Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a dryer which can inhibit a medium from obliquely inclining on a support part, and to provide a liquid discharge device.SOLUTION: A dryer 31 dries a transported medium 99 and includes: a support part 32 which supports the medium; and a non-contact heater facing the support part. The support part has: a first support part 35; and a second support part 36 located at a position different from that of the first support part in a transport direction of the transported medium. The medium bends along the second support part and the first support part is formed of an aluminum material. The second support part is formed of a material having a heat expansion coefficient smaller than that of the aluminum material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a drying device that includes a support section that supports a medium being transported, and an irradiation section that dries the medium by irradiating the medium supported by the support section with infrared rays. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-24636 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such a drying device, the support part may expand due to heat from the irradiation part. When the support part expands, the shape of the support part may change, causing the medium transported on the support part to tilt obliquely. If the medium tilts obliquely on the support part, the medium may not be transported properly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A drying device that solves the above problem is a drying device that dries a medium being transported, and is equipped with a support part that supports the medium and a non-contact heater facing the support part, the support part has a first support part and a second support part that is located at a position different from the first support part in the transport direction of the medium being transported, the medium bends along the second support part, the first support part is made of aluminum material, and the second support part is made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the aluminum material.

[0006] A liquid ejection device that solves the above problem includes a support part that supports a medium, a non-contact heater facing the support part, and a transport part that transports the medium, the support part having a first support part and a second support part that is located at a position different from the first support part in the transport direction of the transported medium, the medium bends along the second support part, the first support part is made of aluminum material, and the second support part is made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the aluminum material. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a liquid ejection apparatus including a drying device. [Diagram 2] Top view of the drying device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a side view of a liquid ejection device including a drying device with a modified support portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a liquid ejection device including a drying device will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid ejection device is, for example, an inkjet printer that records images such as characters and photographs by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper.

[0009] 1, the liquid ejection device 11 includes an ejection unit 28 that ejects liquid onto a transported medium 99. The liquid ejection device 11 includes a drying device 31 that dries the transported medium 99. The drying device 31 of this embodiment dries the medium 99 onto which the liquid has been ejected by the ejection unit 28.

[0010] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a housing 12. The liquid ejection device 11 includes a base 13 that supports the housing 12. In this embodiment, the housing 12 is located above the base 13. The liquid ejection device 11 includes a transport unit 14 that transports a medium 99. The transport unit 14 is provided inside the housing 12. The transport unit 14 of this embodiment transports a medium 99 placed outside the housing 12.

[0011] The liquid ejection device 11 may include a mounting unit 16 on which a roll body 100 on which the medium 99 is wound can be mounted. The mounting unit 16 is attached to, for example, the base 13. The mounting unit 16 supports, in a rotatable state, the roll body 100 on which the medium 99 is wound before the liquid is ejected. When the conveying unit 14 is driven, the medium 99 is unwound from the roll body 100.

[0012] The liquid ejection device 11 may be configured to eject liquid onto the medium 99 that is unwound from a roll body 100 placed on an installation surface on which the liquid ejection device 11 is installed. The liquid ejection device 11 may be configured to eject liquid onto the medium 99 that is unwound from a device other than the liquid ejection device 11. For example, a device other than the liquid ejection device 11 may include the placement unit 16. The liquid ejection device 11 is not limited to a configuration that ejects liquid onto the medium 99 that is unwound from the roll body 100. For example, the liquid ejection device 11 may be configured to eject liquid onto a long medium 99 such as fanfold paper.

[0013] The liquid ejection device 11 may include a winding unit 17 that winds up the medium 99. The winding unit 17 is attached to the base 13, for example. The winding unit 17 winds up the medium 99 onto which the liquid has been ejected, as a roll body 100. The winding unit 17 winds up the medium 99 that has passed through the drying device 31. The liquid ejection device 11 may be configured to transport the medium 99 onto which the liquid has been ejected to a device other than the liquid ejection device 11. For example, a device other than the liquid ejection device 11 may include the winding unit 17. The liquid ejection device 11 may be configured to cause a device other than the liquid ejection device 11 to take up the medium 99 onto which the liquid has been ejected.

