Drying device, recording device, method for changing drying conditions, drying unit, and drying unit set

Abstract

This drying device has a plurality of drying units. Each of the drying units has a drying path and a drying mechanism that dries a recording medium passing through the drying path. The drying path is configured by enclosing a conveyance path through which the recording medium is conveyed, with path walls from at least two directions among the four directions of up, down, left, and right. A plurality of drying paths are connected to constitute a connected drying path. Additionally or alternatively, the drying device has a plurality of drying units and a frame body. Each of the drying units has, on at least one of the upper side and the lower side with an intervening gap serving as a conveyance path through which a recording medium is conveyed, a drying mechanism that is an air supply part, a suction part, or an irradiation part. The plurality of drying units are arranged along the conveyance path and are accommodated in the frame body so as to be replaceable.

Description

Drying device, recording device, method for changing drying conditions, drying unit, and drying unit set

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a drying device that dries a recording medium (e.g., paper having ink attached thereto), a recording device that includes the drying device, a method for changing drying conditions using the drying device, a drying unit that can be used in the drying device, and a drying unit set that includes the drying unit.

[0002] In inkjet printing, in which printing is performed by propelling ink toward a recording medium (e.g., paper), various techniques have been proposed for drying ink that has landed on the recording medium (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). In Patent Document 1, a drying device and a melting device are arranged in sequence along the path along which the recording medium is transported. The drying device promotes evaporation of the ink medium by heating the recording medium. The melting device irradiates the ink with ultraviolet light (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "UV"), thereby raising the temperature of the polymer in the ink and melting the polymer. The polymer then solidifies and adheres to the recording medium. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a drying device that blows hot air.

[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 004486

[0004] A drying device according to one aspect of the present disclosure has a plurality of drying units. Each of the plurality of drying units has a drying oven and a drying mechanism. The drying oven is configured by surrounding a transport path along which a recording medium is transported with path walls from at least two of four directions (top, bottom, left, and right), and has entrance and exit openings at the front and rear through which the recording medium enters and exits. The drying mechanism dries the recording medium passing through the drying path. The plurality of drying units are arranged side by side, and the drying paths of the plurality of drying units are connected to form a connected drying path.

[0005] A drying device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a drying unit and a frame. The drying unit has a drying mechanism on at least one of the upper and lower sides, sandwiching a gap that serves as a transport path along which a recording medium is transported. The drying mechanism is one of an air supply unit, a suction unit, and an irradiation unit. The air supply unit blows hot air onto the recording medium passing through the gap. The suction unit sucks gas from the gap. The irradiation unit irradiates the recording medium with ultraviolet light. A plurality of the drying units are arranged in the frame along the transport path so that the gaps are connected along the transport path. The plurality of drying units are housed in the frame in a replaceable manner.

[0006] A recording device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the drying device, a transport device that transports the recording medium along the transport path, and an ejection device that is located upstream of the transport path relative to the drying device and ejects ink toward the recording medium.

[0007] A method for changing drying conditions according to one aspect of the present disclosure uses the drying device to change at least one of the total number, arrangement order, and type of the plurality of drying units lined up along the transport path.

[0008] A drying unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a drying oven, a drying mechanism, and a fastening portion. The drying oven includes a transport path along which a recording medium is transported, and has entrance and exit openings at the front and rear through which the recording medium enters and exits. The drying mechanism dries the recording medium passing through the drying path. The drying unit can be fastened to another drying unit by the fastening portion.

[0009] A drying unit set according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of drying units. Each of the plurality of drying units has a drying oven and a drying mechanism. The drying oven includes a transport path along which a recording medium is transported, and has entrance / exit openings at the front and rear of the transport path through which the recording medium enters and exits. The drying mechanism dries the recording medium passing through the drying path. The drying paths are arranged so that when the plurality of drying units are arranged on a flat installation surface, the drying paths are connected to each other.

[0010] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a recording apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a drying device included in the recording apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a drying unit set included in the drying device of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for customizing drying conditions. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of a customized drying unit set. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a first example of the internal structure of a drying unit. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a second example of the internal structure of a drying unit. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a path forming unit replaceable with a drying unit. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a connection structure of a plurality of drying units. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an example of a connection mode between a drying unit and a frame that houses the drying unit. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an example of a fitting structure between a drying unit and a frame. FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a first example of a change in the connection direction of a drying unit to the outside. FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a second example of a change in the connection direction of a drying unit to the outside. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing another example of a drying apparatus. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing another example of a drying unit.

[0011] For aspects of various devices or components that are described relatively later, only differences from the aspects described earlier will be described. Matters not specifically mentioned may be considered to be the same as or inferred from the aspects described earlier. Furthermore, for the sake of convenience, the same reference numerals may be used to refer to corresponding components in multiple aspects, even if there are differences.

[0012] The drawings used in the following description are schematic. Therefore, for example, certain shapes and / or dimensions may be exaggerated or details may be omitted. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of the same components in the drawings do not necessarily match. However, this does not deny that shape and / or dimensional features may be extracted from the drawings.

[0013] For convenience, the drawings may be accompanied by a Cartesian coordinate system D1D2D3, and terms such as D1 direction, D2 direction, and D3 direction may be used. The recording device according to the embodiment may be used in any orientation. However, for convenience, unless otherwise specified, an example in which the +D3 side is upward may be used, and expressions based on this assumption may be used. When referring to rotating a specific member within a plane, the plane may refer to a plane parallel to the D1D2 plane.

[0014] Unless a contradiction arises, the term "D1 direction" may be replaced with terms such as "the conveyance direction of the recording medium" and "the direction along the conveyance path of the recording medium." The term "D2 direction" may be replaced with terms such as "a direction intersecting (e.g., perpendicular to) the conveyance path and along the plane of the conveyance path (the plane of the recording medium)" and "the width direction of the conveyance path." The term "D3 direction" may be replaced with terms such as "a direction intersecting (e.g., normal direction) to the plane of the conveyance path (recording medium)."

[0015] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a printer 1 (an example of a recording device) according to an embodiment. The printer 1 is configured as an inkjet printer that prints on a medium 101 (an example of a recording medium) such as paper.

[0016] More specifically, in the illustrated example, the medium 101 is roll paper and is transported in the direction indicated by the white arrow. Then, ink is ejected from the ejection device 3 onto the front surface 101a of the medium 101, thereby printing. The medium 101 (more specifically, in the illustrated example, the printed area of ​​the medium 101) is then transported to the drying device 5, where the ink is dried. When the medium 101 passes below the ejection device 3, the front surface 101a faces upward, and when it passes through the drying device 5, the back surface 101b faces upward.

[0017] Depending on the configuration of the printer 1, as in the illustrated example, only a portion of the medium 101, rather than the entire medium 101, passes below the ejection device 3 or inside the drying device 5. However, as described above, the medium 101 is expressed as being transported to the drying device 5, and in other words, the description of the embodiment may ignore strictness. The same applies to the area passing through the drying unit 7, which will be described later, and the area dried by the drying mechanism 13.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drying device 5. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drying device 5 with some components removed from the configuration shown in FIG. 2. The drying device 5 has, for example, a plurality of drying units 7 (six in the illustrated example) and a frame 11 that holds the plurality of drying units 7. The plurality of drying units 7 may be referred to as a unit set 9 (an example of a drying unit set). The plurality of drying units 7 are arranged along a transport path for the media 101 (illustration and reference numerals are omitted in the illustrated example because the position of the drying units overlaps with the position of the media 101).

[0019] Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 2. The cross section shown in Fig. 4 spans the entire width of the medium 101 in the D2 direction, for example.

[0020] Each of the drying units 7 has a drying path 7a (see also FIG. 3 ) through which the media 101 passes. The drying path 7a is configured, for example, by surrounding the transport path of the media 101 with path walls 7b from at least two of four directions (four directions in the illustrated example): top, bottom, left, and right (+D3 side, −D3 side, −D2 side, and +D2 side). The drying path 7a also has entrance / exit openings 7c at the front and rear (+D1 side and D1 side) through which the media 101 enters and exits. Adjacent drying paths 7a are connected to each other with or without gaps to form a connected drying path 15.

[0021] As already mentioned, the four directions of the transport path (up, down, left, and right) do not necessarily refer to both vertical and horizontal sides. The terms up, down, left, and right simply refer to both sides of two mutually orthogonal directions (e.g., the normal direction and width direction of the media 101) when viewed along the transport path. Similarly, the terms front and rear refer to the upstream and downstream sides of the transport path and do not necessarily refer to horizontal directions.

[0022] Each of the drying units 7 has one or more drying mechanisms 13 (13A, 13B, or 13C) (two, one above the other, in the illustrated example) that dry the medium 101 passing through the drying path 7a (the area through which the medium passes). Examples of the drying mechanisms 13 include the following: Air supply unit 13A: This drying mechanism 13 is indicated by an arrow pointing toward the medium 101 in FIG. 4 , and supplies hot air (a broad concept that includes warm air) to the drying path 7a (for example, blows hot air toward the medium 101). Suction unit 13B: This drying mechanism 13 is indicated by an arrow pointing away from the medium 101 in FIG. 4 , and sucks gas (for example, air) from the drying path 7a (from another perspective, removes moisture). Irradiation unit 13C: This drying mechanism 13 is indicated by "LED" in FIG. 4 , and irradiates UV light onto the medium 101 (more specifically, the surface on which the ink has landed (front surface 101a)).

[0023] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for customizing the drying device 5 (or, from another perspective, the drying conditions). The cross-sectional view shown in this figure is a further schematic representation of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 illustrates a situation in which the drying device 5 has been changed from the configuration shown in the upper row (drying device 5A) to the configuration shown in the lower row (drying device 5B). In this change, as shown in the middle row, the drying unit 7 located closest to the +D1 side has been replaced with a different type of drying unit 7.

[0024] In this way, the multiple drying units 7 are housed in the frame 11 in a freely interchangeable manner. Therefore, for example, the drying conditions can be customized by changing the total number of the multiple drying units 7, changing the arrangement order, or changing the type. Note that customization includes both initial settings and changes from the initial settings. Furthermore, customization may refer to customization performed on the same type or individual printer 1, or may refer to customization for different types or individual printers 1.

[0025] As described above, from the first viewpoint, each of the multiple drying units 7 has a drying path 7a and a drying mechanism 13. The drying path 7a is configured by surrounding the transport path of the media 101 with path walls 7b from at least two of the four directions (top, bottom, left, and right), and has entrance and exit openings 7c at the front and rear through which the media 101 enters and exits. The multiple drying paths 7a are connected to form a connected drying path 15.

[0026] Therefore, for example, the drying conditions can be customized by setting (e.g., changing) the total number, arrangement order, and / or type of the multiple drying units 7. Customization allows ink to be dried under drying conditions suited to various conditions, such as the configuration of the ejection device 3, the type of media 101, and / or the type of ink. As a result, for example, the likelihood of insufficient drying and excessive drying can be reduced. This reduces the likelihood, for example, of insufficient ink adhering to other media 101 when media 101 are stacked, or of ink discoloration due to excessive drying. In other words, image quality is improved.

[0027] Furthermore, the above-described customization is not achieved by changing the design of the drying device 5 in accordance with desired drying conditions. Therefore, for example, the versatility of the components that make up the drying device 5 is increased. Ultimately, costs are reduced. Furthermore, for example, the drying conditions can be changed in response to changes in the environment around the printer 1 at the printing site, or in response to changes in the operating status of parts of the printer 1 other than the drying device 5 (from another perspective, printing conditions such as printing speed). Furthermore, customization can be performed by the user of the drying device 5, rather than by the manufacturer of the drying device 5.

[0028] Here, the drying path 7a is surrounded by the path walls 7b of the drying unit 7 on at least two of the four directions (top, bottom, left, and right). Another example of such a drying path 7a is a configuration in which the drying unit is disposed only on the front surface 101a side of the medium 101, and the drying path is surrounded by the drying unit and the surface of the frame 11 facing the back surface 101b of the medium 101. Compared to such other examples, for example, it is easy to reduce the cross-sectional area of ​​the connected drying path 15. As a result, for example, unintended turbulence of the airflow can be reduced and heat can be prevented from escaping, thereby enabling stable and efficient drying of ink. In a configuration in which the drying path 7a is surrounded on the top, bottom, left, and right, for example, a nearly closed connected drying path 15 can also be realized.

[0029] From a second perspective, the multiple drying units 7 are arranged in a frame body 11 along the conveying path so that the gaps (drying paths 7a) are connected along the conveying path, and the multiple drying units 7 are accommodated in the frame body 11 in a manner that allows them to be freely replaced.

[0030] Therefore, for example, as described in the first aspect, the drying conditions can be customized, thereby improving image quality. Also, the versatility of the components constituting the drying device 5 can be increased. Customization can be performed on-site and / or by the user.

[0031] When extracting features of the drying device 5 and the like from the present disclosure in accordance with the first aspect, the frame 11 that houses the drying units 7 does not need to be an essential requirement. For example, the multiple drying units 7 may be simply placed on the upper surface of a plate-like member or may be supported by a bar that is inserted through the multiple drying units 7.

[0032] Furthermore, when extracting features of the drying device 5 and the like from the present disclosure based on the second aspect, the drying path 7a does not have to be an essential requirement. For example, as in the other example described above, the entire drying unit may be arranged only on one side, either above or below, of the transport path. In other words, the drying unit 7 may be configured to have the drying mechanism 13 on at least one side, either above or below, across the gap that serves as the transport path.

[0033] Furthermore, from the present disclosure, features of the drying device 5 and the like may be extracted from a perspective different from either the first or second perspective. In this case, for example, the drying path 7a and / or the frame 11 may not be essential requirements.

[0034] The above is an overview of the printer 1 according to the embodiment. The following will be described in the following order: 1. Printer 1 in general (FIG. 1) 2. Drying device 5 in general (FIGS. 1 to 4) 3. Examples of customization (FIGS. 5 and 6) 4. Drying unit 7 (FIGS. 7 and 8) 4.1. Drying unit 7 in general 4.2. Drying path 7a 4.3. Opening in path wall 7b 4.4. Drying mechanism 13 4.4.1. Drying mechanism 13 in general 4.4.2. Air supply section 13A 4.4.3. Suction section 13B 4.4.4. Irradiation section 13C 4.5. Position adjustment mechanism 5. Path forming unit (FIG. 9) 6. Frame 11 (FIGS. 1 to 4) 7. Connection of multiple drying units 7 (FIG. 10) 8. Restrictions on movement of drying unit 7 relative to frame 11 8.1. 8. Various examples of fastening (FIG. 11) 8.2. Fitting structure (FIG. 12) 9. Input / output mechanism related to drying mechanism 13 9.1. Configuration of input / output mechanism (FIGS. 2 to 4) 9.2. Customization of orientation of input / output mechanism (FIGS. 13 and 14) 9.3. Damper (FIGS. 7 and 8) 10. Other examples 10.1. Other examples of input / output mechanism (FIG. 15) 10.2. Other examples of drying unit (FIG. 16) 11. Summary of embodiments

[0035] 1 includes, for example, a recording system 17 that ejects and dries ink, and a transport device 19 that transports a medium 101. The recording system 17 includes an ejection device 3 and a drying device 5. The printer 1 may also include, for example, a controller (not shown) that controls the recording system 17 and the transport device 19.

