Drying device, recording device, and method for controlling drying device

Abstract

This drying device comprises: a conveyance means for conveying a recording medium onto which a liquid has been discharged; and dry region formation means comprising a warm air generation part, a flow path defining part that defines a circulation space where warm air generated by the warm air generation part circulates in a space facing a conveyance path of the recording medium, an introduction part for introducing outside air into the circulation space, and a discharge part that discharges a portion of the warm air circulating in the circulation space to the outside of the circulation space. The drying device further comprises an adjustment means capable of adjusting discharge of a portion of the warm air from an opening of the discharge part, the adjustment means having a closing member capable of closing the opening and adjusting the closing amount thereof.

Description

Drying device, recording device, and method for controlling drying device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording apparatus equipped with a drying device that dries a recording liquid on a medium.

[0002] As a technique for drying recording liquid on a recording medium such as paper, a technique for expediting the drying of the liquid by blowing warm air onto the recording medium is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which, after ink is ejected onto the medium, the ink is dried using warm air to fix it to the medium. Patent Document 1 also discloses circulating warm air from the viewpoint of power consumption. By circulating warm air, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of a heater that heats the air.

[0003] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 222214

[0004] However, conventional technologies have had the following problems. Some of the warm air blown onto the media is discharged into the outside air through an exhaust port, while the other portion is blown back onto the media through a recirculation port. Since the recirculated air is used for drying, it is preferable that it be high in temperature and low in humidity. On the other hand, if the ink deposition onto the media varies across the media, the exhausted air will be low in temperature and high in humidity where the ink deposition volume is high, and high in temperature and low in humidity where the ink deposition volume is low. For highly efficient drying, it is desirable to discharge low-temperature, high-humidity air into the outside air and recirculate high-temperature, low-humidity air; however, conventional technologies circulate and exhaust both low-temperature, high-humidity air and high-temperature, low-humidity air uniformly.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a technique that can improve the drying efficiency of a recording liquid on a recording medium.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a drying device comprising: a conveying means for conveying a recording medium onto which liquid has been ejected; a hot air generating unit; a flow path partitioning unit for partitioning a circulation space in a space opposite to the conveying path of the recording medium in which the hot air generated by the hot air generating unit circulates; an introduction unit for introducing outside air into the circulation space; and a discharge unit for discharging a portion of the hot air circulating in the circulation space to the outside of the circulation space; and the drying device is characterized in that the drying device comprises an adjustment means capable of adjusting the discharge of a portion of the hot air from an opening of the discharge unit, the adjustment means having a blocking member capable of blocking the opening and capable of adjusting the amount of blocking. Another aspect of the present disclosure is a drying device comprising: a conveying means for conveying a recording medium onto which liquid has been ejected from a recording head; heated air blowing means including an air blowing means and a heating means, and for blowing air heated by the heating means onto the recording medium being conveyed by the air blowing means; an air flow path for sending the heated air blown from the heated air blowing means downstream in the conveying direction of the recording medium to the heated air blowing means; and an adjusting means for adjusting the amount of air blown from the heated air blowing means and entering the air flow path. Another aspect of the present disclosure is a recording device for recording on a recording medium, comprising: an ejection head that ejects liquid onto the recording medium; and the drying device of the present disclosure.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure can provide a drying device that can improve the drying efficiency of a recording liquid on a recording medium.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drying apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of an adjustment unit. FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views showing an example of the operation of the adjustment unit for each media width. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the recording apparatus of FIG. 1. FIGS. 6A and 6B are graphs showing the relationship between the set temperature and the aperture ratio. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the control unit. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration of the drying apparatus. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another adjustment amount determination method for the adjustment unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another adjustment amount determination method for the adjustment unit. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another adjustment amount determination method for the adjustment unit. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another adjustment amount determination method for the adjustment unit. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another adjustment amount determination method for the adjustment unit. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another example of processing by the control unit. FIGS. 15A and 15B are schematic diagrams showing another example of the configuration and operation of the adjustment unit. FIGS. 16A and 16B are schematic diagrams showing another example of the configuration and operation of the adjustment unit. FIGS. 17A to 17C are schematic diagrams showing another example of the configuration of the adjustment unit. FIGS. 18A to 18C are schematic diagrams showing the operation of another example of the configuration of the adjustment unit. FIGS. 19A and 19B are schematic diagrams showing another example of the configuration of the adjustment unit. FIGS. 20A and 20B are schematic diagrams showing the air flow in another example of the configuration of the adjustment unit. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the control unit. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration of the drying device. FIG. 23 is a table specifying the relationship between the type of recording medium and the aperture ratio of the adjustment unit. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of the aperture width (aperture ratio). FIGS. 25A and 25B are schematic diagrams explaining the configuration of a recording apparatus according to one embodiment of this invention. FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of the fixing unit according to Example 10, with the flapper omitted. FIGS. 27A and 27B are cross-sectional views of the duct of the fixing unit according to Example 10. Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view of a duct in another form of the fixing unit. Figs. 29A and 29B are schematic diagrams of a fixing unit according to Example 10. Figs. 30A and 30B are graphs showing the relationship between the set temperature and the opening area of ​​the duct inlet (the opening of the duct) in the exhaust flow rate control according to Example 10. Fig. 31 is a schematic diagram of a fixing unit according to Example 11.Fig. 32A is a flow chart illustrating a control method according to Example 10. Fig. 32B is a flow chart illustrating a control method according to Example 10. Fig. 32C is a flow chart illustrating a control method according to Example 11.

[0009] The following describes in detail exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiments may be modified as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, although the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] (Example 1) <Recording Apparatus> Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus (liquid ejection apparatus) 1 according to Example 1 of the present disclosure. The recording apparatus 1 of this example is an inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium. However, this disclosure is also applicable to other types of recording apparatuses and liquid ejection apparatuses. In the figure, arrows X and Y indicate horizontal directions that intersect with each other, and arrow Z indicates the up-down direction. In this example, the X direction and the Y direction are orthogonal to each other.

[0011] "Recording" not only refers to the formation of meaningful information such as characters and figures, but also broadly includes the formation of images, designs, patterns, etc. on a recording medium, or the processing of the medium, regardless of whether the information is meaningful or insignificant, and regardless of whether it is visible to humans. Furthermore, the "recording medium" may be, for example, a recording material such as paper, cloth, plastic film, etc. More specifically, the "recording medium" may be an ink-absorbing medium such as paper, or a non-ink-absorbing medium such as vinyl chloride. The liquid to be ejected (recording liquid) is assumed to be water-based ink, but other types of ink may also be used.

[0012] The recording apparatus 1 includes a transport unit 6 that transports a recording medium P. The transport unit 6 includes a drive roller 6a that rotates by the driving force of a motor 6c, and a driven roller 6b that is in pressure contact with the drive roller 6a. The recording medium P is a sheet medium, and a so-called roll-to-roll method is used for supplying and discharging the recording medium P, in which the recording medium P is wound around different rollers (not shown) before and after recording. However, a cut sheet may also be used as the recording medium P.

[0013] The transport unit 6 transports the recording medium P in the Y direction (-Y direction). The drive roller 6a is a roller that extends in the X direction. A platen 7 and an ejection head 2 that faces the platen 7 are provided downstream of the transport unit 6 in the transport direction of the recording medium P. The recording medium P is transported between the platen 7 and the ejection head 2.

[0014] The ejection head 2 is a recording head that ejects ink onto a recording medium P placed on a platen 7. The ejection head 2 is supported by a carriage 3. The carriage 3 is reciprocated in the X direction by a drive mechanism 5, guided by a guide 4 that extends in the X direction. The drive mechanism 5 is a belt transmission mechanism that includes, for example, an endless belt that can run freely in the X direction and uses a motor as a drive source, and the carriage 3 is fixed to the endless belt.

[0015] As described above, the recording device 1 of this embodiment is a serial type recording device in which the ejection head 2 is mounted on the carriage 3. Recording control for the recording medium P is performed by alternately repeating a transport operation (intermittent transport operation) in which the transport unit 6 transports the recording medium P a predetermined distance and a recording operation while the transport unit 6 is stopped. The recording operation is an operation in which ink is ejected from the ejection head 2 while the carriage 3 carrying the ejection head 2 is moved. The platen 7 may be provided with a suction mechanism that sucks the recording medium P, and the recording medium P may be sucked onto the platen 7 during the recording operation to prevent it from floating. Note that the recording device 1 may not have a carriage 3 and may be a full-line type recording device in which the ejection head 2 extends in the X direction.

[0016] Next, a configuration for drying the ink ejected onto the recording medium P and fixing the ink to the recording medium P will be described. A hot air blower 8 is provided upstream of the ejection head 2 in the transport direction of the recording medium P. The hot air blower 8 includes a blower unit 81 that blows air (generates wind), a heating unit 82 that heats the air blown from the blower unit 81, and an air path unit 83 that guides the heated air (hot air). The hot air is blown toward the area between the platen 7 and the ejection head 2 (the surface of the recording medium P). This promotes evaporation of moisture contained in the ink ejected onto the surface of the recording medium P on the platen 7, facilitating drying of the ink and fixing of the ink to the recording medium P. In this embodiment, the blower unit 81 is an electric fan, and the heating unit 82 is a coil-type electro-thermal conversion element.

[0017] A drying device 10 is provided downstream of the ejection head 2 in the transport direction of the recording medium P. In this embodiment, the drying device 10 uses the transport unit 6 as a transport mechanism (transport means) for the recording medium P, which also serves as a recording mechanism (ejection head 2, carriage 3, etc.), and is located opposite a guide unit 9 that guides the transport of the recording medium P. The guide unit 9 guides the recording medium P diagonally downward. The drying device 10 is a fixing device that blows warm air onto the recording medium P onto which ink has been ejected from the ejection head 2 and transported onto the guide unit 9, thereby promoting drying of the ink and fixing of the ink to the recording medium P.

[0018] The drying device 10 includes a hot air blowing unit 11 as a hot air generating unit and a passage forming unit 14 as a flow path dividing unit. The hot air blowing unit 11 is a mechanism for generating hot air, and includes a blowing unit 12 that blows air (generates wind) and a heating unit 13 that heats the air blown from the blowing unit 12. The passage forming unit 14 defines an internal space SP, which is a circulation space in which the hot air generated by the blowing unit 12 circulates, in a space opposite the transport path of the recording medium P. In this embodiment, the blowing unit 12 is an electric fan, and the heating unit 13 is a coil-type electro-thermal conversion element, also referred to as a fixing heater.

[0019] The passage forming unit 14 is a component that forms a circulation passage RT1 (indicated by a two-dot chain line) between the hot air blowing unit 11 and a region R on the transport path (RT0) of the transport unit 6, through which the air blown by the hot air blowing unit 11 circulates. Region R is a section of the transport path RT0 defined by the guide unit 9, and is the section facing the bottom of the drying device 10 (the section indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1 ). The passage forming unit 14 incorporates the hot air blowing unit 11 and includes a chamber 14a that defines an internal space SP, a partition wall 14b formed within the chamber 14a, a blowing plate 14c, and a cover member 14d. The blowing plate 14c is a porous component with numerous holes formed therein. The circulation passage RT1 is defined by the chamber 14a, the partition wall 14b, and the surface of the guide unit 9, and the air blown by the blower unit 12 is circulated in the following order: heating unit 13 → blowing plate 14c → surface of the guide unit 9 → blower unit 12.

[0020] The circulating flow of hot air in the circulation path RT1 includes a flow from upstream to downstream of the transport path of the recording medium P on the side of the internal space SP away from the transport path, and a flow from downstream to upstream on the side close to the transport path. The blowing plate 14c divides the internal space SP into a space SP1 (first space) on the side away from the transport path of the recording medium P and a space SP2 (second space) on the side close to the transport path. The spaces SP1 and SP2 are connected to each other by multiple holes formed in the blowing plate 14c. The hot air blowing unit 11 is disposed in the space SP1. The blowing unit 12 of the hot air blowing unit 11 is disposed at the upstream end of the transport path in the space SP1 and blows air toward the downstream side of the transport path, and the heating unit 13 is disposed downstream of the blowing unit 12 in the space SP1.