[0014] The liquid ejection device 11 may include a tension applying member 18 that applies tension to the medium 99. The tension applying member 18 applies tension to the medium 99 by coming into contact with the medium 99. By the tension applying member 18 applying tension to the medium 99, it is possible to cause the liquid to land accurately on the medium 99. The tension applying member 18 of the present embodiment comes into contact with a portion of the medium 99 that has passed through the drying device 31.

[0015] The tensioning member 18 is attached, for example, to the base 13. The tensioning member 18 may be attached so as to be displaceable with respect to the base 13. In this way, the amount of tension applied to the medium 99 can be adjusted by displacing the tensioning member 18.

[0016] Tensioning member 18 may be displaced so that a constant tension is applied to medium 99. In this case, tensioning member 18 is displaced according to the speed at which winding unit 17 winds up medium 99, for example.

[0017] A device other than the liquid ejection device 11 may apply tension to the medium 99. For example, a device other than the liquid ejection device 11 may include the tension applying member 18. The liquid ejection device 11 of the present embodiment includes a first support table 21 and a second support table 22. The first support table 21 and the second support table 22 support a medium 99 transported by the transport unit . In the transport direction of the transported medium 99, the first support stand 21 and the second support stand 22 are positioned in this order. The second support stand 22 is positioned inside the housing 12. In this embodiment, the direction in which the medium 99 is transported along the transport path is defined as the transport direction.

[0018] The discharge unit 28 is located inside the housing 12. The discharge unit 28 in this embodiment is located at a position facing the second support stand 22. Therefore, the discharge unit 28 discharges liquid onto the medium 99 supported by the second support stand 22.

[0019] The liquid ejection device 11 of this embodiment includes a carriage 29 on which the ejection unit 28 is mounted. The carriage 29 scans the transported medium 99. In other words, the liquid ejection device 11 of this embodiment is a serial printer in which the ejection unit 28 scans the medium 99. The liquid ejection device 11 may also be a line printer in which the ejection unit 28 is provided in a long length.

[0020] The transport unit 14 of this embodiment has a first roller 25 and a second roller 26. The first roller 25 and the second roller 26 rotate while sandwiching the medium 99 to transport the medium 99. The first roller 25 and the second roller 26 are positioned so as to sandwich the medium 99 between the first support table 21 and the second support table 22 in the transport direction.

[0021] Next, the drying device 31 will be described. The drying device 31 includes a support section 32 that supports a medium 99, and a radiation heater 33 as a non-contact heater facing the support section 32. The support section 32 of this embodiment supports the medium 99 to be taken up by the take-up section 17. The support section 32 of this embodiment supports the medium 99 to which tension is applied by the tension applying member 18. The support section 32 of this embodiment supports the medium 99 to which liquid is discharged by the discharge section 28. Note that while the drying device 31 of this embodiment includes the radiation heater 33 as a non-contact heater, any heater may be used as long as it faces the support section 32. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a heating section is provided in a circulation path 44 described below, and heated air is sent from an air outlet 47 described below.

[0022] The support portion 32 is made of, for example, metal. The support portion 32 has a first support portion 35 and a second support portion 36 located at a position different from the first support portion 35 in the transport direction. In this embodiment, the second support portion 36 is located downstream of the first support portion 35 in the transport direction.

[0023] The first support portion 35 in this embodiment is configured to be continuous with the second support portion 36. Therefore, in this embodiment, the downstream end 35B of the first support portion 35 contacts the upstream end 36A of the second support portion 36. The downstream end 35B refers to the downstream end of the first support portion 35 in the conveying direction. The upstream end 36A refers to the upstream end of the second support portion 36 in the conveying direction.