[0036] The printer 1 may be distributed in any manner. For example, the drying device 5 may be distributed separately from the ejection device 3 and the conveying device 19. Also, the recording system 17 including the drying device 5 may be distributed separately from the conveying device 19. The entire printer 1 may be distributed. Only the drying unit 7 may be distributed separately from the other components of the printer 1, or only the unit set 9 may be distributed separately from the other components of the printer 1.

[0037] The ejection device 3 may be a device for performing color printing or a device for performing monochrome printing. The ejection device 3 has at least one head (not shown) that ejects ink toward the front surface 101 a of the medium 101.

[0038] The ejection device 3 is configured for use in a so-called line printer. That is, the head (which may be a plurality of small heads arranged along a plane) spans substantially the entire width (direction D2) of the medium 101. Then, as the medium 101 is transported, printing is performed in a band-shaped area extending in the direction D2, thereby forming a two-dimensional image.

[0039] However, the ejection device 3 may also be for a serial printer. In this case, the printing operation while moving the head in the D2 direction and the transport of the medium 101 are alternately performed. For convenience, in the description of the embodiment, a line printer may be used as an example unless otherwise specified.

[0040] Although not specifically shown, the head of the ejection device 3 ejects ink droplets from nozzles facing the medium 101, for example. The head may have any configuration as long as it is capable of ejecting ink. For example, the actuator system that applies pressure to the ink for ejection may be a piezoelectric system that applies pressure to the ink by deforming a piezoelectric element, or a thermal system that applies pressure to the ink by heating the ink to generate bubbles.

[0041] The printer 1 prints on, for example, roll paper as the medium 101. However, the medium 101 may also be sheet paper. The size of the medium 101 is also arbitrary. For example, the size of the medium 101 may be small, like a receipt, a size commonly used in offices, or large, like a poster.

[0042] The transport device 19 may have any configuration. Fig. 1 illustrates a configuration in which a roller that contacts the medium 101 is rotated. Other configurations include a configuration in which a belt that adsorbs the medium 101 is transported, and a configuration in which a drum around which the medium 101 is wound is rotated.

[0043] The transport path of the medium 101 may take any form. For example, the transport path may extend so as to make a U-turn (as in the illustrated example), or may extend generally straight (including a path that bends gently but does not make a U-turn partially or entirely). From another perspective, assuming a configuration in which the ejection device 3 ejects ink from above downward, the front surface 101 a of the medium 101 (the surface to be printed) may face downward (as in the illustrated example) or upward when passing through the drying device 5.

[0044] As can be understood from the above description, in the description of the drying device 5, the terms "upper" and "lower" may be used interchangeably unless otherwise specified or unless a contradiction arises.

[0045] The ink contains, for example, a medium (a solvent or dispersion medium, such as water or an organic solvent) and a colorant (a pigment or dye). The printer 1 then dries the ink (evaporates the medium) to fix the colorant to the medium 101. In other words, the ink is not UV-curable ink. However, the drying device 5 can also be applied to printers that use UV-curable ink.

[0046] The specific manner in which the colorant is fixed to the medium 101 is arbitrary. For example, the fixation may be due to the colorant permeating the medium 101, the colorant accumulating on the medium 101 as the medium dries, a predetermined polymer melting and solidifying to fix to the medium 101 together with the colorant, or a combination of these.

[0047] In addition to the colorant, the ink may contain a component that absorbs UV light and generates heat. Such a component may be a UV absorber (ultraviolet absorbing agent). Here, the UV absorber not only absorbs UV light and generates heat, but also can do so repeatedly. A component (transparent) that imparts gloss to the medium 101 may also be considered a type of colorant.

[0048] (2. Drying Device in General) As described above, the drying device 5 has a unit set 9 (plurality of drying units 7) and a frame 11. Unless otherwise specified or unless there is a contradiction, the term "unit set 9" may refer to a plurality of drying units 7 in an arranged state, or may refer to a state before they are arranged, or may refer to a combination of a predetermined number or less (six or less in the illustrated example) of drying units 7 that are currently arranged in a predetermined location (frame 11), or may additionally refer to a combination including any number of drying units 7 that are prepared to replace and / or add to the predetermined number or less of drying units 7.

[0049] However, in the description of the embodiments, for convenience, unless otherwise specified or unless a contradiction occurs, the term "unit set 9" refers to a combination of one or more and a predetermined number (six or less) of drying units 7 that are currently incorporated into the frame 11. Similarly, for convenience, unless otherwise specified or unless a contradiction occurs, the term "configuration including the unit set 9" (e.g., the drying device 5) refers to a configuration including the currently incorporated drying units 7.

[0050] The number of drying units 7 included in the unit set 9 (or, from another perspective, the number of drying units 7 that can be arranged in the frame 11, etc.) is arbitrary. However, in the description of the embodiment, expressions may be used assuming the illustrated example (six units) unless otherwise specified. Also, in more schematic drawings (e.g., FIGS. 11, 13, and 14), the number of positions at which the drying units 7 can be arranged may be reduced for convenience. Note that, just to be clear, the number of positions at which the drying units 7 can be arranged may actually be the number shown in the more schematic drawings.

[0051] The drying device 5 may have the following components, for example, as shown in Fig. 4. Air supply system 21A: A configuration for supplying hot air by air supply unit 13A. Suction system 21B: A configuration for sucking gas by suction unit 13B. Irradiation system 21C: A configuration for irradiating UV by irradiation unit 13C.

[0052] The air supply system 21A includes, for example, the air supply unit 13A, a blower 23, and a heater 25 when the drying unit 7 including the air supply unit 13A is incorporated into the frame 11. The blower 23 includes, for example, a fan and a motor (not shown). The blower 23 and / or the heater 25 may be located outside the air supply unit 13A (as shown in the example), or may be located inside the air supply unit 13A. The former will be taken as an example in the description of the embodiment. The air supply unit 13A has at least a flow path (reference numeral omitted) through which hot air flows.

[0053] The suction system 21B includes, for example, the suction unit 13B and a suction device 27 when the drying unit 7 including the suction unit 13B is incorporated into the frame 11. The suction device 27 includes, for example, a fan and a motor (not shown). The suction device 27 may be located outside the suction unit 13B (as shown in the example) or inside the suction unit 13B. The former is taken as an example in the description of the embodiment. The suction unit 13B has at least a flow path (reference numeral omitted) through which the suctioned gas flows.

[0054] For example, when the drying unit 7 including the irradiation unit 13C is incorporated into the frame 11, the irradiation system 21C includes the irradiation unit 13C and a power supply system 29. The roles of the irradiation unit 13C and the power supply system 29 may be divided arbitrarily. For example, in a configuration in which the drying device 5 (a concept including a controller) is configured to be able to adjust the UV intensity, the control of power according to the target value of the UV intensity may be performed by either the irradiation unit 13C or the power supply system 29. The irradiation unit 13C has at least a UV light source (not shown).

[0055] The drying device 5 includes a part of the air supply system 21A, regardless of whether the drying unit 7 having the air supply section 13A is currently incorporated into the frame 11. For example, the drying device 5 includes a blower 23, a heater 25, and a power supply system (not shown) for these. Similarly, the drying device 5 includes a part of the suction system 21B (the suction device 27 and its power supply system (not shown)), regardless of whether the suction section 13B is present. The drying device 5 also includes a power supply system 29, regardless of whether the irradiation section 13C is present. Note that the parts of the drying device 5, regardless of whether the drying mechanism 13 is present, are referred to as the drying system main body (the air supply system main body, the suction system main body, and the irradiation system main body). Because the drying device 5 includes three types of drying system main bodies, it is possible to select one or more of three drying methods by attaching or detaching the drying unit 7.

[0056] Unlike the description of the embodiment, the drying device 5 may have only a drying system main body related to one or two types of drying methods. Even if only one type of drying system main body is provided, the drying conditions can be customized by changing the number and / or position of the drying units 7 related to that one type. Also, unlike the description above, only the unit set 9, or the combination of the unit set 9 and the frame 11, may be considered as the drying device. In other words, the drying device 5 may be defined excluding the drying system main body.

[0057] The gas delivered by the gas delivery system 21A may be air or a gas other than air. The gas delivery system 21A may utilize exhaust heat from the irradiation system 21C. The gas delivery system 21A may also deliver the gas sucked by the suction system 21B after subjecting it to a predetermined treatment.

[0058] As is clear from the above description of the size of the media 101 and the type of ink, the size of each part of the drying device 5, such as the dimensions of the connected drying path 15, is arbitrary. The UV intensity, the length of UV irradiation (direction D1), the temperature of the hot air, the amount of hot air supplied (air volume), the amount of gas suction, etc. are also arbitrary, and may be adjusted by customizing the drying conditions described above or by other means (for example, a damper, as described below). In one example, the drying device 5 may raise the temperature of the ink and / or media 101 to 100°C or higher.

[0059] (3. Example of Customization) There are many drying conditions that can be customized by attaching and detaching the drying units 7. For example, when n types of drying units 7 are prepared and the drying units 7 are selectively arranged at r positions in the frame 11, the number of drying conditions is (n+1). ｒ The number is -1. The reason for setting n+1 is that the option of not placing a drying unit 7 at any position is taken into consideration (however, the presence or absence of a path forming unit, which will be described later, is not taken into consideration). The number is -1 because the option of not placing any drying unit 7 is not taken into consideration. For example, assuming that four types of drying units 7 are prepared as shown in FIG. 4 and the frame 11 has six placement positions, the number of positions is 15624 (=5 ６ -1) Customization is possible.

[0060] The number of types of drying units 7 to be prepared, the number of drying units 7 to be arranged, and which of the many drying conditions to select are all arbitrary. Figures 5 and 6 show examples of several drying conditions (drying devices 5A to 5G) when six drying units are arranged. In the description of the embodiments, different capital letters may be added to the reference symbols of drying devices 5 having different combinations of multiple drying units 7.

[0061] Drying devices 5C and 5D are examples of a configuration that does not use a drying unit 7 including an irradiation section 13C. Drying devices 5C and 5D are examples of a configuration in which the arrangement order of drying units 7 is reversed.

[0062] Drying devices 5E and 5F are examples of a configuration in which the total number of drying units 7 is less than the number of drying units 7 that can be arranged. Drying device 5E is an example of a configuration in which no drying units 7 are arranged. Drying device 5F is an example of a configuration in which path forming units 31 (described later with reference to FIG. 9 ) are arranged in positions where no drying units 7 are arranged. As can be understood from the above explanation, the number and positions of the positions where no drying units 7 are arranged are arbitrary.

[0063] The drying device 5G is an example of a configuration in which only the suction unit 13B is located on one of the upper and lower sides (the air supply unit 13A and the irradiation unit 13C are not located), and only the air supply unit 13A and / or the irradiation unit 13C are located on the other of the upper and lower sides.

[0064] Just to be clear, it is not necessary to prepare multiple types of drying units 7 to realize all of the illustrated drying devices 5A to 5G. In other words, although six types of drying units 7 are illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, each drying unit 7 has at least one of the upper and lower drying mechanisms 13 that is different from the other (including units that do not have one of the drying mechanisms 13), it is not necessary to prepare these six types of drying units 7. Conversely, drying units 7 of types not illustrated may be prepared.

[0065] (4. Drying Unit) (4.1. Drying Unit General) As described in the description of the outline of the embodiment (description of the second aspect), the drying unit 7 may be entirely located on either the upper or lower side of the conveying path, unlike the illustrated example. However, the description of the embodiment will be given by way of example of a configuration (structure and / or size) that allows for the inclusion of drying mechanisms 13 on both the upper and lower sides.

[0066] Furthermore, the drying unit 7 may have only one type of drying mechanism 13 on each of the upper and lower sides of the conveying path, or may have two or more types of drying mechanisms 13. For example, one drying unit 7 may have an air supply unit 13A and an irradiation unit 13C on either the upper or lower side of the conveying path. However, in the description of the embodiment, an example will be taken in which only one type of drying mechanism 13 is provided on each of the upper and lower sides.

[0067] As described above, the drying unit 7 has a size and the like that allows it to have two drying mechanisms 13. However, this drying unit 7 may have only one drying mechanism 13, as exemplified by the second drying unit 7 from the right of the drying apparatus 5F in Fig. 6. As can be inferred from this, unlike the description of the embodiment, all types of drying units 7 provided for the drying apparatus 5 may have a drying path 7a surrounded by path walls 7b on at least two sides, but may be configured so that the drying mechanism 13 can be arranged only above or below the drying path 7a (the structure and / or size do not allow the drying mechanisms 13 to be arranged both above and below).

[0068] The UV from the irradiation unit 13C is absorbed by the ink, for example, and contributes to raising the temperature of the ink. Therefore, the irradiation unit 13C is located on the front surface 101a side of the medium 101. However, if the material of the medium 101 is a material that transmits UV (for example, a translucent resin film), the irradiation unit 13C may irradiate the ink on the front surface 101a with UV from the back surface 101b side, unlike the example shown in the figure. Furthermore, regardless of the material of the medium 101, the irradiation unit 13C may be located on the back surface 101b side to cause the medium 101 to absorb the UV. However, the following description will be given as an example in which the irradiation unit 13C is located on the front surface 101a side.

[0069] As already mentioned, any number of types of drying units 7 may be prepared. For example, assume a configuration in which one of three types of drying mechanisms 13 is or is not arranged on the upper side, and one of three types of drying mechanisms 13 is or is not arranged on the lower side. Furthermore, a configuration in which no drying mechanisms 13 are arranged on either the upper or lower side is not a drying unit 7 (it is a path forming unit 31, described later). In this case, the number of types of drying units 7 (the number of combinations of two types of drying mechanisms 13) is 15 (= 4 × 4 - 1). Any of these 15 types may be prepared.

[0070] In the present disclosure, the types of drying units 7 are distinguished by the difference in the configuration of the drying mechanism 13 installed in the drying unit. Drying units 7 are distinguished, for example, by which of the functions of the air supply unit 13A, the suction unit 13B, and the irradiation unit 13C they have. When multiple different drying mechanisms 13 are installed, they may be distinguished by the combination of these mechanisms. For example, a drying unit 7 equipped with the air supply unit 13A and the suction unit 13B may be a different type from a drying unit 7 equipped with the suction unit 13B and the irradiation unit 13C.

[0071] Furthermore, even if drying units 7 are equipped with the same drying mechanism, the types may be distinguished based on differences in the characteristics of the drying mechanism 13. For example, drying units 7 having different peak wavelengths or different maximum irradiation intensities in the irradiation section 13C may be considered to be of different types.

