JP2013043434A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording apparatus capable of preventing the recording medium from being overdried by adjusting the temperature of a drying area formed as drying air blown out of an outlet of a drying means stagnates to a temperature suitable to drying.SOLUTION: Hot air (drying air) blown out of an outlet 53 of a drying device 17 stagnates on a top-surface side of a sheet CS between driven rollers 34, 35 to form a first drying area D1. A decal plate 72 which guides the sheet CS to a curl correcting mechanism 18 is provided downstream from the driven roller 35 forming the first drying area D1 in a conveyance direction. When a first sheet CS of one printing job is subjected to drying processing, the decal plate 72 is arranged at a standby position and a conveyance-directionally downstream end of the drying area D is opened ((b) in Fig.7). When the second and the succeeding sheets CS are subjected to the drying processing, the decal plate 72 is arranged at a guide position (drying area formation position) ((c) in Fig.7).

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus including a drying unit that applies a drying process to a recording medium on which a liquid is attached by a recording head to perform a drying process.

  In general, an ink jet recording apparatus is widely known as a recording apparatus that performs recording by attaching a liquid (ink or the like) to a recording medium. In this type of recording apparatus, there is a recording apparatus in which a drying apparatus that dries a recording medium to which ink (liquid) is adhered is provided on the recording medium conveyance path (for example, Patent Document 1).

  For example, a drying apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a suction fan for taking air into the housing, a heater for heating the air taken into the housing, and drying air (warm air) by heating the air. ) Is blown out toward the recording medium after image recording, and a circulation space for again guiding the drying air blown out from the blowout port to the suction fan. Then, the drying air is circulated while being blown onto the recording medium, whereby the drying air is heated to the target temperature at an early stage and the ink attached to the recording medium is efficiently dried. And the recording medium after drying is comprised so that it may discharge | emit to the conveyance direction downstream of a drying apparatus.

JP 2009-045861 A

  By the way, on the blower outlet side of the drying device, a drying region forming member such as a conveyance roller extending in a direction crossing the conveyance direction is arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the blower outlet. The blown dry air (warm air) is retained by the dry region forming member, so that a relatively high temperature dry region is formed. Then, when the recording medium after printing passes through the drying region, drying of the ink is promoted by the heated air staying there. However, since the transport roller and the like constituting the dry region forming member are configured such that a plurality of rollers having a predetermined diameter are intermittently disposed on the shaft portion extending in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, the rollers pass through a gap between the rollers. There is a problem that the temperature of the drying region is lowered because the warm air escapes from the drying region on the route or the route over the roller. Further, when a plurality of recording media are conveyed, the ink on the recording medium takes away the heat of vaporization necessary for drying, and the preceding recording medium takes away the heat of vaporization, thereby stabilizing the temperature of the drying region. However, when the first recording medium is transported through the drying area, there is no preceding recording medium that takes away the heat of vaporization, and thus the first recording medium is easily overdried. This is due to the lack of a function for adjusting the temperature of the drying region.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and one of its purposes is that the temperature of the drying region formed by the retention of the drying air blown from the outlet of the drying means is suitable for drying. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus capable of adjusting the temperature to prevent overdrying of the recording medium.

  One aspect of the present invention includes a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium on which recording is performed by adhesion of a liquid from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction, and recording on the conveyed recording medium in the middle of the conveying path. The recording head to be applied, and the air heated toward the surface from the air outlet formed at a position facing the surface of the recording medium on which the liquid adheres in the middle of the conveying path of the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means A drying unit that performs a drying process on the recording medium by blowing out the air, and a surface of the recording medium that is disposed downstream of the air outlet of the drying unit in the transport direction and that blows out the air from the air outlet A dry region shape that can move to a dry region forming position that forms a rear surface on the downstream side in the transport direction of the dry region that can stay on the side, and a retracted position that does not function as the rear surface of the dry region And summarized in that comprising a member.

  According to the above configuration, when the drying region forming member disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction from the air outlet of the drying unit is disposed at the drying region forming position, the drying region forming member is downstream in the transport direction of the drying region. The air blown out from the air outlet stays on the upstream side in the transport direction from the rear surface on the surface side of the recording medium. As the heated air stays, a dry region is formed upstream of the dry region forming member in the transport direction. Further, when the drying region forming member is disposed at the retracted position, it does not function as a rear surface of the drying region, so that air in the drying region is less likely to stay and the temperature of the drying region is relatively lowered. The temperature of the drying area can be adjusted by moving the drying area forming member between the drying area forming position and the retracted position. For example, when a plurality of recording media are transported relatively continuously, overdrying can be prevented when the first recording medium in which there is no preceding recording medium that takes away heat of vaporization from the drying region is present.

