inkjet printer

Abstract

To equalize distribution of air blown onto a recording medium from a dryer as much as possible to facilitate drying of an ink on the recording medium.SOLUTION: A dryer 50 of an inkjet printer 10 has: a heating chamber 102 which is formed within a body case 51 and at least partially defined by a rear wall 51B of the body case 51; a heating chamber suction port 102a formed on the rear wall 51B; a heating chamber exhaust port 102b formed at the rear wall 51B; and multiple heating chamber fans 132 which blow air in the heating chamber 102. The multiple heating chamber fans 132 are arranged from side to side spaced apart from each other. The heating chamber exhaust port 102b is disposed above a middle point of the rear wall 51B in a vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet printer.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an inkjet printer that performs printing on a recording medium by an inkjet method is known. This type of inkjet printer includes, for example, a platen on which a recording medium is placed, and an ink head that discharges ink onto the recording medium placed on the platen. Also, depending on the type of ink used, there is an inkjet printer provided with a drying device for drying the ink discharged onto the recording medium.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet printer provided with a drying device having a plurality of fans arranged in the left-right direction. The drying device is disposed in front of a downstream platen (hereinafter referred to as a guide member) that extends obliquely downward forward. The drying device has an opposing plate facing the guide member. A plurality of discharge holes are formed in the opposing plate, and air is blown from those discharge holes onto the recording medium on the guide member. Thereby, the drying of the ink discharged onto the recording medium can be efficiently performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the drying apparatus described above, multiple fans are dispersed in the left-right direction, but the exhaust holes are evenly distributed across almost the entire surface of the opposing plate. As a result, the distribution of air blown onto the recording medium from the exhaust holes of the opposing plate tends to be uneven. However, if the distribution of air blown onto the recording medium can be made uniform, the ink on the recording medium can be dried more efficiently.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its objective is to provide an inkjet printer that promotes the drying of ink on a recording medium by making the distribution of the air blown from the drying device onto the recording medium as uniform as possible. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The inkjet printer according to the present invention comprises: a platen on which a recording medium is placed; a carriage positioned above the platen and moving in the left-right direction; an ink head mounted on the carriage and ejecting ink onto the recording medium being transported forward; a guide member having an upper wall extending diagonally downward and forward, positioned in front of the platen, and guiding the movement of the recording medium; and a drying device facing the upper wall of the guide member and blowing air toward the recording medium. The drying apparatus comprises a main body case having a rear wall that faces the upper wall of the guide member and extends in the left-right direction; an air chamber formed inside the main body case, a portion of which is partitioned by the rear wall and extending in the left-right direction; an air chamber intake port formed in the main body case and connecting the outside of the main body case to the air chamber; an air chamber exhaust port formed in the rear wall and connecting the outside of the main body case to the air chamber; and a plurality of air chamber fans provided in the air chamber, which blow air into the air chamber so that air from outside the air chamber is drawn into the air chamber from the air chamber intake port and the air in the air chamber is discharged from the air chamber exhaust port. The air chamber has an upstream chamber into which outside air is taken in from the air chamber intake port; a downstream chamber into which air that has been taken in from the upstream chamber and pressurized by the air chamber fans flows; and an outlet chamber partitioned from the upstream chamber and the downstream chamber and communicating with the downstream chamber through a through hole. The pressure in the upstream chamber is set to negative pressure, the pressure in the downstream chamber is set to positive pressure, and the pressure in the outlet chamber is set to a positive pressure lower than the pressure in the downstream chamber. The air chamber exhaust port is located in the outlet chamber.

[0008] According to the above inkjet printer, pressurized air from the air chamber fan is drawn into the downstream chamber, flows laterally within the downstream chamber, and its flow velocity is made uniform within the downstream chamber. The uniformly flowing air is then drawn into the outlet chamber, flows laterally within the outlet chamber, and its flow velocity is further uniformed within the outlet chamber. According to the above inkjet printer, the air pressure can be increased in the region just before the exhaust port in the air chamber. This makes it possible to make the distribution of air blown from the exhaust port onto the recording medium more uniform than in conventional methods. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the distribution of air blown from the drying device onto the recording medium can be made more uniform than in the conventional method, thereby promoting the drying of ink on the recording medium. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a printer according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a front view of a printer according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a front view of the drying apparatus. [Figure 5] This is a plan view of the drying apparatus. [Figure 6] This is a rear view of the drying apparatus. [Figure 7] This is a partial perspective view of the drying apparatus. [Figure 8] Front view of the mounting plate. [Figure 9] This is a front view of the rectifier plate. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing a portion of the guide member removed. [Figure 11] This diagram shows the airflow in the drying apparatus. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view of an inkjet printer according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of an inkjet printer with modified features. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, an inkjet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as "printer") according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Naturally, the embodiments described herein are not intended to particularly limit the present invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for components and parts that perform the same function, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the printer 10. In FIG. 2, illustration of a non-heating chamber intake port 103a and a non-heating chamber exhaust port 103b, which will be described later, is omitted. The printer 10 performs printing on a recording medium 5.

[0013] The recording medium 5 is, for example, recording paper. However, the recording medium 5 is not limited to recording paper. The recording medium 5 includes, in addition to papers such as plain paper and inkjet printing paper, those formed from resin materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyester, metal plates formed from aluminum, iron, etc., glass plates, wood plates, and those formed from cardboard and the like.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 includes a platen 16 on which the recording medium 5 is placed, and an ink head 35 located directly above the platen 16. In this specification, when printing is performed on the recording medium 5 on the platen 16, the direction in which the recording medium 5 is conveyed on the platen 16 is taken as the front, and the opposite direction as the rear. Left, right, up, and down respectively mean left, right, up, and down as seen by an operator standing in front of the printer 10. When the operator is facing the front of the printer 10, the direction from the rear of the printer 10 toward the operator is the front, and the direction from the operator toward the rear of the printer 10 is the rear. Reference signs F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings respectively represent front, rear, left, right, up, and down.

[0015] The carriage 30 (see Fig. 2) described below is provided so as to be movable leftward and rightward. The carriage 30 is movable in the left - right direction. When the rear side of the printer 10 is referred to as the upstream side and the front side of the printer 10 is referred to as the downstream side, the recording medium 5 is conveyed from the upstream side toward the downstream side. The front side corresponds to the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium 5. The rear side corresponds to the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium 5. In the present embodiment, the moving direction of the carriage 30 is referred to as the main scanning direction Y, and the conveyance direction of the recording medium 5 is referred to as the sub - scanning direction X. Here, the main scanning direction Y corresponds to the left - right direction, and the sub - scanning direction X corresponds to the front - rear direction. The main scanning direction Y and the sub - scanning direction X are orthogonal. However, the main scanning direction Y and the sub - scanning direction X are not particularly limited and can be appropriately set according to the form of the printer 10 and the like.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the printer 10 includes a main body portion 10a, legs 11, an operation panel 12, and a front cover 13. The main body portion 10a has a casing extending in the main scanning direction Y. The legs 11 support the main body portion 10a and are provided on the lower surface of the main body portion 10a. The operation panel 12 is provided, for example, on the front surface on the right side of the main body portion 10a. However, the position of the operation panel 12 is not particularly limited. The operation panel 12 is for the user to perform operations related to printing. The front cover 13 is provided rotatably on the main body portion 10a. The front cover 13 is disposed forward of the carriage 30. The front cover 13 is formed of, for example, a transparent acrylic resin. Note that, in Fig. 2, the illustration of the front cover 13 is omitted.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 3, the printer 10 includes a platen 16. The recording medium 5 is placed on the platen 16. Printing on the recording medium 5 is performed on the platen 16. The platen 16 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The upper surface 16A of the platen 16 is formed in a flat shape.