[0072] Similarly, a drying unit 7 having a different size or planar shape of the opening 33 in the air supply section 13A or the suction section 13B may be considered to be a different type. A drying unit 7 having a different size or shape of the piping inside the drying unit 7 in the air supply section 13A or the suction section 13B may be considered to be a different type.

[0073] Furthermore, the multiple drying units 7 classified as one type above may be classified as different types of drying units 7 due to differences in their details. For example, drying units 7 having air supply sections 13A may be classified as different types due to differences in the number, shape, and / or dimensions of air outlets 33A (described below) that blow hot air into the drying path 7a. That is, depending on the classification method, more than 15 types of drying units 7 may be prepared. However, for convenience, in the description of the embodiments, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that multiple drying units 7 that differ from each other in such details do not exist, or that even if they do exist, classification based on the details is ignored.

[0074] The multiple drying units 7 have the same external shapes (including dimensions) except for, for example, a shape according to the type of drying mechanism 13. For example, the multiple drying units 7 have the same length in the D1 direction. Therefore, for example, when the multiple drying units 7 are arranged so that adjacent drying units 7 abut each other, even if some of the drying units 7 are swapped, the positions of the multiple drying units 7 in the D1 direction relative to the frame 11 and the pitch between the multiple drying units 7 are maintained. However, the external shapes of the multiple drying units 7 may be different from each other.

[0075] In the drying apparatus 5 (frame 11) capable of accommodating r drying units 7 (six in the illustrated example), the r drying units 7 may be arranged, for example, so that adjacent units abut each other, as mentioned above. However, unlike the description of the embodiment, some or all of the r drying units 7 may be arranged at a relatively short distance (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "first distance"). The first distance is, for example, less than 1 / 3, less than 1 / 5, or less than 1 / 10 of the length of one drying unit 7 in the D1 direction (this length is, for example, common to multiple drying units 7).

[0076] As shown by drying apparatuses 5E and 5F in Fig. 6, fewer than r drying units 7 may be arranged in the drying apparatus 5. In this case, adjacent drying units 7 may be spaced apart from each other by a distance (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "second distance") longer than the length of one drying unit 7 in the D1 direction.

[0077] Consider an arrangement in which r or less drying units 7 are arranged so that adjacent drying units 7 are spaced a first distance or a second distance apart. In this case, the positions of the r or less drying units 7 relative to the frame 11 and / or the pitch of the r or less drying units 7 may be unchangeable before and after customization, may be changeable but remain the same, or may be changeable. However, in the description of the embodiment, an arrangement in which the positions are unchangeable before and after customization (unchangeable or changeable but not changed) will be taken as an example.

[0078] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the interior of drying unit 7A as one example of the drying unit 7. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the interior of drying unit 7B as another example of the drying unit 7. These figures show the flat plate portion on the -D1 side of the drying unit 7 separated. Portions connected to the flat plate portion (for example, abutting portions, adjacent portions, integrally formed portions, or joined portions) are hatched.

[0079] Drying unit 7A has air supply units 13A on both the upper and lower sides of drying path 7a. However, the configurations of the two are different. Drying unit 7B has air supply unit 13A on the upper side of drying path 7a and irradiation unit 13C on the lower side of drying path 7a. The configurations of the air supply units 13A on the upper side of drying unit 7A and the upper side of drying unit 7B are, for example, the same (although they may be different).

[0080] The following description with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 and the description of the drying units 7A and 7B may be applied to other types of drying units 7, unless a contradiction or the like arises.

[0081] The outer shape of the drying unit 7 (see also FIG. 3 ) is arbitrary. For example, the outer shape may be a generally thin rectangular parallelepiped. In other words, the outer shape may have an upper surface, a lower surface, two side surfaces (surfaces perpendicular to the D2 direction), a front surface, and a rear surface. The length in the D1 direction may be shorter than the lengths in the D2 and D3 directions. Either the length in the D2 direction or the length in the D3 direction may be longer than the other (in the illustrated example, the former is longer than the latter).

[0082] From another perspective, the drying unit 7 has flat plate-like portions (front and rear surfaces) that face each other and can come into contact with each other at least around the entrance / exit opening 7c (FIG. 3) of the drying path 7a. Note that, on at least one of the front and rear surfaces, the annular region surrounding the entrance / exit opening 7c may protrude compared to other regions. And / or, on at least one of the front and rear surfaces, at least the annular region surrounding the entrance / exit opening 7c may be formed of an elastic member that abuts against another drying unit 7.

[0083] The number, shape, dimensions, and materials of the components constituting the drying unit 7 are arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the drying unit 7 is basically composed of a combination of plate-like members (e.g., members having a shape that spreads with a generally constant thickness), except for some components such as the irradiation unit 13C. From another perspective, the drying unit 7 has a housing. The drying mechanism 13 is composed of the outer wall of the housing, partition plates within the housing, and / or devices (e.g., LED light sources) housed in the housing. Of course, the drying unit 7 does not necessarily have a configuration that can be considered as a plate-like member and / or a housing.

[0084] The specific configuration of the plate-like member described above is also arbitrary. For example, the member depicted as a single, integrated member in Figures 7 and 8 may be a combination of multiple members. Furthermore, the plate-like member (or other member) may be made of metal, resin, and / or ceramic. The plate-like member (e.g., the outer wall of the housing) may have a two-layer structure consisting of a layer that ensures strength and / or a layer that forms the outer surface, and a heat-insulating layer.

[0085] (4.2. Drying Path) As described above, the drying path 7a through which the media 101 passes is surrounded by path walls 7b from at least two of the four directions (four directions in the illustrated example), for example, top, bottom, left, and right (+D3, −D3, −D2, and +D2). When surrounded from two sides, for example, the two path walls 7b may face each other across the drying path 7a, or the two path walls 7b may intersect each other. In the former case, the two path walls 7b may face each other in the top, bottom, left, or right direction. When surrounded from three sides, the direction in which the path walls 7b are not provided may be any of the top, bottom, left, and right directions.

[0086] In the illustrated example, the drying path 7a is surrounded on all four sides (top, bottom, left, and right) by four path walls 7b. In the description of the embodiment, the illustrated example may be assumed without any particular mention. The configuration of the illustrated example may be appropriately incorporated into other examples as long as no contradictions arise. For example, in an embodiment in which only two path walls 7b face each other across the drying path 7a, the two path walls 7b may be configured to fit within the width (in the case of the upper and lower path walls 7b) or thickness (in the case of the left and right path walls 7b) of the media 101 when viewed in the normal direction of the wall surfaces, similar to the two facing path walls 7b in the illustrated example.

[0087] The path wall 7b is formed by a plate-like member included in the drying unit 7 described above. However, the path wall 7b does not need to be plate-shaped as long as it has a wall surface on the drying path 7a side. The path wall 7b may be interpreted as a term indicating a portion constituting a wall surface, or as a term indicating a wall surface, unless a contradiction occurs. Similarly, other terms "wall" may be interpreted as either a wall surface or a portion constituting a wall surface, unless a contradiction occurs. Depending on the shape of the cross section of the drying path 7a, it may be difficult to consider the path walls 7b surrounding the four sides as four.

[0088] The drying path 7a is enclosed on all four sides by the path walls 7b, and is therefore sealed except for the entrance and exit openings 7c (FIG. 3) at the front and rear. However, an opening 33 (described below) for drying purposes may be provided. Furthermore, gaps that are negligible in practical terms may exist at the joints between the path walls 7b, etc., from the perspective of the airflow involved in drying the media 101.

[0089] When referring to "sealed," unless otherwise specified or unless a contradiction arises, it is acceptable for minute gaps such as those described above to exist without the need to use the term "substantially." The same applies to other components. Furthermore, with regard to terms describing shapes, positions, etc. (such as "symmetrical" below), it is acceptable for there to be unique parts to the extent that there is no significant practical difference in the function of the shape, even without the need to use the term "substantially."

[0090] As already mentioned, the dimensions of each part of the drying device 5, such as the dimensions of the connected drying path 15, are arbitrary. The same applies to the drying path 7a. The shape and aspect ratio of the drying path 7a are also arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the drying path 7a is a rectangular parallelepiped. In other words, the drying path 7a extends linearly in the direction D1 with a constant cross section (D2D3 cross section). From another perspective, the shape of the drying path 7a is symmetrical left-right, up-down, or front-back (only one or two of these may be true).

[0091] In the illustrated example, the drying path 7a is larger in the left-right direction (D2 direction) than in the up-down direction (D3 direction). If the cross section of the drying path 7a is not rectangular, the vertical dimension (height) and the horizontal dimension (width) may be compared reasonably (for example, by comparing average values). When the height is greater than the width, the dimensional ratio may be arbitrary. For example, the width may be at least two times, at least ten times, or at least twenty times the height. In the illustrated example, the width of the drying path 7a is the width of the drying unit 7 minus the thickness of the plate-like members on both the left and right sides, and is therefore roughly equal to the width of the drying unit 7.

[0092] The position of the drying path 7a in the drying unit 7 is arbitrary. For example, the drying path 7a (the central position, etc., may be referred to as necessary; the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph) may be biased to one side in the vertical direction relative to the drying unit 7 (its upper and lower surfaces) (examples in FIGS. 7 and 8), or may be located in the center in the vertical direction (see FIG. 16 described later). Furthermore, the drying path 7a may be biased to one side in the horizontal direction relative to the drying unit 7 (its both side surfaces), or may be located in the center (examples shown). When the drying path 7a is biased in the vertical and / or horizontal directions, the degree of bias is also arbitrary.

[0093] The shapes and dimensions of the drying paths 7a in the multiple drying units 7 are, for example, identical to each other. As a result, for example, when multiple drying paths 7a are connected, the shape and dimensions of the connected drying path 15 can be maintained even if the drying units 7 are replaced. This improves the predictability of drying conditions when customized. However, the shapes and dimensions of the multiple drying paths 7a may be different from each other. For example, the drying paths 7a may have shapes and / or dimensions according to the type of drying mechanism 13.

[0094] In the multiple drying units 7, the positions of the drying paths 7a (the central position or the like may be referenced as necessary; the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph) are, for example, identical to each other. This allows the multiple drying paths 7a to be connected by, for example, aligning the multiple drying units 7 based on their outer surfaces. This in turn makes it easier to replace the drying units 7.

[0095] In relation to the above, the distances from the drying path 7a (its lower surface) to the bottom surface (surface facing the -D3 side) of the drying unit 7 may be substantially the same for the multiple drying units 7. If the lower surface of the drying path 7a is not flat, it may be reasonably determined whether the distances are the same. For example, the distances may be determined to be the same when the same positions of the multiple drying units 7 in the D2 direction are compared and match over the entire D2 direction.

[0096] As will be understood from the description of the adjustment mechanism 35 described later, the drying unit 7 may be configured so that the position of the drying path 7a is adjustable. In such a case, whether the distances are the same or not may be determined, for example, depending on whether the adjustable ranges are the same or not.

[0097] In the illustrated example, the bottom surface of the drying unit 7 is flat and is placed on, for example, the inner surface on the -D3 side of the frame 11. In this case, with the above-described configuration, the vertical positions of the multiple drying paths 7a (more specifically, their lower surfaces) coincide with each other. Note that if the bottom surface of the drying unit 7 is not flat, the above distance may be determined based on a portion that defines the vertical position relative to the frame 11. For example, if the bottom surface of the drying unit 7 has a protrusion (foot) that protrudes toward the -D3 side, the protrusion may be used as the reference.

[0098] The distances from the drying path 7a (its upper surface) to the top surface (surface facing the +D3 side), which is the surface opposite the bottom surface of the drying unit 7, may be substantially the same for the multiple drying units 7. In this case, for example, when the drying unit 7 is operated upside down, an effect similar to that related to the distance on the bottom surface side described above occurs. The description related to the distance on the bottom surface side may be appropriately applied to the distance on the top surface side by, for example, replacing the terms "upper" and "lower" as long as no contradiction occurs.

[0099] The joints between the drying paths 7a of adjacent drying units 7 may or may not be sealed. Examples of the latter embodiment include an embodiment in which path walls 7b are not provided on all four sides (top, bottom, left, and right) and / or an embodiment in which adjacent drying paths 7a are separated from each other in the direction D1. It has already been mentioned that adjacent drying units 7 may be separated from each other by a short or long distance (first distance or second distance). As can be understood from the above explanation, in an embodiment in which adjacent drying paths 7a are separated from each other in the direction D1, the distance may be short or long, and the explanations of the first distance and the second distance may be applied to the distance.

[0100] In the illustrated example, adjacent drying paths 7a are connected with their ends facing each other. However, one end may be inserted into the other. For example, the -D1 end of the drying path 7a may be formed by a cylindrical member that protrudes toward the -D1 side, and the +D1 end of the drying path 7a may be configured to be able to receive the cylindrical member of another drying unit 7.

[0101] (4.3. Opening in Path Wall) As shown in FIG. 4 , an opening 33 for drying is formed in the path wall 7b between the drying path 7a and the drying mechanism 13. For example, the opening 33 is an air outlet 33A (see also FIGS. 7 and 8 ) through which the air supply unit 13A blows hot air to the drying path 7a, an intake port 33B (see also FIG. 8 ) through which the suction unit 13B sucks gas from the drying path 7a, or a UV window 33C (see also FIG. 8 ) that transmits UV from the irradiation unit 13C to the drying path 7a. Unlike the description here, the opening 33 may be considered as part of the drying mechanism 13. In the description of the embodiment, this understanding may be expressed without special mention.

[0102] The openings 33 are basically formed in both or either one of the upper and lower path walls 7b of the drying path 7a. The path wall 7b in which the openings 33 are formed may have a planar shape facing the media 101. The path wall 7b in which the openings 33 are formed may be arranged parallel to the media 101. Furthermore, when the openings 33 are formed in both the upper and lower path walls 7b, the upper and lower path walls 7b may be parallel to each other.

[0103] The arrangement (e.g., number and position) and shape (which may be a concept including dimensions) of the openings 33 are arbitrary. For example, the arrangement and shape of the openings 33 may be symmetrical in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions with respect to the drying path 7a. That is, the arrangement and shape of the openings 33 may be line-symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry that passes through the center of the drying path 7a in the D1 direction and is parallel to the D2D3 plane. Furthermore, the arrangement and shape of the openings 33 may be line-symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry that passes through the center of the drying path 7a in the D2 direction and is parallel to the D1D3 plane. Of course, unlike the above, the arrangement and / or shape of the openings 33 may be asymmetrical.

[0104] The specific arrangement and shape of the opening 33 may be set appropriately depending on the type of drying mechanism 13. The arrangement and shape of the opening 33 depending on the type of drying mechanism 13 will be described in the description of the drying mechanism 13 below.

