Drying device and recording device

Abstract

A drying device according to the present invention comprises a conveyance path, an air supply part, and a first medium guide. The conveyance path has a space through which a medium passes. The air supply part supplies hot air into the conveyance path. The first medium guide guides the medium in the conveyance path. The conveyance path has a first wall that extends in the direction of conveyance of the medium and the width direction of the conveyance path and that faces a prescribed surface of the medium. The first medium guide has a first contact part that can come into contact with the prescribed surface of the medium at a guide position located further to the inner side of the conveyance path than the first wall. A portion constituted by a combination of the first medium guide and the first wall has a cavity that passes through the first medium guide in the conveyance direction in the range in which the first contact part is disposed in the width direction of the medium.

Description

Drying Apparatus and Recording Apparatus

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a drying apparatus that dries a medium (e.g., ink-adhered paper), and a recording apparatus including the drying apparatus.

[0002] An inkjet printer that performs printing by ejecting ink toward a medium (e.g., paper) is known (for example, Patent Document 1 below). In the printer disclosed in Patent Document 1, a duct for collecting ink mist is provided on the downstream side of a head that ejects ink toward the medium in the medium conveyance direction, relative to the head. A roller that generates an airflow toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction is provided between an end portion of the duct on the downstream side in the conveyance direction and the medium. The roller rotates in contact with the medium.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-41857

[0004] A drying apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a conveyance path, an air supply unit, and a first medium guide. The conveyance path has a space through which a medium passes. The air supply unit supplies hot air into the conveyance path. The first medium guide guides the medium within the conveyance path. The conveyance path has a first wall that spreads in the medium conveyance direction and the width direction of the conveyance path, and faces a predetermined surface of the medium. The first medium guide has a first contact portion capable of coming into contact with the predetermined surface at a guide position inside the conveyance path relative to the first wall. A portion formed by a combination of the first medium guide and the first wall has a void that passes through the first medium guide in the conveyance direction within an arrangement range of the first contact portion in the width direction.

[0005] A recording apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the above drying apparatus, a conveyance device that conveys the medium, and an ejection device that ejects liquid toward the medium.

[0006] A perspective view showing a recording device according to an embodiment. A schematic diagram showing a drying device for the recording device of Figure 1. A cross-sectional view showing a media guide according to the first embodiment. A perspective view showing a specific example of the media guide according to the first embodiment. A cross-sectional view showing a media guide according to the second embodiment. A perspective view showing a specific example of the media guide according to the second embodiment. A cross-sectional view showing a media guide according to the third embodiment. A perspective view showing a specific example of the media guide according to the third embodiment. A cross-sectional view showing a media guide according to the fourth embodiment. A cross-sectional view showing a drying device according to the fifth embodiment. A cross-sectional view showing a drying device according to the sixth embodiment. A cross-sectional view showing a drying device according to the seventh embodiment.

[0007] Regarding the later-described embodiments of various devices or components, only the differences from the earlier-described embodiments will be described. Unless otherwise specified, matters may be treated the same as those described earlier, or inferred from those earlier embodiments. Multiple embodiments may be combined as appropriate. From another perspective, regardless of the order of description, a description of one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, provided that no contradictions arise. For the sake of convenience, corresponding components in multiple embodiments may be assigned the same reference numerals, even if they differ.

[0008] The diagrams used in the following explanation are schematic. Therefore, for example, certain shapes and / or dimensions may be exaggerated, or details may be omitted. Also, the dimensional ratios of the same component do not necessarily match between drawings. The dimensional ratios in the drawings may differ from those in the specification. However, the above does not negate the possibility of extracting shape and / or dimensional features from the drawings.

[0009] For convenience, the drawings may be labeled with the Cartesian coordinate system D1, D2, and D3, and terms such as the D1 direction, D2 direction, and D3 direction may be used. The recording device, etc., according to the embodiment may be used in any orientation. However, for convenience, unless otherwise specified, an example may be given in which the +D3 side is upward, and expressions based on this configuration may be used.

[0010] Unless contradictions arise, the term "D1 direction" may be replaced with terms such as "media transport direction" and "direction along the media transport path." The term "D2 direction" may be replaced with terms such as "direction intersecting (e.g., perpendicular to) the transport path and along the surface of the transport path (media surface)" and "width direction of the transport path (transport route)." The term "D3 direction" may be replaced with terms such as "direction intersecting the surface of the transport path (media) (e.g., normal direction)."

[0011] The term "shape" may or may not include dimensions. Either interpretation is acceptable as long as it does not create a contradiction. Furthermore, regarding terms describing shape (e.g., "cuboid"), unless otherwise specified and as long as it does not create a contradiction, it is acceptable for there to be unique aspects or errors, provided that there is no significant practical difference in the function of the shape. The same applies to position, etc.

[0012] (Overview of Embodiments) Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a printer 1 (an example of a recording device) according to an embodiment. The printer 1 is configured as an inkjet printer that prints on a medium 101 such as paper.

[0013] More specifically, in the illustrated example, the media 101 is a roll of paper and is transported in the direction indicated by the white arrow. Ink is then ejected from the ejection device 3 toward the front surface 101a of the media 101, and printing is performed. After that, the media 101 (more specifically, the printed area of ​​the media 101 in the illustrated example) is transported to the drying device 5 to accelerate the drying of the ink. When the media 101 passes below the ejection device 3, its front surface 101a is facing upwards, and when it passes through the drying device 5, its back surface 101b is facing upwards.

[0014] Depending on the configuration of the printer 1, as shown in the illustrated example, only a portion of the media 101, rather than the entire media 101, may pass below the ejection device 3 or inside the drying device 5. However, as described above, where it was stated that the media 101 is transported to the drying device 5, the description of the embodiment may use expressions that disregard strict accuracy.

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the drying apparatus 5, and includes a cross-sectional view along the line II-II in Figure 1.

[0016] The drying apparatus 5 has a transport path 7 that constitutes a space through which the media 101 passes. The transport path 7 is defined, for example, by an inner circumferential surface that surrounds the media 101 (or, from another perspective, its transport path) when viewed in the transport direction of the media 101 (direction D1 in Figure 2). This inner circumferential surface includes a first wall 7a that faces the back surface 101b of the media 101 (an example of a predetermined surface of the media). The first wall 7a extends in the transport direction of the media 101 (direction D1) and in the width direction of the transport path 7 (direction D2).

[0017] In the description of the embodiments, for convenience, the term "wall" may refer to either the wall surface or a part or component that constitutes the wall surface and has thickness. Either interpretation is acceptable as long as it does not create any contradictions.

[0018] The drying apparatus 5 has one or more (multiple in the illustrated example) drying mechanisms 9 (9A to 9C) that promote the drying of the media 101. The drying mechanisms 9 can be of various forms. For example, one or more drying mechanisms 9 may include one or more (multiple in the illustrated example) air supply units 9A that supply hot air into the transport path 7.

[0019] The drying apparatus 5 has one or more (multiple in the illustrated example) media guides 11 that are in contact with the back surface 101b of the media 101 and guide the media 101. The media guides 11 have contact portions 11a that are located inside the transport path 7 in the height direction (D3 direction) of the transport path 7, relative to the first wall 7a. The media 101 is transported under tension so as to be pressed against the contact portions 11a of the multiple media guides 11.

[0020] In the description of the embodiments, for convenience, the term "contact portion 11a" may refer to either the top position (or minute portion) of the media guide 11 or a portion of a certain size that includes the top position. Either interpretation is acceptable as long as it does not create any inconsistencies. The top position is substantially the same as the guide position P1 (reference numeral 3 in Figure 3), which is the position where the contact portion 11a guides the media 101.

[0021] In a configuration different from the illustrated example, for example, a media guide 11 is not provided, and tension is applied to the media 101 so that it does not touch the first wall 7a (and the second wall 7b facing the first wall 7a). Compared to such a configuration, in this embodiment, for example, because the media 101 is pressed against the media guide 11, flapping of the media 101 caused by airflow, etc., is reduced. Consequently, for example, the likelihood of the front surface 101a coming into contact with the second wall 7b and damaging the image is reduced.

[0022] Furthermore, in yet another different embodiment, for example, there is a configuration in which the media guide 11 is not provided, and tension is applied to the media 101 so that the media 101 is pressed against the first wall 7a. Compared to such a configuration, in this embodiment, the area of ​​the member that slides against the media 101 is reduced. As a result, for example, wear of the media 101 is reduced.

[0023] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2. The media guide 11 has one or more (multiple in the illustrated example) grooves 11b that are recessed on the side of the first wall 7a relative to the contact portion 11a and extend in the direction of media 101 transport. The grooves 11b communicate the spaces separated by the media guide 11 within the transport path 7 in the transport direction.

[0024] Here, since the contact portion 11a of the media guide 11 is separated from the first wall 7a and inside the transport path 7, the media 101 and the first wall 7a are separated. And gas may be present in the space between the media 101 and the first wall 7a.

[0025] If the groove 11b is not provided, the flow of gas in the space in the direction of transporting the media 101 is obstructed by the media guide 11 (and the media 101). However, because the groove 11b is provided, the gas can pass through the media guide 11 within the arrangement range W1 in the D2 direction (width direction of the transport path 7) of the contact portion 11a. Consequently, the degree to which the airflow is obstructed is reduced.

[0026] By making it easier for the gas to flow along the back surface 101b of the media 101 in the transport direction, for example, components evaporated from the ink can be more easily discharged from the transport path 7. Also, for example, the hot air from the air supply unit 9A can be more easily distributed throughout the entire transport path 7 (the entire area around the media 101). As a result, the drying of the ink is accelerated.

[0027] As previously described, the media guide 11 reduces flapping of the media 101 caused by airflow, etc. Therefore, the air velocity in the transport path 7 can be increased. It is also easier to reduce the gap between the media 101 and the first wall 7a and / or the second wall 7b. This reduction in the gap (reduction in the cross-sectional area of ​​the transport path 7) contributes, for example, to increasing the air velocity in the transport path 7. The air velocity may also be increased by increasing the amount of gas supplied by the air supply unit 9A or by increasing the amount of gas drawn in by the suction unit 9B, which will be described later. The combination of being able to increase the air velocity as described above and being able to pass the gas through the media guide 11 further promotes the drying of the ink.

[0028] The configuration of the portion that allows the gas to pass through the media guide 11 (groove 11b in Figure 3) is not limited to groove 11b, as shown in the second to fourth embodiments described later (Figures 5 to 9). Therefore, groove 11b and the portion corresponding to groove 11b are sometimes referred to as void A1.

[0029] Multiple grooves 11b, etc., may be considered as a single void A1, or as multiple voids A1. However, for convenience, the former interpretation will be adopted in the description of the embodiments. Each groove 11b, etc., may be referred to as a "partial void" (reference numeral omitted). As can be understood from the descriptions of various embodiments described later, one partial void may constitute the entirety of void A1.

[0030] Furthermore, if the contact portion 11a is divided by a plurality of grooves 11b or the like, it may be considered as having one contact portion 11a, or as having multiple contact portions 11a. However, for convenience, the former interpretation will be adopted in the description of the embodiment.

[0031] Considering various embodiments, the space A1 can be said to pass through the media guide 11 in the media transport direction (not necessarily parallel to the transport direction) within the arrangement range W1 of the contact portion 11a. Alternatively, the space A1 can be said to be located in the area consisting of the media guide 11 and the first wall 7a. Alternatively, the space A1 can be said to be located on the side of the first wall 7a than the guide position P1.

[0032] Conversely, for example, spaces located on the -D2 side and +D2 side with respect to the media guide 11 (the gap between the media guide 11 and the side wall of the transport path 7) are not included in the above-mentioned space A1. Also, for example, spaces located on the -D3 side with respect to the guide position P1 (contact portion 11a) (the gap between the guide position P1 and the second wall 7b) are not included in the above-mentioned space A1.

[0033] Furthermore, the effects described above do not necessarily have to be achieved. Also, technical ideas from perspectives different from those described above may be extracted from this disclosure. In this case, for example, blank space A1 may not be provided, and furthermore, media guide 11 may not be provided.

