Recording system and drying device

Abstract

To provide a recording system that can properly dry a recording medium having liquid made to adhere thereto.SOLUTION: A recording system 100 comprises a recording device 11 having a recording part 20 that performs recording on a recording medium M by making liquid to adhere to the medium, and a drying device 51 having a drying mechanism 55 that dries the recording medium M having the liquid made to adhere thereto. The recording device 11 has a support surface 25a for supporting the recording medium M at a downstream side of the recording part 20. The drying device 51 is configured to be attachable to the recording device 11 at a position at which the support surface 25a opposes to the drying mechanism 55. Either of the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 has a regulating member 71 that regulates an interval S between the support surface 25a and the drying mechanism 55 to a predetermined interval when the drying device 51 is attached to the recording device 11. When the regulating member 71 regulates the interval S to the predetermined interval, the drying mechanism 55 functions, and when the regulation by the regulating member 71 is released, the drying mechanism 55 stops functioning.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording system including a recording device that performs recording by applying a liquid to a recording medium, and a drying device that dries the recording medium with the liquid applied thereto, and to the drying device. [Background technology]

[0002] The media processing device described in Patent Document 1 includes a recording unit and a heating device. The recording unit ejects liquid onto the medium, thereby recording an image on the medium. The heating device heats the medium to which the liquid has been applied by the recording unit, thereby evaporating the water content of the liquid applied to the medium. The media processing device is an example of a recording device, the heating device is an example of a drying device, and the medium is an example of a recording medium. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-64124 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some users of recording devices do not require a drying device. Therefore, in order to prevent users who do not require a drying device from being overly burdened financially, a configuration in which the drying device is made an optional device that can be attached to the recording device is conceivable. However, when a user attaches the drying device to the recording device, the drying device may not be attached so that the recording medium to be dried and the drying device have an appropriate positional relationship, which may result in the recording medium not being properly dried. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A recording system that solves the above problem is a recording system comprising a recording device having a recording unit that performs recording by adhering a liquid to a recording medium transported in a transport direction, and a drying device having a drying mechanism that dries the recording medium with the liquid adhered thereto, wherein the recording device has a support surface that supports the recording medium downstream of the recording unit in the transport direction, and the drying device is configured to be attachable to the recording device at a position where the support surface and the drying mechanism face each other, and either the recording device or the drying device has a determining member that determines the distance between the support surface and the drying mechanism to a predetermined distance when the drying device is attached to the recording device, and the drying mechanism functions when the distance is determined to be the predetermined distance by the determining member, and the function of the drying mechanism stops when the determination by the determining member is released.

[0006] A drying device that solves the above problem is configured to be attachable to a recording device having a recording unit that performs recording by adhering a liquid to a recording medium transported in a transport direction, and a support surface that supports the recording medium downstream in the transport direction, and has a drying mechanism that dries the recording medium to which the liquid has been adhered at a position opposite the support surface when attached to the recording device, wherein the drying device has a determining member that determines the distance between the support surface and the drying mechanism to a predetermined distance, and the drying mechanism functions when the distance is determined to be the predetermined distance by the determining member, and the function of the drying mechanism stops when the determination by the determining member is released. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a recording system according to first to third embodiments. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a recording system in the first to third embodiments. [Diagram 3] 11 is a schematic plan view showing the positional relationship between a support surface and a drying mechanism as viewed from the second transport direction. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing the configuration of a drying mechanism. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a recording system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a defining member and a mounting portion in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a regulating member is attached to the attachment portion in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a recording system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a defining member and a mounting portion in a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a regulating member is attached to an attachment portion in a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a recording system according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, first to third embodiments of a recording system and a drying device will be described with reference to the drawings. The recording system records characters and images on a recording medium such as paper by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto the recording medium, and dries the recording medium to which the liquid has adhered by a drying device.

[0009] In the drawings, the recording system 100 is assumed to be placed on a horizontal plane, with the direction of gravity indicated by the Z axis, and directions along the horizontal plane indicated by the X and Y axes. The X, Y, and Z axes are perpendicular to one another. In the following description, the direction along the X axis is also referred to as the width direction X, the direction along the Y axis as the depth direction Y, and the direction along the Z axis as the vertical direction Z.

[0010] (First embodiment) <Overview of the recording system> 1, the recording system 100 includes a recording device 11. The recording device 11 has a recording unit 20 that performs recording on a recording medium M. The recording unit 20 ejects liquid toward the recording medium M using a liquid ejection head (not shown) while moving back and forth along a guide shaft (not shown) extending in the width direction X, thereby depositing the liquid on the surface of the recording medium M. That is, the recording unit 20 performs recording by depositing liquid on the recording medium M transported in the transport direction Y1.

[0011] The recording device 11 includes a housing 12, a cover 14 that covers the housing 12, and an operation unit 15. The operation unit 15 includes, for example, a display unit 15a that is a touch panel type liquid crystal screen, operation buttons 15b, etc. The operation unit 15 is configured to enable the user to check the overall state of the recording system 100 and to operate it.

[0012] 2, the recording medium M is unwound from a cylindrically wound roll R. After recording is performed on the recording medium M, the recording medium M is wound into a cylindrical shape as the roll R.

[0013] The recording device 11 includes a support unit 25 downstream of the recording unit 20 in the transport direction Y1. The support unit 25 has a support surface 25a that supports the recording medium M having the liquid attached thereto downstream in the transport direction Y1. The support surface 25a is a surface that extends downward, which is a direction intersecting with the floor surface 101. In the support unit 25, the recording medium M is transported in a second transport direction Y2 along the support surface 25a.

[0014] In this embodiment, since the transport direction of the recording medium M varies depending on the location, the transport direction of the recording medium M in the recording unit 20 is referred to as the transport direction Y1, and the transport direction of the recording medium M on the support surface 25a is referred to as the second transport direction Y2. The transport direction Y1 and the second transport direction Y2 are the length directions of the recording medium M. The transport direction Y1 coincides with the depth direction Y of the recording system 100. Note that the width direction X is the width direction of the recording system 100 as well as the width direction of the recording medium M.

[0015] The recording device 11 includes legs 13 that support the housing 12. A plurality of casters 13a may be attached to the legs 13. The recording device 11 is placed on the floor surface 101 by rollers of the casters 13a. The casters 13a may include a lock lever (not shown). The rotation of the rollers may be locked by operating the lock lever. When the lock lever locks the rollers, the position of the recording device 11 is fixed. When the lock is released, the user can move the recording device 11.

[0016] The recording system 100 includes a drying device 51. The drying device 51 includes a housing 52, legs 53 that support the housing 52, and a cover 54 that covers the housing 52. The drying device 51 has a plurality of casters 53a on the legs 53. The drying device 51 is placed on the floor surface 101 by the rollers of the casters 53a. In other words, the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 are placed on the same plane. The casters 53a may include a lock lever (not shown). The rotation of the rollers may be locked by operating the lock lever. When the lock lever locks the rollers, the position of the drying device 51 is fixed. When the lock is released, the user can move the drying device 51.

[0017] The drying device 51 has a drying mechanism 55 that dries the recording medium M to which the liquid is attached at a position opposite the support surface 25a. The drying device 51 is configured to be mountable to the recording device 11 at a position where the support surface 25a and the drying mechanism 55 face each other. Since the support surface 25a supports the recording medium M to which the liquid is attached, when the drying device 51 is mounted to the recording device 11, the surface of the recording medium M faces the drying mechanism 55. In this state, the drying device 51 dries the recording medium M to which the liquid is attached by the recording unit 20 by heating the surface of the recording medium M with the drying mechanism 55, so that the moisture of the liquid attached to the recording medium M evaporates. As a result, the recording medium M to which the liquid is attached is dried.

[0018] Drying mechanism 55 is disposed within housing 52. Drying mechanism 55 has heat dissipation surface 55a in the direction in which heat is dissipated. Surfaces constituting the outer side of drying mechanism 55 other than heat dissipation surface 55a are covered with cover 54 to prevent the user from touching them.

[0019] The legs 53 support the housing 52 so that the angle of the heat dissipation surface 55a with respect to the floor surface 101 is the same as the angle of the support surface 25a with respect to the floor surface 101. The drying mechanism 55 may be configured to be adjustable in angle of the heat dissipation surface 55a with respect to the floor surface 101 so that the drying device 51 can be adapted to a recording device 11 having a different angle of the support surface 25a with respect to the floor surface 101. Also, the drying mechanism 55 may be configured to be adjustable in height of the heat dissipation surface 55a with respect to the floor surface 101 so that the drying device 51 can be adapted to a recording device 11 having a different height of the support surface 25a with respect to the floor surface 101.

[0020] It should be noted that a second drying mechanism 102 may be provided on the rear side of the support portion 25. The second drying mechanism 102 may be disposed in a housing (not shown) of the second drying device, and the second drying device may be attached to the recording device 11 together with the drying device 51.

[0021] <Regarding prescribed materials> 2, either the recording device 11 or the drying device 51 has a regulating member 71 that regulates the distance S between the support surface 25a and the drying mechanism 55 to a predetermined distance when the drying device 51 is attached to the recording device 11. More precisely, the distance S is the distance between the heat dissipation surface 55a and the support surface 25a. The drying device 51 is attached to the recording device 11 from a direction parallel to the floor surface 101 by moving the drying device 51 on the floor surface 101, which is the installation surface.

[0022] Furthermore, when the drying device 51 is attached to the recording device 11, the position of the drying device 51 with respect to the recording device 11 is determined by the regulating member 71. More specifically, the position of the drying mechanism 55 in the second transport direction Y2 is regulated to a predetermined position on the support surface 25a by the regulating member 71.

[0023] The determining member 71 is configured to be switchable between a first position shown by a dotted line in FIG. 2, in which the distance S is set to a predetermined distance, and a second position shown by a solid line in FIG. 2, in which the floor area occupied by the determining member 71 is smaller than in the first position.

[0024] The defining member 71 is pivotally supported at one end by either the recording device 11 or the drying device 51, and the defining member 71 can rotate about that one end to switch between a first position and a second position.

[0025] 3, in this embodiment, the recording system 100 has a first defining member 71a as the defining member 71 and a second defining member 71b as the defining member 71. The first defining member 71a is provided on one side outside the range W through which the recording medium M is transported in the width direction X of the recording medium M. The second defining member 71b is provided on the other side outside the range W through which the recording medium M is transported in the width direction X of the recording medium M.

[0026] In this embodiment, the first defining member 71a defines the first interval Sa as the interval S on one side outside the range W through which the recording medium M is transported, to a predetermined interval. The second defining member 71b defines the second interval Sb as the interval S on the other side outside the range W through which the recording medium M is transported, to a predetermined interval. As a result, the interval S between the support surface 25a and the drying mechanism 55 is defined to a predetermined interval at any position in the width direction X of the recording medium M. Therefore, an appropriate drying process is performed on the entire surface of the recording medium M. More specifically, the drying mechanism 55 heats the entire surface of the recording medium M at an appropriate temperature and blows an appropriate amount of air onto the entire surface of the recording medium M, thereby performing an appropriate drying process on the entire surface of the recording medium M. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the first interval Sa is defined to a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a, and the second interval Sb is defined to a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b.

[0027] Note that the recording system 100 may have even more defining members 71, and the intervals S at multiple locations may be defined to be predetermined intervals by those defining members 71. That is, the recording system 100 may have multiple defining members 71, and the intervals S at multiple locations may be defined to be predetermined intervals by those multiple defining members 71.