[0024] The medium 99 is bent by coming into contact with the second support portion 36. That is, the medium 99 is bent along the second support portion 36. The medium 99 is bent, for example, at the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36. The downstream end 36B refers to the downstream end of the second support portion 36 in the conveying direction. In this embodiment, the medium 99 is bent so as to wrap around the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36. Note that in this specification, bending simply refers to bending and also includes curving.

[0025] In this embodiment, the medium 99 is bent at the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36 by being wound around the winding portion 17. That is, the medium 99 is pulled by being wound around the winding portion 17. At this time, the medium 99 comes into contact with the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36 so as to be wrapped around it. As a result, the medium 99 is bent at the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36. It can also be said that the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36 guides the medium 99 towards the winding portion 17. The medium 99 may be bent at the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36 by being transported to a device other than the liquid ejection device 11.

[0026] The tension applying member 18 of the present embodiment comes into contact with the medium 99 so as to press the medium against the second support portion 36. This causes the medium 99 to bend so as to follow the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36. It can also be said that the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36 guides the medium 99 towards the tension applying member 18.

[0027] The support portion 32 of this embodiment has a third support portion 37. The third support portion 37 is located upstream of the first support portion 35 in the transport direction. Therefore, in the transport direction, the third support portion 37, the first support portion 35, and the second support portion 36 are located in this order. That is, the third support portion 37 constitutes the upstream portion of the support portion 32, the first support portion 35 constitutes the midstream portion of the support portion 32, and the second support portion 36 constitutes the downstream portion of the support portion 32. The third support portion 37 is located downstream of the position where the liquid is discharged by the discharge portion 28 in the transport direction.

[0028] The third support portion 37 in this embodiment is configured to be continuous with the first support portion 35. Therefore, in this embodiment, the downstream end 37B of the third support portion 37 is in contact with the upstream end 35A of the first support portion 35. The downstream end 37B refers to the downstream end of the third support portion 37 in the transport direction. The upstream end 35A refers to the upstream end of the first support portion 35 in the transport direction. The upstream end 37A of the third support portion 37 is located inside the housing 12. The upstream end 37A refers to the upstream end of the third support portion 37 in the transport direction.

[0029] The medium 99 is bent by coming into contact with the third support portion 37. That is, the medium 99 is bent along the third support portion 37. The third support portion 37 of the present embodiment has a bending portion 38 that is bent. Therefore, the medium 99 supported by the third support portion 37 is bent so as to bend along the bending portion 38. The medium 99 is bent so as to be wrapped around the bending portion 38 of the third support portion 37.

[0030] The bent portion 38 is located at a position closer to the upstream end 37A in the third support portion 37 between the upstream end 37A and the downstream end 37B. In this embodiment, the third support portion 37 supports the medium 99 while bending it, whereas the first support portion 35 and the second support portion 36 support the medium 99 in a flat state.

[0031] The medium 99 is bent by the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36 and the bending portion 38 of the third support portion 37. When the medium 99 is bent, the direction in which the medium 99 is transported changes. In this embodiment, when the medium 99 is bent at the bending portion 38, the direction in which the medium 99 is transported is changed from the direction along the second support base 22 to the direction along the first support portion 35. When the medium 99 is bent at the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36, the direction in which the medium 99 is transported is changed from the direction along the first support portion 35 to the direction from the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36 toward the tension applying member 18.

[0032] The irradiating heater 33 irradiates infrared rays toward the supporting portion 32. The irradiating heater 33 heats the supporting portion 32 and the medium 99 supported by the supporting portion 32. As a result, the medium 99 is heated while being transported on the supporting portion 32. As a result, the medium 99 is dried.

[0033] The irradiating heater 33 in this embodiment is formed of a heater tube. The irradiating heater 33 is positioned to face the surface of the supporting part 32, which is the surface of the supporting part 32 that comes into contact with the medium 99. The irradiating heater 33 is configured to be elongated in the width direction of the medium 99 being transported.

[0034] The drying device 31 of this embodiment has two irradiating heaters 33. The two irradiating heaters 33 are positioned in a parallel orientation to each other. The two irradiating heaters 33 are positioned along the support portion 32.