[0034] The above is an overview of the printer 1 according to the embodiment. Below, we will provide a general explanation in the following order. 1. Printer (Figure 1) 2. Drying device (excluding media guide) 2.1. Overall configuration (Figures 1 and 2) 2.2. Conveyor path (Figures 1 to 3) 2.3. Drying mechanism (Figure 2) 3. Media guide according to the first embodiment (Figures 3 and 4) 3.1. Media guide in general 3.2. Position and number of media guides 3.3. Shape of media guide (excluding grooves) 3.4. Grooves of media guides 3.5. Specific examples of media guides 4. Media guide according to the second embodiment (Figures 5 and 6) 4.1. Media guide in general 4.2. Specific examples of media guides 5. Media guide according to the third embodiment (Figures 7 and 8) 5.1. Structure of media guide 5.2. Gap between roller and first wall 5.3. Position, shape and dimensions of roller and gap, etc. 5.4. Specific examples of media guides 6. Fourth Embodiment (Figure 9) 7. Fifth Embodiment (Figure 10) 8. Sixth Embodiment (Figure 11) 9. Seventh Embodiment (Figure 12) 10. Other Embodiments 11. Summary of Embodiments

[0035] (1. Printers in general) The printer 1 shown in Figure 1 includes, for example, a recording system 13 that ejects and dries ink, a transport device 15 that transports media 101, and a controller 17 that controls these. The recording system 13 includes an ejection device 3 and a drying device 5.

[0036] The ejection device 3 may perform color printing or monochrome printing. The ejection device 3 has at least one head (not shown) that ejects ink facing the front surface 101a of the media 101.

[0037] The ejection device 3 is configured for a so-called line printer. That is, the head extends over approximately the entire width (D2 direction) of the media 101. When the media 101 is being transported, printing is performed on a strip-shaped area extending in the D2 direction. However, the ejection device 3 may also be for a serial printer. In this case, the operation of printing while moving the head in the D2 direction and the transport of the media 101 are performed alternately.

[0038] The head of the ejection device 3 ejects ink droplets from a nozzle facing the media 101, for example. The configuration of the head is arbitrary as long as it is capable of ejecting ink. For example, the actuator that applies pressure to the ink for ejection may be a piezoelectric type that applies pressure to the ink by deforming a piezoelectric element, or a thermal type that applies pressure to the ink by heating the ink and generating bubbles.

[0039] Printer 1 prints on, for example, a roll of paper, which is media 101. However, media 101 may also be sheet paper. The size of media 101 is also arbitrary. For example, media 101 can be as small as a receipt, as a size commonly used in offices, or as large as a poster.

[0040] The configuration of the transport device 15 is arbitrary. Figure 1 illustrates a configuration in which a roller in contact with the media 101 is rotated. Such a transport device 15 includes, for example, a feed roller 19A that feeds out the media 101 to be printed, a wind-up roller 19B that winds up the printed media 101, and a relay roller 19C that defines the transport path of the media 101 between the two.

[0041] The medium 101 is pressed against the medium guide 11 by being appropriately tensioned by the conveyance device 15. In the illustrated example, the tension is controlled by torque control between a feeding motor 21A that rotates a feeding roller 19A and a winding motor 21B that rotates a winding roller 19B. A tension roller (not shown) that controls tension by pressing the medium 101 at an appropriate position may be provided. The tension roller may be provided in the drying device 5 instead of or in addition to being provided in the conveyance device 15.

[0042] The configuration of the conveyance path of the medium 101 is also arbitrary. For example, the conveyance path may extend so as to make a U-turn (the example shown in the figure), or may extend generally straight (including those that bend gently to a degree that does not cause a partial or full U-turn). From another perspective, when assuming a configuration in which the ejection device 3 ejects ink downward from above, the front surface 101a (the surface to be printed) of the medium 101 may face downward (the example shown in the figure) or upward when passing through the drying device 5.

[0043] As can be understood from the above description, in the description of the drying device 5, the terms "upper" and "lower" may be interchanged with each other unless otherwise specified and unless contradiction arises.

[0044] The ink includes, for example, a medium (a solvent or dispersion medium, such as water or an organic solvent) and a colorant (a pigment or a dye). The printer 1 fixes the colorant to the medium 101 as the ink dries (the medium evaporates). In other words, the ink is not an ultraviolet (UV) curable ink. However, the drying device 5 can also be applied to printers using UV curable ink. In the present disclosure, ink and paint are not particularly distinguished.

[0045] (2. Drying device (excluding media guide)) (2.1. Overall configuration) The drying device 5 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a frame body 23 and one or more (a plurality in the illustrated example) drying units 25 that can be inserted into and removed from the frame body 23. Each drying unit 25 includes, for example, one or more drying mechanisms 9 for promoting drying. In such a drying device 5, for example, by replacing the drying unit 25 disposed in the frame body 23 with another drying unit 25 having a different configuration (for example, the type of the drying mechanism 9), the mode for promoting drying can be customized. As shown in FIG. 2, the drying device 5 may include a heat insulating material 27 positioned between the frame body 23 and the drying unit 25 (or may not include the heat insulating material 27).

[0046] Unlike the illustrated example, the drying device 5 may have a configuration that does not allow such customization. For example, a component corresponding to the drying unit 25 may be non-detachably fixed to the frame body 23 (for example, some portions may be integrally formed), or adjacent ones of the above components may be integrally formed with each other.

[0047] (2.2. Conveyance path) In the examples of FIGS. 1 to 3, the conveyance path 7 is configured by connecting a plurality of unit conveyance paths 25a (FIGS. 2 and 3) respectively provided in the plurality of drying units 25 to each other. A first wall 7a, a second wall 7b, and a side wall (reference numeral omitted) connecting these walls are configured by the walls of the plurality of unit conveyance paths 25a. Note that the inlet and outlet (reference numeral omitted) for the medium 101 formed in the frame body 23 and / or the inlet and outlet for the medium 101 in the heat insulating material 27 may or may not be regarded as part of the conveyance path 7.

[0048] Unlike the illustrated example, the conveyance path 7 does not have to be configured by a plurality of unit conveyance paths 25a. For example, when there is only one drying unit 25 (or a component corresponding thereto), it is obvious that the conveyance path 7 is not configured by a plurality of unit conveyance paths 25a. Further, for example, in a configuration where customization is not possible, the conveyance path 7 (at least a part of the wall thereof) may be configured by a member having a length extending across the plurality of drying mechanisms 9 arranged in the conveyance direction.

[0049] In the illustrated example, the transport path 7 has walls (including the first wall 7a and the second wall 7b) that surround the transport path of the media 101 when viewed in the transport direction of the media 101. For example, the transport path 7 has walls that surround the transport path of the media 101 from four directions: up, down, left, and right (+D3 side, -D3 side, -D2 side, and +D2 side). From another viewpoint, the transport path 7 has walls that surround the transport path substantially over 360°. Note that the up, down, left, and right referred to here do not necessarily have to be both sides in the vertical direction and both sides in one horizontal direction.

[0050] Unlike the illustrated example, the transport path 7 does not have to have walls on the top, bottom, left, and right. For example, it may have walls in only one, two, or three directions. For example, it may have only the first wall 7a, or only the first wall 7a and the second wall 7b, or only the first wall 7a, the second wall 7b, and one side wall (the -D2 side or the +D2 side). Furthermore, the walls of the transport path 7 described as surrounding the transport path when viewed in the transport direction may surround the transport path over a range of 270° or more around the centerline of the transport path.

[0051] In the illustrated example, the transport path 7 is, for example, sealed. However, it is of course possible to provide an opening for drying (for example, an opening for supplying hot air to the transport path 7). Furthermore, at joints between drying units 25, etc., there may be gaps that are practically negligible from the viewpoint of airflow related to the drying of the media 101. When we say "sealed," unless otherwise specified, and unless it creates a contradiction, it is acceptable for such minute gaps to exist without specifying "substantial," etc.

[0052] Unlike the illustrated example, the transport path 7 does not have to be sealed. For example, as previously mentioned, the transport path 7 does not have to have walls on any of the top, bottom, left, or right sides. Alternatively, even if it has walls on all sides, there may be relatively large gaps in one of the walls or between the walls.

[0053] The shape and dimensions of the transport path 7 are arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the transport path 7 is a rectangular parallelepiped. From another viewpoint, the transport path 7 extends linearly in the D1 direction with a certain cross-section (D2D3 section). From yet another viewpoint, the shape of the transport path 7 is symmetrical left and right, up and down, and front and back (only one or two of these may be true). From yet another viewpoint, the first wall 7a (and the second wall 7b, etc.) is generally planar.

[0054] In the description of the embodiments, for convenience, the term "first wall 7a" may refer to either a generally planar area (sometimes called the "main area") that occupies most of the first wall 7a (for example, 60% or more or 80% or more of its area), or to a combination of the main area and an area recessed from the main area (described later). Either interpretation is acceptable as long as it does not create any contradictions.

[0055] In the illustrated example, the transport path 7 is larger in the left-right direction (D2 direction) than in the vertical direction (D3 direction). If the cross-section of the transport path 7 is not rectangular, the vertical dimension (height) and the left-right dimension (width) may be compared reasonably (for example, by comparing the average values). The dimensional ratio when the width is greater than the height is arbitrary. For example, the width may be 2 times or more, 10 times or more, or 20 times or more than the height. The transport path 7 may be adjustable in height, etc. For example, one of the first wall 7a and the second wall 7b may be adjustable in the vertical direction.

[0056] In the illustrated example, the walls of the transport path 7 (including the first wall 7a and the second wall 7b) are made of plate-like members. As can be understood from the above description, these plate-like members are part of the drying unit 25 in the illustrated example. Note that the walls of the transport path 7 do not need to be plate-like, as long as they have a wall surface on the transport path 7 side.

[0057] In Figure 3, the four walls of the unit transport path 25a constituting the transport path 7 are hatched to appear, for convenience, as if they were integrally formed. However, the number of members constituting the four walls is arbitrary. For example, the four walls may be composed of different materials, or one wall (e.g., the first wall 7a) may be composed of multiple materials. The material of the walls of the transport path 7 is arbitrary and may be, for example, metal, ceramics, resin, or a combination thereof. The walls may also have a laminated structure in which different materials are stacked on top of each other.

[0058] (2.3. Drying Mechanism) The type of drying mechanism 9 is arbitrary. Figure 2 shows the following examples: - Air supply unit 9A: Supplies hot air to the transport path 7 (for example, blows hot air onto the media 101). - Suction unit 9B: Suctions gas (for example, air) from the transport path 7 (in other words, removes moisture). - Irradiation unit 9C: Irradiates ultraviolet light (UV) onto the media 101 (more specifically, the surface on which the ink has landed (front surface 101a)).

[0059] The temperature of the hot air (for example, the temperature at the outlet of the air supply unit 9A; the same applies hereinafter) is, for example, at least higher than room temperature (for example, 20°C) and / or the temperature of the air surrounding the printer 1. In this disclosure, there is no particular distinction between hot air and warm air. The specific temperature of the hot air is arbitrary. For example, the temperature of the hot air may be 50°C or higher or 80°C or higher.

[0060] The drying mechanism 9 may be of any type other than the three described above. For example, although not specifically shown, the drying mechanism 9 may be an irradiation unit that emits infrared rays toward the media 101, or it may be a roller or plate that contacts the media 101 and heats the media 101 (the media 101 slides against the plate). The roller or plate may, for example, have a built-in heater or be adjacent to a heater. As can be seen from these examples, the media guide 11 may also serve as the drying mechanism 9. Also, as can be seen from the above description, the drying mechanism 9 may be non-contact with respect to the media 101 or it may be in contact with the media 101. However, in the description of the embodiment, only the air supply unit 9A, the suction unit 9B, and the irradiation unit 9C (non-contact type in other respects) will be given as examples of the drying mechanism 9.

[0061] The type and number of drying mechanisms 9 in the drying apparatus 5 are arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the drying apparatus 5 has a combination of one or more air supply units 9A, one or more suction units 9B, and one or more irradiation units 9C. Unlike the illustrated example, for example, the drying apparatus 5 may have only one air supply unit 9A, one suction unit 9B, or one irradiation unit 9C. Also, for example, the drying apparatus 5 may have only a combination of one or more air supply units 9A and one or more suction units 9B (it may not have an irradiation unit 9C). Also, for example, the drying apparatus 5 may have only a combination of one or more air supply units 9A and one or more irradiation units 9C (it may not have a suction unit 9B). Also, for example, the drying apparatus 5 may have only a combination of one or more suction units 9B and one or more irradiation units 9C (it may not have an air supply unit 9A).

[0062] In an embodiment in which the drying apparatus has two or more types and / or two or more drying mechanisms 9, the position of the drying mechanisms 9 relative to the media 101 (conveying path) is arbitrary.

[0063] In the example shown in Figure 2, on the front surface 101a side (-D3 side), one or more suction units 9B, one or more air supply units 9A, one or more irradiation units 9C, and one or more air supply units 9A are arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction (from the +D1 side to the -D1 side). On the back surface 101b side (+D3 side), one or more suction units 9B, one air supply unit 9A, one or more dummy drying mechanisms (notation omitted), and one or more air supply units 9A are arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction. From another perspective, in the example shown in Figure 2, the air supply units 9A face each other, the suction units 9B face each other, and the irradiation unit 9C and the dummy drying mechanism face each other across the transport path of the media 101.