[0028] For example, on one side outside the range W through which the recording medium M is transported, the first defining member 71a may be provided downstream of the drying mechanism 55 in the second transport direction Y2, and the third defining member may be provided upstream of the drying mechanism 55 in the second transport direction Y2. Also, on the other side outside the range W through which the recording medium M is transported, the second defining member 71b may be provided downstream of the drying mechanism 55 in the second transport direction Y2, and the fourth defining member may be provided upstream of the drying mechanism 55 in the second transport direction Y2. The first defining member 71a, the second defining member 71b, the third defining member, and the fourth defining member may define the intervals S at four locations around the drying mechanism 55 to be predetermined intervals. As a result, in the support section 25, the intervals S between the support surface 25a and the drying mechanism 55 are defined to be predetermined intervals at any position in the width direction X and the second transport direction Y2 of the recording medium M. Therefore, an appropriate drying process is performed on the entire surface of the recording medium M on the support surface 25a.

[0029] Either the recording device 11 or the drying device 51 has a first defining member 71a. Either the recording device 11 or the drying device 51 has a second defining member 71b. In this embodiment, the drying device 51 has the defining member 71. More specifically, the drying device 51 has the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b. The recording device 11 may have the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b. Alternatively, the recording device 11 may have the first defining member 71a and the drying device 51 may have the second defining member 71b. Alternatively, the drying device 51 may have the first defining member 71a and the recording device 11 may have the second defining member 71b.

[0030] When the drying device 51 has the defining member 71, the recording device 11 has the mounting portion 41 shown in Fig. 2. The defining member 71 of the drying device 51 is mounted to the mounting portion 41, whereby the drying device 51 is mounted to the recording device 11. When the drying device 51 is mounted to the recording device 11, the spacing S is defined to a predetermined spacing by the defining member 71. Note that when the recording device 11 has the defining member 71, the drying device 51 has the mounting portion 41.

[0031] In this embodiment, the recording device 11 has a first mounting portion 41a and a second mounting portion 41b. The first defining member 71a is mounted on the first mounting portion 41a as the mounting portion 41, and the second defining member 71b is mounted on the second mounting portion 41b as the mounting portion 41, whereby the drying device 51 is mounted on the recording device 11. In other words, when the drying device 51 is mounted on the recording device 11, the first defining member 71a defines the first interval Sa as a predetermined interval, and the second defining member 71b defines the second interval Sb as a predetermined interval. The first interval Sa may be changed by adjusting the position of the first mounting portion 41a in the depth direction Y. The second interval Sb may be changed by adjusting the position of the second mounting portion 41b in the depth direction Y.

[0032] <Drying mechanism> As shown in FIG. 4, when the drying device 51 is attached to the recording device 11, the drying mechanism 55 is disposed at a position where the heat dissipation surface 55a faces the support surface 25a. The drying mechanism 55 includes a heating unit 56 for heating the recording medium M. The heating unit 56 includes a heater tube 56a as a heat generating element, and a reflector 56b for reflecting heat emitted from the heater tube 56a. The reflector 56b surrounds the rear of the heater tube 56a, thereby reflecting heat emitted from the heater tube 56a to the rear toward the support surface 25a. By arranging the heater tubes 56a and the reflector 56b extending in the width direction X, heat is dissipated from the entire heat dissipation surface 55a toward the support surface 25a. In this embodiment, the heater tube 56a is used as the heat generating element, but the heat generating element may be any member that generates heat. For example, the heat generating element may be a halogen lamp.

[0033] A wire mesh may be disposed on the heat dissipation surface 55a. Heat from the heater tube 56a can be transferred to the recording medium M on the support surface 25a through the wire mesh. As shown in FIG. 4, the heat dissipation surface 55a may be provided slightly inside the outer shape of the drying device 51, or the heat dissipation surface 55a may be provided at the same position as the outer shape of the drying device 51.

[0034] The drying mechanism 55 includes a flow path 57 through which gas flows, and a blower 58 that blows the gas in the flow path 57. The gas in the flow path 57 is, for example, air. The flow path 57 is disposed so as to surround the heating unit 56. In the flow path 57, the gas flows in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow. The flow path 57 has an inlet 59 that opens toward the support surface 25a, and an outlet 60 that opens toward the support surface 25a. The outlet 60 is located upstream of the inlet 59 in the second transport direction Y2. The outlet 60 faces an upstream portion of the support surface 25a in the second transport direction Y2. The inlet 59 faces a downstream portion of the support surface 25a in the second transport direction Y2.

[0035] The blower 58 is disposed midway through the flow path 57. The blower 58 generates an airflow by rotating a fan, and causes the gas in the flow path 57 to flow toward the air outlet 60. The gas caused to flow by the blower 58 is blown along the flow path 57 and then blown out from the air outlet 60.

[0036] The blowing direction at the blowing port 60 is slightly inclined toward the side where the inlet 59 is located. Therefore, most of the gas blown out from the blowing port 60 flows along the support surface 25a toward the side where the inlet 59 is located. In other words, most of the gas blown out from the blowing port 60 flows along the support surface 25a to the downstream side in the second transport direction Y2.

[0037] A part of the gas that has flowed along the support surface 25a to the downstream side in the second transport direction Y2 flows again into the drying mechanism 55 from the inlet 59, and the remainder is discharged below the drying device 51 from between the inlet 59 and the support surface 25a. The drying mechanism 55 is configured such that a part of the gas blown out from the blowing outlet 60 circulates inside the drying mechanism 55 through the flow path 57.

[0038] The drying device 51 dries the recording medium M by heating the recording medium M supported on the support surface 25a with the heating unit 56 while blowing gas onto the recording medium M with the air blower 58. That is, when the recording medium M with the liquid attached thereto is transported between the heat dissipation surface 55a and the support surface 25a, the heat generated by the heater tube 56a and the gas blown out from the blowing port 60 promote evaporation of the moisture of the liquid attached to the recording medium M.

[0039] If the distance S between the support surface 25a and the drying mechanism 55 is large, the moisture of the liquid adhering to the recording medium M does not evaporate sufficiently. Also, if the distance S between the support surface 25a and the drying mechanism 55 is small, for example when the recording medium M is paper, the temperature of the paper will rise too high, causing the moisture in the paper fibers that make up the paper to be lost, resulting in a decrease in the quality of the recording medium M after recording. For this reason, the distance S between the support surface 25a and the drying mechanism 55 is set to a predetermined distance by the regulating member 71.

[0040] <Recording system configuration> 5, the recording device 11 includes a recording section 20 that records on a recording medium M, a transport section 21 that transports the recording medium M, an operation section 15 that operates the entire recording system 100, and a power supply unit 49 that supplies power to the recording device 11. Furthermore, the recording device 11 includes a control section 48 that controls the recording device 11.

[0041] The control unit 48 of the recording device 11 controls the recording unit 20 and the transport unit 21 based on a user's operation on the operation unit 15, thereby causing the recording medium M to be transported by the transport unit 21 while the recording unit 20 records on the recording medium M.

[0042] The drying device 51 includes a drying mechanism 55 that dries the recording medium M having liquid attached thereto, and a power supply unit 99 that supplies power to the drying mechanism 55. The power supply unit 99 may supply power not only to the drying mechanism 55, but also to the entire drying device 51. Note that a power cable that supplies power from the recording device 11 to the drying device 51 may be connected between the recording device 11 and the drying device 51, so that power may be supplied from the recording device 11 to parts of the drying device 51 other than the drying device 51. Furthermore, the drying device 51 includes a second control unit 98 that controls the drying device 51.

[0043] The control unit 48 of the recording device 11 not only controls the recording device 11, but also controls the drying device 51 via the second control unit 98 of the drying device 51. That is, the control unit 48 controls the recording system 100. The control unit 48 and the second control unit 98 are connected by wire or wirelessly, whereby information is transmitted and received between the control unit 48 and the second control unit 98.

[0044] The second control unit 98 transmits information related to the state of the drying device 51 to the control unit 48. After receiving the information related to the state of the drying device 51, the control unit 48 transmits a control command or control parameters for controlling the drying device 51 to the second control unit 98 in accordance with the information related to the state of the drying device 51. Based on the control command or control parameters, the second control unit 98 controls the drying mechanism 55, causing the drying mechanism 55 to dry the recording medium M.

[0045] For example, the control parameters include the number of heater tubes 56a that generate heat and the rotation speed of the blower 58. The second control unit 98 may control the number of heater tubes 56a that generate heat, the rotation speed of the blower 58, and the like, depending on the amount of liquid ejected by the recording unit 20 onto the recording medium M so that the surface of the recording medium M is in an appropriate state.

[0046] For example, when the drying mechanism 55 has a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the heat dissipation surface 55a, the measurement value by the temperature sensor is included in the information related to the state of the drying device 51. The second control unit 98 may transmit the measurement value to the control unit 48. Then, in response to the measurement value, the control unit 48 may transmit control parameters to the second control unit 98. Then, based on the control parameters transmitted from the control unit 48, the second control unit 98 may control the amount of heat generated and the amount of airflow in the drying mechanism 55.

[0047] It is not necessary to provide the second control unit 98 of the drying device 51. The control unit 48 of the recording device 11 may directly control the drying mechanism 55 by directly connecting each unit of the drying mechanism 55 to the control unit 48.

[0048] Either the recording device 11 or the drying device 51 has a first defining member 71a. The first defining member 71a has a first contact portion 72a that comes into contact with the other of the recording device 11 or the drying device 51. The other of the recording device 11 or the drying device 51 has a first contacted portion 42a that comes into contact with the first contact portion 72a.

[0049] In this embodiment, the drying device 51 includes a first defining member 71a having a first contact portion 72a, and the recording device 11 includes a first contacted portion 42a that contacts the first contact portion 72a. Note that the recording device 11 may include the first defining member 71a having the first contact portion 72a, and the drying device 51 may include the first contacted portion 42a that contacts the first contact portion 72a.

[0050] Either the recording device 11 or the drying device 51 has a second defining member 71b. The second defining member 71b has a second contact portion 72b that comes into contact with the other of the recording device 11 or the drying device 51. The other of the recording device 11 or the drying device 51 has a second contacted portion 42b that comes into contact with the second contact portion 72b.

[0051] In this embodiment, the drying device 51 includes the second defining member 71b having the second contact portion 72b, and the recording device 11 includes the second contacted portion 42b that comes into contact with the second contact portion 72b. Note that the recording device 11 may include the second defining member 71b having the second contact portion 72b, and the drying device 51 may include the second contacted portion 42b that comes into contact with the second contact portion 72b.

[0052] The recording system 100 has a first detection unit 43a that detects the contact between the first contact portion 72a and the first contacted portion 42a, and a second detection unit 43b that detects the contact between the second contact portion 72b and the second contacted portion 42b. When the first contact portion 72a contacts the first contacted portion 42a, the first interval Sa shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined interval. When the second contact portion 72b contacts the second contacted portion 42b, the second interval Sb shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined interval. The detection results of the first detection unit 43a and the second detection unit 43b are notified to the control unit 48.

[0053] In this embodiment, the recording device 11 has the first detection unit 43a and the second detection unit 43b. Note that the drying device 51 may have the first detection unit 43a and the second detection unit 43b. Alternatively, the recording device 11 may have the first detection unit 43a, and the drying device 51 may have the second detection unit 43b. Alternatively, the recording device 11 may have the second detection unit 43b, and the drying device 51 may have the first detection unit 43a.