[0021] The circulation path RT1 has an introduction section (intake section) RTi through which outside air from outside the circulation path (outside RT1) is introduced, and an exhaust section (exhaust section) RTo through which a portion of the internal air within the circulation path (inside RT1) is exhausted. In other words, the chamber 14a, together with the guide unit 9, forms an airtight space (a space where no air flows in or out except for the introduction section RTi and the exhaust section RTo) except for the introduction section RTi and the exhaust section RTo. The warm air blowing unit 11, the path forming unit 14, the introduction section RTi, and the exhaust section RTo constitute the drying region forming means of the present disclosure. The introduction section RTi is an opening formed at the upstream end of the circulation path RT1 in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P, and the exhaust section RTo is an opening formed at the downstream end of the circulation path RT1 in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P.

[0022] The hot air blown from the hot air blowing unit 11 passes through the blowing plate 14c and is sent to the recording medium P being transported on the transport path RT0 on the guide unit 9. By blowing the hot air toward the recording medium P, the temperature of the ink and the recording medium P is raised, evaporating the water and solvent contained in the ink and fixing the ink to the recording medium P. A portion of the hot air blown from the hot air blowing unit 11 forms a circulating flow that circulates through the circulation path RT1. By circulating already heated hot air, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the heating unit 13.

[0023] The drying device 10 is equipped with temperature sensors 15a and 15b. The temperature sensor 15a is disposed in the internal space SP, particularly within the circulation path RT1, downstream of the heating unit 13 and upstream of the region R or the blowing plate 14c in the direction of the circulation air. The temperature sensor 15a can detect the temperature of the warm air blown onto the recording medium P. The temperature sensor 15b is disposed outside the circulation path RT1 (outside the chamber 14a). The temperature sensor 15b can detect the temperature of the outside air surrounding the drying device 10.

[0024] The drying device 10 includes an adjustment unit 16 as an adjustment means capable of adjusting the discharge of the inside air in the circulation passage RT1 from the opening of the exhaust section RTo. The adjustment unit 16 adjusts the amount of outside air supplied from outside the chamber 14a (outside the circulation passage RT1) to the blower unit 12 (inside the circulation passage RT1). In this embodiment, the adjustment unit 16 adjusts the exhaust volume of the inside air in the circulation passage RT1 to the outside of the circulation passage RT. The flow rate of the inside air exhausted from the exhaust section RTo and the flow rate of the outside air flowing in from the introduction section RTi are approximately equal. Increasing the exhaust volume increases the amount of outside air introduced into the circulation passage RT1, thereby reducing the amount of circulating air. In other words, the amount of outside air supplied to the blower unit 12 increases. Conversely, decreasing the exhaust volume decreases the amount of outside air introduced into the circulation passage RT1, thereby increasing the amount of circulating air. In other words, the amount of outside air supplied to the blower unit 12 decreases.

[0025] In this way, the ratio of outside air flowing into the air blower unit 12 to the inside air inside the air blower unit 12 can be adjusted. The temperature of the air flowing into the air blower unit 12 becomes relatively low when the ratio of outside air is high, and becomes relatively high when the ratio of outside air is low. By adjusting the adjustment unit 16, the temperature of the air flowing into the air blower unit 12 can be controlled, and while hot air at a higher temperature can be blown onto the recording medium P, the air blower unit 12 can be prevented from being exposed to temperatures higher than its specified temperature. This prevents deterioration of the air blower unit 12 and a shortened lifespan of the drying device 10.

[0026] The detailed configuration of the adjustment unit 16 will now be described using FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drying device 10. The adjustment unit 16 is divided into multiple sections in the media width direction (X direction), each of which is composed of a plate-shaped flapper (door) that can be individually controlled. In this embodiment, the adjustment unit 16 is composed of an adjustment unit 161 and an adjustment unit 162. The adjustment unit 161 has a movable member 161a as a closing member, and the adjustment unit 162 has a movable member 162a as a closing member. The movable members 161a and 162a are each configured to be able to individually and partially close the opening of the exhaust section RTo, and to individually adjust the amount of closure. Specifically, the movable members 161a and 162a are arranged side by side in the width direction of the recording medium P, which intersects with the conveyance path of the recording medium P, and are openable / closable members that can rotate around a rotation axis extending along the width direction. The movable members 161a and 162a are configured so that the smaller the angle with respect to the direction along the conveyance path of the recording medium P (the closer they are to being parallel to that direction), the smaller the amount of closure of the opening of the exhaust unit RTo. Changing the amount of closure by the movable members 161a and 162a changes the opening amount of the exhaust unit RTo. That is, an increase in the amount of closure reduces the opening amount, and a decrease in the amount of closure increases the opening amount. The adjustment units 161 and 162 adjust the exhaust amount by changing the opening amount of the exhaust unit RTo through the displacement of the movable members 161a and 162a. The movable members 161a and 162a are rotatable around an axis (rotation axis) CT extending in the X direction and rotate by the driving force of actuators (here, motors) 161c and 162c.

[0027] Here, the drive of the movable members 161a and 162a does not have to be limited to rotation, but may be linear, sliding up and down. The drive does not have to be electrically driven, and may be manually operated. The number of divisions and the division ratio of the adjustment unit 16 are divided into two at the center of the length in this embodiment, but are not limited to the configuration of this embodiment. For example, the number of divisions may be 10. Even when divided into two, the division may be 1:1 at the center, or the division ratio can be determined from the maximum specified width and the most frequently used media width, such as 1:5.

[0028] If the adjustment unit 16 is configured with a single flapper without being divided, several functional concerns arise. One is that when one side of the flapper is driven, the opening ratio of the exhaust section across the width may unintentionally differ. Because the drive source is only on one side, the flapper without the drive source bends under its own weight, resulting in a smaller opening ratio than the side with the drive source. Unintentional differences in the exhaust volume across the width may result in, for example, some images not being able to dry. Furthermore, when drives are provided on both sides of a single flapper, there is a concern that the flapper may twist if the drive amounts of the drive sources on both sides are not highly synchronized. If the amount of twisting exceeds the limit of elastic deformation or if repeated deformation is applied, permanent deformation of the flapper may occur, which also affects drying. Dividing the adjustment unit 16 into two or more parts can address these concerns.

[0029] The positions of the movable members 161a and 162a are detected by position detection sensors 161d and 162d. The position detection sensors 161d and 162d are, for example, potentiometers or rotary encoders that detect the rotational amount of the movable members 161a and 162a, respectively. By controlling the actuators 161c and 162c based on the detection results of the position detection sensors 161d and 162d, the positions of the movable members 161a and 162a, i.e., the opening amounts of the exhaust units RTo1 and RTo2, can be more accurately controlled. Furthermore, even if the user sets a high temperature for the hot air, there may be cases where the opening amounts of the exhaust units RTo1 and RTo2 cannot be controlled to the required opening amount (target opening amount) for the set temperature due to flapper deformation or the like. If the position detection sensors 161d and 162d detect that the opening amounts of the exhaust units RTo1 and RTo2 are low, it is also possible to control the temperature of the hot air (reducing the heat output of the heating unit 13).

[0030] The positions of the movable members 161a and 162a are held by holding units 161b and 162b. The holding units 161b and 162b are locking mechanisms that lock the positions of the movable members 161a and 162a to prevent unnecessary displacement, and are, for example, torque limiters provided on the axis CT. When the driving force of the actuator 161c or 162c exceeds the specified torque of the torque limiter, the movable members 161a and 162a, respectively, rotate. However, even if an external force less than the specified torque acts on the movable members 161a or 162a, the positions of the movable members 161a and 162a are held. The holding units 161b and 162b can continuously maintain the positions of the movable members 161a and 162a, i.e., the opening amount of the exhaust section RTo.

[0031] Furthermore, the adjustment unit 16 serves as an exhaust distribution adjustment means that adjusts the amount of exhaust air discharged from the exhaust unit RTo in each region in the media width direction (X direction). For example, to adjust the exhaust volume in the region of exhaust unit RTo1, the adjustment unit 161 can be driven to change the opening size of exhaust unit RTo1. Similarly, to adjust the exhaust volume in the region of exhaust unit RTo2, the adjustment unit 162 can be driven to change the opening size of exhaust unit RTo2.

[0032] 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the adjustment unit 16. Fig. 24 is an explanatory diagram of the opening width D1 (opening ratio). As an example of the operation explanation, the operation of the adjustment unit 161 will be explained, but the operation of the adjustment unit 162 is similar, and the explanation of the latter will be omitted.

[0033] FIG. 3A shows the movable member 161a in a fully open state. In this embodiment, the distance (shortest distance) between the guide unit 9 or an extension of the guide unit 9 and the lower end 161e of the movable member 161a is defined as the opening width D1 of the exhaust section RTo1. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 24 , the opening width D1 is the distance between the lower end 161e of the movable member 161a and an extension line 9x, which is a virtual line (virtual plane) along the guide surface of the guide unit 9, as viewed in the X direction, in a direction perpendicular to the extension line 9x. That is, when the opening width D1 is the maximum value D1max set by the control unit 20 (see FIG. 5 ), the movable member 161a is considered to be in a fully open state, and the opening ratio of the exhaust section RTo1 is 100%. For example, when the maximum value Dmax1 is 50 mm, the opening ratio is 100% when the lower end 161e of the movable member 161a is located at a position corresponding to the opening width D1 = 50 mm. The maximum value Dmax of the opening width is set appropriately depending on various conditions such as the type of recording medium P and the set temperature.

[0034] Therefore, the position that movable member 161a can take when fully open is not limited to the position substantially parallel to the extension line (9x) of guide unit 9 as shown in Fig. 3A. For example, even if lower end 161e is positioned in a direction away from the extension line of guide unit 9 compared to Fig. 3A or in a direction closer to the extension line of guide unit 9, the position will be fully open if opening width D1 = maximum opening width D1max. Note that maximum opening width D1max may be set by control unit 20 according to a table stored in advance in control unit 20, or may be set by the user via operation panel 31 or external terminal 32.

[0035] 3B shows the movable member 161a in a fully closed state (initial state). In this embodiment, the opening rate of the exhaust section RTo1 when the movable member 161a is fully closed is 20 to 30%. As with the case when the movable member 161a is fully open, the opening rate of the exhaust section RTo1 when the movable member 161a is fully closed can be set appropriately depending on various conditions such as the type of recording medium P and the set temperature, and may be set to a rate greater than 0% and less than 100%. In order to prevent the lower end 161e of the movable member 161a from coming into contact with the recording medium P being transported on the guide unit 9, it is desirable that the opening rate when the movable member 161a is fully closed does not become 0%.

[0036] <Recording Process> Using Figure 4A, we will explain the recording process when the width of the recording medium P used is equal to the maximum width specified for the device. The drying device 10 has a specified temperature determined by the bearings, grease, electrical boards, etc. used. Therefore, the temperature of the air that circulates within the drying device 10, mixes with outside air at the introduction section RTi, and flows again within the drying device 10 must be lower than the specified temperature of the drying device 10.

[0037] When the temperature of the air flowing through the drying device 10 exceeds the fan's specified temperature, the circulation rate must be reduced. For the above-mentioned set temperature, the control unit 20 controls the adjustment unit 16 to widen the opening of the exhaust section RTo (increase the opening rate). This makes it easier for the warm air to flow outside, and increases the amount of outside air taken in by the introduction section RTi. As a result, the temperature of the air flowing through the drying device 10 can be lowered below the fan's specified temperature.