[0064] The dummy drying mechanism does not have a function to directly promote drying, for example, but contributes to forming the wall of the transport path 7. The dummy drying mechanism may also contribute to reflecting UV rays or absorbing excess heat caused by UV rays. The dummy drying mechanism does not have to be provided in the drying apparatus 5, and may be provided in a position different from the position shown in the figure. In addition, dummy drying units may be provided in which dummy drying mechanisms face each other.

[0065] In the description of the embodiments, for convenience, the dummy drying mechanism may be ignored. In the description of the drying mechanism 9, unless there is a contradiction, the drying mechanism 9 may be interpreted as either including or excluding the dummy drying mechanism. The same applies to the dummy drying unit.

[0066] In the illustrated example, if we focus only on the air supply section 9A and the suction section 9B (the drying mechanism 9 that generates airflow) on the front surface 101a, one or more (one) suction sections 9B and one or more (three) air supply sections 9A are arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the media 101, and it can be considered that the reverse arrangement (where the air supply section 9A is located upstream of the suction section 9B) does not exist. Similarly, on the back surface 101b, one or more (one) suction sections 9B and one or more (three) air supply sections 9A are arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction, and it can be considered that the reverse arrangement does not exist. Furthermore, considering the front surface 101a and the back surface 101b as a whole, one or more (two) suction units 9B and one or more (six) air supply units 9A are arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction, and it can be considered that the reverse arrangement does not exist.

[0067] In the configuration described above, the flow in the entire transport path 7, ignoring local flows, tends to flow from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction of the media 101. In this case, for example, components evaporated from the ink on the upstream side in the transport direction are less likely to flow to the downstream side in the transport direction. As a result, on the downstream side in the transport direction, a gas with relatively low humidity comes into contact with the media 101, thus promoting drying. On the other hand, on the upstream side in the transport direction, the media 101 is less dried compared to the downstream side in the transport direction, so drying can be promoted even with a gas with relatively high humidity. In other words, drying is efficiently promoted overall.

[0068] There are countless possible configurations of the drying mechanism 9 that differ from the illustrated example. Examples are given below.

[0069] One or more drying mechanisms 9 may be arranged only on the front surface 101a side or only on the back surface 101b side. It is also possible to position the drying mechanisms 9 on the side or elsewhere. Different types of drying mechanisms 9 may face each other with the media 101 in between. For example, the air supply unit 9A and the suction unit 9B may face each other, or the air supply unit 9A and the irradiation unit 9C may face each other, or the suction unit 9B and the irradiation unit 9C may face each other.

[0070] Contrary to the example in Figure 2, on the front surface 101a side, the back surface 101b side, or the entire front surface 101a side and the back surface 101b side (hereinafter the same), one or more air supply units 9A and one or more suction units 9B may be arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the media 101, and the reverse arrangement (where the suction unit 9B is located upstream of the air supply unit 9A) may not exist. A total of three or more air supply units 9A and suction units 9B may be arranged so that one air supply unit 9A and one suction unit 9B alternately appear in the transport direction. In the transport direction, two suction units 9B may be located on either side of the irradiation unit 9C, or an air supply unit 9A and a suction unit 9B may be located on either side of the irradiation unit 9C.

[0071] The specific configurations of the air supply unit 9A, the suction unit 9B, and the irradiation unit 9C are arbitrary.

[0072] In the example shown in Figure 2, the air supply unit 9A constitutes a flow path that guides hot air to the transport path 7. The blower 29, which applies pressure to the gas, and the heater 31, which raises the temperature of the gas, are located outside the air supply unit 9A and also outside the frame 23. The blower 29 includes, for example, a fan and a motor (not shown). Unlike the illustrated example, one or both of the blower 29 and the heater 31 may be located inside the frame 23, or / or inside the air supply unit 9A, instead of or in addition to being outside the frame 23. Either the blower 29 or the heater 31 may be located upstream of the gas flow. The gas supplied by the air supply unit 9A may be air, or it may be a gas other than air. The air supply system including the air supply unit 9A may utilize the waste heat from the irradiation unit 9C. The air supply system may deliver the gas drawn in by the suction system included in the suction unit 9B after performing a predetermined treatment on it.

[0073] The airflow path of the air supply unit 9A includes, for example, an outlet (not shown) that opens to the first wall 7a or the second wall 7b in at least part (for example, all) of it. The shape and dimensions of the outlet are arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the outlet is a slit extending in the width direction (D2 direction) of the transport path 7. The slit has a length (D2 direction) that spans the width of the media 101, for example, the maximum width assumed in the printer 1. The specific shape and dimensions of the slit are also arbitrary. The number of outlets in one air supply unit 9A is arbitrary; there may be one (as shown in the example) or multiple outlets. The outlet may open parallel to the D3 direction, or it may open in a direction inclined upstream or downstream in the transport direction relative to the D3 direction. Partitions or the like may be arranged inside the air supply unit 9A to adjust the airflow direction and / or pressure distribution.

[0074] In the example shown in Figure 2, the suction section 9B constitutes a flow path that guides the gas in the transport path 7 to the outside. The suction device 33, which applies pressure (negative pressure) to the gas, is located outside the suction section 9B and also outside the frame 23. The suction device 33 includes, for example, a fan and a motor (not shown). Unlike the illustrated example, the suction device 33 may be located inside the frame 23, or / or inside the suction section 9B, instead of being located outside the frame 23, or in addition to being located outside the frame 23. The flow path constituted by the suction section 9B includes, for example, a suction port (not shown) that opens at least part (for example, all) to the first wall 7a or the second wall 7b. The previously described description of the outlet of the air supply section 9A may be applied to the suction port of the suction section 9B.

[0075] The irradiation unit 9C has, for example, a light source (not shown) that generates at least UV light. In addition, the irradiation unit 9C may have a reflector that reflects UV light leaking from the light source to the side away from the media 101, an aperture with an opening that shapes the cross-sectional area of ​​the UV light from the light source, and / or a lens that focuses the UV light. The light source may be composed of an appropriate element such as an LED (light-emitting diode), an incandescent bulb, a fluorescent lamp, or a mercury lamp. The components that are shown as one irradiation unit 9C in Figure 2 may include a plurality of separate irradiation units (for example, each irradiation unit has a separate light source and reflector, etc.) that are located at different positions in the transport direction of the media 101.

[0076] The irradiation unit 9C has an opening in the second wall 7b that allows UV light to pass through. This opening may or may not define the cross-section of the light from the light source. The opening may also be covered with a light-transmitting material. As described above, when one irradiation unit 9C includes multiple separate irradiation units, the opening may be provided as a single opening common to all of the multiple irradiation units, or multiple openings may be provided corresponding to each irradiation unit.

[0077] The UV light from the irradiation unit 9C contributes, for example, to raising the temperature of the ink by being absorbed by the ink. Therefore, the irradiation unit 9C is located on the front surface 101a side of the media 101. However, if the material of the media 101 is a UV-transmitting material (for example, a translucent resin film), unlike the illustrated example, the irradiation unit 9C may irradiate the ink on the front surface 101a with UV light from the back surface 101b side. Also, regardless of the material of the media 101, the irradiation unit 9C may be positioned on the back surface 101b side to allow the media 101 to absorb the UV light.

[0078] Drying mechanisms 9 (or drying units 25) classified as the same type may differ in their details from one another. For example, the two air supply units 9A may differ in the number, shape, and / or dimensions of the air outlets that open into the transport path 7. However, for convenience, such differences may be ignored in the description of the embodiments.

[0079] In the illustrated example, as previously described, the drying mechanism 9 is configured as part of the drying unit 25. Specifically, the drying unit 25 has drying mechanisms 9 on both sides in the vertical direction with respect to the unit transport path 25a, or it has a drying mechanism 9 on only one side in the vertical direction.

[0080] In the description of the embodiment, the number of drying mechanisms 9 is counted with respect to the transport direction, with respect to the drying unit 25 as the unit. For example, as previously described, even if one irradiation unit 9C includes separate irradiation units, it is treated as one irradiation unit 9C. However, two air supply units 9A that are adjacent to each other in the transport direction of the media 101 may be treated as one air supply unit, or conversely, multiple air outlets that a single air supply unit 9A has at different positions in the transport direction may be treated as multiple air supply units.

[0081] In the illustrated example, the multiple drying units 25 have the same external shape (or housing) and size as the others. This facilitates replacement. Accordingly, the multiple drying mechanisms 9 also have the same length in the media 101 transport direction. However, the lengths of the multiple drying mechanisms 9 (or drying units 25) in the transport direction may differ from each other. The number, shape, dimensions, and material of the components constituting the drying unit 25 are arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the external shape of the drying unit 25 (its housing) is generally that of a thin rectangular parallelepiped with the D1 direction as the thickness direction.

[0082] (3. Media Guide According to the First Embodiment) (3.1. Media Guide in General) The multiple media guides 11 shown in Figure 2 may have the same configuration as each other, or they may have different configurations as each other. For convenience, in the description of the first (and second and third) embodiments, an example will be given in which the multiple media guides are identical as a given.

[0083] Since the configurations of the multiple media guides 11 are identical (the height H1 (Figure 3) from the first wall 7a to the top of the media guide 11 is the same for all of them), the transport path of the media 101 is parallel to the first wall 7a. Consequently, the transport path is straight.

[0084] The media guide 11 may be integrally constructed from a single component, or it may be constructed from a combination of two or more components. One or more components constituting the media guide 11 may be attached to a component constituting the transport path 7 (first wall 7a). Alternatively, a protrusion may be formed on a component constituting the transport path 7 (first wall 7a), and this protrusion (i.e., a part of the component constituting the first wall 7a) may be grasped as the media guide 11.

[0085] In describing the embodiments, for convenience, a component that is considered separate from the components constituting the first wall 7a will be referred to as the media guide 11. Such a media guide 11 may have a portion that is located inside the first wall 7a (its wall surface).

[0086] The material of the media guide 11 is arbitrary. For example, the material may be metal, ceramic, resin, or a combination of two or more of these. The material of the surface in contact with the media 101 may be different from the material of other parts. Furthermore, the material of the media guide 11 may be a material with relatively high heat conductivity, or conversely, a material with relatively low heat conductivity.

[0087] The method of fixing the media guide 11 to the transport path 7 (first wall 7a) is arbitrary. For example, a combination of screws, bolts and nuts screwed into the transport path 7, an engaging part (e.g., a claw part), adhesive, or welding, or a combination of two or more of these may be used.

[0088] (3.2. Position and Number of Media Guides) The number and position of the media guides 11 in the media transport direction of the media 101 are arbitrary. In the illustrated example, media guides 11 are provided at each end of each drying unit 25 (or drying mechanism 9 in another view, including the dummy). In another view, in each drying mechanism 9, one media guide 11 (in other words, at least one) is located on each side in the transport direction of a part of the first wall 7a that is directly involved in promoting drying (for example, an outlet, an inlet, or an opening that allows UV light to pass through; hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "direct part").

[0089] From the above, in the illustrated example, a total of 12 media guides 11 are provided, numbered by the number of drying mechanisms 9 on the +D3 side (including dummies in this paragraph). Also, the pitch of multiple media guides 11 (for example, the distance between their top positions) is the same for every other media guide 11. The pitch of media guides 11 in each drying mechanism 9 is greater than the pitch of media guides 11 adjacent to each other across the boundary between adjacent drying mechanisms 9.

[0090] The illustrated example can also be interpreted as follows: One or more media guides 11 include at least one media guide 11 located upstream of the most upstream direct portion (described above) in the transport direction of the media 101. One or more media guides 11 include at least one media guide 11 located downstream of the most downstream direct portion in the transport direction of the media 101. And / or, one or more media guides 11 include at least one (two in the illustrated example) media guide 11 located between adjacent direct portions separated by the boundary of adjacent drying mechanisms 9 in the transport direction of the media 101.

[0091] We focus on the region of the first wall 7a facing the irradiation section 9C. The region of the first wall 7a that is irradiated with UV light will be referred to as the irradiation region. In the embodiment where the media 101 is made of a material that does not transmit UV light, the UV light is blocked by the media 101, but the irradiation region referred to here is the region that would be irradiated with UV light if the media 101 were not present. In addition, although the irradiation region is not explicitly shown in Figure 2, here we assume that UV light is generally parallel light, and that the irradiation region is the region facing the opening that defines the cross-section of the UV light (for example, the opening that the irradiation section 9C has in the second wall 7b).