[0054] The drying mechanism 55 functions when the gap S between the support surface 25a and the drying mechanism 55 shown in FIG. 2 is set to a predetermined gap by the setting member 71, and the function of the drying mechanism 55 stops when the setting by the setting member 71 is released. Note that "the drying mechanism functions" means that the heater tube 56a shown in FIG. 4 starts to generate heat when electricity is started to be applied to the heater tube 56a. Note that "the function of the drying mechanism stops" means that the heater tube 56a stops generating heat when electricity is stopped to the heater tube 56a shown in FIG. 4. Note that the rotation of the blower 58 may start when the gap S between the support surface 25a and the drying mechanism 55 is set to a predetermined gap by the setting member 71. Note that the rotation of the blower 58 may stop when the setting by the setting member 71 is released.

[0055] When the recording system 100 has a plurality of defining members 71, the intervals S at a plurality of locations are defined to be predetermined intervals by the plurality of defining members 71. Then, when all of the intervals S at the plurality of locations are defined to be predetermined intervals, the drying mechanism 55 functions, and when the definition by at least one of the defining members 71 is released, the function of the drying mechanism 55 stops.

[0056] In this embodiment, the drying mechanism 55 functions when the first detection unit 43a detects the contact between the first contact portion 72a and the first contacted portion 42a, and the second detection unit 43b detects the contact between the second contact portion 72b and the second contacted portion 42b. The function of the drying mechanism 55 stops when at least one of the first detection unit 43a and the second detection unit 43b no longer detects the contact. That is, the drying mechanism 55 functions when the first interval Sa shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a, and the second interval Sb shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b. The function of the drying mechanism 55 stops when the definition by at least one of the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b is released.

[0057] The control unit 48 of the recording device 11 controls the entire recording system 100. That is, when the distance S between the support surface 25a and the drying mechanism 55 is set to a predetermined distance by the setting member 71, the control unit 48 causes the drying mechanism 55 to function, and when the setting by the setting member 71 is released, the control unit 48 causes the drying mechanism 55 to stop functioning.

[0058] In this embodiment, when the first interval Sa shown in Fig. 3 is set to a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a and the second interval Sb shown in Fig. 3 is set to a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b, the control unit 48 of the recording device 11 causes the drying mechanism 55 to function. Then, when the determination by at least one of the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b is released, the control unit 48 of the recording device 11 causes the drying mechanism 55 to stop functioning.

[0059] When the determination by at least one of the first determining member 71a and the second determining member 71b is released, the control unit 48 notifies the user that the drying device 51 is not properly attached to the recording device 11. For example, the fact that the drying device 51 is not properly attached to the recording device 11 may be displayed on the display unit 15a. Furthermore, when the drying device 51 is not properly attached to the recording device 11, the control unit 48 may notify the user by a contact sound, an artificial voice, or the like.

[0060] <About the configuration of the mounting part> 6, the first defining member 71a has a generally cylindrical shape and includes a guided surface 76 that forms a side surface of the cylinder, and a first contact portion 72a that forms a tip portion of the cylinder. The first contact portion 72a includes a contact surface 75 that contacts the first mounting portion 41a, and a detected portion 73 that is formed to protrude from the center of the contact surface 75. One end (not shown) of the first defining member 71a is pivotally supported by either the recording device 11 or the drying device 51.

[0061] The first mounting portion 41a has a first abutted portion 42a. The first abutted portion 42a is composed of a fixed portion 31, a sliding portion 32, and a tilting portion 33. The fixed portion 31 is a portion of the first abutted portion 42a that is fixed to the first mounting portion 41a. The sliding portion 32 is a portion of the first abutted portion 42a that slides in the vertical direction Z relative to the fixed portion 31. The tilting portion 33 is a portion of the first abutted portion 42a that tilts in the rotational direction around the X-axis relative to the sliding portion 32. The tilting portion 33 has a contact surface 45 that is in contact with the contact surface 75 of the first abutting portion 72a. That is, when the first defining member 71a is attached to the first mounting portion 41a, the abutting surface 75 of the first abutting portion 72a abuts against the abutted surface 45 of the first abutted portion 42a. When the abutting surface 75 abuts against the abutted surface 45, the first spacing Sa shown in FIG. 3 is defined to be a predetermined spacing by the first defining member 71a.

[0062] The tilting part 33 is configured to be able to tilt with respect to the sliding part 32 in tilting directions D1 and D2 indicated by dashed arrows in Fig. 6 around a tilting center 34 located at the center of the sliding part 32 in the vertical direction Z. A plurality of biasing members 37 are disposed between the tilting part 33 and the sliding part 32. This allows the tilting part 33 to maintain a substantially horizontal position with respect to the sliding part 32 before the first defining member 71a is attached. Then, when the first defining member 71a is attached, the tilting part 33 can tilt with respect to the sliding part 32 in the rotational direction around the X-axis in accordance with the tilt of the first defining member 71a.

[0063] The tilting portion 33 has a recess 47 at the center of the surface facing the abutment surface 75 of the first defining member 71a. The recess 47 has a shape in which a hole 39 is opened at the center of the bottom surface of a trumpet-shaped hole portion. In other words, the recess 47 is composed of a trumpet-shaped guide surface 46 which is the side surface of the hole portion, and abutted surface 45 which is the bottom surface of the hole portion. The guide surface 46 is formed as a shape in which the entrance side of the hole is slightly opened. In other words, the guide surface 46 has an inclined surface on the entrance side of the recess 47, and has a cylindrical hole-shaped portion on the back side of the recess 47. The cylindrical guided surface 76 and the cylindrical hole-shaped portion in the guide surface 46 are formed to have dimensions that allow them to fit together. The first detection portion 43a is arranged at the back of the hole 39. When the first defining member 71a is attached, the first detection portion 43a detects the detected portion 73 protruding from the hole 39.

[0064] The sliding part 32 has a sliding surface 36. The fixed part 31 has a sliding surface 35. When the sliding surface 36 slides against the sliding surface 35, the sliding part 32 with the tilting part 33 slides against the fixed part 31 in sliding directions D3 and D4 shown by dashed arrows in FIG. 6. A plurality of biasing members 38 are disposed between the sliding part 32 and the fixed part 31. This allows the sliding part 32 to maintain a substantially central position with respect to the fixed part 31 before the first defining member 71a is attached. Then, when the first defining member 71a is attached, the sliding part 32 can slide against the fixed part 31 in the vertical direction Z in accordance with the position of the first defining member 71a in the vertical direction Z.

[0065] The first mounting portion 41a has an upper opening / closing member 27 and a lower opening / closing member 28. The upper opening / closing member 27 and the lower opening / closing member 28 close the recess 47. When the first defining member 71a is mounted, the upper opening / closing member 27 rotates in the counterclockwise direction W1 about the rotation center 27a, thereby opening the upper side of the recess 47. When the first defining member 71a is mounted, the lower opening / closing member 28 rotates in the clockwise direction W2 about the rotation center 28a, thereby opening the lower side of the recess 47.

[0066] The first mounting portion 41a has biasing members 29 and 30. The biasing member 29 biases the upper opening / closing member 27 in a direction in which the upper opening / closing member 27 closes the upper side of the recess 47. The biasing member 30 biases the lower opening / closing member 28 in a direction in which the lower opening / closing member 28 closes the lower side of the recess 47. This allows the upper opening / closing member 27 and the lower opening / closing member 28 to close the recess 47 before the first defining member 71a is attached. That is, when the first defining member 71a is not attached, the recess 47 can be made invisible, and the user can be prevented from touching the first detection unit 43a arranged at the back of the hole 39 of the recess 47. Then, when the first defining member 71a is attached, the tip portion of the first defining member 71a presses the outer surface 27b of the upper opening / closing member 27 and the outer surface 28b of the lower opening / closing member 28, thereby opening the recess 47.

[0067] When the upper opening / closing member 27 is opened too far, the inner side surface 27c of the upper opening / closing member 27 abuts against the abutment surface 23, thereby restricting the rotation range of the upper opening / closing member 27. When the lower opening / closing member 28 is opened too far, the inner side surface 28c of the lower opening / closing member 28 abuts against the abutment surface 24, thereby restricting the rotation range of the lower opening / closing member 28. When the inner side surface 27c of the upper opening / closing member 27 abuts against the abutment surface 23, the outer side surface 27b and the guide surface 46 may form a slope for guiding the upper side of the first abutment portion 72a toward the recess 47. When the inner side surface 28c of the lower opening / closing member 28 abuts against the abutment surface 24, the outer side surface 28b and the guide surface 46 may form a slope for guiding the lower side of the first abutment portion 72a toward the recess 47.

[0068] The recording device 11 and the drying device 51 are installed on a floor surface 101. The floor surface 101 is often made of a cushioning material such as a mat or carpet. Therefore, the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 cause a depression in the floor surface 101 due to their weight. That is, the amount of sinking of the casters 13a, 53a in the vertical direction Z varies depending on the weight of the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 and the condition of the floor surface 101. Therefore, the height and angle of the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 with respect to the floor surface 101 change depending on the situation.

[0069] The first mounting part 41a is configured so that the first defining member 71a can be mounted to the first mounting part 41a even if the height and angle of the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 with respect to the floor surface 101 change. That is, the tilting part 33 tilts in the rotational direction around the X-axis relative to the sliding part 32, and the sliding part 32 slides in the vertical direction Z with respect to the fixed part 31, so that the first defining member 71a can be mounted to the first mounting part 41a even in such a case.

[0070] The recording system 100 may be configured such that at least one of the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 is adjustable in height. For example, the casters 13a and 53a may be height-adjustable casters. By configuring the device to be height-adjustable, the tilting range and sliding range of the first mounting part 41a can be narrowed. In other words, the size of the first mounting part 41a can be reduced.

[0071] The sliding part 32 may be configured to be able to slide in the width direction X in addition to the vertical direction Z relative to the fixed part 31. Depending on the precision of each part, the distance between the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b and the distance between the first mounting part 41a and the second mounting part 41b may differ. Even in such a case, the sliding part 32 slides in the width direction X as well, so that the first defining member 71a can be mounted to the first mounting part 41a and the second defining member 71b can be mounted to the second mounting part 41b.

[0072] The tilting portion 33 may be configured to be able to tilt with respect to the sliding portion 32 in the rotation direction about the Z axis in addition to the rotation direction about the X axis. Depending on the precision of each member, the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b may not be parallel. Even in such a case, the tilting portion 33 can tilt in the rotation direction about the Z axis as well, so that the first defining member 71a can be attached to the first mounting portion 41a and the second defining member 71b can be attached to the second mounting portion 41b.

[0073] The distance between the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b is determined by the attachment position of the first defining member 71a to the drying device 51 and the attachment position of the second defining member 71b to the drying device 51. Therefore, the drying device 51 may be configured so that at least one of the two attachment positions can be adjusted in position in the width direction X. Furthermore, the distance between the first mounting portion 41a and the second mounting portion 41b is determined by the attachment position of the first mounting portion 41a to the recording device 11 and the attachment position of the second mounting portion 41b to the recording device 11. Therefore, the recording device 11 may be configured so that at least one of the two attachment positions can be adjusted in position in the width direction X.

[0074] In addition, the drying device 51 may be configured so that the angle of the first defining member 71a relative to the floor surface 101 when in the first position and the angle of the second defining member 71b relative to the floor surface 101 when in the first position can be adjusted.

