an environment where the pigment ink is less likely to oxidize. This reduces imbalance in the distance between the medium and the heating portion. This reduces shrinkage of the medium caused by heating the medium. This reduces thermal degradation of the medium. Therefore, the medium can be dried while maintaining its quality.

[0147] (B) The drying device may include an air blowing section that blows air onto the medium that has been released from the clamping between the first contact section and the second contact section. This configuration vaporizes water from the medium during the first period, vaporizes the solvent from the medium during the second period, and then removes the vaporized water and solvent from the medium from the vicinity of the medium. This improves the drying performance of the medium and improves its abrasion resistance. This allows the medium to be dried while maintaining its quality.

[0148] (C) In the above drying device, the heating unit may have a first electrode, a second electrode arranged to surround the first electrode in a planar view from a first direction toward the medium, a first conductor having a coil and electrically connecting the first electrode to a transmission line capable of transmitting a high-frequency voltage, and a second conductor electrically connecting the transmission line to the second electrode, and the heating unit may heat the medium onto which the pigment ink has been ejected by generating electromagnetic waves in response to the application of a high-frequency voltage.

[0149] This configuration allows the medium to dry in a short time by boiling the pigment ink ejected onto the medium. In addition, even when high-intensity electromagnetic waves are generated, thermal degradation of the medium can be suppressed. Therefore, the medium can be dried while maintaining its quality.

[0150] (D) In ​​the drying device, at least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion may have an uneven contact surface that contacts the medium. This configuration increases the amount of moisture retained near the medium and improves the transportability of the medium, thereby allowing the medium to be dried while maintaining its quality.

[0151] (E) In the drying device, at least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion may be configured to include glass. According to this configuration, at least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion includes glass, thereby improving the transportability of the medium.

[0152] (F) The drying device may include a moving unit that moves the heating unit, the first contact unit, and the second contact unit along a transport direction in which the medium is transported, and the moving unit may move the heating unit, the first contact unit, and the second contact unit in the transport direction while the medium is sandwiched between the first contact unit and the second contact unit, and then move the heating unit, the first contact unit, and the second contact unit in a direction opposite to the transport direction while the medium is released from being sandwiched between the first contact unit and the second contact unit.

[0153] According to this configuration, by moving the heating unit, the first contact unit, and the second contact unit in the transport direction, the medium can be dried while being transported in the transport direction. In addition, by moving the heating unit, the first contact unit, and the second contact unit in the opposite direction to the transport direction, the medium can be repeatedly dried. This improves the drying performance of the medium. Therefore, the medium can be dried while maintaining its quality.

[0154] (G) In the drying device, the first contact portion may have a curved surface. This configuration improves the airtightness between the medium and the first contact portion when the medium is transported along the curved transport path. This reduces thermal degradation of the medium. This allows the medium to be dried while maintaining its quality.

[0155] (H) In the drying device, the second contact portion may be a roller having a curved surface. This configuration improves the airtightness between the medium and the second contact portion when the medium is transported along the curved second contact portion, and also improves the transportability of the medium. This reduces thermal degradation of the medium. This allows the medium to be dried while maintaining its quality.