[0092] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, none of the media guides 11 are located within the UV irradiation area of ​​the irradiation unit 9C. It goes without saying that even when the UV light is not parallel, the media guides 11 may not be located within the irradiation area. Also, unlike the illustrated example, the media guides 11 may be located within the irradiation area.

[0093] Examples of embodiments different from those shown in the illustration are given.

[0094] Each drying mechanism 9 (which may or may not include a dummy in this paragraph) may have only one media guide 11, or three or more media guides 11. The number and / or positions of the media guides 11 may differ among multiple drying mechanisms 9.

[0095] A drying mechanism 9 without a media guide 11 may exist. From another viewpoint, two or more drying mechanisms 9 may share a media guide 11. For example, two or more direct parts of drying mechanisms 9 (such as outlets as described above) may be sandwiched between two media guides 11 that are adjacent to each other in the media transport direction of the media 101.

[0096] The pitch of the multiple media guides 11 may be constant. The pitch of the media guides 11 may vary depending on the type of drying mechanism 9 and / or its position in the transport path 7 (upstream or downstream). The pitch of the media guides 11 in each drying mechanism 9 may be equal to or less than the pitch of media guides 11 adjacent to each other across the boundary between adjacent drying mechanisms 9.

[0097] In each drying mechanism 9, the relationship between the position and number of direct parts (such as air outlets as described above) and the position and number of media guides 11 is also arbitrary. For example, if one drying mechanism 9 has two direct parts, media guides 11 can be placed at three positions: upstream of the two direct parts, between the two direct parts, and downstream of the two direct parts. In this case, media guides 11 may be placed at only one of these positions, at only two of these positions, or at all of these positions.

[0098] In the illustrated example, two media guides 11 are positioned between adjacent direct portions separated by the boundary between two adjacent drying mechanisms 9. These two media guides 11 may be combined into one. In this configuration, media guides 11 (either of their own or of an adjacent drying mechanism 9) may be positioned on both sides of one or more direct portions of each drying mechanism 9.

[0099] (3.3. Shape of the media guide (excluding grooves)) Here, assuming that there are no grooves 11b, the shape of the media guide 11 will be described. For convenience, the explanation may be given without explicitly stating that the grooves 11b are not present.

[0100] The media guide 11 shown in Figures 2 and 3 is, assuming there is no groove 11b, a long, elongated member extending in the width direction (D2 direction) of the transport path 7. Its cross-sectional shape (shape of the D1D3 cross-section) is constant, for example, over the placement range W1 (Figure 3) of the contact portion 11a in the D2 direction (width direction of the transport path 7). Furthermore, the media guide 11 extends linearly, for example, parallel to the D2 direction, over the above placement range W1.

[0101] From the above, the media 101 is guided in a straight line when viewed in the direction of transport, excluding errors (the same applies hereinafter). Also, the length in the transport direction over which the media 101 and the contact portion 11a are in contact is constant in the width direction (D2 direction) of the transport path 7. The position of the contact area between the media 101 and the contact portion 11a in the transport direction is constant in the D2 direction. The contact pressure between the media 101 and the contact portion 11a is constant in the D2 direction. Note that the contact between the media 101 and the contact portion 11a may be considered as line contact or as surface contact.

[0102] Unlike the illustrated example, assuming there is no groove 11b, the cross-sectional shape of the contact portion 11a may vary in the width direction (D2 direction) of the transport path 7. Also, the contact portion 11a does not have to be parallel to the D2 direction and / or does not have to extend in a straight line. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the contact portion 11a and / or the position of the contact portion 11a in the transport direction may differ between the central side and both sides in the D2 direction.

[0103] From another perspective, the media 101 may be curved when viewed in the transport direction. The contact length between the media 101 and the contact portion 11a in the transport direction may vary in the D2 direction. The position of the contact area between the media 101 and the contact portion 11a in the transport direction may vary in the D2 direction. And / or, the contact pressure between the media 101 and the contact portion 11a may vary in the D2 direction.

[0104] The contact portion 11a has a length that extends across the entire width of the assumed media 101 in the width direction (D2 direction) of the transport path 7 (see arrangement range W1 in Figure 3). The contact portion 11a may or may not have a length that extends across the entire width of the transport path 7 (see illustrated example). If the width of the transport path 7 is not constant in the height direction (D3 direction), the width of the transport path 7 at the position of the media 101 (contact portion 11a) in the D3 direction may be used as the total width of the transport path 7. Unlike the illustrated example, the contact portion 11a does not have to have a length that extends across the entire width of the assumed media 101.

[0105] The shape of the D1D3 cross-section of the contact portion 11a of the media guide 11, and the portion of the media guide 11 located on the media 101 side of the first wall 7a (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "guide body"), is arbitrary. In Figure 2, the contact portion 11a (a certain range including the top position) is curved (three-dimensionally curved) and bulges towards the media 101 side. More specifically, the D1D3 cross-section of the guide body is generally semicircular. Consequently, the contact portion 11a is arc-shaped in the D1D3 cross-section.

[0106] Although not specifically illustrated, examples of other shapes in the D1D3 cross section are given below. The contact portion 11a (and / or the guide body; the same applies hereinafter) may be a curved shape that is not an arc (i.e., a curved shape with varying curvature). In this case, the curvature may be larger at the apex position and at the vicinity thereof. The contact portion 11a may also be a polygon (e.g., a rectangle) containing a straight line parallel to the D1 direction, with the corners on both sides of the straight line chamfered with curves (curved surfaces). The contact portion 11a may also be a triangular shape with corners (which may be rounded) on the media 101 side. The contact portion 11a may also be a shape that is a sum of a curved portion including the apex position and a rectangular portion below it (see the lower part of Figure 11 described later).

[0107] In the guide body, the ratio of the length in the D1 direction (maximum length; the same applies hereinafter) to the height in the D3 direction (maximum height; the same applies hereinafter) is arbitrary. For example, the former may be smaller than the latter, equal to it, or larger. Also, when the contact portion 11a is curved (arc-shaped) in the D1D3 cross section, the ratio of its radius of curvature to half the length of the guide body in the D1 direction is also arbitrary. For example, the former may be smaller than the latter, equal to it, or larger. The height of the guide body in the D3 direction is also arbitrary. For example, this height may be smaller than half the height of the transport path 7, equal to it, or larger.

[0108] In the media guide 11, the shape of the portion that does not come into contact with the media 101 (including the portion of the guide body other than the contact portion 11a) is arbitrary. For example, the media guide 11 may or may not have a portion other than the guide body (a portion embedded in the first wall 7a) (as in the example in Figure 3). Also, the media guide 11 may or may not have a portion located outward in the D2 direction relative to the contact portion 11a and / or the guide body (as in the example in Figure 3). Similarly, the media guide 11 may or may not have a portion located outward in the D1 direction relative to the contact portion 11a and / or the guide body. The specific shape of such portions located outward in the D1 or D2 direction is also arbitrary. Also, for example, the media guide 11 may have a shape that adjusts the airflow (e.g., fins).

[0109] (3.4. Grooves of Media Guide) The number and position of the grooves 11b in the D2 direction shown in Figure 3 are arbitrary. In the illustrated example, multiple grooves 11b are arranged in the D2 direction at a constant pitch. The pitch here may be, for example, the distance in the D2 direction between the geometric centers of the grooves 11b (3D), or the distance in the D2 direction between the geometric centers of the grooves 11b (2D) when viewed in the D1 direction. In addition, the multiple grooves 11b are basically distributed throughout the entire arrangement range W1 of the contact portion 11a. For example, the distance between the groove 11b located furthest to the -D2 side and the -D2 side end of the arrangement range W1 (the width of the teeth 11d, described later) is 2 times or less, 1 time or less, or 1 / 2 times or less of the above pitch (1 / 2 in the illustrated example).

[0110] Unlike the illustrated example, the number of grooves 11b may be one or two (a number where it is not possible to determine whether the pitch is constant or not). Also, the distribution of grooves 11b may be biased towards the center or both sides in the D2 direction. For example, the arrangement range W1 (or the assumed width of the media 101) is divided into three equal parts and the opening ratio (described later) is compared in each section. In this case, the opening ratio on the center side may be larger or smaller than the opening ratio on each side by a difference greater than the effect of the presence or absence of one groove 11b (or, if the sizes of multiple grooves 11b are different, for example, the smallest one) on the opening ratio.

[0111] In the example shown in Figure 3, the bottom surface of the groove 11b (the surface facing the first wall 7a) coincides with the position of the first wall 7a (its wall surface) in the D3 direction. That is, the two are flush. Note that the coincidence and flushness described here may be, for example, a configuration in which the difference in the position of the two in the D3 direction is 1 / 5, 1 / 10, or 1 / 20 of the height H1 from the first wall 7a to the contact portion 11a.

[0112] Unlike the illustrated example, the bottom surface of the groove 11b may be located inside the transport path 7 (towards -D3) relative to the first wall 7a. Also, the media guide 11 in the example of Figure 3 has a portion embedded in the first wall 7a. Therefore, the bottom surface of the groove 11b may be located outside the transport path 7 (towards +D3) relative to the first wall 7a. When the bottom surface of the groove 11b is not flush with the first wall 7a, the amount of displacement is arbitrary.

[0113] In an embodiment in which the bottom surface of the groove 11b is located outside the transport path 7 relative to the first wall 7a, the description of the shape and dimensions of the groove 11b may apply only to the portion located on the first wall 7a, or it may apply to the entire groove including the portion embedded in the first wall 7a, as long as no inconsistencies arise.

[0114] In the illustrated example, the shapes and dimensions of the multiple grooves 11b are identical. Furthermore, as described above, the multiple grooves 11b are arranged at a constant pitch. This makes it easier for the gas flow through the multiple grooves 11b to be uniform. However, the shapes and / or dimensions of the multiple grooves 11b may differ from one another.

[0115] The shape and dimensions of each groove 11b are arbitrary. For example, when viewed in the D3 direction, the groove 11b extends parallel to the media 101 transport direction (D1 direction) (or linearly, from another viewpoint). Also, when viewed in the D2 direction, the surface (bottom surface) of the groove 11b on the first wall 7a side extends parallel to the D1 direction (or linearly, from another viewpoint). The shape of the D2D3 cross section of the groove 11b is constant in the D1 direction, except for the variation caused by the fact that the D1D3 cross section of the guide body (the part located on the media 101 side relative to the first wall 7a, as described above) is not rectangular.

[0116] Contrary to the above description, the groove 11b does not have to be parallel to the D1 direction or straight. For example, the groove 11b may be inclined and / or curved when viewed in the D3 direction and / or the D2 direction. Furthermore, the shape of the D2D3 cross section of the groove 11b may change in the D1 direction independently of the changes caused by the shape of the D1D3 cross section of the guide body. For example, the width (D2 direction) of the groove 11b at any height (D3 direction) may change in the D1 direction, or the width may change in the D3 direction, and / or the height of the bottom surface may change in the D1 direction.

[0117] The specific shape and dimensions of the D2D3 cross-section of the groove 11b are arbitrary. In the example shown in Figure 3, the shape of the D2D3 cross-section of the groove 11b is rectangular with sides parallel to the D2 and D3 directions. Examples of shapes different from the illustrated example include a trapezoidal shape where the bottom on the media 101 side is longer than the bottom on the first wall 7a side, and a curved shape (e.g., arc-shaped) where part of the first wall 7a side or the entire groove 11b is recessed towards the first wall 7a side.

[0118] The relative relationships between the length of the groove 11b in the D1 direction (e.g., maximum length; the same applies hereafter), the width in the D2 direction (e.g., maximum width; the same applies hereafter), and the depth in the D3 direction (e.g., maximum depth; the same applies hereafter) are also arbitrary. For example, the length may be smaller than, equal to, or larger than the width. The width may be smaller than, equal to, or larger than the height. The height may be smaller than, equal to, or larger than the length.

[0119] The depth of the groove 11b (for example, the maximum depth; the same applies hereinafter) is the same as the height H1 from the first wall 7a (the main region which occupies most of it) to the contact portion 11a in the illustrated example (the previously described explanation of the flush surface may be used to define "same" here). When considering embodiments other than the illustrated example, the depth of the groove 11b may be, for example, less than 1 / 2 of the height H1, or 1 / 2 or more, or 2 / 3 or more, or 3 / 4 or more.

[0120] The media guide 11 has one or more grooves 11b formed only on a portion of its thickness in the D3 direction on the contact portion 11a side. From another viewpoint, the media guide 11 is a comb-shaped member having a base portion 11c fixed to the first wall 7a and a plurality of teeth 11d protruding from the base portion 11c. In the example of Figure 3, the base portion 11c is a portion that is embedded in the first wall 7a without excess or deficiency. As can be understood from the above explanation, the base portion 11c may be embedded in the first wall 7a only on the +D3 side, or it may be located on the first wall 7a without being embedded in it.