[0018] The printer 10 includes an upstream guide member 17 and a downstream guide member 14. In this embodiment, the guide member 14 is composed of a downstream guide member 18 and an auxiliary guide member 15. The upstream guide member 17 is located behind the platen 16. The upstream guide member 17 guides the movement of the recording medium 5 to the platen 16. The downstream guide member 14 is located in front of the platen 16. The downstream guide member 14 guides the movement of the recording medium 5 away from the platen 16.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the printer 10 is equipped with an ink head 35 that ejects ink. The ink head 35 ejects water-based ink onto the recording medium 5. The ink head 35 is positioned above the platen 16. The ink head 35 is movably mounted in the main scanning direction Y. In this embodiment, the ink head 35 is connected to an ink cartridge 37 by an ink supply path (not shown).

[0020] As a water-based ink, for example, latex ink can be preferably used. The latex ink contains a solvent, a colorant, and a binder resin. In the latex ink, the binder resin is dispersed or emulsion in the solvent. As the solvent, for example, one or more water-soluble organic solvents (lower alcohols, lower ketones, etc.) that can be uniformly mixed with water can be appropriately selected and used. The latex ink contains 50% to 90% by mass of the solvent based on the total mass of the latex ink. As the colorant, conventional colorants contained in latex ink can be appropriately selected. Examples of colorants include dyes such as water-soluble dyes and pigments. As the binder resin, conventional binder resins contained in latex ink can be appropriately selected.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the printer 10 is equipped with a head movement mechanism 31. The head movement mechanism 31 is a mechanism that moves the ink head 35 relative to the recording medium 5 placed on the platen 16 in the main scanning direction Y. In this embodiment, the head movement mechanism 31 moves the ink head 35 in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the head movement mechanism 31 has a guide rail 20, a first pulley 21, a second pulley 22, an endless belt 23, a first drive motor 24, and a carriage 30. The guide rail 20 guides the movement of the carriage 30 in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in Figure 3, the guide rail 20 is located above the platen 16. As shown in Figure 2, the guide rail 20 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The first pulley 21 is provided at the left end portion of the guide rail 20. The second pulley 22 is provided at the right end portion of the guide rail 20. The belt 23 is wrapped around the first pulley 21 and the second pulley 22. In this embodiment, the first drive motor 24 is connected to the second pulley 22. However, the first drive motor 24 may also be connected to the first pulley 21. When the first drive motor 24 is driven, the second pulley 22 rotates, causing the belt 23 to travel between the first pulley 21 and the second pulley 22.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the carriage 30 is attached to the belt 23. The carriage 30 is positioned above the platen 16. As shown in Figure 3, the carriage 30 is engaged with the guide rail 20 and is slidably mounted on the guide rail 20. An ink head 35 is mounted on the carriage 30. In this embodiment, the head moving mechanism 31 moves the ink head 35 mounted on the carriage 30 in the main scanning direction Y as the belt 23 moves due to the drive of the first drive motor 24, causing the carriage 30 to move in the main scanning direction Y.

[0023] The printer 10 is equipped with a media transport mechanism 32. The media transport mechanism 32 moves the recording medium 5, which is placed on the platen 16, relative to the ink head 35 in the sub-scanning direction X. Here, the media transport mechanism 32 moves the recording medium 5, which is placed on the platen 16, in the sub-scanning direction X. The configuration of the media transport mechanism 32 is not particularly limited. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the media transport mechanism 32 has a grit roller 25, a pinch roller 26, and a second drive motor (not shown) that drives the grit roller 25. The grit roller 25 is provided on the platen 16. Here, at least a part of the grit roller 25 is embedded in the platen 16. The pinch roller 26 presses down on the recording medium 5 from above. The pinch roller 26 is positioned above the grit roller 25. The pinch roller 26 is positioned opposite the grit roller 25. The pinch roller 26 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction. With the recording medium 5 sandwiched between the grid roller 25 and the pinch roller 26, when the second drive motor is driven and the grid roller 25 rotates, the recording medium 5 is transported in the sub-scanning direction X. The installation positions and number of the grid roller 25 and the pinch roller 26 are not particularly limited.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the printer 10 is equipped with a drying device 50. The drying device 50 is a device for drying the ink ejected onto the recording medium 5. The drying device 50 blows air towards the recording medium 5 placed on the platen 16. The drying device 50 also blows air towards the recording medium 5 guided by the guide member 14. Hereinafter, blowing air onto the recording medium 5 placed on the platen 16 will be referred to as initial drying. Blowing air onto the recording medium 5 guided by the guide member 14 will be referred to as complete drying.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the drying device 50 is positioned in front of the platen 16. The drying device 50 faces the guide member 14. At least a portion of the drying device 50 overlaps with the guide member 14 in a plan view. As shown in Figure 2, at least a portion of the drying device 50 overlaps with the guide member 14 in a front view. The drying device 50 is detachably mounted on the main body 10a.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the drying apparatus 50 is provided with a blower chamber 101, a heating chamber 102, and a non-heating chamber 103 inside. The drying apparatus 50 has a main body case 51 extending in the left-right direction, a partition wall 111 that divides the inside of the main body case 51 into the blower chamber 101 and the heating chamber 102, a partition wall 112 that divides the inside of the main body case 51 into the blower chamber 101 and the non-heating chamber 103, and a partition wall 113 that divides the inside of the main body case 51 into the heating chamber 102 and the non-heating chamber 103. The drying apparatus 50 also has a partition wall 114 that divides the inside of the blower chamber 101 into a first blower chamber 121 and a second blower chamber 122. The drying apparatus 50 includes a partition wall 116 that divides the inside of the heating chamber 102 into an upstream chamber 102A and a downstream chamber 102B where a heating chamber fan 132 (described later) is located, and a partition wall 117 and a rectifier plate 127 that separate the outlet chamber 102C from the downstream chamber 102B and the upstream chamber 102A within the heating chamber 102.