[0035] The drying device 31 of the present embodiment has a case 42 that houses the irradiating heater 33, and a circulation unit 43 that circulates gas within the case 42. The case 42 is positioned such that an opening of the case 42 faces the surface of the support unit 32.

[0036] The circulation unit 43 has a circulation path 44 through which the gas flows, and a fan 45 located in the circulation path 44. The circulation path 44 is a flow path connecting an intake port 46 that takes in the gas and an air outlet 47 that sends out the gas. The circulation path 44 extends so as to surround the irradiating heater 33. The intake port 46 is located so as to face the second support part 36. The air outlet 47 is located so as to face the third support part 37. The circulation unit 43 circulates the gas heated by the irradiating heater 33 inside the case 42. This promotes drying of the medium 99.

[0037] The drying device 31 may have a reflector 48 that reflects heat from the radiant heater 33 toward the support 32. In this way, the medium 99 supported by the support 32 can be effectively heated by the radiant heater 33.

[0038] The first supporting portion 35 is made of an aluminum material. Generally, aluminum material has high thermal conductivity. Therefore, the first supporting portion 35 is easily heated by the heat of the irradiating heater 33. This makes it possible to effectively heat the medium 99 supported by the first supporting portion 35.

[0039] The aluminum material is, for example, a material specified by JIS H 4000. The first support portion 35 of the present embodiment is made of a material designated as A5052P. By making the first support portion 35 out of a material with high thermal conductivity, the medium 99 can be effectively heated in the first support portion 35.

[0040] In addition, when the first support section 35 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, the temperature of the medium 99 is less likely to vary in the width direction compared to when the first support section 35 is made of a material with low thermal conductivity. In general, the heat capacity of the support section 32 made of metal is greater than the heat capacity of the medium 99, so that when the medium 99 and the support section 32 are heated in the same manner by the irradiating heater 33, the temperature of the support section 32 is lower than the temperature of the medium 99. In addition, when the medium 99 is transported on the support section 32, the heat emitted from the irradiating heater 33 is blocked by the medium 99 in the area of ​​the support section 32 through which the medium 99 passes, and the medium 99 becomes hotter than the support section 32. Therefore, heat is transferred from the medium 99 to the first support section 35, and the temperature of the end portion in the width direction of the medium 99, where heat is particularly likely to transfer, is likely to decrease. Therefore, the temperature of the end portion of the medium 99 is lower than the temperature of the center portion.

[0041] If there is temperature variation in the medium 99, there is a risk that heat damage will occur in high temperature parts and that drying will be insufficient in low temperature parts. For this reason, it is preferable that there is little temperature variation in the medium 99. In this regard, if the first support part 35 is made of a member with high thermal conductivity, heat is likely to move from the center part of the medium 99, which is relatively hot, and heat is also likely to move within the first support part 35, so that the difference in temperature between the center part of the medium 99 and the edge parts of the medium 99 is likely to be small. Therefore, the temperature variation in the medium 99 in the width direction is likely to be small.

[0042] The drying device 31 promotes the drying of the medium 99 transported on the support part 32 most on the first support part 35. Therefore, it is preferable that the first support part 35 is made of a material with high emissivity. In this regard, aluminum material has a high emissivity due to the formation of an oxide film on its surface.

[0043] When the first support part 35 is made of an aluminum material with high emissivity, the first support part 35 can be heated to a high temperature quickly by the radiant heater 33. That is, since the first support part 35 has high emissivity, it effectively absorbs infrared rays from the radiant heater 33. This allows the first support part 35 to be heated quickly. When the first support part 35 is made of an aluminum material, the time required for warming up when operating the drying device 31 can be shortened.