[0121] In relation to the shape of the groove 11b, the shape of the individual parts of the contact portion 11a that are divided by the groove 11b (for convenience, referred to as teeth 11d) as viewed in the D1 direction is arbitrary. In the example of Figure 3, the contact portion 11a (its apex position) is a straight line parallel to the D2 direction. Unlike the illustrated example, both ends of the straight line may be chamfered with curved surfaces. Also, for example, the contact portion 11a may be a curved shape that bulges towards the -D3 side when viewed in the D1 direction.

[0122] (3.5. Specific Examples of Media Guides) Figure 4 is a perspective view showing media guide 11A, which is a specific example of media guide 11. The upper left diagram of Figure 4 is a perspective view of the drying mechanism 9, located on the back surface 101b side of the media 101, as seen from the side of the transport path 7. However, the direct parts of the drying mechanism 9 (such as the air outlet) are not shown. The lower right diagram of Figure 4 corresponds to an enlarged view of a part of the upper left diagram of Figure 4.

[0123] As shown in the upper left diagram of Figure 4, the media guide 11A may be relatively thin. For example, the length in the D1 direction and / or height in the D3 direction of the guide body (the part located on the first wall 7a) may be sufficiently small compared to the length in the D1 direction of the drying mechanism 9 (or the distance between adjacent media guides 11A on either side of the direct part of the drying mechanism 9; the same applies hereafter in the following paragraphs). The smaller the length in the D1 direction of the guide body (contact portion 11a), the easier it is to reduce the sliding resistance of the media 101. The smaller the height in the D2 direction of the guide body, the easier it is to lower the height of the transport path 7 (in the D3 direction) and increase the airflow velocity.

[0124] Specifically, for example, the length of the guide body in the D1 direction (e.g., the maximum length; the same applies hereinafter) may be 1 / 50 or more, 1 / 30 or more, or 1 / 15 or more of the length of the drying mechanism 9 in the D1 direction, and may also be 1 / 5 or less, or 1 / 10 or less. The above lower and upper limits may be combined in any way.

[0125] Furthermore, for example, the height of the guide body in the D3 direction (e.g., maximum height; the same applies hereinafter) may be 1 / 100 or more, 1 / 50 or more, 1 / 40 or more, or 1 / 35 or more of the length of the drying mechanism 9 in the D1 direction, and may be 1 / 5 or less, 1 / 10 or less, 1 / 20 or less, or 1 / 25 or less. The above lower and upper limits may be combined in any way.

[0126] Furthermore, for example, the length of the drying mechanism 9 in the D1 direction may be, for example, 20 mm or more, 40 mm or more, or 80 mm or more, and may also be 200 mm or less, 150 mm or less, or 100 mm or less. The above lower and upper limits may be combined in any way.

[0127] Furthermore, for example, the length of the guide body in the D1 direction (for example, the maximum length; the same applies hereinafter) may be, for example, 2 mm or more, 4 mm or more, or 6 mm or more, and may also be 20 mm or less, 15 mm or less, or 10 mm or less. The above lower and upper limits may be combined in any way.

[0128] Furthermore, for example, the height of the guide body in the D3 direction (e.g., maximum height; the same applies hereinafter) may be, for example, 0.5 mm or more, 1.0 mm or more, or 2 mm or more, and may also be 10 mm or less, 5 mm or less, or 4 mm or less. The above lower and upper limits may be combined in any way.

[0129] Furthermore, the lower and upper limits of the various dimensional ratios and the lower and upper limits of the various dimensions (mm) may be combined in any way (the same applies to other dimensions). The length of the drying mechanism 9 in the D1 direction may be measured with reference to the position that forms the boundary between adjacent drying mechanisms 9 on the side of the first wall 7a. For the upstream end of the drying mechanism 9 located furthest upstream, the reference may be a position that can be considered the end of the first wall 7a. The same applies to the downstream end of the drying mechanism 9 located furthest downstream. In addition, the distance between adjacent media guides 11A across the direct part (outlet, etc.) of each drying mechanism 9 may be the distance between their top positions.

[0130] Refer to the lower right diagram in Figure 4. As previously described, the housing of the drying mechanism 9 may be composed of any number of members. Here, four plate-like members 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d are shown as examples. In the portion of the drying mechanism 9 that constitutes the first wall 7a, the end region in the D1 direction is recessed on the +D3 side relative to the main region (the region that occupies most of the first wall 7a). The media guide 11A is placed in this end region so that a part of it on the +D3 side (base 11c) is embedded in the first wall 7a.

[0131] The media guide 11A has a semicircular cross-section D1D3. A groove 11b is formed on the -D3 side of the semicircle. The portion on the +D3 side of the groove 11b is the base 11c described above. The thickness of the base 11c is the same as the difference in height (in the D3 direction) between the main region and the end region described above. That is, the bottom surface of the groove 11b is flush with the main region of the first wall 7a.

[0132] The shape of the groove 11b is rectangular when viewed in the D1 direction (or rectangular parallelepiped if the shape of the contact portion 11a, etc., is ignored). The depth of the groove 11b in the D3 direction is the value obtained by subtracting the thickness of the base portion 11c from the thickness of the media guide 11A in the D3 direction (radius of the semicircle), and is also less than half of the length of the media guide 11A in the D1 direction (diameter of the semicircle). The length of the groove 11b in the D2 direction and the length of the tooth 11d in the D2 direction are the same, and are longer than the depth of the groove 11b, and also longer than the length of the groove 11b in the D1 direction.

[0133] Examples of dimensions are given below. The radius of the semicircle of the media guide 11A may be 3 mm or more and 5 mm or less. The thickness of the base 11c may be 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. The depth of the groove 11b may be 2 mm or more and 4 mm or less, assuming that it is smaller than the radius of the semicircle of the media guide 11A. The length of the groove 11b in the D2 direction, and / or the length of the teeth 11d in the D2 direction, may be 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less. The length of the arrangement range W1 (Figure 3) of the contact portion 11a of the media guide 11A in the D2 direction, or the length of the transport path 7 in the D2 direction, may be 200 mm or more and 500 mm or less. The number of grooves 11b may be 10 or more and 30 or less.

[0134] (4. Media Guide According to the Second Embodiment) (4.1. Media Guide in General) Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the media guide 211 according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to Figure 3 of the first embodiment. Generally speaking, the media guide 211 is the media guide 11 of the first embodiment in which the groove 11b is replaced with a through hole 211b. That is, the cavity A1 is composed of a through hole 211b.

[0135] It is clear that the description of configurations other than the groove 11b in the first embodiment may be applied to configurations other than the through hole 211b in the second embodiment. Furthermore, the description of the groove 11b may also be applied to the through hole 211b, as long as no inconsistencies arise. For example, the description of the number of grooves 11b, their position in the D2 direction, their pitch (including the description of the geometric center), and the position of the bottom surface (the surface on the +D3 side) in the D3 direction may be applied to the through hole 211b.

[0136] The description of the shape and dimensions of the groove 11b may also be applied to the through hole 211b, as long as no inconsistencies arise. For example, the shapes and dimensions of multiple through holes 211b may be the same as those shown (as illustrated), or they may not be. The through hole 211b may extend parallel to the D1 direction with a constant cross-section, or it may not be. The shape of the D2D3 cross-section of the through hole 211b may be rectangular with sides parallel to the D2 and D3 directions (as illustrated), or it may not be.

[0137] Furthermore, similar to the groove 11b, in the through hole 211b, the length in the D1 direction (e.g., maximum length; the same applies hereinafter) may be smaller than, equal to, or larger than the width in the D2 direction (e.g., maximum width; the same applies hereinafter). In the through hole 211b, the width may be smaller than, equal to, or larger than the height in the D3 direction (e.g., maximum height; the same applies hereinafter). The height may be smaller than, equal to, or larger than the length.

[0138] Unlike the groove 11b, the through hole 211b is closed on the media 101 side. From another perspective, the contact portion 211a that contacts the media 101 is not divided. From yet another perspective, the shape of the surface of the through hole 211b on the media 101 side (-D3 side) can be set independently of the shape of the contact portion 211a.

[0139] The shape of the -D3 side of the through hole 211b is arbitrary; for example, it may be planar (as shown in the illustration), or it may be a curved surface that bulges towards the -D3 side. In relation to this point, to give an example of the shape of the D2D3 cross section not mentioned in the description of the groove 11b, for example, the shape of the D2D3 cross section of the through hole 211b may be circular or elliptical.

[0140] The portion of the media guide 211 that is on the +D3 side of the through hole 211b will be referred to as the base portion 211c. In the illustrated example, the base portion 211c is a portion that is embedded in the first wall 7a without excess or deficiency, similar to the base portion 11c in the first embodiment. The description of the base portion 11c may be applied to the description of the base portion 211c.

[0141] (4.2. Specific Examples of Media Guides) Figure 6 is a perspective view showing media guide 211A, which is a specific example of media guide 211, and corresponds to Figure 4. The description of media guide 11A relating to the specific example of the first embodiment may be applied to media guide 211A, provided that no inconsistencies arise.

[0142] For example, it is clear that the description of the media guide 11A other than the groove 11b may be applied to the media guide 211A other than the through hole 211b. Also, the description of the shape and dimensions of the groove 11b of the media guide 11A may be applied to the through hole 211b of the media guide 11A, as long as no inconsistencies arise.

[0143] For example, the shape of the through-hole 211b of the media guide 211A may be rectangular (cuboidal) when viewed in the D1 direction, similar to the groove 11b. The dimensions of the groove 11b (or teeth 11d) of the media guide 11A in the D1 and D2 directions, and the description of the number of grooves 11b may be used in reference to the through-hole 211b (or the portion between the through-holes 211b: corresponding to the teeth 11d) of the media guide 211A.

[0144] In the media guide 211A, the height of the through hole 211b in the D3 direction is the value obtained by subtracting the thickness of the base portion 211c and the thickness on the contact portion 211a side from the thickness of the media guide 211A in the D3 direction (radius of the semicircle), and is also less than half of the length of the media guide 211A in the D1 direction (diameter of the semicircle). The length of the through hole 211b in the D2 direction, and the length of the portion between the through holes 211b in the D2 direction are longer than the height of the through hole 211b, and furthermore, longer than the length of the through hole 211b in the D1 direction.

[0145] Examples of dimensions are given below. The radius of the semicircle of the media guide 211A may be 3 mm or more and 5 mm or less. The height of the through hole 211b in the D3 direction (e.g., maximum height) may be 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less, provided that it is smaller than the radius of the semicircle of the media guide 211A. The thickness of the base portion 211c and the thickness from the through hole 211b to the contact portion 211a (top position) may each be 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.

[0146] (5. Media Guide According to the Third Embodiment) (5.1. Structure of the Media Guide) Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the media guide 311 according to the third embodiment, and corresponds to Figure 3 of the first embodiment. The media guide 311 has a roller that can rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the direction D2. The rotation axis referred to here is a hypothetical straight line passing through the center of rotation, but there may actually be an axial member located at the center of rotation.

[0147] The media guide 311 has, for example, large-diameter portions 311d and small-diameter portions 311c arranged alternately along the axis of rotation. The diameter of the large-diameter portion 311d is larger than the diameter of the small-diameter portion 311c. Therefore, a gap 311b is located between adjacent large-diameter portions 311d via the small-diameter portion 311c. This gap 311b constitutes the void A1.

[0148] The gap 311b is formed in an annular shape around the small diameter portion 311c. However, when viewed in the direction D1, the gap 311b is separated by the small diameter portion 311c. The portion of the gap 311b located closer to the media 101 than the small diameter portion 311c is sometimes referred to as the first gap 311b1. The portion on the opposite side is sometimes referred to as the second gap 311b2.

[0149] The specific structure of the media guide 311 is arbitrary. Furthermore, the structure of the support portion 312 that supports the media guide 311 may also be appropriate depending on the structure of the media guide 311. Examples are given below.

[0150] For example, the media guide 311 may be formed as a single unit. The multiple small-diameter sections 311c and the multiple large-diameter sections 311d may rotate together. Alternatively, the media guide 311 may be constructed by fixing multiple members to each other so that the multiple small-diameter sections 311c and the multiple large-diameter sections 311d rotate together. In these structures (sometimes referred to as the "first roller structure"), the entire media guide 311 may be considered as a roller rotatable with respect to a rotation axis.