[0027] The heating chamber 102 is formed by partition walls 111, 113, and a rear wall 51B. Partition walls 111 and 113 are formed in a bent plate shape. The upstream chamber 102A is formed by partition walls 111, 116, and 117. The downstream chamber 102B is formed by partition walls 111, 113, 116, a flow straightening plate 127, and a rear wall 51B. The outlet chamber 102C is formed by partition wall 117, a flow straightening plate 127, and a rear wall 51B. The volume of the downstream chamber 102B is greater than the volume of the upstream chamber 102A, and the volume of the upstream chamber 102A is greater than the volume of the outlet chamber 102C. Air flowing through the heating chamber 102 enters the upstream chamber 102A from the heating chamber intake port 102a, is sent from the upstream chamber 102A to the downstream chamber 102B by the heating chamber fan 132 attached to the partition wall 116, flows from the downstream chamber 102B to the outlet chamber 102C through the through-hole 120h of the rectifier plate 127, and is discharged to the outside of the heating chamber 102 from the outlet chamber 102C through the heating chamber exhaust port 102b. The pressure in the upstream chamber 102A is set to negative pressure, the pressure in the downstream chamber 102B is set to positive pressure, and the pressure in the outlet chamber 120C is set to a positive pressure lower than the pressure in the downstream chamber 102B. As shown in Figure 3, the rectifier plate 127 is positioned behind the heating chamber fan 132, and the through-hole 120h of the rectifier plate 127 is positioned to avoid facing the outlets of the multiple heating chamber fans 132. The rectifier plate 127 is provided with a guide plate 117A that directs the air flowing through the downstream chamber 120B toward the heating chamber exhaust port 102b. Here, the guide plate 117A is formed from a part of the partition wall 117. In other words, a part of the partition wall 117 also serves as the guide plate 117A. However, the configuration of the guide plate 117A is not limited in any way, and the guide plate 117A may be separate from the partition wall 117.

[0028] The main body case 51 has a front wall 51F extending upward, an upper wall 51U extending rearward from the upper end 51Ft of the front wall 51F, a lower wall 51D extending rearward from the lower end 51Fd of the front wall 51F, and a rear wall 51B extending upward from the rear end 51Db of the lower wall 51D. The lower wall 51D is positioned below the upper wall 51U, and the rear wall 51B is positioned behind the front wall 51F. The main body case 51 also has a left wall 51L and a right wall 51R positioned to the left and right of the front wall 51F, upper wall 51U, lower wall 51D, and rear wall 51B, respectively (see Figure 4). The front wall 51F, upper wall 51U, lower wall 51D, rear wall 51B, left wall 51L, and right wall 51R may be flat, curved, or bent. The front wall 51F, upper wall 51U, lower wall 51D, rear wall 51B, left wall 51L, and right wall 51R may be formed from a single member or from a combination of multiple members. At least one part or all of the front wall 51F, upper wall 51U, lower wall 51D, rear wall 51B, left wall 51L, and right wall 51R may be integrated with at least one other part or all of it.

[0029] The drying apparatus 50 has an extension wall 119 that extends downward from the lower wall 51D or the rear wall 51B. Here, the extension wall 119 is attached to the lower wall 51D. The extension wall 119 extends forward and downward from the lower end of the lower wall 51D. However, the mounting position of the extension wall 119 is not particularly limited. The extension wall 119 may be attached to the rear wall 51B. The extension wall 119 may extend forward and downward from the lower end of the rear wall 51B. Also, the extension wall 119 may be omitted.

[0030] Figure 4 is a plan view of the drying apparatus 50. An air intake port 101a is formed in the upper wall 51U of the main body case 51. The air intake port 101a connects the outside of the main body case 51 to the air intake port 101. Multiple air intake ports 101a are formed and arranged in the left-right direction.

[0031] Figure 5 is a front view of the drying apparatus 50. A non-heated chamber air intake 103a is formed in the front wall 51F of the main body case 51. As shown in Figure 3, the front wall 51F has a vertical wall 51FA and an inclined wall 51FB that extends rearward and downward from the lower end of the vertical wall 51FA. In this embodiment, the non-heated chamber air intake 103a is formed in the inclined wall 51FB. A non-heated chamber exhaust port 103b is formed in the lower wall 51D of the main body case 51. In this embodiment, the lower wall 51D extends rearward and downward. The non-heated chamber air intake 103a and the non-heated chamber exhaust port 103b each connect the outside of the main body case 51 to the non-heated chamber 103. The non-heated chamber air intake 103a is formed in front of the non-heated chamber exhaust port 103b. The non-heated chamber exhaust port 103b is formed by penetrating the inclined wall 51FB that extends rearward and downward, and therefore opens forward and downward.

[0032] Figure 6 is a rear view of the drying apparatus 50. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing an enlarged portion of the rear wall 51B of the main body case 51. The rear wall 51B has a first air supply chamber exhaust port 121b and a second air supply chamber exhaust port 122b. The first air supply chamber exhaust port 121b connects the first air supply chamber 121 to the outside of the main body case 51. The second air supply chamber exhaust port 122b connects the second air supply chamber 122 to the outside of the main body case 51. The first air supply chamber exhaust port 121b and the second air supply chamber exhaust port 122b are formed in a slit shape and extend in the left-right direction. The first air supply chamber exhaust port 121b and the second air supply chamber exhaust port 122b are formed over the entire left-right area of ​​the main body case 51. The second air supply chamber exhaust port 122b is located below the first air supply chamber exhaust port 121b.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the first air blower chamber 121 has an exhaust channel 121A formed therein, which decreases in vertical width towards the rear. The first air blower chamber exhaust port 121b is connected to the exhaust channel 121A. The first air blower chamber exhaust port 121b opens toward the platen 16. Here, the first air blower chamber exhaust port 121b opens toward the rear along the horizontal direction.

[0034] The rear wall 51B includes outlet walls 122B and 122C that extend rearward and downward. Outlet wall 122C is positioned above outlet wall 122B, creating a gap between outlet wall 122B and outlet wall 122C. This gap forms the second ventilation chamber exhaust port 122b. The second ventilation chamber exhaust port 122b opens rearward and downward toward the upper wall 14U of the guide member 14.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, the rear wall 51B has a plurality of heating chamber intake ports 102a and a plurality of heating chamber exhaust ports 102b. The heating chamber intake ports 102a connect the outside of the main body case 51 to the upstream chamber 102A (see Figure 3) of the heating chamber 102. The heating chamber exhaust ports 102b connect the downstream chamber 102B of the heating chamber 102 to the outside of the main body case 51. The heating chamber intake ports 102a and heating chamber exhaust ports 102b are arranged in the left-right direction and are formed over the entire left-right area of ​​the main body case 51. The heating chamber intake ports 102a are located below the second blower chamber exhaust port 122b. The heating chamber exhaust ports 102b are located below the heating chamber intake ports 102a. The shape of each heating chamber intake port 102a and each heating chamber exhaust port 102b is not particularly limited. Here, as shown in Figure 7, each heating chamber intake port 102a is formed in the shape of a vertically elongated slit, and each heating chamber exhaust port 102b is formed in the shape of a horizontally elongated slit. As shown in Figure 3, the heating chamber intake port 102a and the heating chamber exhaust port 102b open towards the guide member 14, and downward. The first blower chamber exhaust port 121b and the second blower chamber exhaust port 122b are located behind the heating chamber exhaust port 102b.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the drying apparatus 50 has a mounting plate 115, at least a portion of which is located inside the main body case 10. Part of the mounting plate 115 is located in the blower chamber 101, and the other part is located in the non-heating chamber 103. Part of the mounting plate 115 partitions the inside of the blower chamber 101 into the intake chamber 123 and the first blower chamber 121, and also partitions the intake chamber 123 into the second blower chamber 122. As shown in Figure 8, the mounting plate 115 is formed in a flat plate shape that extends in the left-right and up-down directions. The mounting plate 115 has a plurality of first openings 115a, a plurality of second openings 115b, and a plurality of third openings 115c, arranged side by side. The first openings 115a, the second openings 115b, and the third openings 115c are arranged vertically. Here, the second openings 115b are located directly below the first openings 115a. The third opening 115c is located directly below the second opening 115b. The first opening 115a, the second opening 115b, and the third opening 115c open in the front and back directions.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the drying apparatus 50 includes a plurality of first blower chamber fans 131A and a plurality of second blower chamber fans 131B provided in the blower chamber 101, a plurality of heating chamber fans 132 provided in the heating chamber 102, and a plurality of non-heating chamber fans 133 provided in the non-heating chamber 103. The first blower chamber fans 131A and the second blower chamber fans 131B are located in the intake chamber 123 of the blower chamber 101. The heating chamber fans 132 are located in the upstream chamber 102A of the heating chamber 102.