[0105] (4.4. Drying Mechanism) (4.4.1. Drying Mechanism in General) The air supply unit 13A, the suction unit 13B, and the irradiation unit 13C have already been given as examples of the drying mechanism 13. The drying mechanism 13 may be of a type other than these three. For example, although not specifically shown, the drying mechanism 13 may be an irradiation unit that radiates infrared rays toward the medium 101, or a roller or plate that contacts the medium 101 and heats it (the medium 101 slides against the plate). The roller or plate may, for example, incorporate a heater or be adjacent to the heater. As can be understood from the above, the drying mechanism 13 may be one that does not contact the medium 101, or one that contacts the medium 101. However, in the description of the embodiment, only the air supply unit 13A, the suction unit 13B, and the irradiation unit 13C are used as examples.

[0106] As can be understood from the above description, the drying mechanism 13 may simply include a housing (numeral omitted) of the drying unit 7 and a path wall 7b and have a gas flow path, or may include other components or devices.

[0107] (4.4.2. Air Supply Unit) The air supply unit 13A supplies gas, for example, toward the drying path 7a (the front surface 101a or the back surface 101b of the medium 101) across the entire width of the medium 101. The air outlet 33A is provided in a position and shape that allows such air supply. The specific form is arbitrary.

[0108] For example, a slit-shaped air outlet 33A extending in the D2 direction across the width of the medium 101 may be provided, or multiple air outlets 33A arranged in the D2 direction may be provided. In the former case, the number of slits may be one or two or more. Similarly, in the latter case, the air outlets 33A may be arranged in one row or two or more rows. Also, for example, the orientation of the air outlet 33A (in other words, the wind direction at the position of the air outlet 33A) may be parallel to the D3 direction or may be inclined with respect to the D3 direction. The inclination angle may be less than 45° or may be greater than or equal to 45°.

[0109] In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the air supply unit 13A has a partition plate 13Aa that taperes the flow path. The partition plate 13Aa, together with the path wall 7b and the front and rear plate-like members of the housing of the drying unit 7, constitutes a flow path into which gas flows in from the −D2 side. The partition plate 13Aa is inclined with respect to the path wall 7b (or, from another perspective, the outlet 33A) toward the +D2 side (the side opposite the inflow side), so that the cross-sectional area of ​​this flow path becomes smaller toward the +D2 side. In this way, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the air supply unit 13A becomes smaller the further away from the inflow side, which makes it possible to make the pressure of the gas blown out from the outlet 33A more uniform in the D2 direction.

[0110] The temperature of the hot air at the position of the air outlet 33A is arbitrary. For example, if the medium 101 is paper, the temperature may be about 130° C. If the medium 101 is a resin film, the temperature may be 80° C. or higher and 90° C. or lower.

[0111] (4.4.3. Suction Unit) The description of the air supply unit 13A (and the air outlet 33A) may be applied to the suction unit 13B (and the air inlet 33B) unless a contradiction arises, except that the gas is not heated and that suction is performed instead of blowing air. The partition plate 13Aa may or may not be provided. The configuration of the air supply unit 13A and the configuration of the suction unit 13B may be different or the same. In the latter case, for example, the type of the connected drying system main body (see the blower 23 and the suction machine 27) may determine whether the drying mechanism 13 is the air supply unit 13A or the suction unit 13B.

[0112] (4.4.4. Irradiation Unit) The irradiation unit 13C, for example, irradiates the entire width of the medium 101 with UV. Furthermore, the irradiation unit 13C, for example, irradiates the medium 101 with UV almost uniformly in the width direction. The shape of the area of ​​the medium 101 that is irradiated with UV is, for example, a rectangle with sides parallel to the D1 direction and the D2 direction. The specific size and aspect ratio of the area are arbitrary.

[0113] The UV window 33C of the path wall 7b may have a shape and size that allows the above-described irradiation. For example, it may be rectangular with sides parallel to the D1 and D2 directions. It may be larger or smaller than the cross section of the UV from the irradiation unit 13C (excluding the UV window 33C). The UV window 33C may or may not be covered by a translucent member.

[0114] The specific configuration of the irradiation unit 13C is arbitrary. For example, although not specifically shown, the irradiation unit 13C has at least a light source (not shown) that generates UV light. In addition, the irradiation unit 13C may have a reflecting mirror that reflects UV light leaking from the light source to the side opposite the medium 101, a diaphragm having an opening that adjusts the cross-sectional shape of the UV light from the light source, and / or a lens that focuses the UV light. The light source may be composed of appropriate elements such as an LED (light emitting diode), an incandescent light bulb, a fluorescent lamp, or a mercury lamp.

[0115] In the drying unit 7 (or another drying unit 7) having the irradiation section 13C, the area around the UV window 33C of the path wall 7b (the surface facing the drying path 7a) may be made into a mirror surface. In this case, the mirror surface contributes to increasing the efficiency of UV irradiation of the ink by, for example, reflecting UV reflected by the medium 101 back toward the medium 101.

[0116] As is well known, UV light has a shorter wavelength than visible light. The specific wavelength of the UV light emitted by the irradiation unit 13C is arbitrary. The UV light may have a narrow wavelength range in which the energy is distributed, like laser light, or may have a wide wavelength range. The illuminance (intensity) of the UV light is also arbitrary. For example, the illuminance may be set so that the ink can be raised to about the boiling point (for example, 100°C) by irradiation for a relatively short time (for example, about 0.3 seconds). Furthermore, for example, the illuminance of the UV light may be 4000 mW / cm ２ In this case, for example, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of an increase in heat generated when converting electricity into UV light.

[0117] 7 and 8, the drying unit 7 may (but does not have to) have an adjustment mechanism 35 that adjusts the distance (position) of the drying mechanism 13 and / or the path wall 7b on the drying mechanism 13 side (or, from another perspective, the opening 33 in the path wall 7b) relative to the media 101 (the transport path). The configuration is optional, and in the illustrated example, it is as follows.

[0118] The drying unit 7 has a fixed part 37 and a movable part 39. The fixed part 37 includes, for example, a part that constitutes the outer shape of the drying unit 7, and is immovably positioned relative to the transport path of the media 101. The movable part 39 includes, for example, the path wall 7b on the -D3 side, and is movable in the D3 direction relative to the fixed part 37. These may also be considered part of the adjustment mechanism 35.

[0119] Although not specifically designated by a reference numeral, the adjustment mechanism 35 has a disk-shaped operating portion and a male screw portion fixed coaxially to the center of the operating portion. The operating portion is supported by a fixed portion 37 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the D3 direction, and a portion of its outer periphery is exposed to the outside from the housing of the drying unit 7. The male screw portion is threadedly engaged with a female screw portion (reference numeral omitted) of the movable portion 39.

[0120] Therefore, when the operating unit is operated from outside the housing to rotate the male screw, the female screw (movable unit 39) moves in the axial direction. Consequently, the path wall 7b (-D3 side) included in the movable unit 39 having the female screw moves in the D3 direction. This allows the path wall 7b to move closer to or further away from the transport path of the media 101. Furthermore, this position adjustment is continuous (not stepwise). In other words, fine adjustment is possible.

[0121] In the example of FIG. 8, the movable part 39 holds the irradiation part 13C (excluding the UV window 33C). Therefore, the above-described position adjustment also serves as a position adjustment of the irradiation part 13C. In the example of FIG. 7, the movable part 39 includes members (such as the partition plate 13Aa) that form the flow path of the air supply part 13A on the -D3 side. Therefore, the above-described position adjustment also serves as a position adjustment of the air supply part 13A. However, with regard to the air supply part 13A, even position adjustment of the path wall 7b (air outlet 33A), which does not move together with the partition plate 13Aa, may be considered as a position adjustment of the air supply part 13A.

[0122] Although the position adjustment of the path wall 7b (and the suction unit 13B) related to the suction unit 13B is not shown, it may be the same as that of the air supply unit 13A. Also, in the example shown, only the position of the path wall 7b (and the drying mechanism 13) on the -D3 side is adjustable, but instead of or in addition to the -D3 side, the position of the path wall 7b (and the drying mechanism 13) on the +D3 side may also be adjustable. In this case, it is sufficient to provide a movable unit including the path wall 7b on the +D3 side and an adjustment mechanism 35 that adjusts the position of the movable unit, as with the -D3 side.

[0123] As can be understood from the above description, the ranges defined as the fixed portion 37 and the movable portion 39 are arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the fixed portion 37 includes the entire portion (housing) that constitutes the outer surface of the drying unit 7, the +D3-side, -D2-side, and +D2-side path walls 7b, and the +D3-side partition plate 13Aa. The movable portion 39 includes a rectangular cylindrical body with the -D3-side path wall 7b as the +D3-side surface, and includes partition plates (including the partition plate 13Aa) that partition the interior of the cylindrical body.

[0124] The specific configuration of the adjustment mechanism 35 is not limited to the illustrated example. For example, a slit extending in the D3 direction may be provided on the side surface (the surface on the −D2 side and the +D2 side) of the fixed portion 37, a circular through-hole may be provided on the side surface of the movable portion 39, and a bolt and nut inserted through both may be threadedly engaged. The position of the path wall 7b in the D3 direction may be continuously adjusted by adjusting the vertical position of the through-hole relative to the slit. Furthermore, the adjustment may be stepwise rather than continuously.

[0125] (5. Path Forming Unit) As shown in the drying device 5F in Fig. 6, a path forming unit 31 without a drying mechanism 13 may be placed in a position where the drying unit 7 is not placed. By placing the path forming unit 31, for example, it is possible to maintain the cross-sectional area of ​​the connected drying path 15 in the same manner as when the drying unit 7 is placed. As a result, for example, predictability of the airflow after customization is improved.

[0126] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the channel forming unit 31, and is a view similar to FIGS.

[0127] In the illustrated example, the path formation unit 31 has a drying path 31a, a path wall 31b, an adjustment mechanism 35, a fixed part 37, and a movable part 39, which correspond to the drying path 7a, the path wall 7b, the adjustment mechanism 35, the fixed part 37, and the movable part 39 of the drying unit 7. However, the path formation unit 31 does not have, for example, the drying mechanism 13, and does not have an opening 33 in the path wall 31b. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the side surface of the path formation unit 31 facing the D2 direction does not have an opening for an input / output mechanism 49 (for example, a flow path from the blower 23 to the air blowing unit 13A) described later.

[0128] Except for the differences described above, the description of the drying unit 7 (described above or below) may be applied to the path forming unit 31 unless a contradiction arises. Therefore, for example, the drying path 31a, like the drying path 7a, may be configured to have the same position, shape, and size as the other drying paths 7a (and 31a), and may be connected to the drying path 7a (and / or 31a) to form the connected drying path 15.

[0129] The path formation unit 31 may include components common to the drying unit 7. From another perspective, the path formation unit 31 may be configured by combining other components with the drying unit 7, removing certain components from the drying unit 7, or replacing some components of the drying unit 7. For example, the path formation unit 31 may be configured by closing the opening 33 in a drying unit 7 that has the air supply unit 13A and / or the suction unit 13B but does not have the irradiation unit 13C. Such a configuration may be defined as a path formation unit 31 regardless of whether or not it includes a specific component that contributes to air supply or suction, such as the partition plate 13Aa, or only a unit that does not include a specific component may be defined as a path formation unit 31.

[0130] However, even if the opening 33 is blocked, if the drying unit 7 includes electrical and / or high-cost elements related to the drying mechanism 13, it may be considered as another unit using the drying unit 7 rather than the path forming unit 31. For example, even if the UV window 33C of the drying unit 7 is blocked, it is not considered to be the path forming unit 31. Furthermore, for example, as described above, the drying unit 7 may include the blower 23, heater 25, and / or suction device 27, unlike the illustrated example, and the drying unit 7 including these elements is not considered to be the path forming unit 31 even if the opening 33 is blocked.

[0131] As is clear from the fact that the description of the drying unit 7 may be used, the drying unit 7 and the path forming unit 31 are mutually replaceable. Furthermore, even if the units are replaced, the positions of the multiple units (7 and / or 31) relative to the frame 11 and the pitch of the multiple units are maintained. However, unlike the description of the embodiment, a path forming unit 31 having a length in the D1 direction different from the length of the drying unit 7 in the D1 direction may be used.

[0132] (6. Frame) As described above, the frame 11 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 holds the plurality of drying units 7. For example, the frame 11 supports the weight of the plurality of drying units 7. As will be described in detail later, the frame 11 and all or some of the plurality of drying units 7 may or may not be fixed to each other. An example of the latter is a mode in which the drying units 7 are simply placed on the frame 11.

[0133] The frame 11 may be configured to house a plurality of drying units 7 (as in the illustrated example), or may not be configured in this way. Examples of the latter include a mode in which the frame 11 is configured only from a plate-like member on which the plurality of drying units 7 are placed, and a mode in which the frame 11 is configured only from two bars from which the plurality of drying units 7 are suspended.

[0134] The frame 11 in the illustrated example is box-shaped and houses multiple drying units 7. Its shape (external and / or internal surfaces) is rectangular. Specifically, the frame 11 constitutes five of the six rectangular parallelepiped faces, excluding the -D2 side. The -D2 side of the frame 11 is open. This open portion is used, for example, to connect the drying units 7 to the drying system main body (such as the blower 23) and / or to insert and remove the drying units 7. It is clear that the -D2 side and the +D2 side are reversible.

[0135] 1, 2, and 4, the frame 11 has an upper outer wall 12A on the +D3 side, a lower outer wall 12B on the −D3 side, a front outer wall 12C on the +D1 side, a rear outer wall 12D on the −D1 side, and a side outer wall 12E on the +D2 side (not shown in FIG. 4). The five outer walls are, for example, plate-shaped and have a rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0136] Unlike the illustrated example, the number of outer walls of the frame 11 may be 0 to 4. For example, the frame 11 may have no outer walls and may be composed only of a framework that defines a rectangular parallelepiped space. Even in this case, if the drying unit 7 is located in the space, it is considered to fall under the concept of accommodation.

[0137] The front outer wall 12C and the rear outer wall 12D have an inlet / outlet passage 11a through which the media 101 enter and exit. The frame 11 is sealed except for, for example, the two inlet / outlet passages 11a and an opening on the D2 side (reference numeral omitted). In the example of Figures 1 and 2, a frame-shaped portion is provided on the -D2 side, but such a portion does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0138] The inlet / outlet path 11a is connected to the drying path 7a of the nearest drying unit 7. The connection between the two may be sealed or not. Examples of the latter embodiment include an embodiment in which the drying path 7a is not surrounded on all sides by path walls 7b, as with the drying paths 7a, and / or an embodiment in which the inlet / outlet path 11a and the drying path 7a are separated by a short or long distance in the D1 direction. In the latter embodiment, the above-mentioned explanations of the first distance and the second distance may be applied to the above-mentioned short or long distance.