[0075] The configurations of the second defining member 71b and the second mounting portion 41b are the same as those of the first defining member 71a and the first mounting portion 41a. Therefore, the description of the configurations of the second defining member 71b and the second mounting portion 41b will be omitted. In the second mounting portion 41b, when the abutting surface 75 abuts against the abutted surface 45, the second spacing Sb shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined spacing by the second defining member 71b.

[0076] <About wearing the device> 7, the first defining member 71a is attached to the first mounting portion 41a. The operations performed in the first mounting portion 41a at this time will be described in order.

[0077] The first contact portion 72a presses the outer surface 27b of the upper opening / closing member 27 and the outer surface 28b of the lower opening / closing member 28, so that the first contact portion 72a starts to enter the first abutted portion 42a. The upper opening / closing member 27 rotates in the counterclockwise direction W1 about the rotation center 27a from the position shown by the two-dot chain line to the position shown by the solid line, so that the upper side of the recess 47 is opened. Then, the lower opening / closing member 28 rotates in the clockwise direction W2 about the rotation center 28a from the position shown by the two-dot chain line to the position shown by the solid line, so that the lower side of the recess 47 is opened.

[0078] The first contact portion 72a abuts against the guide surface 46 of the recess 47. Then, the tilting portion 33 tilts in the tilting directions D1 and D2 from the position shown by the two-dot chain line to the position shown by the solid line relative to the sliding portion 32, so that the angle of the guide surface 46 is an angle along the guided surface 76. Then, the sliding portion 32 slides in the sliding directions D3 and D4 from the position shown by the two-dot chain line to the position shown by the solid line relative to the fixed portion 31, so that the position of the guide surface 46 is a position along the guided surface 76. Also, the first contact portion 72a is pushed in while hitting the inclined surface on the entrance side of the recess 47 on the guide surface 46, so that the first contact portion 72a is guided to the back side of the recess 47 and to the center of the recess 47. That is, as the first contact portion 72a is pressed into the recess 47, the angle and position of the recess 47 are adjusted with respect to the first contact portion 72a. When the first contact portion 72a is further pressed into the recess 47 in this state, the cylindrical guided surface 76 fits into the cylindrical hole-shaped portion of the guide surface 46. That is, the first contact portion 72a is inserted into the first contacted portion 42a.

[0079] When the first contact portion 72a is inserted into the first contacted portion 42a, the detected portion 73 of the first contact portion 72a protrudes from the hole 39 of the recess 47. Then, when the contact surface 75 of the first contact portion 72a abuts against the contacted surface 45 of the first contacted portion 42a, the first detection portion 43a arranged at the back of the hole 39 detects the detected portion 73 protruding from the hole 39. The first detection portion 43a is, for example, a small switch. When the detected portion 73 presses the lever of the switch, a contact portion (not shown) shorts the electric circuit, and the first detection portion 43a detects the abutment between the abutment surface 75 and the contacted surface 45.

[0080] The contact surface 75 may also serve as the detected portion 73. In the hole 39, for example, a lever of a switch is disposed at a position protruding from the contacted surface 45. When the contact surface 75 contacts the contacted surface 45, the contact surface 75 may push the lever of the switch, and the switch serving as the first detection portion 43a may detect the contact between the contact surface 75 and the contacted surface 45.

[0081] It is sufficient for the first detection unit 43a to detect that the position of the detected portion 73 in the depth direction Y is at a predetermined position. For example, the first detection unit 43a may be a transmissive optical sensor, and the detected portion 73 may be a shielding plate that shields the space between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the transmissive optical sensor. For example, the first detection unit 43a may be a proximity sensor, and the proximity sensor may detect the detected portion 73 when the detected portion 73 approaches a detection surface of the proximity sensor to a predetermined distance.

[0082] The configurations of the second defining member 71b and the second mounting portion 41b are the same as the configurations of the first defining member 71a and the first mounting portion 41a. Therefore, a description of the operation performed in the second mounting portion 41b when the second defining member 71b is mounted on the second mounting portion 41b will be omitted.

[0083] <Operation of the embodiment> The operation of this embodiment will be described. The position of the defining members 71a and 71b when the drying device 51 is not in use is the second position in which the occupied floor area is smaller than that when the defining members 71a and 71b are in the first position. As a result, when the drying device 51 is not in use, the dimension of the drying device 51 in the depth direction Y is smaller than when the drying device 51 is in use, so that the drying device 51 can be stored in a narrow space.

[0084] When a large amount of liquid is discharged onto the recording medium M, the drying device 51 is used to dry the recording medium M to which a large amount of liquid is attached. After unlocking the rollers of the casters 53a, the user can move the drying device 51 from the storage location by causing the rollers to rotate on the floor surface 101.

[0085] After moving the drying device 51 close to the recording device 11, the user changes the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b to the second posture shown in Fig. 2. Then, the drying device 51 is disposed with respect to the recording device 11 in a state in which the first contact portion 72a, which is the tip portion of the first defining member 71a, faces the direction of the first mounting portion 41a and the second contact portion 72b, which is the tip portion of the second defining member 71b, faces the direction of the second mounting portion 41b.

[0086] The user moves the drying device 51 on the floor surface 101 in a direction in which the drying device 51 approaches the recording device 11. The rollers of the casters 53a rotate on the floor surface 101, so that the drying device 51 can be easily brought close to the recording device 11.

[0087] When the first contact portion 72a presses the outer surface 27b of the upper opening / closing member 27 and the outer surface 28b of the lower opening / closing member 28, the first contact portion 72a starts to enter the first mounting portion 41a. When the second contact portion 72b presses the outer surface 27b of the upper opening / closing member 27 and the outer surface 28b of the lower opening / closing member 28, the second contact portion 72b starts to enter the second mounting portion 41b. Since the recording device 11 has already been installed, the rollers of the casters 13a are locked. Therefore, when the outer surfaces 27b, 28b are pressed, the recording device 11 does not move.

[0088] When the first contact portion 72a is pressed into the recess 47, the contact surface 75 of the first contact portion 72a comes into contact with the contacted surface 45 of the first contacted portion 42a. This contact causes the first detection portion 43a disposed deep inside the hole 39 to detect the detected portion 73 protruding from the hole 39.

[0089] In the first mounting portion 41a, the first interval Sa is set to a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a as a result of the abutting surface 75 coming into contact with the abutted surface 45. Based on the detection result of the first detection portion 43a, the control portion 48 can detect that the first interval Sa has been set to a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a.

[0090] In this state, the first interval Sa is set to a predetermined interval by the first setting member 71a, but the second interval Sb is not yet set to a predetermined interval by the second setting member 71b. Therefore, the control unit 48 does not allow the drying mechanism 55 to function. That is, when the drying device 51 is not attached so that the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 have an appropriate positional relationship, the drying device 51 can be prevented from functioning.

[0091] In this state, when the second contact portion 72b is further pressed into the recess 47, the contact surface 75 of the second contact portion 72b comes into contact with the contacted surface 45 of the second contacted portion 42b. This contact causes the second detection portion 43b disposed deep inside the hole 39 to detect the detected portion 73 protruding from the hole 39.

[0092] In the second mounting portion 41b, the second interval Sb is set to a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b as a result of the abutting surface 75 coming into contact with the abutted surface 45. Based on the detection result of the second detection portion 43b, the control portion 48 can detect that the second interval Sb has been set to a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b.

[0093] In this state, the first interval Sa is determined to be a predetermined interval by the first determining member 71a, and the second interval Sb is determined to be a predetermined interval by the second determining member 71b. In addition, the position of the drying mechanism 55 in the second transport direction Y2 is determined to be a predetermined position on the support surface 25a by the first determining member 71a and the second determining member 71b. The user fixes the position of the drying device 51 by locking the rollers of the casters 53a. In this state, the control unit 48 causes the drying mechanism 55 to function. That is, when the drying device 51 is attached so that the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 have an appropriate positional relationship, the drying device 51 can be caused to function. Since the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 have an appropriate positional relationship, it is possible to heat the recording medium M at a temperature set by the user.

[0094] When the drying device 51 is pushed by an unexpected contact between the housing 52 of the drying device 51 and the user, the locked roller surface of the caster 53a may slide on the floor surface 101, and the position of the drying device 51 may move. As a result, for example, when the abutting surface 75 of the second defining member 71b moves away from the abutted surface 45, the second detection unit 43b no longer detects the detected portion 73. At this time, the control unit 48 can detect that the definition by the second defining member 71b has been released, based on the detection result of the second detection unit 43b.

[0095] In this state, the first interval Sa is set to a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a, but the second interval Sb is not set to a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b. Therefore, the control unit 48 stops the function of the drying mechanism 55. The control unit 48 may stop the entire recording system 100 including the function of the drying mechanism 55. In other words, when the positional relationship between the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 is no longer appropriate, the function of the drying device 51 can be stopped.

[0096] The control unit 48 notifies the user that the drying device 51 is not properly attached to the recording device 11 by displaying this on the display unit 15a. When the user sees this display and properly reattaches the drying device 51 to the recording device 11, the control unit 48 makes the drying device 51 function again. This makes it possible to operate the recording system 100 again with the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 in the appropriate positional relationship.

[0097] When the use of drying device 51 is finished, the user removes drying device 51 from recording device 11. After unlocking the rollers of caster 53a, the user can easily detach drying device 51 from recording device 11 by moving drying device 51 on floor surface 101 in a direction away from recording device 11.

[0098] The recess 47 is closed by the upper opening / closing member 27 and the lower opening / closing member 28. This makes it possible to prevent the first detection portion 43a and the second detection portion 43b from erroneously entering the detection state due to something other than the detected portion 73. After changing the position of the first determining member 71a and the second determining member 71b from the second position to the first position, the user moves the drying device 51 to a storage location and stores it there.

[0099] When the drying device 51 is separated from the recording device 11, the support surface 25a where the drying mechanism 55 was attached is exposed. In other words, the user can also touch the portion where the drying mechanism 55 was attached, so that the support surface 25a, which is the transport path for the recording medium M, can be easily cleaned.

[0100] <Effects of the embodiment> The effects of this embodiment will be described. The recording system 100 and drying device 51 of this embodiment provide the following advantages.

[0101] (1) The first defining member 71a defines the first interval Sa at a predetermined interval on one side outside the range W in which the recording medium M is transported in the width direction X of the recording medium M. As a result, on one side, the surface of the recording medium M to be dried and the surface in the drying mechanism 55 that dries the recording medium M have an appropriate positional relationship. In addition, the second defining member 71b defines the second interval Sb at a predetermined interval on the other side outside the range W in which the recording medium M is transported in the width direction X of the recording medium M. As a result, on the other side, the surface of the recording medium M to be dried and the surface in the drying mechanism 55 that dries the recording medium M have an appropriate positional relationship. In other words, the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b define the surface of the recording medium M to be dried and the surface in the drying mechanism 55 that dries the recording medium M have an appropriate positional relationship from one side to the other side in the width direction X of the recording medium M. The drying mechanism 55 functions when the first interval Sa on one side is set to a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a, and the second interval Sb on the other side is set to a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b. This allows the recording medium M to be dried in an appropriate state from one side to the other side. In addition, when the definition by at least one of the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b is released, the function of the drying mechanism 55 stops. This makes it possible to prevent the drying mechanism 55 from functioning in a state in which the surface of the recording medium M on either one side in the width direction X of the recording medium M is not properly dried.