  In the recording apparatus which is one aspect of the present invention, the air blown from the air outlet is disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction from the air outlet of the drying unit, and the recording medium A pair of transport rollers capable of forming a first dry region of the dry regions by being retained on the surface side of the dry region, and the dry region forming member is disposed downstream of the transport roller in the transport direction. The dry region forming position where the air flowing from the gap between the transport rollers to the downstream side in the transport direction is retained to form the second dry region of the dry region, and the retreat position where the flown out air is not retained. It is preferable to be configured to be movable.

  According to the above configuration, the first drying region is formed by the air blown out from the outlet of the drying unit staying in the region between the pair of transport rollers on the surface side of the recording medium. When the dry region forming member is disposed at the dry region forming position, the air that has flowed from the gap between the transport rollers to the downstream side in the transport direction stays to form a second dry region. By forming this second drying region, the entire drying region is expanded downstream in the transport direction. Therefore, drying of the liquid adhering to the recording medium is promoted. In addition, when the drying region forming member is disposed at the retracted position, the air flowing from the gap between the conveyance rollers to the downstream side in the conveyance direction is not retained. For this reason, the temperature of a 1st drying area | region and a 2nd drying area | region falls. As described above, the temperature of the drying region can be adjusted by moving the drying region forming member between the drying region forming position and the retracted position.

  In the recording apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, in the drying process from a state where the recording medium is not present in the drying area, the drying area forming member is disposed at a retracted position, and the recording medium is located in the drying area. In the drying process from the state, it is preferable to further include a control unit that controls a power source that outputs power for movement to the dry region forming member so as to arrange the dry region forming member at the dry region forming position. .

  According to the above configuration, in the drying process from the state where there is no recording medium in the drying area, the power source is controlled by the control means, so that the drying area forming member is disposed at the retracted position. For this reason, air flows out from the drying area, and the temperature of the drying area decreases. As a result, overdrying of the recording medium is prevented even when the drying process is performed from a state where there is no recording medium in the dry region. On the other hand, in the drying process from the state where the recording medium is present in the drying area, the power source is controlled by the control means, so that the drying area forming member is disposed at the drying area forming position. For this reason, in the process in which the preceding recording medium is subjected to the drying process, the downstream end (rear surface) in the transport direction of the drying region is closed at the stage where the heat of vaporization is removed and the temperature is lowered. For this reason, it is possible to efficiently dry the subsequent recording medium while preventing the preceding recording medium from being excessively dried.

  In the recording apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, when the drying process is performed on a plurality of recording media constituting the same recording job from a state where the recording medium is not present in the drying area, the control unit includes one sheet In the drying process for the second recording medium, the dry area forming member is disposed at the retracted position, and in the drying process for the second and subsequent recording media, the dry area forming member is disposed at the dry area forming position. Is preferred.

  According to the above configuration, when performing the drying process of the first recording medium among the plurality of recording media constituting the same recording job from the state where there is no recording medium in the drying area, the control unit is configured to perform the drying area forming member. Is placed in the retracted position. Therefore, overdrying of the first recording medium can be prevented. In the drying process for the second and subsequent recording media, the control means places the dry area forming member at the dry area forming position. Therefore, the second and subsequent recording media can be efficiently dried.

  In the recording apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the drying area forming member moved to the retracted position is arranged in a posture capable of guiding the air from the drying area to the suction port side of the drying means. Is preferred.

  According to the above configuration, the air from the drying region is guided to the suction port side of the drying unit depending on the posture when the drying region forming member is disposed at the retracted position. For this reason, the heat of the flowed-out air can be used effectively by taking in the air (warm air) which flowed out from the drying region for temperature adjustment again from the intake port to the drying means.

  In the recording apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, a curl correcting unit that corrects curling of the recording medium is disposed downstream of the drying unit in the transport direction, and the recording medium is used as the curl correcting unit. It is preferable that the guide member that guides also serves as the dry region forming member.