[0044] When the first support section 35 is made of an aluminum material with a high emissivity, the temperature variation in the width direction of the medium 99 can be reduced. When the first support section 35 is made of an aluminum material with a high emissivity, the temperature difference between the medium 99 and the support section 32 is reduced. When the medium 99 is, for example, paper, it has a high emissivity. The first support section 35 is made of an aluminum material and has a high emissivity. Therefore, the medium 99 and the first support section 35 effectively absorb infrared rays from the irradiating heater 33. This reduces the temperature difference between the medium 99 and the first support section 35. This makes it difficult for the temperature of the end of the medium 99 to decrease, and reduces the temperature variation of the medium 99 in the width direction. If the first support section 35 is made of a material with a low emissivity, the temperature difference between the medium 99 and the first support section 35 is likely to be large.

[0045] In the present embodiment, the surface 51 of the first support portion 35 is anodized. By subjecting the surface 51 of the first support portion 35 to anodization, the emissivity of the first support portion 35 is improved. This can promote drying of the medium 99.

[0046] The support portion 32 may expand due to heating by the irradiating heater 33. When the support portion 32 expands, the posture of the medium 99 being transported on the support portion 32 may change. In particular, when the second support portion 36 that bends the medium 99 expands, the shape of the second support portion 36 changes, which may change the posture of the medium 99 being transported on the support portion 32. The medium 99 bends so as to follow the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36. That is, the medium 99 strongly contacts the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36. Therefore, the shape of the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36 affects the posture of the medium 99.

[0047] When the second support part 36 expands, a path length changes, which is the distance from the position where the transport part 14 pinches the medium 99 to the downstream end 36B of the second support part 36. If a difference in the path length occurs in the width direction of the medium 99, the medium 99 is likely to tilt obliquely on the support part 32.

[0048] In this embodiment, when the third support section 37 having the bent portion 38 expands, the shape of the third support section 37 changes, which may cause a change in the posture of the medium 99 transported on the support section 32. The medium 99 bends to follow the bent portion 38. That is, the medium 99 comes into strong contact with the bent portion 38 of the third support section 37. Therefore, the shape of the bent portion 38 of the third support section 37 affects the posture of the medium 99.

[0049] When the third support portion 37 expands, the path length, which is the distance from the position where the transport portion 14 pinches the medium 99 to the bent portion 38, changes. If a difference in the path length occurs in the width direction of the medium 99, the medium 99 is likely to tilt obliquely on the support portion 32.

[0050] As described above, when the second support portion 36 and the third support portion 37 of the support portion 32, which support the medium 99 in a manner that bends the medium, expand, the expansion is likely to affect the posture of the medium 99. Therefore, when the second support portion 36 or the third support portion 37 expands, there is a risk that the medium 99 being transported on the support portion 32 will tilt obliquely. The first support portion 35 only supports the transported medium 99 in a flat state and does not come into contact with the medium 99 in a manner that bends the medium 99, so even if it expands, the posture of the medium 99 is unlikely to be affected.

[0051] The aluminum material constituting the first support part 35 has high thermal conductivity and emissivity, but also has a high thermal expansion coefficient. Therefore, if the second support part 36 is made of an aluminum material with a high thermal expansion coefficient, the second support part 36 is likely to expand due to heating by the irradiating heater 33. If the second support part 36 expands, there is a risk that the medium 99 will tilt obliquely.

[0052] The thermal expansion coefficient varies depending on the temperature range. In this specification, the thermal expansion coefficient of any member refers to the average thermal expansion coefficient in the temperature range heated by the irradiating heater 33. The irradiating heater 33 is driven in a temperature range of, for example, 60°C to 100°C. In this case, the thermal expansion coefficient of any member in this embodiment is the average value in the temperature range of 60°C to 100°C.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, for example, when the second support portion 36 expands due to the heat of the irradiating heater 33, the shape of the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36 may become inclined as shown by the two-dot chain line. In this case, the medium 99 may be inclined obliquely according to the shape of the downstream end 36B of the second support portion 36. In the second support portion 36 of this embodiment, since the upstream end 36A is in contact with the downstream end 35B of the first support portion 35, the change in shape due to the expansion is likely to appear at the downstream end 36B. Therefore, the second support portion 36 is made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than aluminum material. As a result, the second support portion 36 is less likely to expand compared to the first support portion 35. By making the second support portion 36 less likely to expand, it is possible to suppress the medium 99 transported on the support portion 32 from being inclined obliquely.