[0139] When the connection between the inlet / outlet path 11a and the drying path 7a is sealed, for example, the inner surface of the frame 11 (the front outer wall 12C and / or the rear outer wall 12D) abuts against the outer surface of the drying unit 7 in at least an annular region around them. At least one of the inner surface of the frame 11 and the outer surface of the drying unit 7 may (or may not) have a protrusion for abutment in the annular region. FIG. 4 illustrates a protrusion (reference numeral omitted) on the frame 11. Such a protrusion may be made of an elastic material and / or a heat insulating material. Also, unlike the illustrated example, a cylindrical member forming the end of the drying path 7a may be inserted into at least a portion of the inlet / outlet path 11a, or vice versa.

[0140] The inlet / outlet path 11a is, for example, a slit-like path extending in the D2 direction. The position, shape, and dimensions of the inlet / outlet path 11a are arbitrary. For example, when viewed in the D1 direction, the position, shape, and dimensions of the inlet / outlet path 11a may be the same as or different from the position, shape, and dimensions of the drying path 7a. In any case, the description of the drying path 7a may be applied to the inlet / outlet path 11a as long as no contradictions arise. In the illustrated example, when viewed in the D1 direction, the inlet / outlet path 11a partially overlaps with the drying path 7a (the transport path of the media 101) so that the media 101 can pass through the drying path 7a and the inlet / outlet path 11a in a straight line. In this case, the inlet / outlet path 11a may include the drying path 7a, may be coincident with the drying path 7a, or may be included in the drying path 7a.

[0141] Here are some specific examples of the dimensions of the inlet / outlet path 11a. When the media 101 is paper or similar, the height of the inlet / outlet path 11a (e.g., an average value if not uniform; the same applies to other components in this paragraph) may be 9 mm or more and 19 mm or less. This height, for example, can improve the airtightness of the space inside the frame 11 while reducing the likelihood of the media 101 coming into contact with the frame 11. Values ​​outside the above range may also be used. The above range may also be applied to the height of the drying path 7a, regardless of whether the height of the inlet / outlet path 11a and the height of the drying path 7a are the same.

[0142] The drying unit 7 is placed on the upper surface of the lower outer wall 12B, for example, so that its load is supported by the frame 11. The upper surface of the lower outer wall 12B may be flat, for example, or may have ribs that abut against the drying unit 7. In the latter case, for example, the lower outer wall 12B may have multiple beams that serve as ribs and plates fixed to the outside of the multiple beams. Furthermore, the frame 11 may have a portion that supports the load of the drying unit 7 instead of or in addition to the lower outer wall 12B.

[0143] The frame body 11 may be configured by combining an appropriate number of members. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the front outer wall 12C, the upper outer wall 12A, and the rear outer wall 12D are configured by integral members, and the side outer wall 12E (and the frame body on the -D2 side) are attached to the above-mentioned integral members. It is clear that the number and positions of the divided members are not limited to this.

[0144] The frame 11 may be made of an appropriate material. For example, the material may be metal, resin, and / or ceramic. As illustrated in FIG. 4 , although not specifically designated by a reference numeral, part or all of the outer wall of the frame 11 may have a plate-like member that ensures strength and a heat-insulating layer located on its inner surface. The plate-like member may be made of, for example, metal. The heat-insulating layer may be made of, for example, ceramic.

[0145] (7. Connecting Multiple Drying Units) As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the drying unit 7 has fastening portions 41 on each of the sides facing the -D2 side and the +D2 side for connecting to other drying units 7.

[0146] 10 is a perspective view showing a fastening portion 41 and its periphery on the -D2 side of a plurality of (three are illustrated here) drying units 7. As shown in this figure, the fastening portions 41 of adjacent drying units 7 are fastened together by threading nuts 45 onto bolts 43 inserted through both of the fastening portions 41. In other words, the fastening portions 41 are directly fastened (in other words, fixed) to each other.

[0147] Unlike the illustrated example, the fastening portions 41 may not be fastened (fixed) to each other, or may be indirectly fastened (fixed) to each other. Examples of the latter include a mode in which each of the multiple drying units 7 is fastened to the frame body 11, and a mode in which each of the multiple drying units 7 is fastened to a member (e.g., a rod-shaped member extending in the D1 direction) separate from the frame body 11. In the description of the embodiment, at least a mode in which direct fastening is performed as in the illustrated example will be taken as an example.

[0148] In the illustrated example, one fastening portion 41 has a portion fastened to another fastening portion 41 on the -D1 side and a portion fastened to another fastening portion 41 on the +D1 side. Therefore, unlike the description here, one fastening portion 41 can be counted as two. However, for the sake of convenience, this counting method will not be used in the description of the embodiment. This also applies when the two portions are not integrally formed and / or are positioned relatively far apart.

[0149] The number and positions of the fastening portions 41 in each drying unit 7 are arbitrary. For example, instead of or in addition to the side surfaces on the +D2 side and the D2 side, the fastening portions 41 may be located on the upper surface, lower surface, front surface, and / or rear surface. The number of fastening portions 41 may be one, or three or more. Two or more fastening portions 41 may be located on one surface.

[0150] In the illustrated example, there are only two fastening portions 41, one on each of the two side surfaces. Furthermore, no fastening (fixing) is performed by any other portion than the fastening portions 41. For example, the two fastening portions 41 are located at the same position (up and down, front and back positions) on the D1D3 plane (arranged symmetrically). Furthermore, each fastening portion 41 is located, for example, at the center of the drying unit 7 in the D1 direction (arranged symmetrically front and back with respect to the center of the drying unit 7). Of course, this need not be the case.

[0151] The vertical positions of the fastening portions 41 located on the side surfaces of the drying units 7 are also arbitrary. For example, the fastening portions 41 may be located near the entrance / exit opening 7c of the drying path 7a. In the illustrated example, all (two) fastening portions 41 are located near the entrance / exit opening 7c, and adjacent drying units 7 are directly fastened only near the entrance / exit opening 7c. Unlike the illustrated example, three or more fastening portions 41 may be located near the entrance / exit opening 7c, or some or all of the two or more fastening portions 41 may be located away from the entrance / exit opening 7c.

[0152] For example, when the height of the drying path 7a is H, the "near the entrance / exit opening 7c" may be in the range of +3H from the upper end of the drying path 7a to -3H from the lower end, in the range of +H from the upper end of the drying path 7a to -H from the lower end, or in the range from the upper end to the lower end of the drying path 7a. In the above, "+" means that the range extends from the upper end toward +D3, and "-" means that the range extends from the lower end toward -D3. If the upper end and / or the lower end are not linear, their positions may be reasonably determined, for example, by using an average value. Furthermore, in determining whether the fastening portion 41 is located within the above range, the position of the fastening portion 41 may be a representative position related to fastening, such as the center of the through hole through which the bolt 43 is inserted.

[0153] The specific shape, dimensions, and material of the fastening portion 41 are arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the fastening portion 41 is roughly U-shaped. That is, although not specifically referenced, the fastening portion 41 has a base extending along the D1 direction and protruding portions that protrude from both ends of the base toward the -D2 side or the +D2 side. The base is fixed to the housing of the drying unit 7. The protruding portions have through holes through which bolts 43 are inserted in the D1 direction. The fastening portion 41 is made of, for example, metal. The base and two protruding portions are formed, for example, by bending a metal plate.

[0154] In addition, in the illustrated example, both ends (protrusions) of the fastening portion 41 are located inside the front surface on the +D1 side and the rear surface on the -D1 side of the drying unit 7. From another perspective, the fastening portion 41 does not prevent the housings of adjacent drying units 7 from abutting against each other. However, unlike the illustrated example, at least one end (protrusion) of the fastening portion 41 may be flush with the front or rear surface of the drying unit 7, or may protrude from the front or rear surface. In addition, in the illustrated example, the fastening portion 41 has a shape that is symmetrical from front to back (symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry parallel to the D2D3 plane). The fastening portion 41 has a shape that is symmetrical from top to bottom (symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry parallel to the D1D2 plane). The number, position, shape, dimensions, etc. of the fastening portions 41 are the same among multiple drying units 7.

[0155] Unlike the illustrated example, for example, both ends of the fastening portion 41 may be separated from each other. Furthermore, the fastening portion 41 may be shaped so that the ends of adjacent fastening portions 41 face each other vertically, and the bolt 43 is inserted in the D3 direction. The fastening portion 41 may be asymmetrical front-to-back and / or up-to-down. The orientation of the bolt 43 and the nut 45 (e.g., which is located on the -D1 side or the +D1 side in the illustrated example) may be reversible or irreversible. An example of the latter is a configuration in which a recess is formed in the fastening portion 41 to restrict the rotation of the nut 45 when the nut 45 is fitted into the fastening portion 41. The above orientation may be the same or different among multiple fastening portions 41. The above description of the orientation also applies to the fastening of the fastening portion 41 to the frame body 11, which will be described later.

[0156] In addition to or instead of fastening, a configuration may be provided for engaging adjacent drying units 7 in a predetermined direction. For example, a convex portion may be provided on the +D1 side of each drying unit 7, and a concave portion may be provided on the -D1 side of each drying unit 7, and the convex portion and concave portion of adjacent drying units 7 may be fitted together to restrict relative movement in the D3 direction and / or the D2 direction. Also, for example, adjacent drying units 7 may be provided with claw portions that engage with each other in the D1 direction.

[0157] (8. Restriction of Movement of Drying Unit Relative to Frame) (8.1. Various Examples of Fastening) FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing examples of fixing (fastening) the drying unit 7 and the frame 11. As shown in FIG.

[0158] 11 , a plurality of drying units 7 are directly fastened to one another, while none of the drying units 7 is fixed (e.g., fastened) to the frame 11. Furthermore, the frame 11 does not have, for example, a structure located between adjacent drying units 7. Examples of such a structure include a positioning portion that positions the drying unit 7 relative to the frame 11, and / or a guide that helps insert and remove the drying unit 7 into and from the frame 11.

[0159] Therefore, the multiple drying units 7 are permitted to move in the D1 direction relative to the frame body 11. Alternatively, the movement of the multiple drying units 7 in the D1 direction is restricted only by the front outer wall 12C and / or the rear outer wall 12D of the frame body 11. Note that, when the movement in the D1 direction is restricted by the front outer wall 12C and / or the rear outer wall 12D, as already mentioned, another member may be interposed between them. The other member may be, for example, an elastic member (a rubber member or a spring-like member), or not. Furthermore, if the other member is fixed to the front outer wall 12C or the rear outer wall 12D, it may be considered as part of these members.

[0160] In the example shown in the middle of Figure 11, the drying unit 7 closest to the rear outer wall 12D among the multiple drying units 7 is fixed (e.g., fastened) to the frame body 11 (more specifically, the rear outer wall 12D). Other details are the same as those in the example in the upper part. Also, unlike the example shown in the figure, the drying unit 7 closest to the front outer wall 12C may be fixed (e.g., fastened) to the frame body 11 (e.g., the front outer wall 12C) instead of the drying unit 7 closest to the rear outer wall 12D. That is, the example shown in the middle part is an example in which the drying unit 7 located at the end is fixed to the frame body 11.

[0161] The method of fastening the endmost drying unit 7 to the rear outer wall 12D (or the front outer wall 12C) is arbitrary. In the illustrated example, fastening is achieved by threading a bolt 43 inserted through the fastening portion 41 and the rear outer wall 12D into a nut 45. That is, the fastening portion 41 is used not only to fasten the drying units 7 to each other, but also to fasten the drying units 7 to the frame body 11. Therefore, the description of fastening the drying units 7 to each other (e.g., the description of the position of the fastening portion 41) may be applied to fastening the drying units 7 to the frame body 11. In this case, the term "drying path 7a" may be appropriately replaced with the term "inlet / outlet path 11a" of the frame body 11. However, other fastening portions may be provided instead of or in addition to the fastening portion 41.

[0162] 11, the drying units 7 on both sides of the plurality of drying units 7 are fixed (e.g., fastened) to the frame 11 (more specifically, the front outer wall 12C or the rear outer wall 12D). Other details are the same as those in the examples in the upper and middle rows.

[0163] Although not particularly shown, the manner of connection between the drying units 7 and the frame body 11 may be other than the above example. For example, as in the example in the middle row of Fig. 11 , in an embodiment in which only one of the multiple drying units 7 is fastened to the frame body 11, unlike the example in the middle row of Fig. 11 , the drying unit 7 that is not located at the end may be fastened to the frame body 11. Furthermore, for example, as already mentioned, each of the multiple drying units 7 may be fastened to the frame body 11.

[0164] (8.2. Fitting Structure) As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the drying unit 7 has an engaged portion 7e for fitting with the frame body 11 on the side surface on the +D2 side.

[0165] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the engaged portion 7e and its surroundings of the frame body 11 and the drying unit 7. The frame body 11 is open on the -D2 side (see FIG. 1, etc.). The drying unit 7 is inserted into the frame body 11, for example, from the -D2 side to the +D2 side. At this time, the engaged portion 7e is inserted (engaged) with the engaging portion 11e provided inside the frame body 11. From another perspective, the engaging portion 11e engages with the engaged portion 7e from above downward (and from below upward). This restricts upward (and downward) movement of the drying unit 7 relative to the frame body 11.

[0166] On the other hand, the engaged portion 7e and the engaging portion 11e are not engaged in the D1 direction. That is, movement of the drying unit 7 in the D1 direction relative to the frame body 11 is permitted. In other words, as already described, the frame body 11 does not have a structure located between the multiple drying units 7. Furthermore, the frame body 11 does not have a portion that is inserted into the drying unit 7 to restrict movement of the drying unit 7 in the D1 direction. However, unlike the example shown in the figure, such restriction in the D1 direction may be performed.

[0167] The number and positions of the engaged portions 7e (and engaging portions 11e) are arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the engaged portions 7e are located at the lower end of the side surface of the drying unit 7. The lower surface of the engaged portions 7e and the lower surface of the housing of the drying unit 7 are flush with each other. Unlike the illustrated example, for example, the engaged portions 7e may be located above the lower end of the drying unit 7. Furthermore, for example, two or more engaged portions 7e may be provided at different positions in the D3 direction.

[0168] Due to thermal expansion and the like, both the underside of the drying unit 7 and the engaging portion 11e may come into contact with the frame 11, causing distortion in the drying unit 7 and possibly changing the presence or size of the gaps at the joints between the drying paths 7a. By positioning the engaged portion 7e below the upper surface of the drying unit 7, the distance between the underside of the drying unit 7 and the engaging portion 11e can be shortened, thereby reducing dimensional differences due to thermal expansion and the resulting distortion. The engaging portion 11e may be provided in the lower half, further one-fifth, or particularly one-tenth of the drying unit 7. Furthermore, by positioning the engaging portion 11e below the drying path 7a, the impact of distortion occurring between the underside of the drying unit 7 and the engaging portion 11e on the drying path 7a can be reduced.