[0156] (I) A recording device includes a recording unit that performs recording by ejecting a pigment ink containing a pigment, water, and a solvent onto a medium, a heating unit that heats the medium onto which the pigment ink has been ejected by the recording unit, a first contact unit that is disposed between the heating unit and the medium and is capable of contacting the medium, and a second contact unit that is disposed at a position that sandwiches the medium relative to the heating unit and is also capable of contacting the medium, wherein the heating unit heats the pigment ink ejected onto the medium while the medium is sandwiched between the first contact unit and the second contact unit during a first period to vaporize the water contained in the pigment ink, and then heats the pigment ink ejected onto the medium while the medium is sandwiched between the first contact unit and the second contact unit during a second period to vaporize the solvent contained in the pigment ink, and after the medium has been heated by the heating unit, releases the sandwiching of the medium between the first contact unit and the second contact unit. This configuration can achieve the same effect as (A). [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 10...recording system, 11...recording device, 12...drying device, 13...feeding section, 13A...feeding roller, 14...winding section, 14A...winding roller, 20...recording section, 21...recording support section, 22...recording transport section, 23...head, 24...nozzle surface, 25...carriage, 26...carriage support section, 30...drying unit, 31...high frequency voltage generating section, 32...transmission line, 33...drying Drying and conveying section, 34... air blowing section, 35... control section, 36... heating section, 41... first electrode, 41A... first electrode surface, 42... second electrode, 42A... second electrode surface, 42B... opening, 43... first conductor, 43A... coil, 43B... conducting wire, 44... second conductor, 44A... support, 44B... connecting section, 44C... top plate, 51... first contact section, 51A... first contact surface, 52... second contact section, 52A... second contact Contact surface, 53...first insulating portion, 54...second insulating portion, 55...groove portion, 55A...first groove portion, 55B...second groove portion, 55C...third groove portion, 61...first contact portion, 61A...first contact surface, 62...second contact portion, 62A...second contact surface, 63...first insulating portion, 64...second insulating portion, 71...first contact portion, 71A...first contact surface, 72...second contact portion, 72A...second contact surface, 73...first insulating portion, 74...second insulation section, 75...moving section, 76...first moving section, 77...second moving section, 78...lifting section, 90...medium, 90A...front surface, 90B...back surface, 91...first roll body, 92...second roll body, D...conveyance direction, X...width direction, X1...first width direction, X2...second width direction, Y...depth direction, Y1...first depth direction, Y2...second depth direction, Z...vertical direction, Z1...upward, Z2...downward.

Claims

1. a heating unit that heats a medium onto which a pigment ink containing a pigment, water, and a solvent is ejected; a first contact portion provided between the heating portion and the medium and capable of contacting the medium; a second contact portion that is provided at a position across the medium from the heating portion and that is capable of contacting the medium; Equipped with the heating unit vaporizes the water contained in the pigment ink by heating the pigment ink ejected onto the medium while the medium is sandwiched between the first contact portion and the second contact portion during a first period, and then vaporizes the solvent contained in the pigment ink by heating the pigment ink ejected onto the medium while the medium is sandwiched between the first contact portion and the second contact portion during a second period, After the medium is heated by the heating unit, the medium is released from the clamping between the first contact unit and the second contact unit. A drying device characterized by:

2. The drying device according to claim 1, a blower that blows air to the medium that has been released from the clamping by the first contact portion and the second contact portion; A drying device characterized by:

3. The drying device according to claim 1 or 2, The heating unit is A first electrode; a second electrode disposed to surround the first electrode in a plan view from a first direction toward the medium; a first conductor having a coil and electrically connecting a transmission line capable of transmitting a high frequency voltage to the first electrode; a second conductor electrically connecting the transmission line and the second electrode; and the heating unit generates electromagnetic waves in response to application of a high-frequency voltage, thereby heating the medium onto which the pigment ink has been ejected; A drying device characterized by:

4. The drying device according to claim 1 or 2, At least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion has an uneven contact surface that contacts the medium. A drying device characterized by:

5. The drying device according to claim 1 or 2, At least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion is configured to include glass. A drying device characterized by:

6. The drying device according to claim 1 or 2, a moving unit that moves the heating unit, the first contact unit, and the second contact unit along a transport direction in which the medium is transported, the moving unit moves the heating unit, the first contact unit, and the second contact unit in the transport direction while the medium is sandwiched between the first contact unit and the second contact unit, and then moves the heating unit, the first contact unit, and the second contact unit in the direction opposite to the transport direction while the medium is released from being sandwiched between the first contact unit and the second contact unit. A drying device characterized by:

7. The drying device according to claim 1 or 2, The first contact portion has a curved surface. A drying device characterized by:

8. The drying device according to claim 1 or 2, The second contact portion is a roller having a curved surface. A drying device characterized by:

9. a recording unit that performs recording by ejecting a pigment ink containing a pigment, water, and a solvent onto a medium; a heating unit that heats the medium onto which the pigment ink has been ejected by the recording unit; a first contact portion provided between the heating portion and the medium and capable of contacting the medium; a second contact portion that is provided at a position across the medium from the heating portion and that is capable of contacting the medium; Equipped with the heating unit vaporizes the water contained in the pigment ink by heating the pigment ink ejected onto the medium while the medium is sandwiched between the first contact portion and the second contact portion during a first period, and then vaporizes the solvent contained in the pigment ink by heating the pigment ink ejected onto the medium while the medium is sandwiched between the first contact portion and the second contact portion during a second period, After the medium is heated by the heating unit, the medium is released from the clamping between the first contact unit and the second contact unit. A recording device characterized by:

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