[0102] (2) The first interval Sa is determined to be a predetermined interval by the first contact portion 72a of the first defining member 71a contacting the first contacted portion 42a. Since the positional relationship is uniformly determined by the members butting against each other, the first interval Sa can be reliably determined to be a predetermined interval. The second contact portion 72b of the second defining member 71b contacts the second contacted portion 42b, and the second interval Sb is determined to be a predetermined interval. Since the positional relationship is uniformly determined by the members butting against each other, the second interval Sb can be reliably determined to be a predetermined interval.

[0103] (3) The recording system 100 has a first detection unit 43a that detects contact between the first contact portion 72a and the first contacted portion 42a, and a second detection unit 43b that detects contact between the second contact portion 72b and the second contacted portion 42b. A circuit for the first detection unit 43a to detect contact is formed only in the device having the first detection unit 43a out of the recording device 11 and the drying device 51. Also, a circuit for the second detection unit 43b to detect contact is formed only in the device having the second detection unit 43b out of the recording device 11 and the drying device 51. That is, since a circuit for detecting contact is formed only in one device, the circuit configuration of the recording system 100 can be simplified.

[0104] (4) The recording device 11 and the drying device 51 are installed on the same plane, the support surface 25a extends in a direction intersecting with the plane, and the drying device 51 is attached to the recording device 11 in a direction parallel to the plane by moving the drying device 51 on the plane. The drying device 51 is attached to the recording device 11 in a direction intersecting with the support surface 25a while the user moves the drying device 51 on the floor surface 101, which is the installation surface, so that the intervals Sa, Sb between the support surface 25a and the drying mechanism 55 can be easily set to predetermined intervals. In addition, the drying device 51 can be easily detached from the recording device 11 by moving the drying device 51 in a direction away from the recording device 11.

[0105] (5) The recording device 11 has a control unit 48 that controls the recording system 100. The control unit 48 activates the drying mechanism 55 when the intervals Sa and Sb are regulated to a predetermined interval by the regulating members 71a and 71b, and stops the function of the drying mechanism 55 when the regulation by the regulating members 71a and 71b is released. By controlling the recording system 100, the recording device 11 can control the drying mechanism 55 of the drying device 51 so that the surface of the recording medium M is in an appropriate state according to the amount of liquid discharged onto the recording medium M by the recording unit 20. In addition, not only can the function of the drying mechanism 55 be stopped when an abnormality occurs in the drying mechanism 55, but the entire recording system 100 including the recording device 11 can be stopped at an appropriate timing. In other words, by controlling the recording system 100, the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 can be controlled in cooperation with each other.

[0106] (6) Power is supplied to the drying mechanism 55 from the power supply unit 99 of the drying device 51. Therefore, the power capacity of the power supply unit 49 of the recording device 11 can be reduced by the amount of power capacity required for the power supplied to the drying mechanism 55. In other words, it is possible to prevent users of the recording device 11 who do not need the drying device 51 from bearing more expenses than necessary.

[0107] (7) The defining members 71a and 71b are configured to be switchable between a first position that defines the intervals Sa and Sb to be predetermined intervals and a second position in which the floor area occupied by the defining members 71a and 71b is smaller than that in the first position. As a result, when the user is not using the drying device 51, the drying device 51 can be stored in a small space by switching the position of the drying device 51 to the second position in which the floor area occupied by the defining members 71a and 71b is smaller than that in the first position.

[0108] (8) The first mounting part 41a and the second mounting part 41b have an upper opening / closing member 27 and a lower opening / closing member 28. When the drying device 51 is mounted on the recording device 11, the tip portions of the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b press the outer surface 27b of the upper opening / closing member 27 and the outer surface 28b of the lower opening / closing member 28, thereby opening the recess 47. This eliminates the need for a user to perform an operation to open the recess 47, making it easier to mount the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b on the first mounting part 41a and the second mounting part 41b.

[0109] (9) The amount by which the casters 13a, 53a sink in the vertical direction Z varies depending on the weight of the recording device 11 and the drying device 51, the condition of the floor surface 101, and the like. The mounting parts 41a, 41b include sliding parts 32 that slide in the vertical direction Z. Even if the height of the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 relative to the floor surface 101 changes, the height of the mounting parts 41a, 41b is adjusted to the height of the defining members 71a, 71b, so that the defining members 71a, 71b can be mounted on the mounting parts 41a, 41b.

[0110] (10) The amount by which the casters 13a, 53a sink in the vertical direction Z varies depending on the weight of the recording device 11 and the drying device 51, the condition of the floor surface 101, and the like, and the angle of the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 relative to the floor surface 101 changes. The mounting parts 41a, 41b include a tilting part 33 that tilts in a rotational direction about the X-axis. Even if the angle of the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 relative to the floor surface 101 changes, the angle of the mounting parts 41a, 41b is adjusted to the angle of the defining members 71a, 71b, so that the defining members 71a, 71b can be mounted on the mounting parts 41a, 41b.

[0111] (11) The mounting portions 41a, 41b have a recess 47. The guide surface 46 of the recess 47 has an inclined surface on the entrance side of the recess 47. When the user pushes the defining members 71a, 71b into the mounting portions 41a, 41b to mount them, the first contact portion 72a comes into contact with the inclined surface, and the first contact portion 72a is guided to the back side of the recess 47 and to the center of the recess 47. This allows the defining members 71a, 71b to be smoothly mounted to the mounting portions 41a, 41b.

[0112] (12) When the drying device 51 is not attached to the recording device 11, the recess 47 is closed by the upper opening / closing member 27 and the lower opening / closing member 28. In addition, the detection units 43a, 43b that detect the attached defining members 71a, 71b are disposed at the back of the recess 47. This prevents the detection units 43a, 43b from entering a detection state due to the user accidentally touching the detection units 43a, 43b in the recess 47.

[0113] (13) By adjusting the angle of the heat dissipation surface 55a of the drying device 51 relative to the floor surface 101, the drying device 51 can be used for recording devices 11 having different angles of the support surface 25a relative to the floor surface 101. By adjusting the height of the heat dissipation surface 55a of the drying device 51 relative to the floor surface 101, the drying device 51 can be used for recording devices 11 having different heights of the support surface 25a relative to the floor surface 101.

[0114] (14) The drying device 51 has a plurality of casters 53a. When mounting the defining members 71a and 71b to the mounting portions 41a and 41b, the user moves the drying device 51 on the floor surface 101 in a direction in which the drying device 51 approaches the recording device 11. The rollers of the casters 53a rotate on the floor surface 101, so that the drying device 51 can easily approach the recording device 11.

[0115] Second embodiment The second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Since the second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and the duplicated description will be omitted.

[0116] <Recording system configuration> 8, the first contact portion 72a has a first conductive portion 74a that is electrically connected to the first contacted portion 42a. The first contacted portion 42a has a first conductive portion 44a that is electrically connected to the first contacted portion 72a. The second contact portion 72b has a second conductive portion 74b that is electrically connected to the second contacted portion 42b. The second contacted portion 42b has a second conductive portion 44b that is electrically connected to the second contacted portion 72b. The control portion 48 and the second control portion 98 are connected to each other via a connection cable (not shown) that connects the recording device 11 and the drying device 51.

[0117] The first conductive portion 74a is connected to the second control unit 98. The first conductive portion 44a is connected to the control unit 48. The control unit 48 and the second control unit 98 are connected via a connection cable (not shown). The first contact portion 72a contacts the first contacted portion 42a, so that the first interval Sa shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined interval. Then, the first contact portion 72a contacts the first contacted portion 42a, so that the first conductive portion 74a contacts the first conductive portion 44a, and a current flows in a closed electric circuit. More specifically, a current flows from the control unit 48 to the control unit 48 via the connection cable (not shown), the second control unit 98, the first conductive portion 74a, and the first conductive portion 44a. That is, the first contact portion 72a and the first contacted portion 42a come into contact with each other, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the first conductive portion 74a and the first conducted portion 44a.

[0118] The second conductive portion 74b is connected to the second control unit 98. The second conductive portion 44b is connected to the control unit 48. The control unit 48 and the second control unit 98 are connected via a connection cable (not shown). The second contact portion 72b contacts the second contacted portion 42b, so that the second interval Sb shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined interval. Then, the second contact portion 72b contacts the second contacted portion 42b, so that the second conductive portion 74b contacts the second conductive portion 44b, and a current flows in a closed electric circuit. More specifically, a current flows from the control unit 48 to the control unit 48 via a connection cable (not shown), the second control unit 98, the second conductive portion 74b, and the second conductive portion 44b. That is, the second contact portion 72b and the second contacted portion 42b come into contact with each other, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the second conductive portion 74b and the second conducted portion 44b.

[0119] When the first conductive portion 74a and the first conducted portion 44a are conductive, the control portion 48 detects the conductivity between the first conductive portion 74a and the first conducted portion 44a. That is, when the first conductive portion 74a and the first conducted portion 44a are conductive, the control portion 48 detects that the first interval Sa shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined interval.

[0120] When the second conductive portion 74b and the second conducted portion 44b are conductive, the control portion 48 detects the conductivity between the second conductive portion 74b and the second conducted portion 44b. In other words, when the second conductive portion 74b and the second conducted portion 44b are conductive, the control portion 48 detects that the second interval Sb shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined interval.

[0121] When the first conductive portion 74a and the first conductive portion 44a are conductive and the second conductive portion 74b and the second conductive portion 44b are conductive, the drying mechanism 55 functions. When at least one of the first conductive portion 74a and the second conductive portion 74b is no longer conductive, the function of the drying mechanism 55 stops. That is, when the first interval Sa shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a and the second interval Sb shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b, the control unit 48 of the recording device 11 causes the drying mechanism 55 to function. When the definition by at least one of the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b is released, the control unit 48 of the recording device 11 causes the drying mechanism 55 to stop functioning.

[0122] <About the configuration of the mounting part> 9, the first contact portion 72a is composed of a contact surface 75 that contacts the first mounting portion 41a, and a first conductive portion 74a that is formed to protrude from the center of the contact surface 75. The first conductive portion 74a is, for example, a male connector.

[0123] The tilting portion 33 has a recess 47 at the center of the surface facing the abutment surface 75 of the first regulating member 71a. The recess 47 has a shape in which a hole 39 is opened at the center of the bottom surface of a trumpet-shaped hole portion. In other words, the recess 47 is composed of a trumpet-shaped guide surface 46 which is the side surface of the hole portion, and an abutted surface 45 which is the bottom surface of the hole portion. The guide surface 46 is formed as a shape in which the entrance side of the hole is slightly opened. In other words, the guide surface 46 has an inclined surface on the entrance side of the recess 47, and has a cylindrical hole-shaped portion on the back side of the recess 47. The cylindrical guided surface 76 and the cylindrical hole-shaped portion of the guide surface 46 are formed to have dimensions that allow them to fit together. The first conductive portion 44a is arranged at the back of the hole 39. The first conductive portion 44a is, for example, a female connector. When the first defining member 71a is attached, the first conductive portion 74a, which is a male connector, protrudes from the hole 39.

[0124] The configurations of the second defining member 71b and the second mounting portion 41b are the same as the configurations of the first defining member 71a and the first mounting portion 41a, so a description of the configurations of the second defining member 71b and the second mounting portion 41b will be omitted.