[0169] The shapes and dimensions of the engaged portion 7e and the engaging portion 11e are arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the engaged portion 7e protrudes in the D2 direction, extends over the length of the drying unit 7 in the D1 direction, and is a flat plate parallel to the D1D2 plane. As described above, the lower surface of the engaged portion 7e is flush with the lower surface of the housing of the drying unit 7. The engaging portion 11e protrudes from the inner surface of the lower outer wall 12B, has an L-shaped cross section in D2D3, and extends like a rail in the D1 direction.

[0170] Unlike the illustrated example, the engaged portion 7e does not have to have a shape extending in the D1 direction. In this case, only one engaged portion 7e may be provided in the D1 direction, or multiple engaged portions 7e may be provided in multiple positions. Furthermore, as can be understood from the description of the engaged portion 7e's position, the lower surface of the engaged portion 7e does not have to be flush with the lower surface of the drying unit 7. The engaging portion 11e that receives such an engaged portion 7e may have a U-shaped D2D3 cross section. From another perspective, the engaged portion 7e and the engaging portion 11e may be configured to restrict movement of the drying unit 7 on both the +D3 side and the D3 side at a position away from the inner surface of the lower outer wall 12B. Furthermore, the engaging portion 11e does not have to be rail-shaped. Contrary to the illustrated example, the engaged portion 7e may be a recessed portion, and the engaging portion 11e may be a protruding portion.

[0171] When the engaged portion 7e and the engaging portion 11e are fitted together, the amount of play in the D3 direction (the gap between them in the D3 direction) is arbitrary. For example, there may be no play. That is, both the +D3 side and the D3 side surfaces of one portion of the engaged portion 7e and the engaging portion 11e may be in contact with the other portion, and for example, one portion may be press-fitted into the other portion. Furthermore, for example, the play that allows the engaged portion 7e to move toward the +D3 side (or the −D3 side) relative to the engaging portion 11e (or half the total of the play on the +D3 side and the play on the −D3 side) may be 1 / 5 or less, 1 / 10 or less, or 1 / 20 or less of the height H of the drying path 7a.

[0172] (9. Input / Output Mechanism Related to Drying Unit) (9.1. Configuration of Input / Output Mechanism) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the drying device 5 has an input / output mechanism 49 related to the drying mechanism 13. Examples of the input / output mechanism 49 include the following: Air supply pipe 49A: Sends gas to the air supply section 13A. Air intake pipe 49B: Sucks gas from the suction section 13B. Cable 49C (Figure 3): Supplies power to the irradiation section 13C.

[0173] The air supply pipe 49A connects the blower 23 and the air supply unit 13A. As described above, unlike the illustrated example, the air supply unit 13A may have the blower 23 and / or the heater 25, and therefore, instead of or in addition to the air supply pipe 49A, a cable connected to the air supply unit 13A may be provided as the input / output mechanism 49. Similarly, instead of or in addition to the intake pipe 49B, a cable may be provided.

[0174] The input / output mechanism 49 may be regarded as an element separate from the drying unit 7, or may be regarded as a part of the drying unit 7. In the description of the embodiment, expressions based on the former way of thinking will basically be used.

[0175] The input / output mechanism 49 may be detachable or may be fixed so as not to be detachable from the drying unit 7. In the former case, the type of input / output mechanism 49 may be changed appropriately depending on, for example, the arrangement of devices around the drying unit 7. In other words, not only the drying unit 7 but also the input / output mechanism 49 may be replaceable.

[0176] 2 and 3, only the -D2 side of the frame 11 is open, and the input / output mechanism 49 can be disposed only on the -D2 side of the drying unit 7. When the constraints imposed by the frame 11 are not taken into consideration, the attachment position of the input / output mechanism 49 that is detachable from the drying unit 7 may or may not be changeable relative to the drying unit 7. An example of the former is a mode in which an opening (see FIG. 10) through which the input / output mechanism 49 can be connected is provided on both the -D2 side and the +D2 side of the drying unit 7. An example of the latter is a mode in which an opening through which the input / output mechanism 49 can be connected is provided on only one of the -D2 side and the +D2 side of the drying unit 7.

[0177] The connection area (the area currently used for connection or the area that can be connected) to the input / output mechanism 49 on the outer surface of the drying unit 7 may be located at any position. For example, as described above, unlike the illustrated example, the frame 11 does not necessarily have outer walls (12A-12E), and the open position is not limited to the -D2 side. Considering various configurations of the frame 11, the connection area may be located on, for example, the top, bottom, or two side surfaces of the drying unit 7, or on two or more surfaces. The location of the connection area on each surface is also arbitrary. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the connection area is provided only on the -D2 side surface of the drying unit 7. As will be understood from the description below, the connection area is merely the location of the input / output mechanism 49 on the outer surface of the drying unit 7, and is not the connection position between the drying mechanism 13 and the input / output mechanism 49 (for example, the connection position between the irradiation unit 13C and the cable 49C).

[0178] The specific configuration of the input / output mechanism 49 is arbitrary. In the illustrated example, it is as follows.

[0179] 2 and 3, the air supply pipe 49A extends from the -D2 side surface of the drying unit 7 to the outside of the drying unit 7. The direction in which it extends is parallel to the D2 direction (left-right direction) at least at the position of the side surface of the drying unit 7. The air supply pipe 49A extends linearly along the D2 direction and reaches a general air supply pipe 51, which will be described later. Of course, unlike the example shown in the drawings, the air supply pipe 49A may be bent along the way.

[0180] The air supply pipe 49A may not have a portion that is inserted into the drying unit 7 (upper air supply pipe 49A in Figure 7), or may have a portion that is inserted into the drying unit 7 (lower air supply pipe 49A in Figure 7). Note that, unlike the description here, only the portion that extends from the side surface of the drying unit 7 to the outside may be considered as the air supply pipe.

[0181] The air supply pipe 49A may be formed of a single tubular member, or may be formed by connecting multiple tubular members (or, from another perspective, may be divided into multiple tubular members). In the latter embodiment, the number of divisions and the division positions are arbitrary. For example, the division positions may be located either inside or outside the drying unit 7. The multiple tubular members may be connected to each other in a separable manner, or may be connected to each other in an inseparable manner. In either case, the specific connection method is arbitrary. Examples of connection methods in the former embodiment include welding and adhesive. Examples of connection methods in the latter embodiment include clamping (the example in FIG. 7 ), flange fastening, and screwing.

[0182] The shape, dimensions, material, etc., of the air supply pipe 49A are arbitrary. For example, the air supply pipe 49A may be entirely or partially cylindrical (as in the illustrated example) or rectangular tubular. The material of the air supply pipe 49A may be entirely or partially metal, resin, or ceramic. The air supply pipe 49A may be partially or entirely bellows-shaped or made of a flexible hose, allowing its orientation to be changed. The multiple air supply pipes 49A may have the same configuration (shape, dimensions, material, etc.) as in the illustrated example, or may have different configurations.

[0183] The air supply pipe 49A may be connected to the drying unit 7 by any method. For example, the same method as that used to connect the above-described multiple tubular members to each other may be used. For example, a tubular portion (part of the drying unit 7) fixed to the fixed portion 37 or the movable portion 39 inside the drying unit 7 and a tubular member (air supply pipe 49A) inserted through an opening in the side surface of the drying unit 7 (see FIG. 10 ) may be connected by any appropriate means, such as welding, adhesive, clamping, flanges, or screwing. Alternatively, a tubular portion (part of the drying unit 7) protruding from the side surface of the drying unit 7 to the outside may be fixed to the tubular member (air supply pipe 49A) by any appropriate means, such as welding, adhesive, clamping, flanges, or screwing.

[0184] The air intake pipe 49B shown in Figures 2 and 3 is bent as it extends from the drying unit 7 to the outside to avoid the general air supply pipe 51. Except for this point, the above description of the air supply pipe 49A may be applied to the air intake pipe 49B. The bent portion of the air intake pipe 49B is located within the range in which the air supply pipe 49A extends linearly toward the general air supply pipe 51 in the D2 direction. The direction in which the air intake pipe 49B bends is arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the suction section 13B (Figure 3) is located above the drying path 7a, and the air intake pipe 49B extends linearly from the suction section 13B toward the -D2 side, then bends upward to avoid not only the general air supply pipe 51 above but also the air supply pipe 49A directly below it. Of course, the air intake pipe 49B may be bent downward, forward, or backward if possible in light of the arrangement of surrounding components.

[0185] As shown in FIG. 3 , cable 49C extends from the −D2 side surface (opening) of the drying unit 7 to the outside of the drying unit 7. It is clear that cable 49C may extend in any direction outside the drying unit 7. As shown in FIG. 8 , cable 49C extends from the outside to the inside of the drying unit 7 and reaches the irradiation unit 13C. In an embodiment in which cable 49C is detachable from the drying unit 7, the detachment may be achieved by, for example, a known connector. Cable 49C may be directly attached to and detached from the irradiation unit 13C, or may be attached to and detached from a cable extending from the irradiation unit 13C.

[0186] The general air flue 51 shown in FIG. 2 extends linearly along the connected drying path 15, for example. One or more (multiple in the illustrated example) air flue 49A are connected to the general air flue 51 so as to be perpendicular to the general air flue 51. The general air flue 51 may have any shape, dimensions, material, etc. For example, the general air flue 51 may be entirely or partially rectangular tubular (as in the illustrated example) or cylindrical. The cross-sectional area of ​​the general air flue 51 may be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the air flue 49A, for example. The general air flue 51 may be entirely or partially made of a metal, resin, or ceramic material, for example.

[0187] The general air supply pipe 51 and the air supply pipe 49A may be detachable from each other, or may not be detachable from each other. In the former embodiment, the general air supply pipe 51 may have an opening to which the air supply pipe 49A is not connected. In this case, the opening may be blocked by a detachable member. In other words, the number and positions of the air supply pipes 49A connected to the general air supply pipe 51 may be changeable. The method of connecting the general air supply pipe 51 and the air supply pipe 49A is also arbitrary.

[0188] 2 shows only the general air supply pipe 51 related to the air supply system 21A. Similarly, although not specifically shown, the suction system 21B may have a general intake pipe connected to one or more intake pipes 49B. In this case, the general intake pipe is provided, for example, at the end of a bent part of the intake pipe 49B.

[0189] (9.2. Customizing the Orientation of the Input / Output Mechanism) In the explanation so far, the input / output mechanism 49 has been described as being located on the -D2 side with respect to the drying unit 7. However, the input / output mechanism 49 may be selectively disposed on either the -D2 side or the D2 side. In other words, the direction in which the input / output mechanism 49 extends from the drying unit 7 may be customizable. Various customization methods are possible, and examples are shown below.

[0190] 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a method for customizing the orientation of the input / output mechanism 49. This diagram shows the interior of the frame 11 (frame 11A as an example) from above. Here, an example is taken in which three drying units 7 are arranged side by side. To make it easier to understand the arrangement order of the drying units 7, the drying mechanisms 13 of the three drying units 7 are of different types.

[0191] In addition, in this example, the input / output mechanism 49 (air supply pipe 49A, air intake pipe 49B, and cable 49C) remains connected to the drying unit 7 to facilitate understanding of the orientation of the drying unit 7. However, unlike the illustrated example, the input / output mechanism 49 may be detached from the drying unit 7 when customizing the orientation.

[0192] As shown in the top row of Fig. 13, the frame 11A has a main body 11Ab and side plates 11Ac. The main body 11Ab corresponds to, for example, the upper outer wall 12A, the lower outer wall 12B, the front outer wall 12C, and the rear outer wall 12D shown in Fig. 1. The side plates 11Ac correspond to the lateral outer walls 12E.

[0193] 13, the side plate 11Ac is detachable from the main body 11Ab. For example, the side plate 11Ac is attached to and detached from the main body 11Ab by fastening with bolts or the like and / or engaging with claws or the like.

[0194] 13, the side plate 11Ac is removed from the main body 11Ab and attached to the opposite side (here, the -D2 side). The drying unit 7 is also removed from the frame 11A, rotated 180° in plan view, and placed inside the frame 11A.

[0195] This reverses the orientation of the input / output mechanism 49. The arrangement order of the multiple drying units 7 remains the same before and after reversing the orientation of the input / output mechanism 49. Note that the order of carrying out and carrying in the drying units 7 and removing and attaching the side panels 11Ac can be arbitrary as long as the above-described customization is possible.

[0196] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a method for customizing the orientation of the input / output mechanism 49, and is a diagram similar to FIG.

[0197] In this example, a frame 11B as an example of the frame 11 is rotated 180° in a plan view. The drying unit 7 is removed from the frame 11B, rotated 180° in a plan view, and placed inside the frame 11B.

[0198] This reverses the orientation of the input / output mechanism 49. The arrangement order of the multiple drying units 7 remains the same before and after reversing the orientation of the input / output mechanism 49. Note that the order of carrying out and carrying in the drying units 7 and the order of rotation of the frame body 11B can be arbitrary as long as the above-described customization is possible.

[0199] 14, the orientation of the drying unit 7 with respect to the Cartesian coordinate system D1D2D3 is changed by customization, but the relative orientation of the drying unit 7 with respect to the frame 11 is unchanged. On the other hand, the arrangement order of the drying units 7 with respect to the Cartesian coordinate system D1D2D3 is not changed, but the relative arrangement order of the drying units 7 with respect to the frame 11 is changed. In the example of Fig. 13, contrary to the example of Fig. 14, the relative orientation is changed by customization, but the relative arrangement order is not changed.

[0200] As another customization method, for example, although not particularly shown, in FIG. 13, there is a method in which the side plate 11Ac is not provided.

[0201] 13 (and an example in which the side plate 11Ac is not provided), for example, when applied to an embodiment in which the configuration of the frame body 11A is not symmetrical from front to back, the change in the influence that the frame body 11A has on the flow of the airflow is reduced, and / or the need to change the mounting mode of the main body 11Ab to other components (e.g., the conveying device 19) is reduced. Note that, in the above description, a portion (e.g., the engaging portion 11e) that is positioned on either the −D2 side or the +D2 side may be attached to the opposite side, as with the side plate 11Ac, or may be provided on both the −D2 side and the +D2 side, or may not be provided on either side.

[0202] 14 does not require, for example, the side plate 11Ac to be detachable. Also, for example, the portion (e.g., the engaging portion 11e) that was previously described as being located on either the -D2 side or the +D2 side may remain as is.

[0203] Here, an example is given of customization in which the orientations of all the drying units 7 are reversed. However, customization in which the orientations of some (for example, one) of the drying units 7 are reversed may also be performed.

[0204] 7 and 8, the drying device 5 may have a damper 53 that adjusts the air volume. Here, only the damper 53 associated with the air supply unit 13A is shown, but a damper 53 may also be provided for the suction unit 13B. Therefore, the following description of the damper 53 may also be applied to the suction unit 13B.