[0038] Conversely, if the temperature of the air flowing through the drying device 10 does not exceed the fan's specified temperature, the circulation rate can be increased. At the above-mentioned set temperature, the control unit 20 controls the adjustment unit 16 to narrow the opening of the exhaust section RTo (reduce the opening rate). This makes it more difficult for the warm air to escape to the outside, reducing the amount of outside air O taken in by the introduction section RTi. As a result, the warm air circulation rate can be increased, reducing the power consumption of the heating unit 13. In this case, since the media width and the device's operating size are the same, the adjustment amounts of the adjustment units 161 and 162 are the same.

[0039] Using FIG. 4B , we will explain the printing process when the width of the recording medium P used is smaller than the maximum width specified for the device. When the recording medium P used is a medium (first recording medium) that is smaller (narrower) than the maximum usable width of the device, the drying device 10 of this embodiment is configured to move the recording medium P to the right edge of the device width. Because the amount of moisture contained in the air passing over the recording medium P on which an image has been printed increases, drying efficiency is improved by exhausting as much air as possible from that area and circulating air in areas where the recording medium P is not present without exhausting as much air as possible. Of the adjustment units 161 and 162, adjustment unit 161 is an adjustment unit (first closing member) positioned at a position corresponding to the area (first area) through which the recording medium P passes among the areas of the recording medium P transport path divided in the width direction. Adjustment unit 162 is an adjustment unit (second closing member) positioned at a position corresponding to the area (second area) through which the recording medium P does not pass among the areas of the recording medium P transport path divided in the width direction. Therefore, the adjustment unit 162 in the area where the recording medium P does not pass is closed to reduce the exhaust volume in this area, and the adjustment unit 161 in the area where the recording medium P passes is opened to increase the exhaust volume in this area. In other words, the amount of closure of the opening of the exhaust section RTo by the adjustment unit 162 is made greater than the amount of closure by the adjustment unit 161. Furthermore, at this time, the total amount of exhaust air exhausted from the exhaust section RTo is set to the circulation rate determined by the set temperature described above. In this embodiment, the position of the recording medium P is shifted to the right edge, but the effects of the present disclosure are not limited to this position. For example, the recording medium P may be shifted to the left edge or the center. In either case, controlling the adjustment unit 16 in the area where the recording medium P passes to open can improve drying efficiency.

[0040] <Control Circuit> The configuration of the control circuit of the recording device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 . The recording device 1 includes a control unit 20 that controls the recording device 1. The control unit 20 includes a processing unit 21, a storage unit 22, and an input / output interface (I / O) 23. The processing unit 21 is composed of one or more processors and controls the recording device 1 by executing a control program stored in the storage unit 22. More specifically, for example, the processing unit 21 acquires detection results from a sensor 33 and controls the operation of the actuator 34, the heating element 35, the ejection head 2, and the drying device 10. The storage unit 22 is composed of one or more storage devices and stores the control program and various data. Examples of storage devices include semiconductor memories such as RAM and ROM, and magnetic storage devices such as hard disks. The I / O 23 relays signal input and output between the processing unit 21 and external devices.

[0041] The operation panel 31 is an input device that accepts user input. The user can input and set the temperature and air volume of the hot air in the drying device 10 into the operation panel 31. The hot air temperature may be set by user input, or hot air temperature information determined according to the type of recording medium P may be stored in the memory unit 22, and the temperature corresponding to the type of recording medium P being used may be read from the temperature information and set. The external terminal 32 is a host computer such as a personal computer, and transmits images, etc. to be recorded on the recording medium P by the recording device 1 to the control unit 20.

[0042] The sensors 33 include various sensors (such as a position detection sensor for the carriage 3 and a rotation amount sensor for the drive roller 6a). The actuators 34 include the motor 6c, the drive motor for the blower unit 81, and the drive motor for the drive mechanism 5. The heat generating elements 35 include the heat generating elements of the heating unit 82.

[0043] The sensors 33 include temperature sensors 15a and 15b and a position detection sensor 16d. Similarly, the actuators 34 include an actuator (motor) 16c and a drive motor for the blower unit 12. The heat generating elements 35 include the heat generating elements of the heating unit 13.

[0044] <Control Method of Adjustment Unit> An example of control of the adjustment unit 16 will be described using Figures 6A and 6B. Figures 6A and 6B show an example of the relationship between the set temperature T (horizontal axis) of the hot air blown from the hot air blowing unit 11 to the recording medium P and the aperture ratio OS of the entire exhaust section RTo. The position (posture) of the movable member 16a corresponds to the aperture ratio OS. The adjustment unit 16 is controlled by the control unit 20. When the adjustment units 161 and 162 are controlled individually according to the media width, the sum of the aperture ratios of the exhaust section RTo1 and the exhaust section RTo2 becomes the aperture ratio OS.

[0045] 6A shows an example of the relationship when the opening ratio OS of the exhaust part RTo is linearly controlled relative to the set temperature of the hot air. The opening ratio OS of the exhaust part RTo is kept constant (initial state) up to the low-temperature set temperature T1, and the opening ratio OS of the exhaust part RTo gradually increases as the set temperature rises above T1. The opening ratio OS of the exhaust part RTo reaches its maximum (100%) at the high-temperature set temperature T2. The position of the movable member 16a is controlled in this manner.

[0046] 6B shows an example of controlling the position of the movable member 16a so that the aperture ratio OS of the exhaust part RTo changes stepwise with respect to the set temperature. Up to the set temperature T1, the aperture ratio OS of the exhaust part RTo is set to an initial state, and as the set temperature rises, the aperture ratio OS of the exhaust part RTo increases stepwise. At the set temperature T2, the aperture ratio OS of the exhaust part RTo becomes maximum. In this manner, the position of the movable member 16a is controlled.

[0047] In this way, by controlling the overall opening ratio OS of the exhaust section RTo with the adjustment unit 16 according to the set temperature of the hot air, it is possible to change the ratio of the circulating flow of hot air to outside air. Furthermore, it is possible to selectively circulate high-temperature, low-humidity air in areas where ink is not deposited by the media, and selectively exhaust low-temperature, high-humidity air. This allows the circulation rate of the hot air to be appropriately changed according to the temperature of the generated hot air, and selectively exhaust low-temperature, high-humidity air from the exhaust section, enabling highly efficient drying.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the control unit 20 related to control of the drying device 10.

[0049] In S1, the temperature of the hot air blown from the drying device 10 is set. The user can input the hot air temperature via the operation panel 31. In S2, the media width is set. The media width can be set via the operation panel 31 by the user, or a detection unit that automatically detects the set media width can be provided and the detection result can be referenced. In S3, the control unit 20 determines whether the hot air temperature set in S1 exceeds temperature T1. If the set temperature exceeds temperature T1, the process proceeds to S5; if not, the process proceeds to S4. In S4, the control unit 20 resets the positions of the movable members 161a and 162a to their initial states. In S5, the control unit 20 displaces the positions of the movable members 161a and 162a according to the set temperature and media width. For example, if the media width is smaller than the adjustment unit 161, the adjustment unit 162 can be fully closed to improve drying efficiency. In S6, the control unit 20 starts blowing hot air using the hot air blowing unit 11. In this step, the blower unit 12 is driven, and power is supplied to the heating unit 13 according to the set temperature to generate heat. Based on the difference between the detection result of the temperature sensor 15a and the set temperature, the control unit 20 controls the airflow rate (motor rotation speed) of the blower unit 12 and the heat output (amount of power supplied) of the heating unit 13 to maintain the warm air at the set temperature. In S7, the control unit 20 determines whether the execution of the recording job sent to the recording device 1 has been completed. If not, the blowing of warm air that began in S6 continues. If the execution of the recording job has been completed, the process proceeds to S8. In S8, the control unit 20 executes a process to stop the drying device 10. Here, first, the heating unit 13 is turned OFF, and the blower unit 12 is also turned OFF. The positions of the movable members 161a and 162b are also returned to their initial states. In the processing of S8, if the execution of the next recording job is scheduled, the supply of hot air, etc. may not be completely stopped, but the power supply to the heating unit 13 may be reduced, and the air volume of the air blowing unit 12 may be reduced later, and the recording job may be waited for to be executed.

[0050] As described above, according to this embodiment, the ratio of outside air and warm air supplied to the air blowing unit 12 can be changed by controlling the adjustment unit 16 in accordance with the set temperature, detected temperature, and media width. This makes it possible to selectively exhaust low-temperature, high-humidity air and circulate high-temperature, low-humidity air while ensuring that the temperature does not exceed the specified temperature of the air blowing unit 12. In other words, high-efficiency drying is possible by exhausting low-temperature, high-humidity air to the outside air and selectively recirculating high-temperature, low-humidity air. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the air blowing unit 12, reduce power consumption, and improve drying efficiency.

[0051] The temperature of the air circulating in the blower unit 12, i.e., the ratio of the outside air flowing into the blower unit 12 to the inside air in the blower unit 12, may be controlled by also controlling the flow rate of the outside air flowing in from the introduction part RTi. That is, an adjustment unit similar to the adjustment unit 16 in the exhaust part RTo may also be provided in the introduction part RTi, and the ratio of the outside air to the inside air may be adjusted by controlling both adjustment units.

[0052] In addition, in this embodiment, the air introduction section is disposed on the upstream side of the conveying path, and the discharge section is disposed on the downstream side, but the arrangement of each section is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment.

[0053] (Example 2) The drying device 10 provided in the recording apparatus 1 according to Example 2 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the drying device 10 according to Example 2, and Figure 9 is a schematic top view of the drying device 10 according to Example 2. Here, in Example 2, the same reference numerals as in Example 1 are used for components common to Example 1, and differences from Example 1 will be mainly described. Matters in Example 2 that are not particularly described here are the same as those in Example 1.

[0054] Similar to the first embodiment, the drying device 10 includes an adjustment unit 16 and a control unit 20. In the second embodiment, the adjustment unit 16 is divided into ten sections longitudinally. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, temperature detection means (temperature sensors) 15 for detecting temperature are disposed near each flapper divided in the adjustment unit 16 or within the circulation path RT. As shown in FIG. 9 , temperature detection means 151 to 1510 are provided corresponding to the adjustment units 161 to 1610, respectively. In other words, the drying device 10 can detect the temperature in each of the multiple regions of the conveyance path of the recording medium P, which is divided in the width direction corresponding to the adjustment units 161 to 1610, by using the temperature detection means 151 to 1510.

[0055] In the second embodiment, the control amount for controlling each flapper of the adjustment unit 16 is calculated from these temperature detection means 151-1510. The calculation method will be explained below. As described above, the adjustment unit 16 exhausts as much air with a high moisture content as possible and circulates air with a low moisture content. The temperature detection means 15 makes it possible to adjust the exhaust volume based on the air temperature, which changes depending on the moisture content. Furthermore, since the overall circulation rate is determined according to the set temperature described above, the warm air blown onto the recording medium P from the multiple jet holes of the blowout plate 14c in the circulation path RT1 is divided into circulating air and exhausted air at the boundary surface 50 in the internal space SP.

[0056] The boundary surface 50 is formed at a different location depending on the device configuration, such as the shape of the internal space SP and the arrangement of the blower unit 12 and heating unit 13, but is generally formed around the area where the direction of the warm air flows turns from along the media transport direction to the opposite direction.

[0057] In the configuration of Example 2, air upstream of the boundary surface 50 is recirculated, and air downstream is exhausted. Therefore, the region in which the exhaust volume is adjusted by the adjustment unit 16 is the air downstream of the boundary surface 50. When controlling the opening and closing amount of each flapper of the adjustment unit 16, the control is determined by referring to the temperature of the air downstream of the boundary surface 50 detected by the temperature detection means 15.