[0125] <About wearing the device> As shown in FIG. 10, when the first contact portion 72a is inserted into the first contacted portion 42a, the first conductive portion 44a of the first contact portion 72a protrudes from the hole 39 of the recess 47. Then, when the contact surface 75 of the first contact portion 72a abuts against the contacted surface 45 of the first contacted portion 42a, the first conductive portion 44a arranged at the back of the hole 39 and the first conductive portion 74a protruding from the hole 39 are electrically connected. That is, the first conductive portion 44a, which is a female connector, and the first conductive portion 74a, which is a male connector, are connected, and thus a current flows in a closed electric circuit. As a result, the control unit 48 detects the abutment between the contact surface 75 and the contacted surface 45.

[0126] The abutting surface 75 and the abutted surface 45 may not be present. Even if the abutting surface 75 and the abutted surface 45 are not present, the first conductive portion 44a and the first conductive portion 74a are conductive when the first defining member 71a is attached to the first mounting portion 41a. However, it is preferable that when the first defining member 71a is pressed into the first mounting portion 41a, the abutted surface 45 abuts against the abutting surface 75, so that the direct force from the abutting surface 75 is received by the abutted surface 45 rather than by the connection portion of the connector.

[0127] The configurations of the second defining member 71b and the second mounting portion 41b are the same as the configurations of the first defining member 71a and the first mounting portion 41a. Therefore, a description of the operation performed in the second mounting portion 41b when the second defining member 71b is mounted on the second mounting portion 41b will be omitted.

[0128] <Operation of the embodiment> The operation of this embodiment will be described. Since the second embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, the duplicated explanation of the operation will be omitted.

[0129] When the first contact portion 72a is pressed into the recess 47, the contact surface 75 of the first contact portion 72a comes into contact with the contacted surface 45 of the first contacted portion 42a. This contact establishes electrical continuity between the first conducted portion 44a disposed at the back of the hole 39 and the first conductive portion 74a protruding from the hole 39. In other words, the first conducted portion 44a and the first conductive portion 74a are electrically connected, and the control unit 48 detects the contact between the contact surface 75 of the first contact portion 72a and the contacted surface 45.

[0130] In the first mounting portion 41a, the first interval Sa is set to a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a as a result of the abutting surface 75 abutting against the abutted surface 45. When the first conducted portion 44a and the first conducting portion 74a are conducted to each other, the control portion 48 can detect that the first interval Sa has been set to a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a.

[0131] In this state, the first interval Sa is set to a predetermined interval by the first setting member 71a, but the second interval Sb is not yet set to a predetermined interval by the second setting member 71b. Therefore, the control unit 48 does not allow the drying mechanism 55 to function. That is, when the drying device 51 is not attached so that the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 have an appropriate positional relationship, the drying device 51 can be prevented from functioning.

[0132] In this state, when the second contact portion 72b is further pressed into the recess 47, the contact surface 75 of the second contact portion 72b comes into contact with the contacted surface 45 of the second contacted portion 42b. This contact establishes electrical continuity between the second conducted portion 44b disposed at the back of the hole 39 and the second conductive portion 74b protruding from the hole 39. In other words, the second conducted portion 44b and the second conductive portion 74b are electrically connected, and the control portion 48 detects the contact between the contact surface 75 of the second contact portion 72b and the contacted surface 45.

[0133] In the second mounting portion 41b, the second interval Sb is set to a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b as a result of the abutting surface 75 abutting against the abutted surface 45. When the second conducted portion 44b and the second conducting portion 74b are conducted to each other, the control portion 48 can detect that the second interval Sb has been set to a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b.

[0134] In this state, the first interval Sa is set to a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a, and the second interval Sb is set to a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b. In addition, the position of the drying mechanism 55 in the second transport direction Y2 is set to a predetermined position on the support surface 25a by the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b. In this state, the control unit 48 causes the drying mechanism 55 to function. That is, when the drying mechanism 51 is attached so that the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 have an appropriate positional relationship, the drying mechanism 51 can be caused to function. The user fixes the position of the drying device 51 by locking the rollers of the casters 53a.

[0135] <Effects of the embodiment> The effects of this embodiment will be described. In the recording system 100 and drying device 51 of this embodiment, the same effects as those (1), (2), (4) to (11), (13), and (14) in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0136] (15) When the first contact portion 72a contacts the first contacted portion 42a, the first conductive portion 74a contacts the first conductive portion 44a, and when the second contact portion 72b contacts the second contacted portion 42b, the second conductive portion 74b contacts the second conductive portion 44b. By conducting the recording device 11 and the drying device 51, a circuit for detecting the contact is formed. That is, when the regulation by the contact is released, the circuit for detecting the contact is short-circuited, so that the function of the drying device 51 can be stopped reliably.

[0137] Third embodiment Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the third embodiment is substantially the same as the first and second embodiments, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and the duplicated description will be omitted.

[0138] <Recording system configuration> 11, the recording system 100 has a first detection unit 43a that detects contact between the first contact portion 72a and the first contacted portion 42a. The detection result of the first detection unit 43a is notified to the control unit 48. When the first contact portion 72a contacts the first contacted portion 42a, the first interval Sa shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined interval.

[0139] The second contact portion 72b has a second conductive portion 74b that is conductive with the second contacted portion 42b. The second contacted portion 42b has a second conductive portion 44b that is conductive with the second contacted portion 72b. The control portion 48 and the second control portion 98 are connected to each other via a connection cable (not shown) that connects the recording device 11 and the drying device 51.

[0140] The second conductive portion 74b is connected to the second control unit 98. The second conductive portion 44b is connected to the control unit 48. The control unit 48 and the second control unit 98 are connected via a connection cable (not shown). The second contact portion 72b contacts the second contacted portion 42b, so that the second interval Sb shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined interval. Then, the second contact portion 72b contacts the second contacted portion 42b, so that the second conductive portion 74b contacts the second conductive portion 44b, and a current flows in a closed electric circuit. More specifically, a current flows from the control unit 48 to the control unit 48 via a connection cable (not shown), the second control unit 98, the second conductive portion 74b, and the second conductive portion 44b. That is, the second contact portion 72b and the second contacted portion 42b come into contact with each other, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the second conductive portion 74b and the second conducted portion 44b.

[0141] When the second conductive portion 74b and the second conducted portion 44b are conductive, the control portion 48 detects the conductivity between the second conductive portion 74b and the second conducted portion 44b. In other words, when the second conductive portion 74b and the second conducted portion 44b are conductive, the control portion 48 detects that the second interval Sb shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined interval.

[0142] The drying mechanism 55 functions when the first detection unit 43a detects the contact between the first contact portion 72a and the first contacted portion 42a and the second conductive portion 74b and the second conductive portion 44b are conductive. The function of the drying mechanism 55 stops when at least one of the events of the first detection unit 43a no longer detecting the contact and the event of the second conductive portion 74b being no longer conductive occurs. That is, when the first interval Sa shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a and the second interval Sb shown in FIG. 3 is set to a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b, the control unit 48 of the recording device 11 causes the drying mechanism 55 to function. When the determination by at least one of the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b is released, the control unit 48 of the recording device 11 causes the drying mechanism 55 to stop functioning.

[0143] <Operation of the embodiment> The operation of the present embodiment will be described below. Since the third embodiment is almost the same as the first and second embodiments, the duplicated explanation of the operation will be omitted.

[0144] When the first contact portion 72a is pressed into the recess 47, the contact surface 75 of the first contact portion 72a comes into contact with the contacted surface 45 of the first contacted portion 42a. This contact causes the first detection portion 43a disposed deep inside the hole 39 to detect the detected portion 73 protruding from the hole 39.

[0145] In the first mounting portion 41a, the first interval Sa is set to a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a as a result of the abutting surface 75 coming into contact with the abutted surface 45. Based on the detection result of the first detection portion 43a, the control portion 48 can detect that the first interval Sa has been set to a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a.

[0146] In this state, the first interval Sa is set to a predetermined interval by the first setting member 71a, but the second interval Sb is not yet set to a predetermined interval by the second setting member 71b. Therefore, the control unit 48 does not allow the drying mechanism 55 to function. That is, when the drying device 51 is not attached so that the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 have an appropriate positional relationship, the drying device 51 can be prevented from functioning.

[0147] In this state, when the second contact portion 72b is further pressed into the recess 47, the contact surface 75 of the second contact portion 72b comes into contact with the contacted surface 45 of the second contacted portion 42b. This contact establishes electrical continuity between the second conducted portion 44b disposed at the back of the hole 39 and the second conductive portion 74b protruding from the hole 39. In other words, the second conducted portion 44b and the second conductive portion 74b are electrically connected, and the control portion 48 detects the contact between the contact surface 75 of the second contact portion 72b and the contacted surface 45.

[0148] In the second mounting portion 41b, the second interval Sb is set to a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b as a result of the abutting surface 75 abutting against the abutted surface 45. When the second conducted portion 44b and the second conducting portion 74b are conducted to each other, the control portion 48 can detect that the second interval Sb has been set to a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b.

[0149] In this state, the first interval Sa is set to a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a, and the second interval Sb is set to a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b. In addition, the position of the drying mechanism 55 in the second transport direction Y2 is set to a predetermined position on the support surface 25a by the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b. In this state, the control unit 48 causes the drying mechanism 55 to function. That is, when the drying mechanism 51 is attached so that the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 have an appropriate positional relationship, the drying mechanism 51 can be caused to function. The user fixes the position of the drying device 51 by locking the rollers of the casters 53a.

[0150] When the drying device 51 is pushed by an unexpected contact between the user and the housing 52 of the drying device 51, the locked roller surface of the caster 53a may slide on the floor surface 101, and the position of the drying device 51 may move. As a result, for example, when the abutting surface 75 of the second defining member 71b moves away from the abutted surface 45, the second conductive portion 44b and the second conductive portion 74b are no longer conductive. That is, the second conductive portion 44b and the second conductive portion 74b are short-circuited. At this time, the short-circuit between the second conductive portion 44b and the second conductive portion 74b allows the control unit 48 to detect that the definition by the second defining member 71b has been released.

[0151] <Effects of the embodiment> The effects of this embodiment will be described. In the recording system 100 and drying device 51 of this embodiment, the same effects as those (1), (2), (4) to (11), (13), and (14) in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0152] (16) The recording system 100 has a first detection unit 43a that detects the contact between the first contact portion 72a and the first contacted portion 42a, and the second conductive portion 74b and the second conductive portion 44b are electrically connected by the contact between the second contact portion 72b and the second contacted portion 42b. On the first defining member 71a side, a circuit for detecting the contact is formed only in the recording device 11 or the drying device 51, whichever has the first detection unit 43a. On the second defining member 71b side, a circuit for detecting the contact is formed in both the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 by electrically connecting the recording device 11 and the drying device 51. By the recording system 100 having two different circuits for detecting the contact, it is possible to reduce the frequency of simultaneous occurrence of detection failures on the first defining member 71a side and detection failures on the second defining member 71b side.

[0153] <Modifications of the embodiment> 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.

[0154] The number of mounting parts 41 and the number of defining members 71 may each be one. For example, in Fig. 1, the recording device 11 may have one mounting part 41 below the roll body R and at approximately the center in the width direction X of the recording medium M. Furthermore, the drying device 51 may have one defining member 71 at a position facing the mounting part 41.

[0155] The number of mounting parts 41 and the number of regulating members 71 may each be three. In addition to the two mounting parts 41a, 41b in the first embodiment and the two regulating members 71a, 71b in the first embodiment, the recording device 11 may further have one mounting part 41 below the roll body R and at a substantially central position in the width direction X of the recording medium M. Furthermore, the drying device 51 may further have one regulating member 71 at a position facing the mounting part 41. With the three regulating members 71, the position of the drying device 51 can be regulated so that the distance S between the drying mechanism 55 and the support surface 25a is uniform not only in the width direction X of the recording medium M but also in the second transport direction Y2.