[0038] As shown in Figure 8, the first blower chamber fan 131A, the second blower chamber fan 131B, and the non-heated chamber fan 133 are mounted on a mounting plate 115. The multiple first blower chamber fans 131A, the multiple second blower chamber fans 131B, and the multiple non-heated chamber fans 133 are arranged side by side. The first blower chamber fans 131A, the second blower chamber fans 131B, and the non-heated chamber fans 133 are arranged in a straight line vertically. The second blower chamber fan 131B is positioned directly below the first blower chamber fan 131A, and the non-heated chamber fan 133 is positioned directly below the second blower chamber fan 131B. The first blower chamber fan 131A, the second blower chamber fan 131B, and the non-heated chamber fan 133 are arranged parallel to each other so as to blow air horizontally in a backward direction. In this embodiment, the first blower chamber fan 131A, the second blower chamber fan 131B, and the non-heated chamber fan 133 are configured as axial flow fans.

[0039] The first opening 115a of the mounting plate 115 connects the intake chamber 123 and the first blower chamber 121. The first blower chamber fan 131A is mounted on the first opening 115a of the mounting plate 115. The first blower chamber fan 131A takes in air from the blower chamber intake port 101a into the intake chamber 123, sends the air from the intake chamber 123 to the first blower chamber 121 through the first opening 115a, and discharges the air from the second blower chamber 121 from the first blower chamber exhaust port 121b. In this way, the first blower chamber fan 131A is configured to blow air from the first blower chamber 121. The first blower chamber fan 131A is positioned to blow air horizontally in a backward direction.

[0040] The twelfth opening 115b of the mounting plate 115 connects the intake chamber 123 and the second blower chamber 122. The second blower chamber fan 131B is mounted on the second opening 115b of the mounting plate 115. The second blower chamber fan 131B takes in air from the blower chamber intake port 101a into the intake chamber 123, sends the air from the intake chamber 123 to the second blower chamber 122 through the second opening 115b, and discharges the air from the second blower chamber 122 from the second blower chamber exhaust port 122b. The second blower chamber fan 131B is configured to blow air from the second blower chamber 122. The second blower chamber fan 131B is positioned to blow air horizontally in a backward direction.

[0041] The first blower chamber fan 131A and the second blower chamber fan 131B may be fans of the same specifications or fans of different specifications. The airflow rates of the first blower chamber fan 131A and the second blower chamber fan 131B may be equal or different. Here, the first blower chamber fan 131A and the second blower chamber fan 131B are set so that the air outlet velocity of the second blower chamber exhaust port 122b is greater than the air outlet velocity of the first blower chamber exhaust port 121b.

[0042] The first blower chamber fan 131A and the second blower chamber fan 131B may be positioned directly below the blower chamber intake port 101a, but in this embodiment, they are positioned offset from directly below the blower chamber intake port 101a. The first blower chamber fan 131A and the second blower chamber fan 131B are positioned to the left or right of the blower chamber intake port 101a (see Figure 4). This makes it highly likely that even if foreign matter is sucked in from the blower chamber intake port 101a, the foreign matter will fall to a position offset to the left or right of the first blower chamber fan 131A and the second blower chamber fan 131B, thus preventing the foreign matter from becoming entangled in the first blower chamber fan 131A and the second blower chamber fan 131B. This prevents malfunctions of the first blower chamber fan 131A and the second blower chamber fan 131B due to foreign matter entanglement.

[0043] The non-heated chamber fan 133 is mounted on the third opening 115c of the mounting plate 115. The non-heated chamber fan 133 takes in air from the non-heated chamber intake port 103a into the non-heated chamber 103, sends the air from the non-heated chamber 103 through the third opening 115c from the front to the rear of the mounting plate 115, and discharges the air from the non-heated chamber exhaust port 103b. The non-heated chamber fan 133 is configured to blow air into the non-heated chamber 103. The non-heated chamber fan 133 may be positioned so as to overlap with the non-heated chamber intake port 103a when viewed from the front, but in this embodiment, it is positioned offset from the non-heated chamber intake port 103a. The non-heated chamber fan 133 is positioned to the left or right of the non-heated chamber intake port 103a (see Figures 5 and 8). This prevents foreign matter from being sucked into the non-heated chamber fan 133 if it enters through the non-heated chamber air intake port 103a, thereby preventing the non-heated chamber fan 133 from malfunctioning.

[0044] As shown in Figure 3, the heating chamber fan 132 is attached to the partition wall 116. A fourth opening 116a is formed in the partition wall 116. The fourth opening 116a connects the upstream chamber 102A and the downstream chamber 102B of the heating chamber 102. The heating chamber fan 132 is attached to the fourth opening 116a of the partition wall 116. The heating chamber fan 132 takes in air into the heating chamber 102 from the heating chamber intake port 102a, sends the air from the upstream chamber 102A to the downstream chamber 102B through the fourth opening 116a, and discharges the air from the downstream chamber 102B from the heating chamber exhaust port 102b. The heating chamber fan 132 is configured to blow air into the heating chamber 102. In this embodiment, the heating chamber fan 132 is configured as an axial flow fan. Furthermore, the total opening area of ​​the heating chamber exhaust port 102b may be smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the heating chamber fan 132 so that the area downstream of the heating chamber fan 132 in the heating chamber 102 becomes a pressurized space.

[0045] The drying apparatus 50 has a heater 135 located in the heating chamber 102. The heater 135 heats the air blown by the heating chamber fan 132. The configuration of the heater 135 is not limited. Here, the heater 135 has a cylinder 135A with an octagonal cross-section and a heating wire (not shown) located inside the cylinder 135A. The air is heated by the heating wire as it passes inside the cylinder 135A. The heating chamber 102 is configured to heat the air.