[0151] In the above embodiment, the support portion 312 may be provided, for example, at both ends of the media guide 311, and may be configured as a bearing that rotatably supports the media guide 311. In the illustrated example, the support portion 312 protrudes from the first wall 7a. However, the support portion 312 may also be provided on the side surface of the transport path 7. Support portions 312 may be provided to rotatably support the small diameter portion 311c located between the large diameter portions 311d, or support portions may be provided to support the large diameter portion 311d only from the first wall 7a side.

[0152] Furthermore, for example, the media guide 311 may have a core member located on the axis of rotation, a large-diameter portion 311d inserted through the core member, and a small-diameter portion 311c inserted through the core member. The multiple large-diameter portions 311d and the multiple small-diameter portions 311c may rotate independently of each other relative to the core member. The small-diameter portions 311c may function as spacers that define the distance between adjacent large-diameter portions 311d. A member formed integrally from each large-diameter portion 311d and half of the small-diameter portions 311c on each side thereof may be inserted through the core member, and the multiple large-diameter portions 311d may rotate independently of each other. In these structures (sometimes referred to as the "second roller structure"), the large-diameter portions 311d and the small-diameter portions 311c (the portion of the media guide 311 excluding the core member) may be considered as rollers that can rotate relative to the axis of rotation.

[0153] In the above embodiment, the support portion 312 may be configured to fixally support the core member, or it may be configured as a bearing that rotatably supports the core member. Other aspects of the support portion 312 are the same as those of the first roller structure.

[0154] Furthermore, unlike the illustrated example, the combination of multiple rollers and a pair of support parts 312 that rotatably support each roller may be arranged apart from each other in the D2 direction (sometimes referred to as the "third roller structure"). This may result in the formation of multiple large-diameter parts 311d and gaps 311b between them. In this case, the gaps 311b are connected without being separated by small-diameter parts 311c when viewed in the D1 direction.

[0155] The material description in media guide 11 may be applied to the material description in media guide 311 (which may be for any of the first to third roller structures). In the case of the first roller structure, the material may be metal, and more specifically, aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0156] The support portion 312 may be considered as part of the media guide 311. However, for the sake of convenience in describing the embodiment, the media guide 311 and the support portion 312 will be treated as separate components.

[0157] (5.2. Gap between the roller and the first wall) The media guide 311 is separated from the first wall 7a by its entirety (or, in other words, the entirety of the large-diameter portion 311d). This allows the media guide 311 to rotate. A gap G1 is also formed between the media guide 311 (more specifically, the outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter portion 311d) and the first wall 7a. This gap G1 also constitutes the void A1.

[0158] In Figure 7, the main region described above (a planar region occupying most of the first wall 7a) is assumed to be the first wall 7a facing the large-diameter portion 311d. However, as illustrated in Figure 8, which will be described later, a recess may be formed in the first wall 7a, thereby forming a gap G2, which is a type of gap G1. In this case, when viewed in the D1 direction, the portion of the large-diameter portion 311d located on the first wall 7a side may or may not be embedded in the first wall 7a (main region). In the former embodiment, when viewed in the D1 direction, the main region may be located in the second gap 311b2, the small-diameter portion 311c, or the first gap 311b1 in the D3 direction.

[0159] The size of the gap G1 (G2) in the D3 direction is arbitrary. For example, this size may be smaller than, equal to, or larger than the radius of the large diameter portion 311d. Also, when viewed in the D1 direction, the distance between the +D3 side surface of the large diameter portion 311d that is not embedded in the first wall 7a or is embedded in the first wall 7a (main region) and the first wall 7a (main region) is also arbitrary. For example, this distance may be smaller than, equal to, larger than, or zero than the radius of the large diameter portion 311d. For zero, the previously described explanation of flushness may be applied.

[0160] (5.3. Position, shape and dimensions of rollers and gaps, etc.) The description of the media guide 11 according to the first embodiment may be applied to the media guide 311, provided that no inconsistencies arise.

[0161] For example, in a configuration in which the drying apparatus 5 has a plurality of media guides 311, the configurations of the plurality of media guides 311 may be identical or different from each other. It is also clear that the explanation of the number and position of media guides 11 in the D1 direction may be used.

[0162] Furthermore, assuming, for example, that there is no gap 311b, the media guide 311 may or may not extend parallel to the D2 direction (or linearly, from another perspective) with a constant cross-sectional shape. It is clear from the previously described third roller structure, for example, that it is possible to make the height of the contact portion 311a (position in the D3 direction) constant in the D2 direction, while making the shape of the D1D3 cross-sections not constant in the D2 direction, or making the media guide 311 not parallel to the D2 direction.

[0163] The D1D3 cross-section of the media guide 311 is circular, and its length in the D1 direction and length in the D3 direction are both the diameter of the circle and are the same. However, as can be understood from the fact that the media guide 311 may be embedded in the first wall 7a (the main region which occupies most of it), the length in the D1 direction (maximum length), the height in the D3 direction, and the curvature of the curved surface of the part located on the main region (guide body) can be set to some extent independently of each other. Therefore, the explanation of the length in the D1 direction, the height in the D3 direction, and the curvature of the guide body in the first embodiment may be applied to the media guide 311 as long as no contradictions arise. Note that, as in the example in Figure 7, if the media guide 311 is separated from the main region, the height from the main region to the contact portion 311a (height including the gap G1) may be considered as the height of the guide body.

[0164] Furthermore, for example, the explanation regarding the arbitrary shape of the portion of the media guide 11 that does not come into contact with the media 101 may also be applied to the media guide 311. Unlike the media guide 11, the media guide 311 rotates, so it may be provided with a shape that adjusts the airflow and functions as a fan.

[0165] Furthermore, it is clear that, for example, the description of the number of grooves 11b in the media guide 11, their position in the D2 direction, and their pitch may be applied to the gap 311b of the media guide 311. Also, the description of the position of the bottom surface of the grooves 11b in the D3 direction may be applied, for example, to the position on the +D3 side of the gap 311b (or, from another viewpoint, the position on the +D3 side of the outer circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 311d).

[0166] Furthermore, for example, the shapes and dimensions of the multiple gaps 311b may be the same or different from each other. It should be noted that even with the first and second roller structures described above, it is possible to make the shapes and / or dimensions of the multiple gaps 311b different from each other, and with the third roller structure, there is even greater freedom in making the shapes and / or dimensions different from each other.

[0167] Furthermore, for example, the description of the shape and dimensions of the groove 11b (for example, the dimensions in the D1, D2, and D3 directions) may also be applied to the gap 311b, as long as no inconsistencies arise. When the shape and dimensions of the groove 11b are applied to the gap 311b, the description may be applied only to the portion located on the first wall 7a, or it may be applied to the entire structure, including the portion embedded in the first wall 7a, similar to the description of the groove 11b.

[0168] Furthermore, when determining the shape and dimensions of the groove 11b, the existence of the small-diameter portion 311c may be ignored or taken into consideration. For example, the maximum height of the gap 311b in the D3 direction may be the diameter of the large-diameter portion 311d (or the portion of it exposed from the first wall 7a), ignoring the small-diameter portion 311c, or it may be calculated by subtracting the height of the small-diameter portion 311c in the D3 direction that is located within the range of the above diameter. Note that, when viewed in the D2 direction, in the former case the maximum height is located on the axis of rotation, while in the latter case it is not necessarily located on the axis of rotation. The maximum height in the D3 direction was used as an example, but the same applies to the maximum length in the D1 direction.

[0169] Furthermore, for example, the shape of the D2D3 cross-section of the gap 311b may or may not be rectangular, having sides parallel to the D2 and D3 directions when the small-diameter portion 311c is ignored. An example of the latter is a shape in which the side surface of the large-diameter portion 311d bulges towards the axis of rotation. Also, the diameter of the small-diameter portion 311c may or may not be constant in the D2 direction.

[0170] The contact portion 311a is divided by a gap 311b, similar to the contact portion 11a in the first embodiment. The description of the contact portion 11a (tooth 11d) may also be used to describe the shape of each of its individual parts (outer circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 311d).

[0171] (5.4. Specific Examples of Media Guides) Figure 8 is a perspective view showing media guide 311A, which is a specific example of media guide 311, and corresponds to Figure 4. In this figure, a cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII in Figure 8 is also shown in the lower right.

[0172] The description of the media guide 11A according to a specific example of the first embodiment may be applied to the media guide 311A, provided that no inconsistencies arise. For example, the description of the dimensions of the guide body of the media guide 11A (the part located inside the transport path 7 relative to the main area of ​​the first wall 7a) in the D1, D2, and D3 directions may be applied to the guide body of the media guide 311A. Also, the description of the length of the groove 11b in the D2 direction, the length of the teeth 11d in the D2 direction, and the number of grooves 11b may be applied to the length of the gap 311b (small diameter portion 311c) in the D2 direction, the length of the large diameter portion 311d in the D2 direction, and the number of gaps 311b.

[0173] The +D3 side surface of the gap 311b, like the bottom surface of the groove 11b, coincides with the position in the D3 direction of the main region of the first wall 7a (the region that occupies most of the first wall 7a). That is, the media guide 311 is positioned on an end region that is recessed relative to the main region, and the position of the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 311d on the +D3 side is the same as the position of the main region in the D3 direction. As already mentioned, the gap G2 between the media guide 311 and the first wall 7a is secured in the end region.

[0174] Examples of dimensions are given below. The diameter of the large diameter portion 311d may be 2 mm or more and 4 mm or less. The size (minimum value) of the gap G2 in the D3 direction may be 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. The diameter of the small diameter portion 311c may be 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, assuming that it is smaller than the diameter of the large diameter portion 311d.

[0175] (6. Fourth Embodiment) In the third embodiment, it was stated that the gap G1 (partial void) between the first wall 7a and the media guide 311 also constitutes a void A1. Such a partial void located outside the media guide and constituting a void A1 may also be applied to the media guide 11 or 211 of the first or second embodiment. The fourth embodiment has such a partial void located outside the media guide.

[0176] For convenience, the media guide 11 of the first embodiment is used as an example of the media guide in the fourth embodiment. However, the media guide in the fourth embodiment may be the media guide 211 or 311 of the second or third embodiment. The same applies to the fifth to seventh embodiments described later.

[0177] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the transport path 7 and its surrounding area according to the fourth embodiment. The central view in Figure 9 corresponds to Figure 3. The right-hand view in Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along the line IXa-IXa in the central view. The lower view in Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along the line IXb-IXb in the central view.

[0178] As shown in these figures, a recess 35 is formed in the first wall 7a. This recess 35 passes through the media guide 11 in the D1 direction, within the arrangement range W1 (Figure 3) of the contact portion 11a of the media guide 11 in the D2 direction, and on the side of the first wall 7a than the media guide 11. The recess 35 (or, from another viewpoint, the gap between the recess 35 and the media guide 11) communicates the space in front of and behind the media guide 11. This recess 35 constitutes a void A1.

[0179] The number, position, shape, and dimensions of the recesses 35 are arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the recesses 35 are located at the positions of the grooves 11b in the D2 direction. Conversely to the illustrated example, the recesses 35 may be located between the grooves 11b. Furthermore, the recesses 35 may have a size that spans two or more grooves 11b in the D2 direction, or their position and dimensions in the D2 direction may be set independently of the positions of the grooves 11b.

[0180] Although not specifically shown in the figures, a recess 35 located outside the arrangement range W1 in the D2 direction may be provided, or a portion of the recess 35 may be located outside the arrangement range W1. However, in the description of the embodiment, the portion contained within the arrangement range W1 is referred to as the void A1, so the recess or portion of the recess outside the arrangement range W1 as described above is not included in the void A1. Also, although not specifically shown in the figures, a through hole may be provided in the first wall 7a in place of or in addition to the recess 35. Such a through hole may be realized, for example, by two or more members constituting the first wall 7a.

[0181] (7. Fifth Embodiment) When the drying apparatus 5 has a plurality of media guides (11, 211 and / or 311), it has been mentioned that the plurality of media guides may have different configurations. As a specific example, the plurality of media guides may have different areas of the D2D3 cross-section of the cavity A1. The fifth embodiment is an example of such an embodiment.

[0182] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the drying apparatus 5 according to the fifth embodiment. This figure is a cross-sectional view of the drying apparatus 5 cut in the middle of the depth of the groove 11b of the media guide 11, as shown in the lower part of Figure 9, and is also a view of the first wall 7a from the inside of the transport path 7. However, unlike the lower part of Figure 9, the D1 direction is the horizontal direction of the figure, and the entire length of the transport path 7 (in the D1 direction) is shown.