[0054] The second support portion 36 of the present embodiment is made of SUS material. In general, the thermal expansion coefficient of SUS material is smaller than that of aluminum material. The second support portion 36 is made of, for example, SUS304.

[0055] When the third support portion 37 expands due to the heat of the irradiating heater 33, the shape of the bent portion 38 may become oblique. In this case, the medium 99 may be tilted obliquely in accordance with the shape of the bent portion 38. In the third support portion 37 of this embodiment, the downstream end 37B is in contact with the upstream end 35A of the first support portion 35, so that the change in shape due to the expansion is likely to appear at the upstream end 37A. Therefore, the shape of the bent portion 38 located closer to the upstream end 37A is likely to change.

[0056] The third support portion 37 of this embodiment is made of a material with a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than aluminum material. This makes the third support portion 37 less likely to expand than the first support portion 35. By making the third support portion 37 less likely to expand, it is possible to prevent the medium 99 transported on the support portion 32 from tilting obliquely. The third support portion 37 is made of, for example, the same material as the second support portion 36. Therefore, the third support portion 37 is made of SUS material. The third support portion 37 is made of SUS304.

[0057] In the present embodiment, the second support portion 36 is located downstream of the first support portion 35 and upstream of the winding portion 17 in the transport direction. Therefore, by preventing the transported medium 99 from tilting obliquely, the risk of the winding portion 17 winding up the obliquely tilted medium 99 can be reduced.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the second support portion 36 is located downstream of the first support portion 35 in the transport direction and upstream of the position where the tension applying member 18 contacts the medium 99. This makes it possible to prevent the transported medium 99 from tilting obliquely when tension is applied to the medium 99 by the tension applying member 18.

[0059] When the medium 99 is pressed against the second support portion 36 by the tension applying member 18, the expansion of the second support portion 36 makes the medium 99 more likely to tilt obliquely. Therefore, by forming the second support portion 36 from a material with a high thermal expansion coefficient, it is possible to reduce the risk that the tension applying member 18 pressing the medium 99 against the second support portion 36 will promote a change in the posture of the medium 99.

[0060] Next, the operation and effects of the above embodiment will be described. (1) The medium 99 is bent along the second support portion 36. Therefore, when the second support portion 36 expands due to heating by the irradiating heater 33, the shape of the second support portion 36 changes, and the posture of the medium 99 transported on the support portion 32 may change. As a result, the transported medium 99 may tilt obliquely. In response to this, the first support portion 35 is made of an aluminum material having a high thermal conductivity and a high emissivity in order to promote drying of the medium 99. On the other hand, the second support portion 36 is made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the aluminum material. That is, the second support portion 36 is less likely to expand than the first support portion 35. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the medium 99 from tilting obliquely on the support portion 32.

[0061] (2) Second support portion 36 is located downstream of first support portion 35 and upstream of winding portion 17 in the transport direction. In this case, it is possible to reduce the risk that winding portion 17 will wind up medium 99 that is in an oblique state.

[0062] (3) The second support portion 36 is located downstream of the first support portion 35 in the transport direction and upstream of the position where the tension applying member 18 contacts the medium 99. When the tension applying member 18 presses the medium 99 against the second support portion 36, the medium 99 is more likely to tilt obliquely if the second support portion 36 expands. In this regard, according to the above embodiment, when tension is applied to the medium 99 by the tension applying member 18, the transported medium 99 can be prevented from tilting obliquely.