[0046] As shown in Figure 8, the drying apparatus 50 has a printed circuit board 150 connected to the first blower chamber fan 131A, the second blower chamber fan 131B, and the non-heating chamber fan 133 via electric wires 151. The printed circuit board 150 supplies electricity to the first blower chamber fan 131A, the second blower chamber fan 131B, and the non-heating chamber fan 133. There may be only one printed circuit board 150, but in this embodiment the drying apparatus 50 has multiple printed circuit boards 150 arranged side by side. The printed circuit boards 150 are mounted on a mounting plate 115. That is, the printed circuit boards 150, the first blower chamber fan 131A, the second blower chamber fan 131B, and the non-heating chamber fan 133 are mounted on a common mounting plate 115. If the printed circuit board 150 is placed near the first blower chamber fan 131A, the second blower chamber fan 131B, and the non-heated chamber fan 133, the length of the wires 151 connecting the first blower chamber fan 131A, the second blower chamber fan 131B, and the non-heated chamber fan 133 to the printed circuit board 150 can be shortened, which is preferable. The printed circuit board 150 is placed in the intake chamber 123 of the blower chamber 101. Airflow is generated in the intake chamber 123 by the first blower chamber fan 131A and the second blower chamber fan 131B. The printed circuit board 150 is cooled by the airflow. However, the placement of the printed circuit board 150 is not particularly limited. The printed circuit board 150 may be placed in the non-heated chamber 103. In this case, the printed circuit board 150 is cooled by the airflow formed by the non-heated chamber fan 133.

[0047] In this embodiment, partition walls 112 and 114 are made of iron. Partition walls 111 and 113 that separate the heating chamber 102 are made of stainless steel. The thermal conductivity of partition walls 111 and 113 is lower than that of partition walls 112 and 114. In addition, to further suppress the transfer of heat from the heating chamber 102 to the blowing chamber 101 and the unheated chamber 103, insulating material 155 is provided on the blowing chamber 101 side of partition wall 111 and on the unheated chamber 103 side of partition wall 113. In this embodiment, the insulating material 155 is flexible and easily deformable.

[0048] The mounting plate 115 is pressed against the insulation material 155 from the front. The mounting plate 115 is pressed against the partition wall 111 and partition wall 113 via the insulation material 155. The mounting plate 115 is positioned in a predetermined location by being pressed against the partition wall 111 and partition wall 113. Because the insulation material 155 is interposed between the mounting plate 115 and the partition wall 111 and partition wall 113, it is possible to suppress the heating of the printed circuit board 150, the first blower chamber fan 131A, the second blower chamber fan 131B, and the non-heated chamber fan 133 attached to the mounting plate 115 by the heat of the heating chamber 102.

[0049] However, the materials for partition walls 111 and 113 are not particularly limited. The insulation material 155 is not necessarily required and can be omitted.

[0050] The first air supply chamber 121 and the first air supply chamber exhaust port 121b extend in the left-right direction, but the first air supply chamber fan 131A is distributed in the left-right direction (see Figure 8). Therefore, a flow straightening member may be provided to equalize the velocity distribution of the air flowing through the first air supply chamber 121. For example, as shown in Figure 9, a flow straightening plate 120 having a plurality of through holes 120h may be provided as the flow straightening member. For example, perforated metal can be suitably used as the flow straightening plate 120. Here, as shown in Figure 3, a first flow straightening plate 125 made of the above flow straightening plate 120 is arranged inside the first air supply chamber 121. The first flow straightening plate 125 extends in the left-right direction, just like the first air supply chamber exhaust port 121b, and extends over the entire left-right area of ​​the main body case 51.

[0051] Similarly, the second air supply chamber 122 and the second air supply chamber outlet 122b extend in the left-right direction, but the second air supply chamber fan 131B is distributed in the left-right direction. Therefore, a flow straightening member may be provided to equalize the velocity distribution of the air flowing through the second air supply chamber 122. In this case, a second flow straightening plate 126, consisting of a flow straightening plate 120 (see Figure 9), is placed inside the second air supply chamber 122. The second flow straightening plate 126 extends in the left-right direction, just like the second air supply chamber exhaust port 122b, and extends across the entire left-right area of ​​the main body case 51.

[0052] The heating chamber 102 extends in the left-right direction, and the heating chamber exhaust port 102b is located throughout the entire left-right area, but the heating chamber fans 132 are distributed in the left-right direction. Therefore, a flow straightening member may be provided to equalize the velocity distribution of the air discharged from the heating chamber exhaust port 102b. Here, a third flow straightening plate 127, consisting of a flow straightening plate 120 (see Figure 9), is located in the downstream chamber 102B of the heating chamber 102. The third flow straightening plate 127 extends in the left-right direction and extends throughout the entire left-right area of ​​the main body case 51. To enhance the flow straightening effect, it is preferable to position the third flow straightening plate 127 close to the heating chamber exhaust port 102b. However, the position of the third flow straightening plate 127 is not particularly limited. Also, although not particularly limited, the total opening area of ​​the through-holes of the third flow straightening plate 127 is larger than the total opening area of ​​the heating chamber exhaust port 102b.

[0053] Next, the guide member 14 will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the case 14X of the guide member 14 has an upper wall 14U that extends forward and downward. The case 14X of the guide member 14 extends in the left-right direction. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the guide member 14 with the upper wall 14U and auxiliary guide member 15 removed. The guide member 14 has a rear wall 14B, a lower wall 14D that extends rearward from the upper wall 14U, a left wall 14L located to the left of the upper wall 14U, rear wall 14B and lower wall 14D, and a right wall 14R located to the right of the upper wall 14U, rear wall 14B and lower wall 14D.

[0054] An inlet 14a and an outlet 14b are formed in the lower wall 14D. The upper wall 14U, rear wall 14B, lower wall 14D, left wall 14L, and right wall 14R form an air passage 14E from the inlet 14a to the outlet 14b. The inlet 14a is formed in the central portion 14CA when the guide member 14 is divided into three equal parts in the left-right direction. There may be one or more inlets 14a. Here, two inlets 14a are formed. The inlets 14a include a left inlet 14aL and a right inlet 14aR formed to the right of the left inlet 14aL. There may be one or more outlets 14b. Here, two outlets 14b are formed. The outlets 14b include a left outlet 14bL and a right outlet 14bR. The left outlet 14bL and the right outlet 14bR are formed in the left portion 14LA and the right portion 14RA, respectively, when the guide member 14 is divided into three equal parts in the left-right direction. The distance 14LR between the centers of the left inlet 14aL and the right inlet 14aR is shorter than the distance 14LL between the centers of the left inlet 14aL and the left outlet 14bL, and shorter than the distance 14RR between the centers of the right inlet 14aR and the right outlet 14bR.