[0058] For example, as shown in Figure 9, if the temperature detection results (detected temperatures) of the temperature detection unit 15 at this point during the print and transport of an arbitrary image 51 are higher than those of the temperature detection unit 1510 and lower than those of the temperature detection unit 151, the adjustment unit 16 is controlled as follows. That is, the area (opening rate) of the exhaust section RTo (exhaust port) closed by the adjustment unit 16 is controlled to increase (increase) in order from the adjustment unit 1610 to the adjustment unit 1610 toward the adjustment unit 1610. That is, the adjustment units 161 to 1610 decrease (increase) the opening rate (blockage amount) of the opening of each exhaust section RTo as the detected temperature in the corresponding area increases. Then, the adjustment unit 16 continues to be controlled in this manner in response to temperature changes during the print and transport.

[0059] In this embodiment, temperature detection means 151 to 1510 are provided corresponding to the adjustment units 161 to 1610, respectively, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the adjustment units 16 may be divided into two groups, adjustment units 161 to 165 and adjustment units 166 to 1610, and each group may be controlled by one temperature detection means (i.e., two temperature detection means). In other words, the combination of adjustment units 16 and temperature detection means 15 is not limited to one-to-one.

[0060] (Example 3) A drying device 10 provided in a recording apparatus 1 according to Example 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Here, in Example 3, components common to Examples 1 and 2 are assigned the same reference numerals as in Examples 1 and 2, and differences from Examples 1 and 2 will be mainly described. Items in Example 3 that are not particularly described here are the same as those in Examples 1 and 2.

[0061] Similar to the first embodiment, the drying device 10 includes an adjustment unit 16 and a control unit 20. In the third embodiment, humidity detection means (humidity sensors) 40 for detecting humidity are provided near each flapper divided in the adjustment unit 16 or in the circulation path RT1. As shown in FIG. 10 , humidity detection means 401 to 4010 are provided corresponding to the adjustment units 161 to 1610, respectively. That is, the drying device 10 can detect humidity in each of a plurality of regions of the conveyance path of the recording medium P that are divided in the width direction corresponding to the adjustment units 161 to 1610, using the humidity detection means 401 to 4010.

[0062] In the third embodiment, the control amount for controlling each flapper of the adjustment unit 16 is calculated using these humidity detection means 401-4010. The calculation method is described below. As previously described, the adjustment unit 16 exhausts as much high-moisture air as possible and circulates low-moisture air. The humidity detection means 40 enables adjustment of the exhaust volume based on the air humidity, which varies depending on the moisture content. Furthermore, since the overall circulation rate is determined based on the aforementioned set temperature, the warm air blown onto the recording medium P from the multiple nozzle holes of the blow-out plate 14c in the circulation path RT1 is divided into circulating air and exhausted air across the boundary surface 50 in the internal space SP. In the configuration of the third embodiment, air upstream of the boundary surface 50 is recirculated, and air downstream of the boundary surface 50 is exhausted. Therefore, the region for which the exhaust volume is adjusted by the adjustment unit 16 is the air downstream of the boundary surface 50. When controlling the opening and closing amount of each flapper of the adjustment unit 16, the humidity of the air downstream of the boundary surface 50 is detected by the humidity detection means 40.

[0063] For example, as shown in Figure 10, if the humidity detection results (detected humidity) of the humidity detection unit 40 at this point during the printing and conveyance of an arbitrary image 51 show a rising trend to the right, with the humidity detection unit 4010 showing a low humidity and the humidity detection unit 401 showing a high humidity, the adjustment unit 16 is controlled as follows. That is, the adjustment unit 16 controls the area (opening rate) of the exhaust section RTo (exhaust port) closed by the adjustment unit 16 so that it increases (increases) in order from the adjustment unit 1610 to the adjustment unit 1610. That is, the adjustment units 161 to 1610 increase (decrease) the opening rate (blockage amount) of the opening of each exhaust section RTo as the detected humidity in the corresponding area increases. Then, the adjustment unit 16 continues to be controlled in this manner in response to temperature changes during the printing and conveyance.

[0064] In this embodiment, a humidity detection means 40 is provided corresponding to each of the adjustment units 161 to 1610, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the adjustment units 16 may be divided into two groups, adjustment units 161 to 165 and adjustment units 166 to 1610, and each group may be controlled by one temperature detection means (i.e., two humidity detection means). In other words, the combination of adjustment units 16 and humidity detection means 40 is not limited to a one-to-one relationship.

[0065] (Example 4) A drying device 10 provided in a recording apparatus 1 according to Example 4 will be described using FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of a recording apparatus according to Example 4. Here, in Example 4, components common to Examples 1 to 3 are assigned the same reference numerals as Examples 1 to 3, and differences from Examples 1 to 3 will be mainly described. Matters in Example 4 that are not specifically described here are the same as those in Examples 1 to 3.

[0066] Similar to the first embodiment, the drying device 10 includes an adjustment unit 16 and a control unit 20. In the fourth embodiment, a pair of an air blowing unit 12 and a heating unit 13 is provided on the upstream side in the conveying direction of each flapper divided in the adjustment unit 16. As shown in Fig. 11 , combinations of the air blowing unit 12 / heating unit 13, namely, air blowing unit 121 / heating unit 131 to air blowing unit 124 / heating unit 134, are arranged corresponding to the adjustment units 161 to 164, and are separated by partition walls 411 to 413.

[0067] In the fourth embodiment, the control amount for controlling each flapper of the adjustment unit 16 is calculated from the set temperature of the hot air generated by these heating units 131-134. The calculation method is described below. As described above, the adjustment unit 16 exhausts as much air with a high moisture content as possible and circulates air with a low moisture content. Furthermore, since the overall circulation rate is determined according to the set temperature, the hot air blown onto the recording medium P from the multiple nozzle holes of the blowing plate 14c in the circulation path RT1 is divided into circulating air and exhausted air at the boundary surface 50 in the internal space SP. In the configuration of the fourth embodiment, the air upstream of the boundary surface 50 is recirculated, and the air downstream is exhausted. Therefore, the region for which the exhaust amount is adjusted by the adjustment unit 16 is the air downstream of the boundary surface 50.

[0068] When controlling the opening / closing amount of each flapper of the adjustment unit 16, the adjustment unit 16 determines the opening / closing amount by referencing the set temperature of the hot air generated by each heating unit 13 based on the ink discharge amount (ink discharge amount per unit area) downstream of the boundary surface 50 of the distribution area of ​​the image 51. The recording medium P shown in FIG. 11 is a recording medium (second recording medium) on which an image 51 is recorded, having a distribution area in which the ink discharge amount per unit area varies in the width direction. The adjustment units 161-164 increase (decrease) the aperture ratio (blocking amount) of the opening of each exhaust section RTo as the ink discharge amount per unit area in the corresponding area increases. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the adjustment unit 162 calculates the ink discharge amount included in the ink discharge reference area 52 enclosed by a rectangle from the recorded image data. The adjustment unit 162 then increases (increases) the area (opening ratio) of the exhaust section RTo (exhaust port) closed by the adjustment unit 162 in proportion to the value of the hot air set temperature of the heating unit 13. For example, the amount of ink ejected per unit area (second ejection amount) of the area corresponding to the adjustment unit 163 (second closing member) is smaller than the amount of ink ejected per unit area (first ejection amount) of the area corresponding to the adjustment unit 162 (first closing member). Therefore, the amount of closure by the adjustment unit 163 with respect to the opening of the exhaust part RTo is smaller than the amount of closure by the adjustment unit 162.

[0069] Here, among the combinations of the air blower unit 12 / heating unit 13, the air blower unit 121 / heating unit 131 to the air blower unit 124 / heating unit 13 are provided for each of the adjustment units 161 to 164, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the adjustment units 16 may be divided into two groups, the adjustment units 161 to 162 and the adjustment units 163 to 164, and each group may be controlled by one air blower unit 12 / heating unit 13. In other words, two groups of adjustment units may be controlled by two air blower units 12 / heating units 13, and the combination of the adjustment units 16 and the air blower unit 12 / heating unit 13 is not limited to one-to-one.

[0070] (Example 5) A drying device 10 provided in a recording apparatus 1 according to Example 5 will be described using Figure 12. Figure 12 is a schematic top view of a recording apparatus according to Example 5. Here, in Example 5, components common to Examples 1 to 4 are assigned the same reference numerals as Examples 1 to 4, and differences from Examples 1 to 4 will be mainly described. Matters in Example 5 that are not specifically described here are the same as those in Examples 1 to 4.

[0071] The drying device of Example 5 includes an adjustment unit 16, similar to Example 1. In Example 5, the adjustment unit 16 is divided into 10 sections, and the control amount for controlling each flapper of the adjustment unit 16 is calculated based on the distribution of ink on the media. The calculation method is described below. As described above, the adjustment unit 16 exhausts as much low-temperature, high-humidity air as possible and circulates high-temperature, low-humidity air. The overall circulation rate is determined based on the set temperature. The hot air blown onto the recording medium P from the multiple nozzle holes provided on the blowing plate 14c of the passage forming unit 14 is divided into circulating air and exhaust air across the boundary surface 50 in the internal space SP. As in Example 1, in this example, the air upstream of the boundary surface 50 is recirculated, and the air downstream is exhausted. Therefore, the region where the exhaust volume is adjusted by the adjustment unit 16 is the air downstream of the boundary surface 50. When controlling the opening and closing amount of each flapper of the adjustment unit 16, the amount of ink deposited on the downstream side of the boundary surface 50 within the distribution area of ​​the image 51 is determined by referring to the amount of ink deposited.

[0072] 12, the adjustment unit 165 calculates the ink ejection amount (ejection amount per unit area) included in the rectangular ink ejection reference area 52 from the recorded image data. Then, the adjustment unit 165 increases (increases) the area (opening ratio) of the exhaust part RTo (exhaust port) in proportion to this value.

[0073] Using Figure 13, we will explain the printing process when the distribution area of ​​the image 51 printed on the printing medium P is concentrated in a certain area of ​​the media. Because the moisture content of the air passing through the distribution area of ​​the image 51 is high, it is better to exhaust as much air as possible from this area and circulate the air in areas other than the distribution area of ​​the image 51 without exhausting it, thereby improving drying efficiency. Therefore, adjustment units 166, 167, 168, 169, and 1610, which are located in the same position in the media width direction as the distribution area of ​​the image 51, close to reduce the exhaust volume in this area (lower the aperture ratio). Meanwhile, adjustment units 161, 162, 163, 164, and 165, which are located in the same position in the media width direction as the distribution area of ​​the image 51, open to increase the exhaust volume in this area (increase the aperture ratio). Furthermore, at this time, the total exhaust volume exhausted from the exhaust unit RTo (exhaust port) is set to the circulation rate determined by the set temperature described above.

[0074] 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the control unit 20 relating to control of the drying device 10. Note that S1 to S8 are the same as in FIG.

[0075] In S1, the temperature of the hot air blown from the drying device 10 is set. The hot air temperature can be set by the user through the operation panel 31. In S2, the media width is set. The media width can be set by the user through the operation panel 31, or a detection unit that automatically detects the set media width can be provided and the detection result can be referenced. In S3, the control unit 20 determines whether the hot air temperature set in S1 exceeds temperature T1. If the set temperature exceeds temperature T1, proceed to S5; if not, proceed to S4. In S4, the control unit 20 resets the positions of each movable member of the adjustment units 161 to 1610 to their initial states. In S51, the control unit 20 analyzes the ink deposition distribution from the image of the image data recorded on the media while it is drying in the inner chamber. Specifically, the control amount of each flapper of the adjustment unit 16 is determined based on the media width, set temperature, and ink deposition distribution detected in S2. Here, the aperture ratio of the entire adjustment unit 16 is set to the circulation rate determined by the set temperature. In S52, the control unit 20 displaces the position of each flapper of the divided adjustment unit 16 according to the control amount determined in S51. In S6, the control unit 20 starts blowing hot air from the hot air blowing unit 11. Here, the control unit 20 drives the air blowing unit 12 and supplies power to the heating unit 13 according to the set temperature to generate heat. Based on the difference between the detection result of the temperature sensor 15a and the set temperature, the control unit 20 controls the air volume (motor rotation speed) of the air blowing unit 12 and the heat generation amount (amount of power supplied) of the heating unit 13 to maintain the hot air at the set temperature. In S7, the control unit 20 determines whether the execution of the recording job sent to the recording device 1 has been completed. If not, the control unit 20 continues blowing hot air, which was started in S6. If the execution of the recording job has been completed, the process proceeds to S9. In S8, the control unit 20 executes a process to stop the drying device 10. Here, the heating unit 13 is first turned off, and the air blowing unit 12 is also turned off. The positions of the movable members of the adjustment units 161 to 1610 are also returned to their initial states. In the process of S8, if the execution of the next recording job is scheduled, the power supply to the heating unit 13 may be reduced without completely stopping the blowing of hot air, and the amount of air blown by the air blowing unit 12 may be reduced after a delay, and the recording job may be put on hold.