[0156] In the second embodiment, the power line for heating the drying mechanism 55 may be conducted from the first conductive portion 74a to the first conductive portion 44a, and the power line may be further conducted from the second conductive portion 74b to the second conductive portion 44b. In this way, when the first interval Sa is determined to be a predetermined interval by the first defining member 71a and the second interval Sb is determined to be a predetermined interval by the second defining member 71b, power is supplied to the drying mechanism 55. More specifically, the drying mechanism 55 functions when power is supplied from the power supply unit 99 to the drying mechanism 55 via the first conductive portion 74a, the first conductive portion 44a, the second conductive portion 44b, and the second conductive portion 74b. When at least one of the first conductive portion 74a and the second conductive portion 74b is short-circuited, the power supply from the power supply unit 99 to the drying mechanism 55 is stopped, and the function of the drying mechanism 55 is stopped.

[0157] In the second embodiment, the first conductive portion 74a and the second conductive portion 74b may be directly connected without going through the second control unit 98. The first conductive portion 44a is connected to the control unit 48, and the second conductive portion 44b is connected to the control unit 48. The first contact portion 72a contacts the first contact portion 42a, causing the first conductive portion 74a to come into contact with the first conductive portion 44a. The second contact portion 72b contacts the second contact portion 42b, causing the second conductive portion 74b to come into contact with the second conductive portion 44b. This causes a current to flow in a closed electric circuit. More specifically, a current flows from the control unit 48 to the control unit 48 via the first conductive portion 44a, the first conductive portion 74a, the second conductive portion 74b, and the second conductive portion 44b. As a result, the control unit 48 may detect that the first conductive portion 74a and the first conducted portion 44a are conductive, and that the second conductive portion 74b and the second conducted portion 44b are conductive.

[0158] In the second embodiment, the first conducted portion 44a and the second conducted portion 44b may be directly connected without going through the control portion 48. The first conductive portion 74a is connected to the second control portion 98, and the second conductive portion 74b is connected to the second control portion 98. The first contact portion 72a and the first contact portion 42a come into contact with each other, and the second contact portion 72b and the second contact portion 42b come into contact with each other, and the second conductive portion 74b and the second contact portion 44b come into contact with each other. This causes a current to flow in a closed electric circuit. More specifically, a current flows from the second control unit 98 through the first conductive portion 74a, the first conducted portion 44a, the second conducted portion 44b, and the second conductive portion 74b to the second control unit 98. As a result, the second control unit 98 may detect that the first conductive portion 74a and the first conducted portion 44a are conductive, and that the second conductive portion 74b and the second conducted portion 44b are conductive. The second control unit 98 may then notify the control unit 48 of the result.

[0159] In the second embodiment, either one of the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 may have a first detection unit 43a that detects the contact between the first contact portion 72a and the first contacted portion 42a. For example, when the first defining member 71a is attached, the detected portion 73 and the first conductive portion 74a protrude from the hole 39. The first detection unit 43a and the first conductive portion 44a are arranged side by side at the back of the hole 39. The first detection unit 43a detects the detected portion 73 protruding from the hole 39, and the first conductive portion 74a and the first conductive portion 44a are conductive. The detection of the contact on the first defining member 71a side may be performed by both the conduction between the first conductive portion 74a and the first conductive portion 44a and the first detection unit 43a. This can increase the reliability of detection on the first defining member 71a side.

[0160] In the second embodiment, either one of the recording device 11 and the drying device 51 may have a second detection unit 43b that detects the contact between the second contact portion 72b and the second contacted portion 42b. For example, when the second defining member 71b is attached, the detected portion 73 and the second conductive portion 74b protrude from the hole 39. The second detection unit 43b and the second conductive portion 44b are arranged side by side at the back of the hole 39. The second detection unit 43b detects the detected portion 73 protruding from the hole 39, and the second conductive portion 74b and the second conductive portion 44b are conductive. The detection of the contact on the second defining member 71b side may be performed by both the conduction between the second conductive portion 74b and the second conductive portion 44b and the second detection unit 43b. This can increase the reliability of detection on the second defining member 71b side.

[0161] The drying mechanism 55 may be a drying mechanism that includes only a heating mechanism. In this case, "the drying mechanism functions" means that the heater tube 56a starts to generate heat when electricity is started to be applied to the heater tube 56a. "The function of the drying mechanism stops" means that the heater tube 56a stops generating heat when electricity is stopped to be applied to the heater tube 56a. Even in a drying mechanism that includes only a heating mechanism, the recording medium M can be dried in an appropriate state by the defining member 71 defining the distance S between the support surface 25a and the drying mechanism 55 to a predetermined distance.

[0162] The drying mechanism 55 may be a drying mechanism that includes only a blowing mechanism. In this case, "the drying mechanism functions" means that the rotation of the blower 58 starts. "The function of the drying mechanism stops" means that the rotation of the blower 58 starts. Even in a drying mechanism that includes only a blowing mechanism, the recording medium M can be dried in an appropriate state by the defining member 71 defining the distance S between the support surface 25a and the drying mechanism 55 to a predetermined distance.

[0163] The first mounting portion 41a and the second mounting portion 41b may have only one of the upper opening / closing member 27 and the lower opening / closing member 28. This makes it easier for the first defining member 71a and the second defining member 71b to be attached to the first mounting portion 41a and the second mounting portion 41b, and also makes it possible to prevent the first detecting portion 43a and the second detecting portion 43b in the recess 47 from erroneously going into a detecting state.

[0164] <Technical ideas and effects understood from the embodiments and modified examples> The technical ideas and effects obtained from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below.

[0165] (A) A recording system comprising a recording device having a recording unit that performs recording by applying liquid to a recording medium transported in a transport direction, and a drying device having a drying mechanism that dries the recording medium with the liquid applied thereto, wherein the recording device has a support surface that supports the recording medium downstream of the recording unit in the transport direction, and the drying device is configured to be attachable to the recording device at a position where the support surface and the drying mechanism face each other, and either the recording device or the drying device has a determining member that determines a distance between the support surface and the drying mechanism to a predetermined distance when the drying device is attached to the recording device, and the drying mechanism functions when the distance is determined to be the predetermined distance by the determining member, and the function of the drying mechanism stops when the determination by the determining member is released.

[0166] According to this configuration, when the distance between the support surface and the drying mechanism is set to a predetermined distance by the regulating member, the surface of the recording medium on the support surface that supports the recording medium, to which the liquid is attached, and the drying mechanism are in an appropriate positional relationship. When the distance between the support surface and the drying mechanism is set to a predetermined distance, the drying mechanism functions, so that the recording medium can be dried in an appropriate state. Furthermore, when the regulation by the regulating member is released, the surface of the recording medium on the support surface that supports the recording medium, to which the liquid is attached, and the drying mechanism are not in an appropriate positional relationship. When the regulation by the regulating member is released, the function of the drying mechanism stops, so that the drying mechanism can be prevented from functioning in a state in which the recording medium is not properly dried.

[0167] (B) The recording system may have a plurality of the determining members, and the plurality of determining members may determine the spacing at a plurality of locations to a predetermined spacing, and the drying mechanism may function when all of the spacing at the plurality of locations are determined to be the predetermined spacing, and the function of the drying mechanism may stop when the determination by at least one of the plurality of determining members is released.

[0168] According to this configuration, when all of the intervals among the multiple intervals between the support surface and the drying mechanism are set to a predetermined interval by the multiple regulating members, the entire surface of the recording medium to be dried and the entire surface of the drying mechanism that dries the recording medium are in an appropriate positional relationship. When all of the intervals among the multiple intervals are set to a predetermined interval, the drying mechanism functions, so that the entire surface of the recording medium to be dried can be dried in an appropriate state. Furthermore, when the regulation by at least one of the multiple regulating members is released, at least a portion of the entire surface to be dried does not have an appropriate positional relationship. When the regulation by at least one of the multiple intervals is released, the function of the drying mechanism stops, so that the drying mechanism can be prevented from functioning in a state in which at least a portion of the entire surface to be dried is not properly dried.

[0169] (C) The recording system may have a first defining member as the defining member and a second defining member as the defining member, the first defining member being provided on one side in the width direction of the recording medium, outside a range through which the recording medium is transported, and the second defining member being provided on the other side in the width direction of the recording medium, outside a range through which the recording medium is transported, and the drying mechanism may function when the first defining member defines a first interval as the interval on the one side to a predetermined interval and the second defining member defines a second interval as the interval on the other side to a predetermined interval, and the function of the drying mechanism may stop when the definition by at least one of the first defining member and the second defining member is released.

[0170] According to this configuration, the first defining member defines the first interval at one side outside the range in which the recording medium is transported in the width direction of the recording medium to a predetermined interval. As a result, on one side, the surface of the recording medium to be dried and the surface that dries the recording medium in the drying mechanism have an appropriate positional relationship. Also, the second defining member defines the second interval at the other side outside the range in which the recording medium is transported in the width direction of the recording medium to a predetermined interval. As a result, on the other side, the surface of the recording medium to be dried and the surface that dries the recording medium in the drying mechanism have an appropriate positional relationship. In other words, the first defining member and the second defining member define an appropriate positional relationship between the surface of the recording medium to be dried and the surface that dries the recording medium in the drying mechanism from one side to the other side in the width direction of the recording medium. The drying mechanism functions when the first defining member defines the first interval at one side to a predetermined interval and the second defining member defines the second interval at the other side to a predetermined interval. As a result, the recording medium can be dried in an appropriate state from one side to the other side. In addition, when the regulation by at least one of the first and second regulating members is released, the function of the drying mechanism is stopped, which makes it possible to prevent the drying mechanism from functioning in a state in which the surface of the recording medium on either side in the width direction of the recording medium is not properly dried.

[0171] (D) In ​​the above recording system, one of the recording device and the drying device may have the first determining member, the first determining member having a first abutment portion that abuts against the other of the recording device and the drying device, the other having a first abutted portion that abuts against the first abutment portion, one of the recording device and the drying device may have the second determining member, the second determining member having a second abutment portion that abuts against the other of the recording device and the drying device, the other having a second abutted portion that abuts against the second abutment portion, the first abutment portion abutting against the first abutment portion defines the first interval as a predetermined interval, and the second abutment portion abutting against the second abutment portion defines the second interval as a predetermined interval.

[0172] According to this configuration, the first interval is determined to be a predetermined interval by the first abutting portion of the first defining member abutting against the first abutted portion. Since the positional relationship is uniformly determined by the members abutting against each other, the first interval can be reliably determined to be a predetermined interval. The second abutting portion of the second defining member abutting against the second abutted portion is determined to be a predetermined interval. Since the positional relationship is uniformly determined by the members abutting against each other, the second interval can be reliably determined to be a predetermined interval.

[0173] (E) The recording system may have a first detection unit that detects contact between the first contact portion and the first abutted portion, and a second detection unit that detects contact between the second contact portion and the second abutted portion.

[0174] According to this configuration, a circuit for the first detection unit to detect contact is formed only in the device having the first detection unit out of the recording device and the drying device. Also, a circuit for the second detection unit to detect contact is formed only in the device having the second detection unit out of the recording device and the drying device. In other words, since a circuit for detecting contact is formed in only one of the devices, the circuit configuration of the recording system can be simplified.