[0055] The guide member 14 is provided with a cooling fan that circulates air through the air passage 14E so that air drawn in from the inlet 14a flows through the air passage 14E and is discharged from the outlet 14b. The cooling fan plays a role in cooling the upper wall 14U by circulating air through the air passage 14E, which is partitioned by the upper wall 14U. In this embodiment, the cooling fan includes an intake fan 140A located inside the guide member 14 and connected to the inlet 14a, and an exhaust fan 140B located inside the guide member 14 and connected to the outlet 14b. The intake fan 140A draws air from outside the guide member 14 into the air passage 14E from below. The exhaust fan 140B discharges the air in the air passage 14E downwards to the outside of the guide member 14. In this embodiment, the intake fan 140A and the exhaust fan 140B are axial flow fans.

[0056] The material of the guide member 14 is preferably a material with low thermal conductivity, but a material with high thermal conductivity may be used while adding insulation. The upper wall 14U, rear wall 14B, lower wall 14D, left wall 14L, and right wall 14R may be made of, for example, stainless steel, or they may be iron plates with insulation attached.

[0057] Next, the operation of the drying device 50 will be described. The drying device 50 promotes the drying of the ink on the recording medium 5 by blowing air onto the recording medium 5. More specifically, the drying device 50 promotes the initial drying of the ink by blowing room temperature air onto the recording medium 5 on the platen 16. In addition, the drying device 50 promotes the complete drying of the ink by blowing high temperature air onto the recording medium 5 on the guide member 14. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the airflow in the drying device 50.

[0058] As shown in Figure 11, outside the main case 51 is drawn into the intake chamber 123 from the intake chamber intake port 101a by the first blower chamber fan 131A and the second blower chamber fan 131B (see arrow A123). As shown by arrow A121, the first blower chamber fan 131A sends air from the intake chamber 123 to the first blower chamber 121 and discharges the air toward the platen 16 from the first blower chamber exhaust port 121b. The ambient temperature air A121b discharged from the first blower chamber exhaust port 121b is blown onto the recording medium 5 on the platen 16, promoting the drying of the ink on the recording medium 5.

[0059] As indicated by arrow A102a, the heating chamber fan 132 draws in air from outside the main case 51 through the heating chamber intake port 102a and sends it from the upstream chamber 102A to the downstream chamber 102B. The air in the downstream chamber 102B is heated by the heater 135. The temperature of the heated air is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 50°C to 110°C. The heated, high-temperature air is discharged from the heating chamber exhaust port 102b as indicated by arrow A102b. The high-temperature air discharged from the heating chamber exhaust port 102b is blown onto the recording medium 5 on the guide member 14, accelerating the drying of the ink on the recording medium 5.

[0060] Incidentally, since the air in the heating chamber 102 becomes hot, the partition wall 111 separating the heating chamber 102 and the blowing chamber 101 is heated by the air in the heating chamber 102. As the operating time of the drying device 50 progresses, the temperature of the partition wall 111 rises. Therefore, the air in the blowing chamber 101 that comes into contact with the partition wall 111 is heated and its temperature rises. For this reason, if the second blowing chamber 122 is not provided, the air A121 flowing through the first blowing chamber 121 is heated by the partition wall 111 and becomes hotter than the outside air. If this hot air flows onto the platen 16, the pre-treatment agent for image quality formation may dry out too much, which can inhibit the reaction with the ink. Also, if the hot air that flows onto the platen 16 reaches the ink system (cap, wiper, etc.), the ink adhering to the ink system may dry out more easily, which can cause nozzle clogging. However, according to this embodiment, a second air chamber 122 is provided between the first air chamber 121 and the heating chamber 102. The air A121 in the first air chamber 121 does not come into contact with the partition wall 111. Therefore, the temperature rise of the air A121 in the first air chamber 121 is suppressed. The air A122 flowing through the second air chamber 122 performs an insulating function that suppresses the temperature rise of the air A121 in the first air chamber 121. Therefore, it is possible to prevent relatively hot air from being blown onto the recording medium 5 on the platen 16. Note that the temperature of the air A122 flowing through the second air chamber 122 is higher than the temperature of the air A121 flowing through the first air chamber 121. The temperature of the air discharged from the exhaust port 122b of the second air chamber is, for example, about 10°C to 20°C higher than the temperature of the air discharged from the exhaust port 121b of the first air chamber.

[0061] The second air supply chamber exhaust port 122b is located below the first air supply chamber exhaust port 121b and above the heating chamber intake port 102a. The second air supply chamber exhaust port 122b is located between the first air supply chamber exhaust port 121b and the heating chamber intake port 102a. This prevents high-temperature air from rising to the first air supply chamber exhaust port 121b between the rear wall 51B of the main body case 51 and the guide member 14. The second air supply chamber exhaust port 122b also opens to the rear and downward. The air discharged from the second air supply chamber exhaust port 122b flows downward along the rear wall 5B and the guide member 14 (see arrow AH). Therefore, the mixing of high-temperature air with the ambient temperature air discharged from the first air supply chamber exhaust port 121b is suppressed. This prevents the temperature of the air blown onto the recording medium 5 on the platen 16 from rising.

[0062] According to this embodiment, the drying apparatus 50 has an extension wall 119 that extends forward and downward from the lower wall 51D or the rear wall 51B. Therefore, the circulation of high-temperature air AH from the rear wall 51B to the lower wall 51D is suppressed. In addition, the non-heating chamber fan 133 takes in ambient temperature air into the non-heating chamber 103 from the non-heating chamber intake port 103a and blows out ambient temperature air from the non-heating chamber exhaust port 103b. Even if high-temperature air Ah were to circulate to the lower wall 51D, the ambient temperature air A103 blown out from the non-heating chamber exhaust port 103b would suppress the circulation of high-temperature air Ah from the lower wall 51D to the front wall 51F. In other words, the ambient temperature air A103 blown out from the non-heating chamber exhaust port 103b plays a role in blocking the rise of high-temperature air Ah. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the rise of high-temperature air Ah along the front wall 51F is suppressed. The temperature of the front wall 51F is suppressed from rising. The non-heated chamber exhaust port 103b opens forward and downward. In this embodiment, the orientation of the non-heated chamber exhaust port 103b is parallel to the orientation of the rear wall 51B. This allows the high-temperature air AH flowing downward along the rear wall 51B to be diffused further downward.

[0063] In this embodiment, the rise of high-temperature air Ah along the front wall 51F is suppressed, thus preventing high-temperature air Ah from being taken in from the air intake port 101a of the air blower chamber. This also suppresses the temperature rise of the air discharged from the first air blower chamber exhaust port 121b and the second air blower chamber exhaust port 122b, thereby more effectively suppressing the temperature rise of the air blown onto the recording medium 5 on the platen 16.

[0064] As described above, the high-temperature air A102b discharged from the heating chamber exhaust port 102b is blown onto the recording medium 5 on the upper wall 14U of the guide member 14. Here, since the recording medium 5 moves diagonally downward and forward, the same part of the recording medium 5 is not continuously heated for a long period of time. On the other hand, the upper wall 14U of the guide member 14 is continuously heated for a long period of time by the high-temperature air A102b via the recording medium 5. Therefore, there is a risk that the temperature of the upper wall 14U of the guide member 14 will become high. However, according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, an air passage 14E through which air flows is formed inside the guide member 14. Air is drawn in from the inlet 14a into the air passage 14E, flows through the air passage 14E, and is discharged from the outlet 14b. As this air flows through the air passage 14E, it cools the upper wall 14U. Therefore, the temperature of the upper wall 14U is prevented from becoming high.