[0076] As described above, according to this embodiment, the ratio of outside air and warm air supplied to the air blowing unit 12 can be changed by controlling the adjustment unit 16 in accordance with the set temperature, detected temperature, media width, and ink deposition distribution of the recorded image data. This makes it possible to selectively exhaust low-temperature, high-humidity air and circulate high-temperature, low-humidity air while ensuring that the temperature does not exceed the specified temperature of the air blowing unit 12. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the air blowing unit 12, reduce power consumption, and improve drying efficiency.

[0077] Example 6 Example 6 of the present disclosure will be described using Figures 15A to 16B. In this example, the adjustment unit 16 is configured with a louver. Here, in Example 6, components common to Examples 1 to 5 are assigned the same reference numerals as Examples 1 to 5, and differences from Examples 1 to 5 will be mainly described. Matters in Example 6 that are not specifically described here are the same as Examples 1 to 5.

[0078] Fig. 15A is a perspective view of the drying device 10 with the louvers 2001 closed. Fig. 15B is a perspective view of the drying device 10 with the louvers 2001 open. Fig. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross-section line 2020 (a cross-section perpendicular to the X direction) in Fig. 15A as viewed from the arrow A, and Fig. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross-section line 2021 (a cross-section perpendicular to the X direction) in Fig. 15B as viewed from the arrow A.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 15A to 16B, the louvers 2001 are arranged three in the Z direction and two in the X direction, for a total of six louvers. That is, the louvers 2001, serving as multiple blocking members, are arranged not only in the width direction of the conveyance path of the recording medium P, but also in the height direction (Z direction) that intersects (orthogonal in this embodiment) both the width direction and the direction in which the conveyance path extends. The louvers 2001 transmit power from a louver drive motor 2002 to one end of a louver shaft 2004 fixed to the louver 2001 via a connecting gear 2003. The other end of the louver shaft 2004 is driven by a louver bearing 2005, causing the louvers 2001 to rotate. As shown in FIG. 16A, when the louvers 2001 are closed, the louvers 2001 arranged vertically are positioned vertically and block the exhaust section RTo. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16B, when the louvers 2001 are open, the louvers 2001 aligned vertically are in a horizontal position.

[0080] As in the first embodiment, the opening amount (blocking amount) of the exhaust section RTo2 (louvers 2001) can be changed by adjusting the opening width of the louvers 2001 using the adjustment unit 16. The opening width of the louvers 2001 may be, for example, the sum of the opening widths of the louvers 2001 arranged in the Z direction. The opening width of each louver 2001 may be determined, for example, by using an opening reference line (opening reference plane) that is a virtual line (virtual plane) that passes through the height of the lower ends (tips) of the louvers 2001 when fully closed and is parallel to the direction along the guide surface of the guide unit 9. In other words, the distance (shortest distance) between this reference line and the lower end of each louver 2001 may be the opening width of each louver 2001.

[0081] Furthermore, the horizontally arranged louvers 2001 are controlled to change their respective opening amounts, as in the first embodiment, but the vertically arranged louvers 2001 are configured to change their opening amounts uniformly in conjunction with each other. However, the opening amounts of the vertically arranged louvers 2001 may also be individually adjustable. This allows for more precise control of the exhaust volume.

[0082] As explained in the above embodiments, the opening ratio of the exhaust section RTo (exhaust port) is determined by various means, and in this embodiment as well, the opening of each louver 2001 is driven according to the determined required opening amount. In this embodiment, the adjustment unit 16 is configured with six louvers, but the number of louvers may be four, with two in the Y direction and two in the Z direction, or more.

[0083] Example 7 Example 7 of the present disclosure will be described using Figures 17A to 18C. In this example, the adjustment unit 16 is configured with a shutter. Here, in Example 7, components common to Examples 1 to 6 are assigned the same reference numerals as Examples 1 to 6, and differences from Examples 1 to 6 will be mainly described. Matters in Example 7 that are not specifically described here are the same as Examples 1 to 6.

[0084] Fig. 17A is a perspective view of the drying device 10 with the shutter 2010 closed. Fig. 17B is a perspective view of the drying device 10 with the shutter 2010 halfway open. Fig. 17C is a perspective view of the drying device 10 with the shutter 2010 fully open. Fig. 18A is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line 2021 (a cross-section perpendicular to the X direction) of Fig. 17A, as viewed from the arrow A. Fig. 18B is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line 2021 (a cross-section perpendicular to the X direction) of Fig. 17B, as viewed from the arrow A. Fig. 18C is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line 2021 (a cross-section perpendicular to the X direction) of Fig. 17C, as viewed from the arrow A.

[0085] The shutter 2010 is configured so that one end can be wound up at a position separated from the transport path of the recording medium P. The other end of the shutter 2010 can move forward and backward between a position close to the transport path and a position separated from the transport path in a height direction that intersects both the transport path and the width direction of the recording medium P, by adjusting the amount of winding at the one end. Changing the position of the other end of the shutter 2010 changes the degree to which the shutter 2010 blocks the opening of the exhaust part RTo, and the amount by which the shutter 2010 blocks the opening of the exhaust part RTo is adjusted.

[0086] 17A to 17C, the shutter 2010 has shutter guides 2015 on the left and right sides thereof, and the operation of the shutter 2010 is regulated by the shutter guides 2015. The opening amount of the exhaust section RTo2 can be changed by adjusting the opening width of the exhaust section RTo2 using the adjustment unit 16. As in the first embodiment, the opening width of the exhaust section RTo2 (shutter 2010) can be set to the distance (shortest distance) between the extension line 9x, which is a virtual line (virtual plane) along the guide surface of the guide unit 9, and the bottom end of the shutter 2010 (shutter plate 2011).

[0087] 18A to 18C, the shutter 2010 is configured such that a plurality of shutter plates 2011 are connected by hinges 2012. The shutter 2010 can be wound up by a shutter drive motor 2013. As shown in FIG. 18A, when the shutter 2010 is closed, the shutter plate 2011 blocks the exhaust portion RTo. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18C, when the shutter 2010 is open, the shutter plate 2011 is wound up by the shutter drive motor 2013, and the exhaust portion RTo is opened.

[0088] As explained in the above embodiments, the aperture ratio of the exhaust section RTo is determined by various means, and in this embodiment as well, the aperture of each shutter 2010 is driven according to the determined necessary aperture amount. In this embodiment, the shutter is configured to be divided into two parts in the X direction, but it may be configured to be divided into more parts.

[0089] (Example 8) The drying device 10 provided in the recording apparatus 1 according to Example 8 will be described using Figures 19 and 20. Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of the drying device 10 according to Example 8. Figure 20 is a diagram showing the air flow inside the drying device 10 according to Example 8. Here, in Example 8, the same reference numerals as in Examples 1 to 7 are used for components common to Examples 1 to 7, and differences from Examples 1 to 7 will be mainly described. Matters in Example 8 that are not particularly described here are the same as those in Examples 1 to 7.

[0090] The drying device includes an adjustment unit 16, as in the first embodiment. In the eighth embodiment, multiple partition plates 2030 are provided on the conveying path RT0, which faces the circulation path RT1. Each partition plate 2030 can be controlled by a control unit 2031. When the recording medium P used is smaller than the maximum usable width of the device, the recording medium P is positioned toward the right edge of the device width in the drying device 10 of the eighth embodiment. Because the amount of moisture contained in the air passing over the recording medium P on which an image has been printed increases, it is more efficient to exhaust as much air as possible from that area and circulate the air in the area where the recording medium P is not present without exhausting as much air as possible. Of the adjustment units 161 and 162, the adjustment unit 161 is an adjustment unit (first closing member) positioned at a position corresponding to the area (first area) through which the recording medium P passes among the areas of the recording medium P conveying path divided in the width direction. The adjustment unit 162 is an adjustment unit (second closing member) positioned at a position corresponding to the area (second area) through which the recording medium P does not pass among the areas of the recording medium P conveying path divided in the width direction. Therefore, the adjustment unit 162 in the area where the recording medium P does not pass is closed to reduce the exhaust volume in that area, and the adjustment unit 161 in the area where the recording medium P passes is opened to increase the exhaust volume in that area. In other words, the amount of closure of the opening of the exhaust unit RTo by the adjustment unit 162 is set greater than the amount of closure by the adjustment unit 161. Furthermore, the partition plate 2030 serving as a partition member is set upright as shown in FIG. 19B . The partition plate 2030 can take either an upright position, which separates the first and second areas inside the opening of the exhaust unit RTo in a direction along the transport path of the recording medium P, or a reclined position along the transport path as a non-partitioning position. When the closure volume of the adjustment unit 162 is set greater than the closure volume of the adjustment unit 161, the partition plate 2030 is set upright. Furthermore, the total amount of exhaust air exhausted from the exhaust unit RTo is set to the circulation rate determined by the set temperature.

[0091] 20A shows the air flow when the partition plate 2030 is not raised. It is desirable to reuse as much as possible the dry air in the area where the recording medium P is not passing. However, when the partition plate 2030 is not raised, some of the air is exhausted to the outside from the adjustment unit 161 side.

[0092] 20B shows the air flow when the partition plate 2030 is raised. The circulation path RT1 is divided by the partition plate 2030, and the air flowing through the area 2033 and the area 2023 does not mix on the transport path RT0.

[0093] When the opening amounts of both the adjustment units 161 and 162 are increased, the partition plate 2030 may not be erected, that is, may be laid down parallel to the conveyance path of the recording medium P.

[0094] (Example 9) The drying device 10 provided in the recording apparatus 1 according to Example 9 will be described using Figures 21 to 23. Figure 21 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the control unit 20 related to control of the drying device 10. Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of the drying device 10 according to Example 9. Figure 23 is a table specifying the relationship between the type of recording medium and the aperture ratio of the adjustment unit. Here, in Example 9, the same reference numerals as in Examples 1 to 8 are used for components common to Examples 1 to 8, and differences from Examples 1 to 8 will be mainly described. Matters in Example 9 that are not specifically described here are the same as those in Examples 1 to 8.

[0095] 22, the drying device 10 includes an adjustment unit 16, similar to that of Example 1. In Example 9, the number of divisions of the adjustment unit 16 is set to two, and the control amount for controlling each of the movable members (flappers) 161, 162 of the adjustment unit 16 is determined from the type and paper width of the recording medium P by the operation panel 31 or an external terminal 32 such as a personal computer. The method of determination will be described below.

[0096] As described above, the adjustment unit 16 exhausts as much air with a high moisture content as possible and circulates air with a low moisture content. As explained in the fourth embodiment, the air upstream of the boundary surface 50 in the internal space SP is recirculated, and the air downstream is exhausted. Therefore, the region in which the amount of exhaust air is adjusted by the adjustment unit 16 is the air downstream of the boundary surface 50 in the internal space SP.