[0183] In this example, as in the example in Figure 2, one media guide 11 is located on each side of the D1 direction of each drying mechanism 9 (each drying unit 25). For convenience, in the media 101 transport direction, the upstream media guide 11 will be referred to as media guide 11E1, and the downstream media guide 11 will be referred to as media guide 11E2. The media guides 11 in between will be referred to as media guides 11M1, 11M2, 11M3, 11M4, 11M5, 11M6, 11M7, 11M8, 11M9, and 11M10, in order from the upstream side.

[0184] In the illustrated example, media guides 11E1 and 11E2 do not have a void A1. Also, in media guides 11M1 to 11M10, the opening area and / or opening ratio of void A1 are larger for those located further upstream. In the description of the embodiment, for convenience, only one of the opening area and opening ratio may be mentioned, but unless contradictions arise, the description of one may be applied to the other.

[0185] Here, the opening area is defined as the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the gas flow in cavity A1. The reason it is defined as the minimum cross-sectional area is that, as can be understood from the explanation above, the cross-sectional area of ​​cavity A1 may change in the direction of flow. Furthermore, since it is the cross-sectional area of ​​the gas flow, it is not limited to the area of ​​the cross-section perpendicular to the direction D1 (D2D3 cross-section). This is because the direction of gas flow in cavity A1 is not necessarily parallel to the direction D1.

[0186] However, unless it is clearly unreasonable, the area of ​​the D2D3 cross section may be used as the cross-sectional area in the flow direction. For example, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity A1 exemplified in Figures 3 to 8 may be the area of ​​the D2D3 cross section (or, from another viewpoint, the area of ​​cavity A1 when viewed in the D1 direction). The cross-sectional area of ​​the partial cavity formed by the recess 35 exemplified in Figure 9 may be the area of ​​the D2D3 cross section for the portion located below the media guide 11, and the area of ​​the D1D2 cross section for the portions located before and after the media guide 11.

[0187] Furthermore, if the void A1 has multiple sub-voids (for example, multiple grooves 11b), the sum of the minimum cross-sectional areas of each sub-void may be considered as the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​void A1. With respect to the D2 direction, since void A1 refers to those located within the arrangement range W1, the area of ​​sub-voids or parts of sub-voids located outside the arrangement range W1 may be excluded from the opening area of ​​void A1.

[0188] Furthermore, the opening ratio is defined as follows: Assuming there is no void A1, the area of ​​the region sandwiched between the contact portion 11a and the first wall 7a (main region) when viewed in the transport direction of the media 101 is called the barrier area. The ratio of the above opening area to the barrier area is called the opening ratio (%).

[0189] For example, in the examples in Figures 3, 5, and 7, the product of the height H1 and the length of the arrangement range W1 is the barrier area. In these examples, the opening ratio is approximately 50%. As illustrated in Figure 9, the partial voids constituting the void A1 may be located outside the transport path 7 relative to the first wall 7a (main area), so the opening ratio can theoretically exceed 100%.

[0190] The method for changing the opening area is arbitrary. For example, in media guides 11M1 to 11M5, an example is given in which the number of teeth 11d (components between partial cavities) is increased for media guides 11 further downstream. Note that the width of the teeth 11d (in the D2 direction) is constant for media guides 11M1 to 11M5. Also, for example, in media guides 11M6 to 11M10, an example is given in which the number of teeth 11d is constant, but the width of the teeth 11d is increased for media guides 11 further downstream. The above two methods may be combined.

[0191] The media guides 11M5 and 11M6 have the same configuration. Therefore, the opening area is constant in these two media guides 11. However, even if there is a part of the media guides 11M1 to 11M10 where the opening area is constant, if the opening area of ​​the media guides 11 downstream is smaller in other parts, then it is acceptable to consider that the opening area of ​​the media guides 11M1 to 11M10 as a whole is smaller towards the downstream media guides 11. The aforementioned part may be located in the middle of the media guides 11M1 to 11M10 in the media transport direction of the media 101, or it may be located at the end.

[0192] The specific manner and magnitude of the changes in the opening area and opening ratio in media guides 11M1 to 11M10 are arbitrary. For example, the opening area may change linearly with respect to the position in the D1 direction of the transport path 7, or it may change such that the rate of change increases towards the downstream side, or it may change such that the rate of change decreases towards the downstream side. A media guide 11 with a 50% opening ratio may or may not exist. In the former case, when the arrangement range of media guides 11M1 to 11M10 is divided into three equal parts in the transport direction of the media 101, the media guide 11 with a 50% opening ratio may be located in any of these ranges.

[0193] For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that the change in opening area may differ from the example in Figure 10. For example, the opening area may be larger towards the upstream side in some or all of the multiple media guides 11. Also, a void A1 may be provided for media guides 11E1 and / or 11E2. In this case, the manner of change in the opening area in media guides 11E1 and 11M1, or the manner of change in the opening area in 11M10 and 11E2, may be the same as (an extended) the manner of change in the opening area of ​​media guides 11M1 to 11M10, or it may be different.

[0194] (8. Sixth Embodiment) In the above description, the transport path of the media 101 has been assumed to be straight when viewed in the direction of D2. However, the transport path does not have to be straight. The sixth embodiment is an example of a configuration in which the transport path is not straight.

[0195] Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the transport path 7 and its surrounding area according to the sixth embodiment. The upper figure shows the first example, and the lower figure shows the second example.

[0196] As shown in the upper diagram, the transport path 7 (or, from another viewpoint, the first wall 7a and the second wall 7b) may be curved and bulge toward the -D3 side. Furthermore, the height from the first wall 7a to the guide position P1 in the radial direction of the first wall 7a (normal direction at the position of each media guide 11) may be the same for all of the media guides 11.

[0197] Furthermore, as shown in the lower diagram, the transport path 7 may be a straight line parallel to the D1 direction. Also, the height of the multiple media guides 11 from the first wall 7a to the guide position P1 in the direction normal to the first wall 7a (D3 direction) may be higher for those closer to the center in the transport direction of the media 101.

[0198] In both the first and second examples, the transport path of the media 101 extends in a straight line between adjacent media guides 11. Furthermore, the transport path as a whole, spanning multiple media guides 11, is generally curved (more precisely, polygonal) and bulges towards the -D3 side (opposite the first wall 7a).

[0199] The specific form of the curve formed by the transport path (and / or transport path 7) is arbitrary. For example, the curvature may be constant (in other words, the curve may be a circular arc) or it may change. The specific magnitude of the curvature is also arbitrary. Furthermore, the first example and the second example may be combined.

[0200] Although not specifically shown in the diagram, the positions in the D3 direction of multiple drying units 25, each having a unit transport path 25a parallel to the D1 direction, may be offset from one another. This may result in a transport path 7 that is stepped at a microscopic level and curved at a macroscopic level. Alternatively, the positions in the D3 direction of the unit transport path 25a parallel to the D1 direction within the drying unit 25 may be offset from one another in multiple drying units 25.

[0201] (9. Seventh Embodiment) Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the drying apparatus 5 according to the seventh embodiment and corresponds to Figure 3. This diagram illustrates a situation in which the media guide 11 attached to the first wall 7a is replaced from media guide 11X to media guide 11Y. Thus, the media guide 11 may be replaceable.

[0202] The method of attaching and detaching the media guide 11 from the transport path 7 is arbitrary. In the illustrated example, a screw 37 is shown that is inserted through a plate-shaped member constituting the first wall 7a and screwed into the media guide 11 (11X or 11Y). One or more screws 37 may include, for example, a screw 37A that is screwed only into the base 11c, and / or a screw 37B that is screwed into at least the teeth 11d (and also into the base 11c if necessary). The specific position and number of screws 37 are arbitrary. In place of or in addition to screws, a combination of bolts and nuts, and / or engaging parts (claws, etc.) may be used.

[0203] The purpose of replacing the media guide 11 is arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the media guide 11 is replaced so that the contact portion 11a contacts the edges in the D2 direction of media 101, which have different widths in the D2 direction.

[0204] Specifically, the media guide 11X has a contact portion 11a that is in contact with the edge of the media 101X in the D2 direction, and can guide the edge. Similarly, the media guide 11Y has a contact portion 11a that is in contact with the edge of the media 101Y in the D2 direction, and can guide the edge. On the other hand, as shown by the dotted line drawn from the upper figure to the lower figure, the edge of the media 101Y is located in the groove 11b of the media guide 11X, and the media guide 11X cannot guide the edge of the media 101.

[0205] Other purposes for replacing the media guide 11 include, for example, adjusting the sliding resistance between the media 101 and the contact portion 11a. For example, media guides 11 with different sliding resistances to the media 101 are prepared under the same conditions (for example, when the same type of media 101 is subjected to the same tension). The sliding resistance is adjusted by the material or shape of the contact portion 11a. The media guide 11 is then replaced according to the material of the media 101.

[0206] Furthermore, for the purpose of guiding both edges of the media 101Y, instead of replacing the media guide 11X with the media guide 11Y, the media guide 11X may be moved in the D2 direction. This movement may be achieved by attaching and detaching the media guide 11X, or by a configuration that allows for the movement and positioning of the media guide 11X in the D2 direction. An example of the latter configuration is a combination of a rail that guides the media guide 11X and a device that fastens both the media guide 11X and the rail together.

[0207] (10. Other Embodiments) Although not specifically shown, examples of other embodiments are given below.

[0208] In the third embodiment, a third roller structure was described (a structure in which multiple sets of a combination of one roller and support parts that support the roller from both sides are arranged at mutually different positions in the D2 direction). Similarly, the media guide of the first and second embodiments may be composed of multiple members that are separated from each other in the D2 direction.

[0209] For example, the groove 11b may be realized by fixing separately to the first wall 7a multiple members, each having multiple teeth 11d, which are not fixed to each other. In this embodiment, multiple members located at approximately the same position in the media transport direction of the media 101 may be considered as a single media guide.

[0210] In Figure 7, it is assumed that the media guide 311 is positioned away from the main area of ​​the first wall 7a towards -D3, thereby forming a gap G1. Similarly, the media guide 11 or 211 may also be positioned away from the first wall 7a towards -D3 to form a gap G1. For example, the media guide 11 or 211 may be supported at both ends by support portions protruding from the first wall 7a (these support portions may be considered as part of the media guide 11 or 211), or it may be supported by the side surface of the transport path 7.

[0211] The partial cavity (recess 35) provided in the first wall 7a shown in Figure 9 may have a length that spans the positions of two or more media guides in the media 101 transport direction, or it may have a length that spans approximately the entire length of the transport path 7. A recess that spans approximately the entire length of the transport path 7 is expected to contribute, for example, to regulating the airflow.

[0212] If a recess is formed along approximately the entire length of the transport path 7, from another perspective, it can be considered that a rib extending in the transport direction is provided. The media 101 may be slid along this rib without providing the media guide 11 of the embodiment. In this case, the bottom surface of the recess can be considered as the first wall, and the rib as the media guide.

[0213] (11. Summary of Embodiments) Below, we will extract configurations according to the embodiments and describe their effects. Note that the extracted configurations do not necessarily have to produce the effects exemplified below. Also, for convenience, the reference numerals of one of the multiple embodiments may be used to represent all of them. The following description may also apply to embodiments in which no reference numerals are used, as long as no inconsistencies arise.

[0214] The drying apparatus 5 includes a transport path 7 having a space through which the media 101 passes, an air supply unit 9A that supplies hot air into the transport path 7, and a media guide 11 (an example of a first media guide) that guides the media 101 within the transport path 7. The transport path 7 has a first wall 7a that extends in the transport direction of the media 101 (direction D1) and in the width direction of the transport path 7 (direction D2) and faces the back surface 101b (an example of a predetermined surface) of the media 101. The media guide 11 has a contact portion 11a (an example of a first contact portion) that can contact the back surface 101b at a guide position P1 inside the transport path 7 from the first wall 7a. The portion consisting of the media guide 11 and the first wall 7a has a space A1 through which the media guide 11 passes in the D1 direction within the arrangement range W1 of the contact portion 11a in the D2 direction.

[0215] Therefore, as described in the overview of the embodiment, for example, gas flows more easily on the back surface 101b side of the media 101, and drying is promoted.

[0216] As shown in the first embodiment (Figures 3 and 4), the contact portion 11a may be immovable relative to the first wall 7a. In other words, the contact portion 11a is configured to be non-rotatable (not rotate) relative to the first wall 7a. The cavity A1 may include a groove 11b that is recessed on the side of the first wall 7a relative to the contact portion 11a and extends in the direction D1. Note that the concept of the contact portion 11a being immovable relative to the first wall 7a also includes the possibility of slight deformation of the media guide 11 due to pressing force.