[0065] The high-temperature air AH blown onto the recording medium 5 on the guide member 14 flows downward through the space between the rear wall 51B and the guide member 14. However, because high-temperature air AH has a low specific gravity, it tends to rise. After the high-temperature air AH flows below the rear wall 51B of the case body 51, it may wrap around from the lower wall 51D to the front wall 51F and rise along the front wall 51F. In that case, the front wall 51F may be heated by the high-temperature air, and the temperature of the front wall 51F may rise. The front wall 51F is the part of the printer 10 closest to the worker working in front of the printer 10. Therefore, it is undesirable for the worker if the temperature of the front wall 51F rises.

[0066] Next, we will describe the various effects brought about by the printer 10 according to this embodiment.

[0067] In the printer 10 according to this embodiment, with respect to the heating chamber 102 of the drying device 50, the pressure in the upstream chamber 102A is set to negative pressure, the pressure in the downstream chamber 102B is set to positive pressure, and the pressure in the outlet chamber 120C is set to a positive pressure lower than the pressure in the downstream chamber 102B. Air pressurized by the heating chamber fan 132 is taken into the downstream chamber 102B and flows in the left-right direction within the downstream chamber 102B, and its flow velocity is made uniform within the downstream chamber 102B. The air with uniform flow velocity is taken into the outlet chamber 102C and flows in the left-right direction within the outlet chamber 102C, and its flow velocity is made even more uniform within the outlet chamber 102C. According to this embodiment, the air pressure can be increased in the region in front of the heating chamber exhaust port 102b in the heating chamber 102, and the velocity distribution of the air blown from the heating chamber exhaust port 102b onto the recording medium 5 can be made more uniform than in the conventional method. Therefore, the drying of the ink on the recording medium 5 on the guide member 14 can be effectively promoted.

[0068] The air in the heating chamber 102 is heated by the heater 135. According to this embodiment, the velocity distribution of the air discharged from the heating chamber exhaust port 102b is made uniform, so the temperature distribution of the air blown onto the recording medium 5 on the guide member 14 can be made uniform. The recording medium 5 can be heated evenly, and the drying of the ink on the recording medium 5 can be effectively promoted.

[0069] A third rectifier plate 127, which has multiple through holes 120h formed therein, is placed in the heating chamber 102. The third rectifier plate 127 can equalize the velocity distribution of the air flowing through the heating chamber 102. Therefore, the velocity distribution of the air blown onto the recording medium 5 from the heating chamber exhaust port 102b can be further equalized.

[0070] According to this embodiment, the air discharged from the heating chamber exhaust port 102b flows forward and downward through the space between the rear wall 51B and the upper wall 14U of the guide member 14. The upward movement of the air discharged from the heating chamber exhaust port 102b is suppressed. The air discharged from the heating chamber exhaust port 102b and flowing forward and downward can promote the drying of the ink on the recording medium 5.

[0071] The drying apparatus 50 has an extension wall 119 that extends forward and downward, located below the rear wall 51B of the main case 51. This prevents high-temperature air from circulating from the rear wall 51B to the lower wall 51D. Therefore, it is possible to prevent high-temperature air from rising along the front wall 51F.

[0072] According to this embodiment, the first air blower exhaust port 121b is positioned above the heating chamber exhaust port 102b. Furthermore, the first air blower exhaust port 121b is positioned behind the heating chamber exhaust port 102b. The air discharged from the heating chamber exhaust port 102b flows well forward and downward through the space between the rear wall 51B and the upper wall 14U of the guide member 14. The air discharged from the heating chamber exhaust port 102b and flowing forward and downward can promote the drying of the ink on the recording medium 5.

[0073] In the printer 10 according to this embodiment, the drying device 50 is provided with a second air chamber 122 through which ambient temperature air flows between the first air chamber 121 and the heating chamber 102. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the heating of the air flowing through the first air chamber 121 by the air in the heating chamber 102. It is also possible to suppress the temperature of the air discharged from the exhaust port 121b of the first air chamber from becoming too high. Ink is ejected from the ink head 35 onto the recording medium 5 on the platen 16, but if the ink that lands on the recording medium 5 dries immediately, the quality of the image formed on the recording medium 5 may deteriorate. However, according to this embodiment, the temperature of the air blown onto the recording medium 5 on the platen 16 does not become high, so the drying of the ink can be promoted without degrading the image quality.

[0074] In the printer 10 according to this embodiment, hot air is discharged from the heating chamber 102 through the heating chamber exhaust port 102b. The discharged hot air flows diagonally downward and forward along the rear wall 51B of the main body case 51 and the recording medium 5 on the guide member 14, reaching the vicinity of the lower wall 51D of the main body case 51. However, the lower wall 51D has a non-heating chamber exhaust port 103b formed therein for discharging air from the non-heating chamber 103. The air discharged from the non-heating chamber exhaust port 103b forms an air curtain, suppressing the flow of hot air along the lower wall 51D to the front wall 51F. Therefore, the rise of high-temperature air along the front wall 51F is suppressed. Consequently, the printer 10 according to this embodiment can suppress the front part of the main body case 51 of the drying device 50 from becoming hot.

[0075] Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the temperature of the air drawn in from the air intake port 101a of the air blower chamber from rising. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the temperature of the air discharged from the exhaust port 121b of the first air blower chamber from rising. Since the temperature of the air blown onto the recording medium 5 on the platen 16 does not rise, it is possible to promote the drying of the ink on the platen 16 without degrading the image quality.

[0076] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the embodiments described above are merely illustrative, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms.

[0077] As another embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to an inkjet printer 10 having the configuration shown in Figure 12. Although not shown, in the inkjet printer 10 shown in Figure 12, the air intake port 101a of the blower chamber is formed in the right wall 51R of the main body case 51. As shown in Figure 12, the drying device 50 does not necessarily have an air intake chamber 123, a second blower chamber 122, and a second blower chamber fan 131B. In the configuration shown in Figure 12, the heating chamber exhaust port 102b may be positioned above the midpoint in the vertical direction of the rear wall 51B.

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, the air intake port 101a was formed on the upper wall 51U of the main body case 51 (see Figure 3). However, as shown in Figure 13, the air intake port 101a may be formed on the upper part of the front wall 51F of the main body case 51. When the air intake port 101a is formed on the upper wall 51U of the main body case 51, the position and range of the air intake port 101a are restricted in order to prevent falling objects from getting caught in the first air intake port 131A and the second air intake port 131B if they enter the interior of the main body case 51 through the air intake port 101a. Also, if an object is placed on the upper wall 51U of the main body case 51, a part of the air intake port 101a may be blocked by that object, which may change the amount of air taken into the main body case 51. If the area of ​​the air intake port 101a that is blocked is large, it may not be possible to secure the amount of air taken into the main body case 51. In contrast, if the air intake port 101a is formed in the front wall 51F of the main case 51, the above-mentioned problem does not occur. On the other hand, the upper part of the front wall 51F of the main case 51 where the air intake port 101a is located is the part that overlaps in a front view with the part of the second air chamber 122 of the air chamber 101 that extends in the front-rear direction, and is set at the highest position of the main case 51. Therefore, even if the air intake port 101a is located in the front wall 51F of the main case 51, as long as it is at the highest position of the main case 51, the temperature of the air taken in from the air intake port 101a can be appropriately maintained.