[0097] The adjustment flow of the adjustment unit 16 will be described below using the flowchart in FIG. 21 . The type of recording medium P is determined via the panel 31 or external terminal 32, and the drying device receives the media type information and begins generating hot air to reach the set temperature (S91). Next, the aperture ratios of the left and right movable members 161 and 162 are determined (S92) based on a table uniquely determined from the recording medium type and paper width, as shown in the example of FIG. 23 . The type and width of the recording medium P are not limited to those determined via the panel 31 or external terminal 32. That is, the configuration of the acquisition means for acquiring information about the conveyed recording medium P (such as the type and width of the recording medium P) is not limited to a specific configuration. For example, the aperture ratios of the left and right movable members 161 and 162 may be determined based on media type and media width information automatically detected by a media sensor mounted on the carriage 3, for example, above the printing surface of the recording medium P (S92). In other words, the effectiveness of any configuration is not limited as long as a mechanism capable of identifying the type of recording medium P is provided.

[0098] In this embodiment, the widths W1 and W2 of the movable members 161 and 162 are divided into 36 inch widths. When the width of the recording medium P exceeds 36 inches, both the movable members 161 and 162 are rotated. When the width of the recording medium P is 36 inches or less, only the movable member 161 located on the reference side of the recording medium P is operated, and the movable member 162 is fully closed. The above control improves drying efficiency. Furthermore, the opening ratio is set to an opening ratio that is approximately proportional to the maximum ink ejection amount.

[0099] Here, the maximum ink ejection amount is uniquely determined for each type of media depending on the ink components to be ejected, the permeability of the recording medium P to the ink components, the fixing speed, etc. Generally, inkjet-specific media with an ink-receiving layer can be set to a large maximum ejection amount, resulting in better color development, etc. On the other hand, media without an ink-receiving layer, such as plain paper, is inexpensive but has a limited ink ejection amount.

[0100] The number of divisions of the movable member of the adjustment unit 16 is not limited to two as in this embodiment, and further efficiency can be expected if the opening state and opening rate depending on the number of divisions are set in more detail using a table. The types of recording media P are not limited to nine types as shown in Figure 23, and a configuration may be adopted in which a new table can be created.

[0101] In S93, the control unit 20 determines whether the temperature of the hot air set in S91 exceeds temperature T1. If the set temperature exceeds temperature T1, the process proceeds to S95; if not, the process proceeds to S94. In S94, the control unit 20 resets the positions of the movable members 161a and 162a to their initial states. In S95, the control unit 20 displaces the positions of the flappers of the divided adjustment unit 16 according to the control amount determined in S92. In S96, the control unit 20 starts blowing hot air using the hot air blowing unit 11. In S97 and S98, the operation is stopped or the system enters a standby state in the same manner as in the fifth embodiment.

[0102] As described above, by controlling the adjustment unit 16 according to the maximum ink ejection amount of the recording data, which is determined from the media width and media type, it is possible to change the ratio of outside air and warm air supplied to the air blowing unit 12 using a simple flow. This allows for selective exhaust of low-temperature, high-humidity air and circulating high-temperature, low-humidity air while ensuring that the temperature does not exceed the specified temperature of the air blowing unit 12. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the air blowing unit 12, reduce power consumption, and improve drying efficiency.

[0103] (Example 10) In the invention described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is not possible to adjust the circulation efficiency of the hot air blown onto the recording medium, and there are cases where the internal temperature cannot be adjusted appropriately.

[0104] Therefore, in this embodiment, a drying device, a recording device, and a method for controlling the drying device that can reduce power consumption while appropriately adjusting the hot air will be described below. Note that descriptions that overlap with those in embodiments 1 to 9 will be omitted.

[0105] 25A is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The recording apparatus 1000 of this embodiment is an inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting liquid ink from a recording head 400 onto a recording medium P. However, the present disclosure is also applicable to other types of recording apparatuses. In the figure, arrows X and Y indicate horizontal directions that intersect with each other, and arrow Z indicates the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the X direction and the Y direction are orthogonal to each other.

[0106] The recording device 1000 includes a transport unit that corresponds to a transport means for transporting the recording medium P. While a pinch roller is shown in Fig. 25A, other configurations are also possible. The method of transporting the recording medium is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 25A in which the recording medium is wound around different rollers (not shown) before and after recording, but may also be a configuration in which cut paper is transported and recorded, for example.

[0107] The printing apparatus 1000 ejects ink from the print head 400 onto the printing medium P while scanning the carriage 500 in the X direction (left-right direction). At this time, the printing medium P is intermittently transported in the -Y direction by the transport unit 300; in other words, the printing medium P is transported on the transport path, thereby printing an image on the surface of the printing medium P. The platen 600 faces the print head 400 in the scanning area of ​​the carriage 500, and applies suction from the back surface of the printing medium P (the back side of the printing surface), thereby preventing the printing medium P from floating.

[0108] Next, the drying configuration for drying and fixing the ink will be described. The platen air blowing unit 1001 is provided upstream in the transport direction of the recording medium P and is capable of blowing air toward the surface (recording surface) of the recording medium P on the platen 600. This promotes evaporation of the moisture contained in the ink ejected onto the surface of the recording medium P on the platen 600, and promotes fixation of the ink.

[0109] The fixing unit 200 is provided downstream of the scanning area of ​​the carriage 500 in the transport direction of the recording medium P, and dries and fixes the ink applied to the recording medium P. The fixing unit 200 is substantially box-shaped, with its bottom surface facing the transport surface of the recording medium P. Warm air is blown from the bottom surface toward the recording medium P, raising the temperature of the ink and the recording medium P. As a result, the liquid components (such as water) contained in the ink evaporate, and the resin components (such as resin particles) form a film.

[0110] FIG. 25B is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control system in the control unit 209 (described later). The CPU 301 controls at least one selected from the group consisting of the fixing fan 203, fixing heater 205, and flapper 208 (227) (described later) in accordance with a control program recorded in the ROM 305. The user inputs ink drying and fixing conditions, such as the hot air temperature, from the operation panel 302. These conditions are input to the CPU 301 via the input interface 303. The CPU 301 also writes and reads the hot air temperature set by the user and measured temperatures to and from the RAM 304. The fixing fan 203, fixing heater 205, and flapper 208 (227) are controlled by the CPU 301 based on the set temperature written in the fixing heater 205 and the detection results of the first temperature sensor 210, second temperature sensor 211, and humidity sensor 226 (described later). The first temperature sensor 210 and the second temperature sensor 211 can be referred to as temperature detection means, and the humidity sensor 226 can be referred to as humidity detection means. Image information to be printed is input to the CPU 301 from an external terminal 306 such as a personal computer via an input interface 303. The second temperature sensor 211 and the humidity sensor 226 do not necessarily have to be provided.

[0111] <Fixing Unit 200> The fixing unit 200 provided in the recording apparatus 1000 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0112] The fixing unit 200 includes an intake section 201 and a chamber 202. The intake section 201 has a fixing fan 203, which corresponds to a blowing unit, that generates an air flow inside, and an intake port 204, which faces the recording medium P, that takes in outside air O and circulated warm air Wc. The chamber 202, which corresponds to a guiding unit, has a fixing heater 205, which corresponds to a heating unit that heats the air flowing therein and generates warm air W. In other words, heated air (warm air) can be blown out by using the fixing fan 203, which corresponds to a blowing unit, and the fixing heater 205, which corresponds to a heating unit. Here, the fixing fan 203 and the fixing heater 205 can be collectively considered as a heated air blowing unit. The intake section 201 is provided upstream of the chamber 202 in the transport direction, i.e., on the carriage 500 side.

[0113] Air taken into the intake section 201 through the intake port 204 is sent into the chamber 202 by the fixing fan 203 and heated by the fixing heater 205 to become hot air W. The hot air W is then blown uniformly onto the recording medium P from a plurality of jet holes 206 provided in the chamber 202, thereby drying and fixing the ink on the recording medium P. A portion of the hot air W blown onto the recording medium P is discharged to the outside from an outlet 207, which corresponds to the exhaust means on the opposite side of the intake section 201 of the fixing unit 200 (this hot air will be referred to as Wout hereinafter). In addition, a portion of the hot air W is circulated by suction by the fixing fan and is taken back into the intake section 201 through the intake port 204 (this hot air will be referred to as Wc hereinafter). The hot air Wc circulated in the intake section 201 then mixes with outside air O, and air at a temperature higher than the outside air O is sent to the fixing heater 205 inside the chamber 202.

[0114] Here, the flow rate of the warm air Wout discharged to the outside from the exhaust port 207 is almost the same as the flow rate of the outside air O flowing in from the intake port 204. Therefore, controlling the flow rate of the warm air Wout discharged to the outside from the exhaust port 207 leads to controlling the amount of warm air Wc circulating inside the fixing unit 200. In addition, the control means 209 controls the rotation of the fixing fan 203 and controls the current and voltage of the fixing heater 205 in accordance with the output (detection result) of the first temperature sensor 210 provided in the chamber 202, thereby controlling the warm air temperature.

[0115] <Duct 220> Next, the duct 220 that guides a portion of the hot air W discharged from the outlet 207 to the fixing fan 203 will be described.

[0116] Duct 220 is a member connecting exhaust port 207 and fixing fan 203 and is provided at the top of chamber 202. Duct 220 has a flow path for sucking in hot air discharged from exhaust port 207 and guiding it to fixing fan 203. Duct 220 has opening 220b near exhaust port 207 and opening 221 near fixing fan 203 in chamber 202. Opening 220b is an inlet through which air heated by the heating and blowing unit enters the air flow path formed by duct 220. This configuration allows exhaust port 207 and fixing fan 203 to communicate with each other, and the suction action of fixing fan 203 allows hot air near exhaust port 207 to be guided (induced) to fixing fan 203 via duct 220. In other words, hot air flowing out from exhaust port 207 can be returned to fixing fan 203 and reused, improving the circulation efficiency of hot air and, as a result, reducing power consumption.

[0117] The details of the above configuration will be described using Figures 27A and 27B. In this specification, "width" refers to a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Figure 27A is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of duct 220. The width of exhaust port 207 is wider than the width of fixing fan 203. Therefore, in order to guide the warm air emitted from exhaust port 207 to fixing fan 203, the width of opening 220b of duct 220 is wider than the width of fixing fan 203. Furthermore, in order to draw the warm air emitted from exhaust port 207 into fixing fan 203 approximately uniformly in the width direction, it is necessary to guide the warm air so that it can be easily drawn even from positions far from fixing fan 203.

[0118] FIG. 27B is a cross-sectional view of the duct 220 at a different position from that shown in FIG. 27A . The opening 222 is provided at the opening 220b of the duct 220 and can guide hot air. The opening 222 includes an opening a223 spanning the entire width of the opening 220b and an opening b224 at the end. If only an opening corresponding to opening a223 were provided as the opening 222, as in FIG. 27A , the fixing fan 203 would not be able to adequately suction the hot air at the end. As a result, not only would the circulation efficiency of the hot air be reduced, but the hot air would be uneven across the width, resulting in temperature variations and possibly causing poor image fixation. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the duct 220 further includes an opening b224 at the end. The area of ​​this opening b224 increases depending on the distance from the fixing fan 203. As a result, uniform suction across the width is possible.

[0119] Figure 28 shows another configuration of duct 220. Unlike Figure 27(b) which includes opening a 223 and opening b 224, Figure 28 includes opening c 225. This opening c 225 has a width equal to the entire width of opening 220b, similar to opening a, and is shaped so that its cross-sectional area increases depending on the distance from fixing fan 203. Even with this configuration, it is possible to perform suction uniformly in the width direction.