[0063] (4) The medium 99 bends upon contact with the third support portion 37. Therefore, when the third support portion 37 expands due to heating by the irradiating heater 33, the shape of the third support portion 37 changes, which may cause the posture of the medium 99 being transported over the support portion 32 to change. As a result, there is a risk that the medium 99 being transported will tilt obliquely. In response to this, the third support portion 37 is made of a material that has a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than aluminum. That is, the third support portion 37 is less likely to expand than the first support portion 35. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the medium 99 being transported from tilting obliquely. By preventing the medium 99 from tilting obliquely between the discharge portion 28 and the third support portion 37, it is possible to reduce the risk that the landing position of the liquid discharged by the discharge portion 28 on the medium 99 will shift.

[0064] (5) The surface 51 of the first support portion 35 that comes into contact with the medium 99 is anodized. The anodization improves the emissivity of the first support portion 35. In other words, the first support portion 35 heats up easily, which can promote drying of the medium 99.

[0065] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction. 3, the second support portion 36 may be located upstream of the first support portion 35 in the transport direction. In this case, the second support portion 36 is located downstream of the position where the liquid is discharged by the discharge portion 28 in the transport direction.

[0066] The second support part 36 in this modified example is made of a material having a higher thermal expansion coefficient than aluminum, such as SUS material, and has a bent part 39. The medium 99 transported on the support part 32 is bent at the bent part 39 of the second support part 36. The medium 99 that has passed through the drying device 31 is transported toward the installation surface on which the liquid ejection device 11 is installed.

[0067] According to this modification, the following effects can be obtained. (6) The medium 99 can be prevented from tilting obliquely between the discharge portion 28 and the second support portion 36. This allows the liquid to land with high precision on the medium 99. As a result, a high-quality image can be recorded on the medium 99.

[0068] The medium 99 is not limited to a long sheet of paper fed from the roll 100, but may be cut sheets of paper. The medium 99 is not limited to paper, but may be fabric. The liquid ejected by the ejection unit 28 is not limited to ink, and may be, for example, a liquid in which particles of a functional material are dispersed or mixed in a liquid. For example, the ejection unit 28 may eject a liquid containing, in a dispersed or dissolved form, a material such as an electrode material or a pixel material used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescence displays, and surface-emitting displays.

[0069] The technical ideas and effects obtained from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below. The drying device is a drying device that dries a medium being transported, and is equipped with a support part that supports the medium and a non-contact heater facing the support part, the support part has a first support part and a second support part that is located at a position different from the first support part in the transport direction of the medium being transported, the medium bends along the second support part, the first support part is made of aluminum material, and the second support part is made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the aluminum material.

[0070] The medium bends along the second support part. Therefore, when the second support part expands due to heating by the irradiating heater, the shape of the second support part changes, and the posture of the medium transported on the support part may change. As a result, the transported medium may tilt obliquely. In response to this, the first support part is made of an aluminum material having a high thermal conductivity and a high emissivity in order to promote drying of the medium. On the other hand, the second support part is made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the aluminum material. In other words, the second support part is less likely to expand than the first support part. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the medium from tilting obliquely on the support part.

[0071] In the drying device, the support section may support the medium to be wound by a winding section, and the second support section may be located downstream of the first support section and upstream of the winding section in the transport direction.

[0072] This configuration can reduce the risk of the take-up section taking up the medium at an angle. In the above drying device, the support portion supports the medium to which tension is applied by a tension application member, the tension application member contacts the medium so as to press the medium against the second support portion, and the second support portion may be located downstream of the first support portion and upstream of a position where the tension application member contacts the medium in the transport direction.

[0073] When the medium is pressed against the second support portion by the tension applying member, the medium is more likely to tilt at an angle if the second support portion expands. In this regard, according to the above configuration, when tension is applied to the medium by the tension applying member, it is possible to prevent the medium being transported from tilting at an angle.

[0074] In the above drying device, the support portion supports the medium onto which liquid has been ejected by the ejection portion, and the second support portion may be located upstream of the first support portion and downstream of a position where liquid is ejected by the ejection portion in the transport direction.