[0079] The shapes of the various intake and exhaust ports in the embodiments described above are not limited in any way. The intake and exhaust ports may be, for example, circular, elliptical, rectangular, or slit-shaped.

[0080] In the embodiment described above, the downstream guide member 18 and the auxiliary guide member 15 of the guide member 14 were formed separately, but the downstream guide member 18 and the auxiliary guide member 15 may be formed integrally. Also, the printer 10 does not need to have the auxiliary guide member 15.

[0081] The printer 10 may be equipped with a platen heater for heating the platen 16. If the printer 10 is equipped with a platen heater, for example, the platen heater is provided on the back surface of the platen 16. The printer 10 may also be equipped with a downstream guide member heater for heating the downstream guide member 18. If the printer 10 is equipped with a downstream guide member heater, for example, the downstream guide member heater is provided on the back surface of the downstream guide member 18.

[0082] If the drying apparatus 50 does not need to blow high-temperature air onto the recording medium 5, the heater 135 in the heating chamber 102 may be omitted.

[0083] The rectifier plate 127 in the heating chamber 102 is optional. The extension wall 119 is also optional.

[0084] The first air supply chamber exhaust port 121b does not necessarily have to be located behind the heating chamber exhaust port 102b.

[0085] The ventilation chamber 101 does not necessarily have to include the second ventilation chamber 122. In this case, the second ventilation chamber fan 131B is not required.

[0086] The non-heating chamber 103 is not necessarily required. For example, if the front wall 51F of the main case 51 does not become hot, the non-heating chamber 103 may be omitted.

[0087] The ink is not limited to water-based ink. Various inks that are preferably dried by the drying device 50 can be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 5. Recording media 10 Inkjet Printers 14 Guide members 16 Platen 30 Carriage 35 Inkhead 50 Drying equipment 51 Main unit case 51B Back wall 102 Heating chamber (air chamber) 102a Heating chamber air intake (air chamber air intake) 102b Heating chamber exhaust port (air chamber exhaust port) 127 3rd rectifier plate (rectifier plate) 132 Heating chamber fan (air chamber fan) 135 Heater

Claims

1. A platen on which the recording medium is placed, A carriage positioned above the aforementioned platen and moving in the left-right direction, An ink head mounted on the carriage and ejecting ink onto the recording medium being transported forward, A guide member having an upper wall extending forward and downward, positioned in front of the platen, and guiding the movement of the recording medium, The device comprises a drying device that faces the upper wall of the guide member and blows air toward the recording medium, The drying apparatus is The main body case has a rear wall that faces the upper wall of the guide member and extends in the left-right direction, An air chamber extending in the left-right direction is formed inside the main body case and partitioned by the rear wall, An air chamber intake port is formed in the main body case and connects the outside of the main body case with the air chamber, An air chamber exhaust port is formed in the rear wall and connects the outside of the main body case to the air chamber, Multiple air chamber fans are provided in the air chamber and blow air into the air chamber such that air from outside the air chamber is drawn into the air chamber through the air chamber intake port and the air in the air chamber is discharged through the air chamber exhaust port. It has, The air chamber includes an upstream chamber into which outside air is drawn in from the air chamber intake, a downstream chamber into which air that has been drawn into the upstream chamber and pressurized by the air chamber fan flows, and an outlet chamber separated from the upstream and downstream chambers and communicating with the downstream chamber through a through hole. The pressure in the upstream chamber is set to negative pressure, the pressure in the downstream chamber is set to positive pressure, and the pressure in the outlet chamber is set to a positive pressure lower than the pressure in the downstream chamber. The air chamber exhaust port is an inkjet printer located in the outlet chamber.

2. The drying apparatus includes a plurality of heaters provided at the outlet of the air chamber fan, The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of heaters are arranged side by side with space between them.

3. The drying apparatus has a flow straightening plate that separates the downstream chamber from the outlet chamber and extends in the left-right direction, The rectifier plate has multiple through holes formed through it. The inkjet printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of through holes are arranged in the left-right direction.

4. The inkjet printer according to claim 3, wherein the through-holes are positioned to avoid being opposite the outlets of the plurality of air chamber fans.

5. The inkjet printer according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the rectifier plate is provided with a guide plate that directs the air flowing through the downstream chamber toward the air chamber exhaust port.

6. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the air chamber exhaust port is open forward and downward so that the air discharged from the air chamber exhaust port flows forward and downward through the space between the rear wall and the upper wall of the guide member.

7. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the drying device is located below the rear wall and has an extension wall that extends downward.

8. The drying apparatus is A first partition wall divides the inside of the main case into a ventilation chamber and an air chamber, A first ventilation chamber exhaust port is formed in the rear wall and opens rearward and downward toward the upper wall of the guide member, The ventilation chamber is provided with a first ventilation chamber fan that blows air from the ventilation chamber so as to discharge it from the first ventilation chamber exhaust port, The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first air supply chamber exhaust port is positioned above the air chamber exhaust port.

9. The inkjet printer according to claim 8, wherein the first air supply chamber exhaust port is located behind the air chamber exhaust port.

10. The drying apparatus has a second partition wall that divides the inside of the air blowing chamber into a first air blowing chamber and a second air blowing chamber. The first partition wall separates the second ventilation chamber from the air chamber. The first ventilation chamber fan is configured to blow air from the first ventilation chamber, The first ventilation chamber exhaust port is configured to discharge air from the first ventilation chamber. The drying apparatus is A second air chamber exhaust port is formed in the main body case below the first air chamber exhaust port and above the air chamber exhaust port, opening toward the upper wall of the guide member, and discharging air from the second air chamber, A second ventilation chamber fan that blows air from the second ventilation chamber, An inkjet printer according to claim 8 or 9, having the following features.

11. The main body case has a front wall extending upward, an upper wall extending rearward from the front wall, and a lower wall positioned below the upper wall and extending rearward from the front wall. The rear wall is positioned behind the front wall and extends rearward and upward from the lower wall. The drying apparatus is A non-heated chamber partitioned by the rear wall and the lower wall, A non-heating chamber fan is provided in the aforementioned non-heating chamber, The main body case is formed with an air intake port for a non-heating chamber that takes in air from outside the main body case into the non-heating chamber, The main body case includes a non-heating chamber exhaust port that discharges the air from the non-heating chamber to the outside of the main body case, It has, The non-heated chamber exhaust port is formed in the lower wall, The inkjet printer according to claim 10, wherein the non-heated chamber air intake is formed in the front wall.

12. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the ink is a water-based ink.

Images