[0120] Next, the flow of hot air in the fixing unit 200 will be described. In FIG. 26 , a portion of the hot air blown from the chamber 202 flows upstream in the transport direction. Then, a portion of the hot air is taken into the intake section 201 through the intake port 204, sucked into the fixing fan 203, and returned to the chamber 202 (upstream circulation). Similarly, a portion of the hot air flowing downstream is sucked into the fixing fan 203 through the exhaust port 207 and the duct 220 and returned to the chamber 202 (downstream circulation). As described above, the warm air is circulated through a circulation passage formed by components such as the chamber 202 of the fixing unit 200. In other words, the chamber 202 and duct 220 of the fixing unit 200, and the fixing unit 200 itself, can be considered as passage forming means for forming the circulation passage. Furthermore, by providing a duct 220 that guides the hot air exhausted from the exhaust port 207 to the fixing fan 203, both upstream circulation and downstream circulation can be achieved. As a result, the circulation efficiency of the hot air is improved, and power consumption can be reduced.

[0121] (Circulation Adjustment) As described above, the provision of the duct 220 enables upstream and downstream circulation, improving the circulation efficiency of the hot air and reducing power consumption. Here, increasing the circulation efficiency of the hot air increases the temperature of the hot air flowing into the fixing fan 203, which may exceed the heat-resistant temperature of the fixing fan 203. Therefore, next, a configuration and control that takes into account the heat-resistant temperature of the fixing fan 203 will be described. While the present embodiment is configured to take into account the heat-resistant temperature of the fixing fan 203, the temperature of interest does not necessarily have to be derived from the fixing fan. For example, control can be performed by focusing on the component with the lowest heat-resistant temperature among the components present in the internal configuration of the fixing unit 200.

[0122] FIG. 29A is a schematic diagram of the fixing unit 200 when the set temperature of the hot air is high, and FIG. 29B is a schematic diagram of the fixing unit 200 when the set temperature of the hot air is low.

[0123] The downstream circulation adjustment means is a plate-shaped flapper 208 that can adjust the degree of opening of the duct 220. By moving the flapper 208 with a drive means (motor and gears, not shown), the degree of opening of the duct 220 can be changed, thereby controlling the amount of air heated by the heated air blowing means that enters the duct 220. The flapper 208 can be moved either by rotation or linear motion. Due to limitations on the placement of the drive means, the flapper 208 may not be able to completely close the opening of the duct 220. Therefore, providing an auxiliary member on the flapper 208 or the drive means can assist in completely closing the opening of the duct 220. The auxiliary member can be, for example, an elastic member. Furthermore, by providing a lever that is biased by a spring when the flapper is close to the closed state, the gap between the flapper and the duct can be tightly closed and eliminated.

[0124] FIG. 29A is a schematic diagram of the fixing unit 200 with the opening 220b almost closed, and FIG. 29B is a schematic diagram of the fixing unit 200 with the opening 220b open. As shown in FIG. 29B , the wider the opening 220b of the duct 220, the greater the amount of hot air drawn in by the fixing fan 203 through the duct 220. This reduces the amount of hot air Wout released to the outside, increases the amount circulating downstream, and improves the circulation efficiency of the hot air in the fixing unit 200. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 29A , the narrower the opening 220b of the duct 220 by moving the flapper 208 closer to the duct 220, the less the amount of hot air drawn in by the fixing fan 203 through the duct 220. This reduces the amount of hot air Wout released to the outside, decreases the amount circulating downstream, and lowers the circulation efficiency of the hot air in the fixing unit 200. As described above, by increasing the circulation efficiency of the warm air, the temperature of the air sent to the fixing heater 205 increases, and the amount of heat required by the fixing heater 205 decreases compared to when heating the outside air O. As a result, the power consumption of the fixing heater 205 can be suppressed, and power consumption can be reduced.

[0125] The fixing unit 200 includes an input unit 219 and a control unit 209. In this embodiment, a second temperature sensor 211 is provided near the fixing fan 203 to detect the temperature of the hot air flowing into the fixing fan 203. Note that the temperature sensor provided to detect the temperature of the hot air flowing into the fixing fan 203 may be provided at a location other than near the fixing fan 203. In that case, the temperature of the hot air flowing into the fixing fan may be estimated from a temperature distribution acquired in advance.

[0126] The input unit 219 is used to set the temperature of the hot air, and the user can set the temperature directly or indirectly. The control unit 209 controls the power of the fixing heater 205 and the adjustment unit (opening and closing operation of the flapper 208) according to the rotation speed of the fixing fan 203, the temperature setting information of the input unit 219, and the measurement value of a first temperature sensor 210 provided inside the chamber 202. Specifically, the control unit 209 determines the temperature of the air flowing into the fixing fan 203 from the measurement value of the second temperature sensor 211, and determines the voltage to be applied to the fixing heater 205 according to the measurement value of the first temperature sensor 210.

[0127] Control when the set temperature of the hot air is high in the fixing unit 200 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 29A . The fixing fan 203 has a specified temperature (heat resistance temperature) determined by the bearings, grease, electrical circuit boards, and other components used. Therefore, the temperature of the hot air flowing into the fixing fan 203 must be lower than the specified temperature of the fixing fan 203. If the set temperature input to the input unit 219 is high, the circulation efficiency of the hot air increases, which may cause the temperature of the hot air flowing into the fixing fan 203 to exceed the specified temperature of the fixing fan 203. Therefore, if the set temperature is such that the temperature of the hot air flowing into the fixing fan 203 exceeds the specified temperature of the fan, the control unit 209 reduces the circulation efficiency of the hot air, i.e., moves the flapper 208 so as to widen the opening of the exhaust port 207. Furthermore, the second temperature sensor 211 continues to measure the temperature, and if the temperature of the hot air flowing into the fixing fan 203 tends to be higher than the specified temperature of the fixing fan 203, the control unit 209 controls to reduce the voltage applied to the fixing heater 205. As described above, even if the set temperature is high, it is possible to prevent hot air at a temperature higher than the specified temperature of the fixing fan 203 from flowing into the fixing fan 203. Note that the control to reduce the circulation efficiency of the hot air and the control to reduce the applied voltage do not need to be performed based on the specified temperature of the fixing fan 203. For example, the control can be performed based on a temperature set by providing a margin above the specified temperature of the fixing fan 203.

[0128] Next, control of the fixing unit 200 of this embodiment when the set temperature of the hot air is low will be described with reference to FIG. 29B . When the set temperature of the hot air is low, the temperature of the circulating hot air Wc decreases. In this case, the control unit 209 moves the flapper 208 to narrow the opening of the exhaust port 207. This control reduces the amount of hot air Wout flowing out to the outside and the amount of outside air O taken in through the intake port 204. As a result, the circulation efficiency of the hot air can be further improved and power consumption can be reduced. Note that even when the set temperature of the hot air is low, if the circulation efficiency of the hot air is increased too much, the temperature of the hot air may approach the fan's specified temperature. In this case, as in the above example, by continuously measuring the second temperature sensor 211, the control unit 209 can perform appropriate control and prevent the temperature of the hot air from reaching the fan's specified temperature. As described above, whether the set temperature of the hot air is high or low, not only can power consumption be reduced but also the temperature of the hot air can be controlled so as not to exceed the heat-resistant temperature.

[0129] Control of the opening degree of the opening 220b of the duct 220 by the flapper 208 will be described using FIG. 30 . FIG. 30 shows the relationship between the set temperature and the opening area, with the set temperature on the horizontal axis and the opening area of ​​the opening 220b of the duct 220 on the vertical axis. FIG. 30A shows the relationship between the set temperature and the opening area when the opening area of ​​the opening 220b of the duct 220 is controlled to gradually decrease with increasing set temperature. Specifically, when the set temperature is equal to or lower than a first set temperature, the opening area of ​​the opening 220b of the duct 220 is set to an initial state. When the set temperature is higher than the first set temperature, the opening area of ​​the opening 220b of the duct 220 is gradually decreased as the temperature increases. Then, the opening area of ​​the opening 220b of the duct 220 is controlled to be minimized at a second set temperature. Here, the first set temperature and the second set temperature can be set as appropriate. In particular, the second set temperature can be set to the highest temperature possible.

[0130] 30B shows the relationship between the set temperature and the opening area of ​​the opening 220b of the duct 220 when the opening area is controlled to change stepwise with respect to the set temperature. Specifically, when the set temperature is a temperature equal to or lower than a first set temperature, the control unit 209 sets the opening area of ​​the opening 220b of the duct 220 to an initial state. When the set temperature is a temperature higher than the first set temperature, the control unit 209 gradually reduces the opening area of ​​the opening 220b of the duct 220 as the set temperature increases, and controls the opening area of ​​the exhaust port 207 to be maximum at a second set temperature.

[0131] In this way, the control means 209 opens and closes the flapper 208 depending on the set temperature of the hot air, thereby controlling the opening area of ​​the opening 220b of the duct 220, thereby making it possible to appropriately change the circulation efficiency of the hot air. Here, the flapper 208, which adjusts the opening area of ​​the opening 220b of the duct 220, may be driven manually or electrically. Note that the initial state in FIG. 30 is a state in which the flapper 208 does not cover the opening 220b of the duct 220, as shown in FIG. 29B. In this case, the opening area is close to 100%, or the maximum. On the other hand, when the flapper 208 covers the opening 220b of the duct 220, as shown in FIG. 29A, the opening area is close to 0%, or the minimum.

[0132] Furthermore, by providing a locking means to the flapper 208, it is possible to prevent the flapper 208 from moving even when an external force is inadvertently applied from the user or outside. Any known locking means can be used as appropriate, and for example, a configuration including a torque limiter can be used. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a sensor that detects the opening state of the flapper 208. Even if the control means 209 executes control to move the flapper 208, if the sensor fails to detect the movement of the flapper, it can execute control of the fixing heater instead. Alternatively, the fixing heater 205 can be stopped and an error can be notified to the user.

[0133] The outlet cover 213 is provided on the inside or outside of the flapper 208. Figures 29A and 29B are schematic diagrams of the fixing unit 200 when the outlet cover 213 is provided on the outside of the flapper 208. By providing an opening or the like in the outlet cover 213, the configuration is such that the hot air is not prevented from flowing out to the outside.

[0134] In the above embodiments, the control unit 209 performs various controls in accordance with the set temperature of the hot air and the temperature of the hot air in the intake section 201. However, a humidity sensor 226 may be provided inside the fixing unit 200, and the control unit 209 may perform various controls in accordance with the measured value. In this case, when the humidity is low, the control unit 209 controls to increase the circulation efficiency, and when the humidity is high, the control unit 209 controls to decrease the circulation efficiency. By performing such control, it is possible to reduce power consumption when the humidity is low, and when the humidity is high, it is possible to improve drying efficiency by performing control such as taking in more outside air to lower the humidity of the circulating hot air.

[0135] Furthermore, the control unit 209 may perform various controls depending on the amount of ink applied from the print head 400 to the printing medium P. In this case, if the amount of ink applied is small, the control unit 209 controls to increase the circulation efficiency, and if the amount of ink applied is large, the control unit 209 controls to decrease the circulation efficiency. By performing such control, it is possible to reduce power consumption when the humidity is low, and when the humidity is high, it is possible to improve drying efficiency by performing control such as taking in more outside air to lower the humidity of the circulating warm air.

[0136] Example 11 A configuration for reducing power consumption in this embodiment will be described using Figure 31. Figure 31 is a schematic diagram of the fixing unit 200 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, in addition to the flapper 208 in the previous embodiments, a flapper 227 is further provided at the opening 221 of the duct 220 near the fixing fan 203. When the set temperature is high, the control means 209 controls the two flappers to close, thereby reducing the flow of air inside the duct 220. As a result, the inside of the duct 220 is insulated, which leads to reducing heat radiation from the chamber 202. As a result, power consumption is reduced.

[0137] Next, the control method of the control means 209 in each embodiment will be described using Figures 32A to 32C. Figure 32A shows the control flow in Example 10, Figure 32B shows the control flow when the humidity sensor 226 is added to Example 10, and Figure 32C shows the control flow in Example 11. In each control flow, the same steps are denoted by the same symbols and their explanations will be omitted.