[0205] The damper 53 may be provided in the input / output mechanism 49 (in the illustrated example), or may be provided in another location. The other location may be a flow path (for example, the general air supply pipe 51) that is located outside the drying unit 7 and the input / output mechanism 49. The damper 53 may be, for example, a manual (human-powered) type (in the illustrated example) or an electric type.

[0206] The specific configuration of the damper 53 is also arbitrary. In the illustrated example, although no particular reference numeral is given, the damper 53 has a plate-shaped blade (flap) inside the air supply pipe 49A. This blade has approximately the same shape and dimensions as the cross section of the air supply pipe 49A and is rotatable around a rotation axis perpendicular to the flow path direction. The damper 53 also has an operating part outside the air supply pipe 49A that can rotate together with the blade. Therefore, by manually operating the operating part, the opening degree of the air supply pipe 49A can be continuously adjusted within a range from approximately fully closed to approximately fully open. Examples of configurations other than the illustrated example include a sliding shutter.

[0207] (10. Other Examples) (10.1. Other Examples of Input / Output Mechanism) Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing another example of the input / output mechanism 49, and corresponds to Fig. 2. In this example, the intake pipe 49B extends straight without being bent. However, by carefully adjusting the positions of the intake pipe 49B and the general air supply pipe 51 relative to the drying unit 7, interference between the two is prevented.

[0208] Specifically, in the drying device 5K of Fig. 15, the arrangement of the drying mechanism 13 is the same as that of the drying device 5G of Fig. 6. In this example, the suction unit 13B is located only on the upper side (or, from another perspective, on the back surface 101b side of the media 101). The air supply unit 13A is located only on the lower side (or, from another perspective, on the front surface 101a side of the media 101). Therefore, all of the air intake pipes 49B are located above all of the air supply pipes 49A. Consequently, all of the air intake pipes 49B are located above the general air supply pipe 51, and the two do not interfere with each other.

[0209] The vertical relationship between the air supply unit 13A and the suction unit 13B (and / or their positions relative to the front and back of the medium 101) may be reversed from that shown in the figure. Furthermore, the position of the irradiation unit 13C is arbitrary, so long as it avoids interference between the intake pipe 49B and the general air supply pipe 51.

[0210] Although not specifically shown, it is also possible to make the intake pipe 49B straight and the air supply pipe 49A bent, opposite to the example in Figure 2. However, as will be described later, a predetermined effect can be obtained by making the air supply pipe 49A straight in preference to the intake pipe 49B.

[0211] 16 is a perspective view showing a drying unit 7C as another example of the drying unit 7. Unlike the drying units 7A and 7B, each of the multiple drying units 7 arranged together is referred to as drying unit 7C even though the types of drying mechanisms 13 are different.

[0212] The drying unit 7C is configured so that it can be placed upside down next to other drying units 7C that are not upside down (from another perspective, it can be placed upside down in the frame 11). As a result, for example, a drying unit 7C having an air supply section 13A and a suction section 13B can be used as a drying unit 7C having an air supply section 13A on the upper side, or as a drying unit 7C having a suction section 13B on the upper side. In other words, one type of drying unit 7C can be used essentially as two types of drying units 7. Consequently, the number of types of drying units 7 is reduced. From the opposite perspective, the number of customizations that can be achieved with a given number of types of drying units 7 is increased.

[0213] In such a drying unit 7C, for example, at least the components visible to the outside are provided symmetrically in the up-down direction. For example, the drying path 7a (at least the inlet / outlet opening 7c therein) is located at the center of the housing of the drying unit 7C in the D3 direction. This allows the drying path 7a to be connected to the drying paths 7a of other drying units 7C even when the drying unit 7C is turned upside down. Furthermore, the drying path 7a may have a shape symmetrical in the up-down direction. This makes it easier to maintain the effect of the shape of the drying path 7a on the airflow when the drying unit 7C is turned upside down. Furthermore, for example, the fastening portion 41 is located at the center of the housing of the drying unit 7C in the D3 direction.

[0214] (11. Summary of the Embodiment) As described above, from a first perspective, the drying device 5 according to the embodiment has multiple drying units 7. Each drying unit 7 has a drying path 7a and a drying mechanism 13. The drying path 7a is configured by surrounding a transport path along which the media 101 (an example of a recording medium) is transported with path walls 7b from at least two of four directions (top, bottom, left, and right), and has entrance / exit openings 7c at the front and rear through which the media 101 enters and exits. The drying mechanism 13 dries the media 101 passing through the drying path 7a. The multiple drying units 7 are arranged side by side, and the drying paths 7a of the multiple drying units 7 are connected to form a connected drying path 15.

[0215] Therefore, for example, as described in the overview of the embodiment, the drying device 5 can be easily customized. Also, by reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting drying path 15, unintended turbulence of the airflow can be reduced and heat can be prevented from escaping, thereby enabling stable and efficient drying of ink. As a result, for example, it is possible to improve image quality while reducing costs.

[0216] The path walls 7b may surround the transport path of the medium 101 from above, below, left and right.

[0217] In this case, for example, the above-described effects are improved. Also, for example, the airflow is less likely to be affected by the configuration for holding the multiple drying units 7 (the frame 11 in this embodiment). As a result, for example, when the configuration of the frame 11 or the like is redesigned in accordance with the configuration of the conveying device 19 or the like, it becomes easier to maintain the airflow in the drying path 7a. Ultimately, the predictability of the ink drying effect by the drying units 7 is improved. In other words, customization of the drying conditions is made easier.

[0218] The connected drying path 15 may be configured such that the path walls 7b between adjacent drying units 7 are connected (for example, abutting) to each other.

[0219] In this case, for example, the likelihood of unintended turbulence of the airflow at the joints between the drying walls 7 b is reduced, improving the above-mentioned effect. Furthermore, when combined with a configuration in which the path walls 7 b are provided so as to surround the transport path of the media 101 on all four sides, a nearly sealed connected drying path 15 is formed, further improving the above-mentioned effect.

[0220] The plurality of drying units 7 may each have a fastening portion 41. Adjacent drying units 7 may be fastened to each other via the fastening portions 41.

[0221] In this case, for example, the positional relationship between the drying paths 7a is stabilized, which makes it easier to maintain the gap-free state between the drying paths 7a or to maintain the size of the gap. As a result, the likelihood of unintended gas inflow and outflow is reduced. Specifically, for example, the drying unit 7 may move due to the pressure of the air supply and / or intake. This reduces the likelihood that such movement will change the positional relationship between the drying paths 7a.

[0222] Adjacent drying units 7 may be directly fastened to each other by the fastening portion 41 near the rear entry / exit opening 7c of the drying unit 7 located in front and the fastening portion 41 near the front entry / exit opening 7c of the drying unit 7 located in the rear.

[0223] In this case, for example, because the fastening is performed directly near the entrance / exit opening 7c, it is possible to reduce the likelihood that the presence or size of the gap at the joint between the drying paths 7a will change when distortion occurs in the drying unit 7 due to thermal expansion, etc. In particular, when only one fastening portion 41 is provided on each side of the drying path 7a and adjacent drying units 7 are not fixed (fastened, etc.) to each other directly or indirectly at other positions, it becomes easier to release the force caused by thermal expansion, etc. to a position away from the drying path 7a, and it becomes easier to maintain the state of the joint between the drying paths 7a.

[0224] The distances from the drying path 7a to the bottom surfaces of the plurality of drying units 7 may be substantially the same for each drying unit 7.

[0225] In this case, for example, the heights of the plurality of drying paths 7a can be made uniform simply by placing the drying unit 7 on an installation surface (for example, the upper surface of the lower outer wall 12B of the frame body 11). Furthermore, if the bottom surface of the drying unit 7 and the installation surface of the frame body 11 are flat, the likelihood of distortion due to the drying unit 7's own weight is reduced. As a result, the presence or absence of gaps between the drying paths 7a and their size is stabilized.

[0226] The plurality of drying units 7 may have substantially the same distance from the drying path 7a to the top surface, which is the surface opposite to the bottom surface of the drying unit 7.

[0227] In this case, even if the drying unit 7 is turned upside down, the same effect as that obtained by keeping the same distance from the drying path 7a to the bottom surface of the drying unit 7 can be achieved. Examples of ways to turn the drying unit 7 upside down include a way to turn the drying unit 7 upside down together with the frame 11, and a way to turn the drying unit 7 upside down while leaving the frame 11 upside down (see FIG. 16). As can be seen from the former way, the above-mentioned effect does not presuppose the way shown in FIG. 16.

[0228] The drying path 7a may be larger in the left-right direction than in the top-bottom direction. The drying mechanism 13 may dry the media 101 through an opening 33 provided in a path wall 7b located above or below the drying path 7a.

[0229] In this case, for example, the space efficiency related to the arrangement of the drying mechanism 13 can be improved, making it easier to reduce the size of the drying device 5. For example, since the media 101 is usually thin, if the drying mechanism 13 is provided so that air is sent or taken in from openings located on the left and right sides of the media 101, the drying device 5 tends to become larger in the left and right directions. This inconvenience can be avoided.

[0230] The plurality of drying units 7 may include at least two types of drying units having different configurations of the drying mechanism 13. The plurality of drying units 7 arranged to form the connected drying path 15 may be changeable in at least one of the total number and the arrangement order.

[0231] In this case, the number of customizable units increases compared to, for example, a mode in which the total number of one type of drying unit 7 is simply changed or the position where the drying unit 7 is not arranged is changed.

[0232] The drying device 5 may have an opening 33 in the path wall 7 b between the drying path 7 a and the drying mechanism 13 .

[0233] In this case, for example, drying can be performed through the opening 33. From another perspective, the configuration of the drying unit 7 can be simplified by using a part of the drying mechanism 13 as the path wall 7b.

[0234] The openings 33 in the path wall 7b of the drying unit 7 may be arranged and shaped symmetrically in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the drying path 7a.

[0235] In this case, even if the drying unit 7 is rotated 180 degrees in a plane (FIGS. 13 and 14), the arrangement and shape of the opening 33 relative to the drying path 7a do not change. Consequently, the drying conditions are less likely to change. As a result, even when the position of the input / output mechanism 49 is changed, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, changes in the drying conditions can be reduced. In other words, the input / output mechanism 49 can be set to either the right or left side for output under the same drying conditions.

[0236] The multiple drying units 7 may include one in which the drying mechanism 13 is an air supply section 13A that blows hot air onto the media 101, one in which the drying mechanism 13 is an suction section 13B that sucks in gas from the drying path 7a, and one in which the drying mechanism 13 is an irradiation section 13C that irradiates the media 101 with ultraviolet rays.

[0237] In this case, for example, the ink can be dried efficiently in a short time. Specifically, for example, the temperature of the ink can be raised in a short time by irradiating it with UV rays. By using hot air, energy consumption can be reduced compared to when the ink temperature is kept high using only UV rays. By performing suction, moisture can be removed, making it easier for the ink solutes (e.g., water) to evaporate, thereby making the ink drying more efficient.

[0238] The drying apparatus 5 may further include a frame 11 that houses multiple drying units 7. The frame 11 may support multiple drying units 7. The frame 11 may be configured so as not to be fastened to any drying unit 7 (for example, the upper stage in FIG. 11 ), or the frame 11 may have only one drying unit 7 fastened thereto (for example, the middle stage in FIG. 11 ).

[0239] When the frame 11 and multiple drying units 7 are fastened together, the gaps between the drying paths 7a may change (e.g., widen) when distortion occurs due to thermal expansion or other factors. The drying device 5 may contain materials with different thermal expansion coefficients, which means that the temperature rise during drying varies from location to location. Therefore, even if the assembly is assembled to prevent gaps from forming when fastened at room temperature, it is difficult to maintain this state when the temperature rises due to drying. However, by doing as described above, the likelihood of gap changes occurring at the joints of the drying paths 7a is reduced. As a result, the likelihood of unintended airflow disturbances is reduced. Ultimately, the drying state of the media 101 is stabilized. Furthermore, by providing a gap between the top surface of the drying unit 7 and the frame 11, even when thermal expansion or other factors occur, the top surface of the drying unit 7 and the frame 11 are less likely to come into contact, causing distortion of the drying unit 7. It is preferable to maintain the gap even at the drying temperature.

[0240] Similarly to the above, the drying device 5 may further include a frame 11 that houses a plurality of drying units 7. However, among the plurality of drying units 7, at least one of the foremost and rearmost drying units 7 may be fastened to the frame 11 by fastening portions 41 located near the entrance / exit opening 7c (for example, the middle and lower rows in FIG. 11 ).

[0241] In this case, for example, the likelihood of a change (e.g., widening) in the gap between the inlet / outlet passage 11a of the frame 11 and the inlet / outlet opening 7c at the front and / or rear ends can be reduced. The temperature inside the frame 11 is higher than the temperature outside the frame 11. Therefore, the drying paths 7a are likely to stretch, and there is a low likelihood that the gap between the drying paths 7a, which are intended to be in contact with each other, will widen. In such cases, there is less need to avoid fastening to the frame 11, and the above-described configuration of fastening at the front and / or rear ends is more effective. Furthermore, the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the frame 11 is usually larger than the temperature difference depending on the position inside. Therefore, there are cases where it is better to prioritize narrowing the gap between the drying path 7a and the inlet / outlet passage 11a rather than narrowing the gap between the drying paths 7a. The above configuration is also effective in such cases.

[0242] Also, from a second perspective, the drying device 5 according to the embodiment includes a drying unit 7 and a frame 11. The drying unit 7 has a drying mechanism 13 on at least one of the upper and lower sides of a drying path 7a (an example of a gap) that serves as a transport path along which a medium 101 (an example of a recording medium) is transported. The drying mechanism 13 includes an air supply unit 13A that blows hot air onto the medium 101 passing through the drying path 7a, a suction unit 13B that sucks gas from the drying path 7a, and an irradiation unit 13C that irradiates the medium 101 with ultraviolet light. The multiple drying units 7 are arranged in the frame 11 along the transport path so that the drying path 7a is continuous along the transport path. The multiple drying units 7 are housed in the frame 11 in a replaceable manner.

[0243] Therefore, for example, as described in the overview of the embodiment, the drying conditions can be customized, thereby improving image quality. Also, the versatility of the components constituting the drying device 5 can be increased. Customization can be performed on-site and / or by the user.

[0244] In the first or second aspect, the frame 11 that houses the multiple drying units 7 may have a front outer wall 12C and a rear outer wall 12D. The front outer wall 12C may have an entrance / exit path 11a (an example of an opening in the front outer wall) through which the media 101 can pass, and may be located upstream of the transport path relative to the multiple drying units 7. The rear outer wall 12D may have an entrance / exit path 11a (an example of an opening in the rear outer wall) through which the media 101 can pass, and may be located downstream of the transport path relative to the multiple drying units 7.