[0175] (F) In the above recording system, the first abutting portion may have a first conductive portion conductive with the first abutted portion, the first abutted portion may have a first conductive portion conductive with the first abutted portion, the second abutting portion may have a second conductive portion conductive with the second abutted portion, and the first abutting portion may have a second conductive portion conductive with the second abutted portion, such that the first conductive portion and the first conductive portion are brought into electrical continuity by the abutment between the first abutting portion and the first abutted portion, and the second conductive portion and the second conductive portion are brought into electrical continuity by the abutment between the second abutting portion and the second abutted portion.

[0176] According to this configuration, a circuit for detecting contact is formed by electrically connecting the recording device and the drying device. In other words, when the regulation by contact is released, the circuit for detecting contact is short-circuited, so that the function of the drying device can be stopped reliably.

[0177] (G) The recording system may have a first detection unit that detects contact between the first contact portion and the first contacted portion, the second contact portion may have a second conductive portion that is conductive with the second contacted portion, the second contacted portion may have a second conductive portion that is conductive with the second conductive portion, and contact between the second contact portion and the second contacted portion may result in conductivity between the second conductive portion and the second conductive portion.

[0178] According to this configuration, on the first determining member side, a circuit for detecting contact is formed only in one of the recording device and the drying device, which has the first detection unit. Also, on the second determining member side, a circuit for detecting contact is formed in both the recording device and the drying device by electrically connecting the recording device and the drying device. By having the recording system have two different circuits for detecting contact, it is possible to reduce the frequency of simultaneous occurrence of detection malfunctions on the first determining member side and detection malfunctions on the second determining member side.

[0179] (H) In the above recording system, the recording device and the drying device may be installed on the same plane, the support surface may extend in a direction intersecting the plane, and the drying device may be attached to the recording device in a direction parallel to the plane by moving on the plane.

[0180] According to this configuration, the drying device is attached to the recording device in a direction intersecting the support surface while the user moves the drying device on the floor surface, which is the installation surface, so that the distance between the support surface and the drying mechanism can be easily set to a predetermined distance. Also, the drying device can be easily detached from the recording device by moving the drying device in a direction away from the recording device.

[0181] (I) In the above recording system, the recording device may have a control unit that controls the recording system, and the control unit may cause the drying mechanism to function when the gap is determined to be a predetermined gap by the determining member, and may cause the drying mechanism to stop functioning when the determination by the determining member is released.

[0182] According to this configuration, the recording device controls the recording system, and thus the drying mechanism of the drying device can be controlled so that the surface of the recording medium is in an appropriate state according to the amount of liquid ejected onto the recording medium by the recording unit. Furthermore, not only can the function of the drying device be stopped when an abnormality occurs in the drying mechanism, but the entire recording system including the recording device can be stopped at an appropriate timing. In other words, the recording device controls the recording system, and thus the recording device and the drying device can be controlled in cooperation with each other.

[0183] (J) In the above recording system, the drying device may have a power supply unit that supplies power to the drying mechanism. According to this configuration, power is supplied to the drying mechanism from the power supply unit of the drying device. Therefore, the power capacity of the power supply unit of the recording device can be reduced by the amount of power capacity required for the power supplied to the drying mechanism. In other words, it is possible to prevent users of the recording device who do not need a drying device from bearing more expenses than necessary.

[0184] (K) In the above recording system, the determining member may be configured to be switchable between a first position in which the distance is determined to be a predetermined distance and a second position in which the determining member occupies a smaller floor area than in the first position.

[0185] According to this configuration, when a user is not using the drying device, the drying device can be stored in a small space by switching the posture of the drying device to the second posture, which occupies a smaller floor area on the defining member than the first posture.

[0186] (L) A drying device is configured to be attachable to a recording device having a recording unit that performs recording by adhering a liquid to a recording medium transported in a transport direction, and a support surface that supports the recording medium downstream in the transport direction, and has a drying mechanism that dries the recording medium to which the liquid has been adhered at a position opposite the support surface when attached to the recording device, wherein the drying device has a determining member that determines the distance between the support surface and the drying mechanism to a predetermined distance, and the drying mechanism functions when the distance is determined to be the predetermined distance by the determining member, and the function of the drying mechanism stops when the determination by the determining member is released.

[0187] According to this configuration, when the distance between the support surface and the drying mechanism is set to a predetermined distance by the regulating member, the surface of the recording medium on the support surface supporting the recording medium, to which the liquid is attached, and the drying mechanism have an appropriate positional relationship. Therefore, the drying mechanism functions when the distance between the support surface and the drying mechanism is set to a predetermined distance, and the recording medium can be dried in an appropriate state. Furthermore, when the distance between the support surface and the drying mechanism is not set to a predetermined distance by the regulating member, the surface of the recording medium on the support surface supporting the recording medium, to which the liquid is attached, and the drying mechanism do not have an appropriate positional relationship. Therefore, when the regulation by the regulating member is released, the function of the drying mechanism stops, and it is possible to prevent the drying mechanism from functioning in a state in which the recording medium is not properly dried. [Explanation of symbols]

[0188] 11...recording device, 12...casing, 13...legs, 13a...casters, 14...cover, 15...operation section, 15a...display section, 15b...operation buttons, 20...recording section, 21...transport section, 23...butt surface, 24...butt surface, 25...support section, 25a...support surface, 27...upper opening / closing member, 27a...opening / closing center, 27b...outer surface, 27c...inner surface, 28...lower opening / closing member, 28a...opening / closing center, 28b...outer surface, 28c...inner surface, 29...urging member, 30...urging member, 31...fixed section, 32...sliding section , 33...tilting portion, 34...tilting center, 35...sliding surface, 36...sliding surface, 37...urging member, 38...urging member, 39...hole, 41...mounting portion, 41a...first mounting portion as mounting portion, 41b...second mounting portion as mounting portion, 42a...first contacted portion, 42b...second contacted portion, 43a...first detection portion, 43b...second detection portion, 44a...first conductive portion, 44b...second conductive portion, 45...contacted surface, 46...guide surface, 48...control portion, 49...power supply unit, 51...drying device, 52...casing Body, 53...legs, 53a...casters, 54...cover, 55...drying mechanism, 55a...heat dissipation surface, 56...heating section, 56a...heater tube, 56b...reflector, 57...flow path, 58...blower, 59...inlet, 60...outlet, 71...regulating member, 71a...first regulating member as regulating member, 71b...second regulating member as regulating member, 72a...first contact portion, 72b...second contact portion, 73...detected portion, 74a...first conductive portion, 74b...second conductive portion, 75...contact surface, 76...guided surface , 98...second control unit, 99...power supply unit, 100...recording system, 101...floor surface, 102...second drying mechanism, D1...tilting direction, D2...tilting direction, D3...sliding direction, D4...sliding direction, M...recording medium, R...roll body, S...spacing, Sa...first spacing as spacing, Sb...second spacing as spacing, W...range over which the recording medium is transported, W1...counterclockwise direction, W2...clockwise direction, X...width direction, Y...depth direction, Y1...transport direction, Y2...second transport direction, Z...vertical direction.

Claims

1. A recording system including a recording device having a recording unit that performs recording by applying a liquid to a recording medium transported in a transport direction, and a drying device having a drying mechanism that dries the recording medium to which the liquid has been applied, the recording device has a support surface for supporting the recording medium downstream of the recording unit in the transport direction, the drying device is configured to be attachable to the recording device at a position where the support surface and the drying mechanism face each other; one of the recording device and the drying device has a defining member that defines a distance between the support surface and the drying mechanism at a predetermined distance when the drying device is attached to the recording device; a drying mechanism that functions when the gap is set to the predetermined gap by the determining member, and that stops functioning of the drying mechanism when the determination by the determining member is released.

2. The recording system includes a plurality of the defining members, The intervals at the plurality of locations are defined to be predetermined intervals by the plurality of defining members, The recording system according to claim 1, characterized in that the drying mechanism functions when all of the intervals among the plurality of intervals are defined to the predetermined interval, and the function of the drying mechanism stops when the definition by at least one of the plurality of defining members is released.

3. the recording system includes a first defining member as the defining member and a second defining member as the defining member, the first defining member is provided on one side of the recording medium, the one side being outside a range in which the recording medium is transported, in a width direction of the recording medium; the second defining member is provided on the other side, in a width direction of the recording medium, outside a range in which the recording medium is transported, the drying mechanism functions when a first interval as the interval on the one side is defined to a predetermined interval by the first defining member and a second interval as the interval on the other side is defined to a predetermined interval by the second defining member; 2. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the drying mechanism stops functioning when the positioning by at least one of the first positioning member and the second positioning member is released.

4. one of the recording device and the drying device has the first defining member, the first defining member has a first contact portion that contacts the other of the recording device and the drying device, the other has a first abutted portion that is abutted against the first abutting portion, one of the recording device and the drying device has the second defining member, the second defining member has a second contact portion that contacts the other of the recording device and the drying device, the other has a second abutted portion that is abutted against the second abutting portion, The first contact portion contacts the first contacted portion, so that the first interval is set to a predetermined interval, 4. The recording system according to claim 3, wherein the second distance is set to a predetermined distance by the second contact portion coming into contact with the second contacted portion.

5. The recording system according to claim 4, characterized in that the recording system has a first detection unit that detects contact between the first contact portion and the first abutted portion, and a second detection unit that detects contact between the second contact portion and the second abutted portion.

6. the first contact portion has a first conductive portion that is conductive with the first contacted portion, the first contacted portion has a first conductive portion that is conductive with the first contacted portion, the second contact portion has a second conductive portion that is conductive with the second contacted portion, the second contacted portion has a second conductive portion that is conductive with the second contacted portion, When the first contact portion and the first contacted portion come into contact with each other, the first conductive portion and the first conductive portion are electrically connected to each other.

6. The recording system according to claim 4, wherein the second conductive portion and the second conductive portion are electrically connected to each other by the second contact portion and the second contacted portion being in contact with each other.

7. the recording system includes a first detection unit that detects contact between the first contact portion and the first contacted portion, the second contact portion has a second conductive portion that is conductive with the second contacted portion, the second contact portion has a second conductive portion that is conductive with the second conductive portion, 5. The recording system according to claim 4, wherein the second conductive portion and the second conductive portion are electrically connected to each other by the second contact portion and the second contacted portion being in contact with each other.

8. the recording device and the drying device are installed on the same plane, The support surface extends in a direction intersecting the plane, 8. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the drying device is attached to the recording device in a direction parallel to the plane by moving the drying device on the plane.

9. The recording device has a control unit that controls the recording system, The recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the control unit causes the drying mechanism to function when the gap is determined to be a predetermined gap by the determining member, and causes the drying mechanism to stop functioning when the determination by the determining member is released.

10. 10. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the drying device includes a power supply unit that supplies power to the drying mechanism.

11. 11. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the determining member is configured to be switchable between a first position in which the distance is determined to be a predetermined distance and a second position in which the determining member occupies a smaller floor area than in the first position.

12. The recording device is configured to be mountable on a recording device having a recording unit that performs recording by applying a liquid to a recording medium transported in a transport direction, and a support surface that supports the recording medium on the downstream side of the transport direction, a drying device having a drying mechanism that dries the recording medium to which the liquid has adhered at a position facing the support surface when the drying device is attached to the recording device, the drying device has a defining member that defines a predetermined distance between the support surface and the drying mechanism, A drying device characterized in that the drying mechanism functions when the gap is determined to be the predetermined gap by the determining member, and the function of the drying mechanism stops when the determination by the determining member is released.

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