[0138] The control flow of FIG. 32A will be explained step by step. First, the user inputs a set temperature into the input unit (S101). The CPU 301 checks whether the input set temperature exceeds the first temperature (S102). If the CPU 301 determines that the set temperature exceeds the first temperature, the CPU 301 controls the control unit 209 in accordance with the relationship between the set temperature and the control unit as shown in FIG. 30 (S103). That is, the CPU 301 moves the flapper 208 to set an appropriate opening area for the opening 220b of the duct 220. On the other hand, if the CPU 301 determines that the temperature is equal to or lower than the first temperature, the CPU 301 controls the control unit 209 to return the flapper 208 to its initial state (S104). Here, the initial state refers to the state of the flapper, which can be determined as appropriate. In the flows of FIGS. 32A to 32C, it refers to the state in which the flapper 208 covers the opening 220, as shown in FIG. 29A.

[0139] After S103 or S104, CPU 301 drives and rotates fixing fan 203 via control unit 209 and applies voltage to fixing heater 205 to generate hot air at a predetermined temperature and speed (S105). CPU 301 acquires the measurement value of second temperature sensor 211, i.e., the hot air temperature near fixing fan 203 (S107), and determines whether the temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (S108). In this embodiment, the predetermined temperature is a value that includes a margin above the specification temperature of fixing fan 203, but the margin does not need to be included and can be changed as appropriate.

[0140] If the CPU 301 determines in S108 that the acquired measurement value of the second temperature sensor 211 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the CPU 301 controls the control unit 209 to move the flapper 208 closer to the opening 220 and close it (S109). After S109, or if the CPU 301 determines in S108 that the measurement value of the second temperature sensor 211 is lower than the predetermined temperature, the CPU 301 determines whether the recording job sent to the recording device 1 has been completed (S106). If the CPU 301 determines that the upper half of the printing job has been completed, the recording control ends. On the other hand, if the CPU 301 determines that the printing job has not been completed, the CPU 301 returns to the control of S105 and repeats this process until the recording control ends.

[0141] Next, the control flow of FIG. 32B will be explained step by step. The control up to S105 is the same as that of FIG. 32A. After S105, CPU 301 acquires humidity information in addition to the measurement value of the second temperature sensor (S207). This humidity information is information acquired by humidity sensor 226. CPU 301 then determines whether the temperature or humidity is above a predetermined value (S208). If CPU 301 determines in S208 that the temperature or humidity is above the predetermined value, CPU 301 controls flapper 208 via control means 209 to move flapper 208 closer to opening 220 and close it (S209). As a result of this control, downstream circulation is no longer generated, and the temperature of the hot air flowing into fixing fan 203 decreases, the circulation efficiency of the hot air decreases, and the amount of outside air O taken in increases. As a result, not only the temperature but also the humidity of the hot air can be reduced.

[0142] Finally, the control flow of Fig. 32C will be explained step by step. The control up to S108 is the same as that of Fig. 32A. If the CPU 301 determines in S108 that the measurement value of the second temperature sensor 211 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the CPU 301 controls the flappers 208 and 227 via the control means 209 to move them closer to the opening 220 and close them (S309).

[0143] As described above, by performing the above control in each embodiment, it is possible to reduce power consumption while appropriately adjusting the temperature and humidity of the circulating hot air.

[0144] The above-described embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0145] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following claims are appended to clarify the scope of the present disclosure. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-152118 filed on September 4, 2024, Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-176165 filed on October 7, 2024, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-136559 filed on August 19, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0146] 1: recording device, 2: ejection head, 9: guide unit, 10: drying device, 11: warm air blowing unit, 12: air blowing unit, 13: heating unit, 14: path forming unit, 15: temperature sensor, 16: adjustment unit, 20: control unit, P: recording medium, RT0: transport path, RT1: circulation path, RTi: introduction section, RTo: exhaust section

Claims

1. A drying device comprising: a transport means for transporting a recording medium onto which liquid has been ejected; a hot air generating unit; a flow path partitioning unit that partitions a circulation space in a space opposite to the recording medium transport path through which the hot air generated by the hot air generating unit circulates; an introduction unit that introduces outside air into the circulation space; and a discharge unit that discharges a portion of the hot air circulating in the circulation space to the outside of the circulation space; 2. The drying device according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting means has a plurality of blocking members and is capable of individually adjusting the blocking amount of each of the openings.

3. The drying device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of blocking members are arranged in a line in a width direction of the recording medium that intersects with the transport path.

4. The drying device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of blocking members are arranged so as to be aligned in a height direction that intersects both the conveying path and the width direction.

5. The drying device according to claim 2, further comprising a temperature sensor disposed in the circulation space, wherein the adjusting means adjusts the blocking amount based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

6. The drying device described in claim 5, wherein the temperature sensor is capable of detecting the temperature in each of a plurality of areas of the transport path divided in the width direction of the recording medium that intersects with the transport path in correspondence with the plurality of blocking members, and the adjustment means increases the blocking amount of the blocking member the higher the detected temperature of the corresponding area.

7. The drying device according to claim 2, further comprising a humidity sensor disposed in the circulation space, wherein the adjusting means adjusts the blocking amount based on the humidity detected by the humidity sensor.

8. The drying device described in claim 7, wherein the humidity sensor is capable of detecting humidity in each of a plurality of areas of the transport path divided in the width direction of the recording medium that intersects with the transport path in correspondence with the plurality of blocking members, and the adjustment means reduces the blocking amount of the blocking member as the detected humidity in the corresponding area increases.

9. A drying device as described in claim 2, wherein, when a first recording medium having a width narrower than the width of the transport path is transported, the plurality of blocking members include: a first blocking member arranged at a position corresponding to a first region of the transport path divided in the width direction of the recording medium that intersects with the transport path, through which the first recording medium passes; and a second blocking member arranged at a position corresponding to a second region of the transport path divided in the width direction, through which the first recording medium does not pass; and the adjustment means makes the blocking amount of the second blocking member greater than the blocking amount of the first blocking member.

10. The drying device described in claim 9, wherein the adjustment means further comprises a partition member configured to be able to take a partitioning position that separates the first area and the second area inside the opening in a direction along the conveying path, and a non-partitioning position that does not separate the area, and causes the partition member to take the partitioning position when the blocking amount of the second blocking member is made greater than the blocking amount of the first blocking member.

11. A drying device as described in claim 2, wherein, in the case where a second recording medium is transported in which the amount of liquid discharged per unit area varies in the width direction of the recording medium intersecting the transport path, the plurality of blocking members include: a first blocking member arranged at a position corresponding to a first region of the transport path through which a region of the recording medium divided in the width direction in which the discharge amount is a first discharge amount passes; and a second blocking member arranged at a position corresponding to a second region of the transport path through which a region of the recording medium divided in the width direction in which the discharge amount is a second discharge amount smaller than the first discharge amount passes; and wherein the adjustment means makes the blocking amount of the second blocking member greater than the blocking amount of the first blocking member.

12. The drying device according to claim 11, wherein the adjusting means reduces the blocking amount of the blocking member as the discharge amount of the corresponding region increases.

13. The drying device according to claim 2, further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the recording medium transported by the transport means, and the adjustment means adjusts the blocking amount of each of the plurality of blocking members based on the type of recording medium included in the information.

14. The drying device according to claim 13, wherein the adjustment means adjusts the blocking amount of each of the plurality of blocking members based on the type and the width of the recording medium in the width direction of the recording medium intersecting with the transport path, among the information.

15. The drying device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member is an openable / closable member that can rotate about a rotation axis that is aligned with the width direction of the recording medium and intersects with the transport path, and is configured so that the amount of blocking decreases as the angle relative to the direction along the transport path decreases.

16. The drying device described in claim 1, wherein the blocking member is a shutter, one end of which is configured to be able to be wound up at a position spaced apart from the transport path, and the other end of which is configured to be able to adjust the amount of blocking by moving back and forth between a position close to the transport path and a position spaced apart from the transport path in a height direction that intersects both the transport path and the width direction of the recording medium that intersects with the transport path by adjusting the amount of winding at the one end.

17. The drying device according to claim 1, wherein the introduction section is provided on the upstream side of the transport path, and the discharge section is provided on the downstream side of the transport path.

18. A drying device as described in claim 17, wherein the circulating flow of warm air in the circulation space includes a flow from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport path on the side of the circulation space away from the transport path, and a flow from the downstream side to the upstream side of the transport path on the side of the circulation space close to the transport path.

19. A drying device as described in claim 18, wherein the flow path partition section partitions the circulation space into a first space separated from the transport path and a second space close to the transport path, and includes a blow-out plate having a plurality of holes connecting the first space and the second space.

20. A drying device as described in claim 19, wherein the hot air generating section comprises a blowing means and a heating means for heating the air blown by the blowing means, the blowing means being provided in the first space on the upstream side of the conveying path and blowing air toward the downstream side of the conveying path, and the heating means being arranged in the first space on the downstream side of the conveying path of the blowing means.

21. A recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium, comprising: an ejection head for ejecting a liquid onto the recording medium; and the drying device according to claim 1.

22. A drying device comprising: a transport means for transporting a recording medium onto which liquid has been ejected from a recording head; a heated air blowing means having an air blowing means and a heating means, which blows air heated by the heating means onto the recording medium being transported by the air blowing means; an air flow path for sending the heated air blown from the heated air blowing means downstream in the transport direction of the recording medium to the heated air blowing means; and an adjustment means for adjusting the amount of air blown from the heated air blowing means and entering the air flow path.

23. The drying apparatus of claim 22, wherein the adjusting means includes a flapper.

24. The drying device according to claim 23, wherein the adjusting means adjusts the amount of air blown from the heated air blowing means and entering the air flow path by moving a flapper.

25. A drying device according to claim 22, further comprising a guide means for guiding the heated air toward the recording medium, wherein the width of the air flow path in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording medium is narrower than the width of the guide means and the width of an opening which is an inlet through which air enters the air flow path.

26. A drying device according to claim 22, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening, which is an inlet through which air enters the air flow path, increases in accordance with the distance from the air blowing means in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium.

27. The drying device according to claim 22, further comprising an input unit that enables a user to set the temperature of the heating means, and the adjusting means controls the amount of air based on the temperature set by the input unit.

28. The drying device according to claim 22, wherein the heated air blowing means comprises a fan and a heater.

29. The drying device according to claim 28, further comprising a temperature detection means in the vicinity of the heater, and the adjusting means controls the amount of air based on the detection result of the temperature detection means.

30. A drying device according to claim 28, further comprising a temperature detection means in the vicinity of said fan, and said adjusting means controls the amount of said air based on the detection result of said temperature detection means.

31. A drying device according to claim 28, further comprising a humidity detection means disposed near the heater, and wherein the adjusting means controls the amount of air based on the detection result of the humidity detection means.

32. A drying device according to claim 28, further comprising a humidity detection means in the vicinity of said fan, and said adjusting means controls the amount of said air based on the detection result of said humidity detection means.

33. The drying device according to claim 22, wherein a flapper is provided in the vicinity of the opening of the air flow path leading to the heated air blowing means.

34. A recording device comprising: a transport means for transporting a recording medium onto which liquid has been ejected from a recording head; a heated air blowing means having an air blowing means and a heating means, which blows air heated by the heating means onto the recording medium being transported by the transporting means; an air flow path for sending the heated air blown from the heated air blowing means downstream in the transport direction of the recording medium to the heated air blowing means; and an adjustment means for adjusting the amount of air blown from the heated air blowing means and entering the air flow path.

35. A method for controlling a drying device comprising: a transport means for transporting a recording medium onto which liquid has been ejected from a recording head; a heated air blowing means having an air blowing means and a heating means, and blowing air heated by the heating means onto the recording medium being transported by the air blowing means; and an air flow path for sending the heated air blown from the heated air blowing means downstream in the transport direction of the recording medium to the heated air blowing means, the method comprising an adjustment step for adjusting the amount of air blown from the heated air blowing means and entering the air flow path.

Images