[0217] In this case, unlike the media guide 311 (roller) according to the third embodiment, for example, no wear occurs due to rotation in the support portion 312, or it is not necessary to adopt a configuration for the support portion 312 that reduces the above wear. As a result, maintenance is easier. Also, for example, it is easier to increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity A1 compared to the second embodiment (through hole 211b). Furthermore, for example, depending on the type of media 101, it may be better to reduce the sliding area between the media 101 and the media guide 11, and this is effective in such cases.

[0218] As shown in the second embodiment (Figures 5 and 6), the cavity A1 may include a through hole 211b that penetrates the media guide 211 in the D1 direction on the side of the first wall 7a rather than the contact portion 211a.

[0219] In this case, for example, maintenance is easier compared to the third embodiment, similar to the first embodiment. Also, for example, compared to the first embodiment (groove 11b), the contact area with the media 101 is larger, making it easier to hold the media 101 in the intended shape (for example, a straight line when viewed in the D1 direction). Furthermore, no trace of the groove 11b remains on the media 101.

[0220] The contact portion 11a may have a curved surface that bulges toward the media 101 when viewed in the D2 direction.

[0221] In this case, for example, the contact area with the media 101 can be reduced compared to an embodiment in which the contact portion 11a is rectangular when viewed in the D2 direction (this embodiment may also be included in the technology of this disclosure). Furthermore, excessive pressure (or, from another perspective, localized frictional force) is not applied to the media 101 at the corners of the rectangle. As a result, the wear condition of the media 101 is improved.

[0222] As shown in the third embodiment (Figures 7 and 8), the media guide 311 may have a roller that is rotatable around a rotation axis along the direction D2. The roller may have a plurality of large-diameter portions 311d (example of a plurality of partial rollers) that are spaced apart from each other in the direction along the rotation axis. The cavity A1 may include gaps 311b between the plurality of large-diameter portions 311d.

[0223] In this case, for example, friction with respect to the media 101 is reduced compared to the first and second embodiments. Furthermore, it is easier to increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity A1 compared to an embodiment in which the media guide is composed of only one long roller that is long in the D2 direction (this embodiment may also be included in the technology of this disclosure).

[0224] The void A1 may include the gap G1 between the region of the outer circumferential surface of the roller (large diameter portion 311d) that is located on the media 101 side and constitutes the contact portion 311a, and the first wall 7a.

[0225] In this case, for example, when the roller rotates as the media 101 is transported, the region of the outer surface of the roller on the side of the first wall 7a moves from downstream to upstream with respect to the transport direction of the media 101. As a result, an airflow from downstream to upstream is easily generated. Consequently, as described in the explanation of the drying mechanism 9, drying is facilitated.

[0226] The void A1 may include the gap between the media guide 11 and the first wall 7a (for example, the recess 35 in Figure 9 or the gap G1 mentioned above).

[0227] In this case, for example, the shape and dimensions of the recess 35 can be set independently of the contact area of ​​the contact portion 11a with respect to the media 101, similar to the through hole 211b. Therefore, there is a high degree of design freedom. Also, unlike in Figure 9, when not combined with the groove 11b, the contact portion 11a can be left undivided.

[0228] The void A1 may include a hole (for example, a recess 35) located in the first wall 7a.

[0229] In this case, for example, the opening area can be increased without depending on the size of the media guide 11. Also, by having the recess 35 form space A1 together with other partial spaces (grooves 11b, etc.), the opening area can be made to approach the opening area that would be possible if the media guide 11 were not provided. Theoretically, the former and the latter can also be made the same.

[0230] As shown in the fifth embodiment (Figure 10), the drying apparatus 5 may have a plurality of media guides 11, including media guides 11M1 to 11M10 (each an example of a first media guide), whose positions in the D1 direction are different from each other. Each of the plurality of media guides 11 may have a contact portion 11a that can contact the back surface 101b of the media 101 at a guide position P1 inside the transport path 7 from the first wall 7a. Of the plurality of media guides 11, the media guide 11E1 or 11E2 closest to one end of the transport path 7 will be called an end media guide, and its contact portion 11a will be called an end contact portion. In this case, the portion consisting of the end media guide and the first wall 7a may not have a space A1 through which the end media guide passes in the D1 direction in the arrangement range W1 of the end contact portion in the D2 direction.

[0231] In this case, for example, the mutual influence between the inside of the transport path 7 and the outside of the transport path 7 is reduced. As a result, for example, the airflow inside the transport path 7 becomes less susceptible to external influences, and the control of the airflow is made easier. Also, for example, the likelihood that hot air and / or moisture inside the transport path 7 will affect equipment or media 101 outside the transport path 7 is reduced.

[0232] If, among the multiple media guides 11, the media guide 11E2 located furthest downstream in the media 101 transport direction does not have a void A1, then, for example, the probability of hot air being discharged downstream in the transport direction from the transport path 7 is reduced. As a result, for example, it is easier to generate an airflow upstream in the transport direction. This airflow facilitates drying, as described in the explanation of the drying mechanism 9.

[0233] If, among the multiple media guides 11, the media guide 11E1 located at the uppermost position in the media 101 transport direction does not have a void A1, then, for example, the probability of low-temperature gas entering the transport path 7 along with the media 101 moving into the transport path 7 is reduced. And / or, the probability of hot air and / or moisture leaking upstream from the transport path 7 in the transport direction affecting printing by the ejection device 3 is reduced.

[0234] The drying apparatus 5 may include a plurality of media guides 11M1 to 11M10 whose positions in the D1 direction are different from each other. When the opening area and opening ratio are defined as described above, at least one of the opening area and opening ratio may be larger for media guides 11 that are closer to the end of the transport path 7 (e.g., the upstream end).

[0235] In this case, for example, assuming that the pressure on the outer side in the D1 direction of two adjacent media guides 11 is equal, the gas between the two media guides 11 tends to flow towards the media guide 11 with the larger opening area. Similarly, for the three or more media guides 11 as a whole, the gas tends to flow towards the side with the larger opening area. In other words, the direction of the airflow can be easily changed to any desired direction by changing the opening area.

[0236] Furthermore, as can be understood from the above, for example, when the opening area is larger on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the media 101, it is easier to generate an airflow upstream in the conveying direction. This airflow promotes drying, as described in the explanation of the drying mechanism 9.

[0237] The drying apparatus 5 may include an irradiation unit 9C that irradiates the media 101 with ultraviolet light from the opposite side of the first wall 7a, and a plurality of media guides 11 whose positions in the D1 direction are different from each other. Each of the plurality of media guides 11 may have a contact portion 11a that can contact the back surface 101b of the media 101 at a guide position P1 that is inside the transport path 7 from the first wall 7a. None of the plurality of media guides 11 may be located in the irradiation area of ​​the irradiation unit 9C.

[0238] If the media guide 11 is located in the irradiation area, for example, only the portion of the UV cross-section that is not blocked by the media 101 (or ink) (for example, the end in the D2 direction) will be irradiated to the media guide 11 and a part of the first wall 7a (for example, the end in the D2 direction). Therefore, the temperature of the media guide 11 is likely to be uneven. The likelihood of the media 101 being heated unevenly due to contact between such a media guide 11 and the media 101 is reduced.

[0239] As shown in the sixth embodiment (Figure 11), the virtual line obtained by sequentially connecting the guide positions P1 on the media 101 side of the multiple media guides 11 (see media 101) may bulge out on the opposite side from the first wall 7a.

[0240] In this case, for example, the tension of the media 101 makes it easier to press the media 101 against all the media guides 11.

[0241] The technology relating to this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and may be implemented in various forms.

[0242] For example, the recording device is not limited to those generally classified as printers. For example, the recording device may be a plotter. Also, for example, the media is not limited to paper, but may be made of an appropriate material and may be a flexible film. The above material may be, for example, resin, metal, or cloth. The media may have a laminated structure made of different materials.

[0243] 1...Printer (recording device), 5...Drying device, 7...Conveyor path, 7a...First wall, 9A...Air supply section, 11...Media guide, 11a...Contact section, 101...Media, 101b...Back surface (predetermined surface) (of the media), A1...Empty space.

Claims

1. A drying apparatus comprising: a transport path having a space through which media passes; an air supply unit supplying hot air into the transport path; and a first media guide guiding the media within the transport path, wherein the transport path has a first wall extending in the transport direction of the media and in the width direction of the transport path and facing a predetermined surface of the media; the first media guide has a first contact portion that can contact the predetermined surface at a guide position inside the transport path from the first wall; and the portion consisting of the combination of the first media guide and the first wall has a space through which the first media guide passes in the transport direction within the arrangement range of the first contact portion in the width direction.

2. The drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first contact portion is immovable with respect to the first wall, and the cavity includes a groove that is recessed on the side of the first wall relative to the first contact portion and extends in the conveying direction.

3. The drying apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cavity includes a through hole that penetrates the first media guide in the transport direction on the side of the first wall rather than the first contact portion.

4. The drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first contact portion has a curved surface that bulges toward the media when viewed in the width direction.

5. The drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first media guide has a roller rotatable about a rotation axis along the width direction, the roller has a plurality of partial rollers that are spaced apart from each other in the direction along the rotation axis, and the cavity includes the gaps between the plurality of partial rollers.

6. The drying apparatus according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the first media guide has a roller that is rotatable about a rotation axis along the width direction, and the cavity includes a gap between the region of the outer circumferential surface of the roller that is located on the media side and constitutes the first contact portion and the first wall.

7. The drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the void includes a gap between the first media guide and the first wall.

8. The drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cavity includes a hole located in the first wall.

9. The drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the positions of the media guides in the conveying direction are different from each other and the media guide has a plurality of media guides including the first media guide, each of the plurality of media guides has a contact portion that can contact the predetermined surface at a guide position inside the conveying path from the first wall, and the end media guide of the plurality of media guides that is closest to one end of the conveying path is different from the first media guide, and when the contact portion of the end media guide is referred to as the end contact portion, the portion consisting of the end media guide and the first wall does not have a space through which the end media guide passes in the conveying direction within the arrangement range of the end contact portion in the width direction.

10. A drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a plurality of first media guides whose positions in the transport direction are different from each other, wherein in each first media guide, assuming there is no void, the area of ​​the region sandwiched between the first contact portion and the first wall when viewed in the transport direction is called the barrier area, the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the void with respect to the gas flow is called the opening area, and the ratio of the opening area to the barrier area is called the opening ratio, wherein at least one of the opening area and the opening ratio is larger for first media guides closer to the end of the transport path.

11. A drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: an irradiation unit that irradiates the media with ultraviolet light from the opposite side of the first wall; and a plurality of media guides, including a first media guide, whose positions in the transport direction are different from each other, wherein each of the plurality of media guides has a contact portion that can contact the predetermined surface at a guide position inside the transport path from the first wall, and none of the plurality of media guides are located in the irradiation area of ​​the irradiation unit.

12. The drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the positions in the transport direction are different from each other and the apparatus has a plurality of media guides including the first media guide, each of the plurality of media guides has a contact portion that can contact the predetermined surface at a guide position inside the transport path from the first wall, and the imaginary line obtained by sequentially connecting the guide positions of the plurality of media guides bulges out on the opposite side from the first wall.

13. A recording device comprising: a drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12; a conveying apparatus for conveying the media; and a dispensing apparatus for dispensing liquid toward the media.

14. The recording device according to claim 13, wherein the media guides are located at different positions in the transport direction and include a first media guide, each of the media guides has a contact portion that can contact the predetermined surface at a guide position inside the transport path from the first wall, and the downstream media guide, which is located furthest downstream in the transport direction, differs from the first media guide, and the portion consisting of the downstream media guide and the first wall does not have a space that passes through the downstream media guide in the transport direction within the arrangement range of the contact portion of the downstream media guide in the width direction.

15. A recording device according to claim 13 or 14, comprising a plurality of first media guides whose positions in the transport direction are different from each other, wherein, in each first media guide, assuming there is no void, the area of ​​the region sandwiched between the first contact portion and the first wall when viewed in the transport direction is called the barrier area, the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the void with respect to the gas flow is called the opening area, and the ratio of the opening area to the barrier area is called the opening ratio, wherein at least one of the opening area and the opening ratio is larger for first media guides located on the upstream side in the transport direction.

16. A recording device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the media guides are located at different positions in the transport direction and include a first media guide, each of the media guides has a contact portion that can contact the predetermined surface at a guide position inside the transport path from the first wall, and among the media guides, the uppermost media guide located at the uppermost position in the transport direction differs from the first media guide, and the portion consisting of the uppermost media guide and the first wall does not have a space through which the uppermost media guide passes in the transport direction within the arrangement range of the contact portion of the uppermost media guide in the width direction.

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