[0075] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the medium from tilting obliquely between the ejection portion and the second support portion. In the above drying device, the support part supporting the medium onto which liquid has been ejected by the ejection part has a third support part located upstream of the first support part and downstream of the position where the liquid is ejected by the ejection part in the transport direction, the medium bends upon contact with the third support part, and the third support part may be made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the aluminum material.

[0076] The medium is bent by contacting the third support part. Therefore, when the third support part expands due to heating by the irradiating heater, the shape of the third support part changes, and the attitude of the medium transported on the support part may change. As a result, the transported medium may tilt obliquely. In contrast, the third support part is made of a material with a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than aluminum. In other words, the third support part is less likely to expand compared to the first support part. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the transported medium from tilting obliquely. By suppressing the medium from tilting obliquely between the discharge part and the third support part, it is possible to reduce the risk of the landing position of the liquid discharged by the discharge part on the medium being shifted.

[0077] In the drying device, a surface of the first support portion that comes into contact with the medium may be anodized. The alumite treatment improves the emissivity of the first support part, which means that the first support part heats up easily and can promote drying of the medium.

[0078] The liquid ejection device includes a support part that supports a medium, a non-contact heater facing the support part, and a transport part that transports the medium, the support part having a first support part and a second support part that is located at a position different from the first support part in the transport direction of the transported medium, the medium bends along the second support part, the first support part is made of aluminum material, and the second support part is made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the aluminum material.

[0079] According to this configuration, the same effects as those of the drying device described above can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] Reference Signs List 11...liquid discharge device, 12...casing, 13...base, 14...transport section, 16...mounting section, 17...winding section, 18...tension applying member, 21...first support table, 22...second support table, 25...first roller, 26...second roller, 28...discharge section, 29...carriage, 31...drying device, 32...support section, 33...irradiation heater as non-contact heater, 35...first support Holding portion, 35A...upstream end, 35B...downstream end, 36...second support portion, 36A...upstream end, 36B...downstream end, 37...third support portion, 37A...upstream end, 37B...downstream end, 38...bent portion, 39...bent portion, 42...case, 43...circulation portion, 44...circulation path, 45...fan, 46...air intake port, 47...air outlet port, 48...reflector, 51...surface, 99...medium, 100...roll body.

Claims

1. a transport unit that transports the medium in a transport direction; A discharge unit that discharges a liquid onto the medium; A support portion that supports the medium; A non-contact heater facing the support portion; Equipped with The support portion includes a first support portion and a second support portion located downstream of the first support portion in the transport direction. Two support parts, the second support portion is made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the first support portion, The non-contact heater is a circulator that connects an intake port that takes in gas and an outlet port that sends out the gas. A liquid ejection device comprising: a circulation path; and a heating unit provided within the circulation path.

2. A conveying section that conveys a medium in a conveying direction; A discharge unit that discharges a liquid onto the medium; A support portion that supports the medium; A non-contact heater facing the support portion; a winding section that winds up the medium; Equipped with The support portion includes a first support portion and a second support portion located downstream of the first support portion in the transport direction. Two support parts, the second support portion is made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the first support portion, The non-contact heater is a circulator that connects an intake port that takes in gas and an outlet port that sends out the gas. A circulation path and a heating unit provided in the circulation path, The winding section is located downstream of the second support section in the conveying direction. Liquid discharge device.

3. A conveying section that conveys a medium in a conveying direction; A discharge unit that discharges a liquid onto the medium; A support portion that supports the medium; A non-contact heater facing the support portion; a tension applying member that applies tension to the medium; Equipped with The support portion includes a first support portion and a second support portion located downstream of the first support portion in the transport direction. Two support parts, the second support portion is made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the first support portion, The non-contact heater is a circulator that connects an intake port that takes in gas and an outlet port that sends out the gas. A circulation path and a heating unit provided in the circulation path, The tension applying member is located downstream of the second support portion in the conveying direction. A liquid ejection device comprising:

4. The first support portion is made of an aluminum material, and an oxide film is formed on the surface of the aluminum material. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second support part is made of SUS material.

13. The liquid ejection device according to claim 12 .

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