[0245] In this case, for example, heat is less likely to escape to the outside of the frame 11. As a result, the media 101 can be dried efficiently. As shown in FIG. 3, the above effect is enhanced when insulating material is interposed between the end drying unit 7 and the front and rear outer walls (13C and 13D). As can be seen from the example in FIG. 14, the front outer wall 12C may be customized to become the rear outer wall 12D, and the rear outer wall 12D may be customized to become the front outer wall 12C.

[0246] The drying unit 7 may have an input / output mechanism 49 connected to only one of the left and right sides (-D2 side and +D2 side) that supplies air to the drying mechanism 13, suction from the drying mechanism 13, and power to the drying mechanism 13.

[0247] In this case, for example, the input / output mechanism 49 is concentrated on one side in the left-right direction, which simplifies the configuration of the printer 1 and reduces costs. Also, for example, the side where the input / output mechanism 49 is not located can be configured to allow easy access to the transport path and / or the transport device 19. This, for example, makes maintenance easier.

[0248] The frame 11 that houses multiple drying units 7 may be able to house the drying units 7 in a first state, and may also be able to house the drying units 7 in a state in which the drying units are rotated 180 degrees in a plane from the first state (see, for example, Figure 13).

[0249] In this case, for example, when applying the drying device 5 to a printer that has already been designed or installed (one that does not have the drying device 5), it is possible to customize whether the input / output mechanism 49 is provided on the left or right side depending on the configuration of the printer. This in turn improves the versatility of the drying device 5.

[0250] The frame 11 that houses multiple drying units 7 may be configured so that there are no structures located between adjacent drying units 7.

[0251] Such structures include guides that assist in positioning the drying unit 7 and / or inserting and removing it. Such structures may cause distortion of the drying unit 7 due to thermal expansion of the drying unit 7 and / or the frame 11. This may result in changes (e.g., widening) in the gaps at the joints between the drying paths 7a. However, by not providing such structures, the likelihood of such problems occurring can be reduced.

[0252] In the drying device 5, a path forming unit 31 that is replaceable with the drying unit 7 and does not have a drying mechanism 13 may be arranged alongside the multiple drying units 7.

[0253] In order to optimize the drying conditions, it may be better not to use the drying mechanism 13 between the drying units 7. For example, such cases may involve having warm air flow from the drying paths 7a of the front and rear drying units 7. Furthermore, it may be necessary to extend the arrangement of the drying units 7 forward and / or backward to connect to surrounding equipment. The path forming unit 31 can address such needs. The above needs can also be addressed by providing a frame 11. However, even when the frame 11 is provided, filling the space within the frame 11 where the drying units 7 can be placed with the path forming unit 31 rather than simply leaving it open improves drying efficiency, etc. A drying unit 7 may be placed instead of the path forming unit 31, and the drying mechanism 13 may not be operated. However, using the path forming unit 31 allows the drying units 7 to be used in other drying devices 5. Furthermore, if the drying path 31a of the path forming unit 31 has no openings other than the front and rear entry / exit openings (not shown; see the entry / exit opening 7c of the drying unit 7), the airflow within the drying path 31a of the path forming unit 31 is more likely to be stable.

[0254] The drying unit 7 may have any one of an air supply unit 13A, a suction unit 13B, and an irradiation unit 13C as the drying mechanism 13 above and below the drying path 7a of the medium 101, respectively.

[0255] In this case, ink can be dried in a shorter time than in a configuration in which the drying mechanism 13 is provided only on one side, either the upper or lower side. Also, the components that make up the drying mechanism 13 can be used as the path walls 7b that face each other across the drying path 7a. The two upper and lower drying mechanisms 13 are both included in a single drying unit 7 and are both used for customization. Therefore, the two drying mechanisms 13 are different from two drying mechanisms 13 that are simply arranged above and below the transport path.

[0256] The drying unit 7 may have a suction section 13B above or below the drying path 7a, and may have either an air supply section 13A or an irradiation section 13C above or below the drying path 7a.

[0257] In this case, for example, solutes (e.g., water) evaporated by hot air and / or UV rays on the front surface 101a of the media 101 can be sucked toward the back surface 101b. As a result, moisture on the front surface 101a can be removed more efficiently than in a case where humid gas flows to other areas of the front surface 101a. Furthermore, as illustrated by the drying device 5K in FIG. 15, one or more air supply pipes 49A and one or more air intake pipes 49B can be separated into upper and lower pipes. As a result, the overall piping can be simplified.

[0258] The drying device 5 (FIG. 2) may have an air supply pipe 49A that supplies gas to the air supply unit 13A, an intake pipe 49B that sucks gas from the suction unit 13B, and a general air supply pipe 51 that supplies gas to the air supply pipe 49A. The general air supply pipe 51 may be located on one side (-D2 side) in the left-right direction of the multiple drying units 7 and extend along the transport path of the media 101. The air supply pipe 49A may extend in a straight line from the drying unit 7 to the general air supply pipe 51. The intake pipe 49B may be bent midway along the range in which the air supply pipe 49A extends in a straight line toward the general air supply pipe 51.

[0259] In this case, for example, by bending the intake pipe 49B, interference between the intake pipe 49B and the general air supply pipe 51 can be avoided. Compared to the mode (FIG. 15) in which interference between the intake pipe 49B and the general air supply pipe 51 is avoided by devising the arrangement of the air supply unit 13A and the suction unit 13B, this mode provides greater freedom in the arrangement of the air supply unit 13A and the suction unit 13B. When comparing air supply and suction, fluctuations in air supply have a greater impact on fluctuations in conditions in the drying path 7a. Therefore, by straightening the air supply pipe 49A and bending the intake pipe 49B, the impact of changes in the configuration of the input / output mechanism 49 on the drying conditions can be reduced. As a result, the predictability of customizing the drying conditions when replacing the drying unit 7, etc., can be improved.

[0260] The frame 11 that houses the multiple drying units 7 may have an engagement portion 11e that allows the multiple drying units 7 to move along the transport path of the media 101 while restricting the multiple drying units 7 from moving upward.

[0261] In this case, for example, the multiple drying units 7 can be accurately positioned in the vertical direction to stabilize the relative positions of the drying paths 7a, and thus stabilize the shape of the connected drying path 15. On the other hand, because the multiple drying units 7 are allowed to move in the D1 direction relative to the frame 11, the likelihood of distortion due to thermal expansion or the like is reduced, and the likelihood of the presence or absence or size of the spacing between the joints of the drying paths 7a changing (for example, widening) is reduced.

[0262] The printer 1 (an example of a recording device) according to the embodiment includes the drying device 5 according to the embodiment, a transport device 19, and a discharge device 3. The transport device 19 transports the medium 101 along a transport path. The discharge device 3 is located upstream of the drying device 5 on the transport path, and discharges ink toward the medium 101.

[0263] Therefore, for example, by including the drying device 5, the printer 1 can dry ink under drying conditions customized for different printing conditions when the printing conditions are changed. For example, when the printing speed (or, from another perspective, the transport speed of the media 101) is set relatively high, drying units 7 having irradiation units 13C can be arranged or increased in number, as in the example of FIG. 3, to increase the drying speed (or, from another perspective, shorten the length in the D1 direction compared to other drying devices with the same drying speed). Furthermore, when the printing speed is set relatively low, for example, drying units 7 having irradiation units 13C can be omitted, as in the drying devices 5C and 5D of FIG. 6, to reduce energy consumption. From another perspective, the above means that the impact of the drying device 5 on the constraints of the printing conditions is reduced, providing a printer 1 with a wide range of printing condition settings.

[0264] The method for changing drying conditions according to the embodiment changes at least one of the total number, arrangement order, and type (of at least one drying unit 7) of the multiple drying units 7 arranged along the transport path of the media 101 in the drying device 5 according to the embodiment. This customization method achieves, for example, the above-described effects of the drying device 5 according to the embodiment and the above-described effects of the printer 1 according to the embodiment.

[0265] The drying unit 7 according to the embodiment includes a drying path 7a, a drying mechanism 13, and a fastening portion 41. The drying path 7a includes a transport path along which the media 101 is transported, and has entrance / exit openings 7c at the front and rear through which the media 101 enters and exits. The drying mechanism 13 dries the media 101 passing through the drying path 7a. The drying unit 7 can be fastened to other drying units 7 by the fastening portion 41. Such a drying unit can realize, for example, the drying device 5 according to the embodiment.

[0266] The unit set 9 (an example of a drying unit set) according to the embodiment includes multiple drying units 7. The drying units 7 have a drying path 7a and a drying mechanism 13. The drying path 7a includes a transport path along which the media 101 is transported, and has entrance / exit openings 7c at the front and rear through which the media 101 enters and exits. The drying mechanism 13 dries the media 101 passing through the drying path 7a. When multiple drying units 7 are arranged on a flat installation surface, the drying paths 7a are arranged so that they are connected to each other. With such a unit set 9, for example, the drying device 5 according to the embodiment can be realized.

[0267] The technology according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be implemented in various forms.

[0268] For example, the recording device is not limited to those generally classified as printers. For example, the recording device may be a plotter. Furthermore, the media is not limited to paper or film. For example, the media may be cut cloth, wood, or tiles transported by a transport device including a belt conveyor.

[0269] 1...printer (recording device), 3...discharge device, 5...drying device, 7...drying unit, 7a...drying path (gap), 7b...path wall, 7c...inlet / outlet opening, 9...unit set (drying unit set), 11...frame, 13...drying mechanism, 13A...air supply section, 13B...suction section, 13C...irradiation section, 15...connected drying path

Claims

1. A drying device having a plurality of drying units, each having a drying path with an entrance / exit opening at the front and rear through which the recording medium enters and exits, and a drying mechanism that dries the recording medium passing through the drying path, the plurality of drying units being arranged side by side, and the drying paths of the plurality of drying units being connected to form a linked drying path.

2. The drying device according to claim 1, wherein the path walls surround the conveying path from above, below, left and right.

3. A drying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the interconnected drying path is configured such that the path walls between adjacent drying units are connected to each other.

4. A drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the plurality of drying units has a fastening portion, and adjacent drying units are fastened to each other via the fastening portion.

5. A drying device as described in claim 4, wherein adjacent drying units are directly fastened to each other by the fastening portion near the rear front exit opening of the drying unit located forward and the fastening portion near the front front exit opening of the drying unit located backward.

6. The drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the distances from the drying path to the bottom surfaces of the plurality of drying units are substantially the same.

7. The drying device according to claim 6, wherein the distances from the drying path to the top surface of each of the drying units, which is the surface opposite to the bottom surface of each of the drying units, are substantially the same.

8. A drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the drying path is larger in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction, and the drying mechanism dries the recording medium through an opening provided in the path wall located above or below the drying path.

9. A drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of drying units include at least two types of drying units with different configurations of the drying mechanism, and are arranged to form the connected drying path, and at least one of the total number and the arrangement order of the plurality of drying units can be changed.

10. The drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the path wall between the drying path and the drying mechanism has an opening.

11. The drying device according to claim 10, wherein the openings in the path wall are arranged and shaped symmetrically in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions with respect to the drying path.

12. A drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the plurality of drying units include: one in which the drying mechanism is an air blowing section that blows hot air onto the recording medium; one in which the drying mechanism is an suction section that sucks in gas within the drying path; and one in which the drying mechanism is an irradiation section that irradiates the recording medium with ultraviolet light.

13. A drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a frame that houses the plurality of drying units, wherein the frame supports the plurality of drying units, but the frame is not fastened to any of the drying units, or the number of drying units fastened to the frame is one.

14. A drying device comprising: a drying unit having a drying mechanism, which is one of an air supply unit that blows hot air onto the recording medium passing through the gap, a suction unit that sucks gas from the gap, and an irradiation unit that irradiates the recording medium with ultraviolet light, on at least one of the upper and lower sides of a gap that forms a transport path along which the recording medium is transported; and a frame body, wherein the multiple drying units are arranged in the frame body along the transport path so that the gaps are connected along the transport path, and the multiple drying units are housed in the frame body so that they can be freely replaced.

15. A drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the frame housing the plurality of drying units has a front outer wall having an opening through which the recording medium can pass and located upstream of the transport path relative to the plurality of drying units, and a rear outer wall having an opening through which the recording medium can pass and located downstream of the transport path relative to the plurality of drying units.

16. A drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein an input / output mechanism that supplies air to the drying mechanism, draws air from the drying mechanism, or supplies power to the drying mechanism is connected to only one of the left and right sides of the drying unit.

17. The drying device according to claim 16, wherein the frame housing the plurality of drying units can house the drying units in a first state and can house the drying units in a state rotated 180 degrees in a plane from the first state.

18. A drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the frame housing the plurality of drying units has no structure positioned between adjacent drying units.

19. A drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein a path forming unit having no drying mechanism and replaceable with the drying unit is arranged alongside a plurality of the drying units.

20. A drying device as claimed in claim 12, claim 13 which cites claim 12, claim 14 which cites claim 12, and any one of claims 15 to 19 which cite claim 12 or 14 directly or indirectly, wherein the drying unit has, as the drying mechanism, one of the air supply section, the suction section, and the irradiation section above and below the drying path, respectively.

21. The drying device according to claim 20, wherein the drying unit has the suction section either above or below the drying path, and has either the air supply section or the irradiation section on the other side.

22. A drying device as described in claim 20 or 21, comprising an air supply pipe that supplies gas to the air supply section, an intake pipe that sucks gas from the suction section, and a general air supply pipe that supplies gas to the air supply pipe, wherein the general air supply pipe is located on one side of the drying units in the left-right direction and extends along the conveying path, the air supply pipe extends in a straight line from the drying units to the general air supply pipe, and the intake pipe is bent midway along the range in which the air supply pipe extends in a straight line toward the general air supply pipe.

23. A drying device as described in any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the frame housing the plurality of drying units has an engaging portion that allows the plurality of drying units to move along the conveying path while restricting the plurality of drying units from moving upward.

24. A recording device comprising: a drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 23; a transport device that transports the recording medium along the transport path; and an ejection device that is located upstream of the drying device on the transport path and ejects ink toward the recording medium.

25. A method for changing drying conditions, using the drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 23, and changing at least one of the total number, arrangement order, and type of the plurality of drying units lined up along the conveying path.

26. A drying unit comprising: a drying path including a transport path along which a recording medium is transported, and having entrance and exit openings at the front and rear through which the recording medium enters and exits; a drying mechanism that dries the recording medium passing through the drying path; and a fastening section, wherein the drying unit can be fastened to another drying unit at the fastening section.

27. A drying unit set including a plurality of drying units, the drying unit set having a transport path along which a recording medium is transported, a drying path having an entrance / exit opening at the front and rear of the transport path through which the recording medium enters and exits, and a drying mechanism for drying the recording medium passing through the drying path, wherein the drying paths are arranged so that when the plurality of drying units are lined up on a flat installation surface, the drying paths are connected to each other.

Images