  According to the above configuration, since the guide member of the curl correcting means also serves as the dry region forming member, there is no need to separately provide a member dedicated to dry region formation. For example, if the guide member is configured to be movable between a dry region forming position (guide position) and a retracted position, the dry region forming member can be configured using the guide member.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the printer according to the first embodiment. The schematic sectional side view which shows a drying apparatus and its periphery structure. The schematic plan view which shows a dry area | region. The perspective view which shows the rotation mechanism of a decal board. (A), (b) The side view which shows a curl correction mechanism. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer. FIG. 4A is a schematic side view illustrating a standby state before starting printing, (b) a first sheet drying process, and (c) a second sheet and subsequent drying processes. The flowchart which shows a drying control process. The schematic side view which shows the drying process of the 1st sheet in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows a drying control process.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an ink jet printer that is a kind of recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer 11”), which is an example of a recording apparatus, includes a paper discharge port 12a that opens to the front surface (left surface in FIG. 1), and a paper discharge port 12a. A main body case 12 having a paper discharge portion 12b (discharge tray) that extends substantially horizontally outward so that the printed sheet CS discharged from can be placed. The printer 11 includes a paper feed unit 13 that attaches a roll body RS in which a long sheet ST (for example, continuous paper) is wound in a roll shape in a main body case 12.

  In addition, the printer 11 includes a conveyance device 14 as an example of a conveyance unit that conveys the sheet ST along a conveyance path extending from the paper supply unit 13 toward the paper discharge unit 12 b in the main body case 12. Further, in the main body case 12, a recording unit 15 that performs recording by ejecting ink droplets onto the sheet ST in the middle of the conveyance path, and a cut sheet CS (cut sheet paper) having a predetermined length are recorded on the sheet ST after recording. And a cutter 16 for cutting. Further, on the downstream side of the cutter 16 in the transport direction X, a drying device 17 (heater unit) is provided as an example of a drying unit that blows dry air on the recording surface (front surface) of the cut sheet CS to dry the ink. Yes. Further, on the downstream side of the drying device 17 in the transport direction X, a curl correction mechanism 18 (decurl mechanism) is provided as an example of a curl correction unit that corrects curling (curling) of the cut sheet CS. The curl correction mechanism 18 has a transport function in addition to the curl correction function, and constitutes a part of the transport device 14. In the present embodiment, the sheet ST and the cut sheet CS constitute an example of a recording medium.

  Next, the paper feed unit 13 will be described. The paper feed unit 13 includes a rotary shaft 19 that rotatably supports the roll body RS, and a feed motor 20 (see FIG. 6) that rotates the rotary shaft 19. Then, as the feed motor 20 is driven, the rotation shaft 19 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1, whereby the sheet ST is fed out from the roll body RS.

  Next, the transport device 14 will be described. The conveyance device 14 includes a plurality of conveyance rollers (drive rollers) 21 to 27 that convey the sheets ST and CS from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction X, and the sheet ST and CS between the conveyance rollers 21 to 26. And driven rollers 31 to 36 capable of sandwiching the CS. As the driven rollers 31 to 36 are driven to rotate along with the driving rotation of the conveying rollers 21 to 26, the sheets ST and CS are conveyed. The curl correction mechanism 18 constituting a part of the conveyance device 14 includes a large-diameter conveyance roller 27 (upstream fixed roller) and a small-diameter conveyance roller arranged on the downstream side in the conveyance direction X with respect to the conveyance roller 27. 26 and a decurling roller pair DR (downstream side working roller pair) composed of a driven roller 36. The curl correction mechanism 18 moves the driven roller 36 constituting the decurling roller pair DR to a correction position where the correction force for bending the curl in the direction opposite to the curl direction can be applied to the sheet CS during printing. Apply curl correction treatment. Further, the transport device 14 includes a transport motor 40 (see FIG. 6) that outputs power for rotating the transport rollers 21 to 27, and a transport path forming member 41 disposed at a position corresponding to the transport roller 25. ing.

  In the following description, the transport roller 23 and the driven roller 33 that are paired with each other are referred to as a transport roller pair R1, the transport roller 24 and the driven roller 34 are referred to as a transport roller pair R2, and the transport roller 25 and the driven roller 35 are referred to as a transport roller pair R3. . In the present embodiment, undried ink attached to the surfaces of the sheets ST and CS is not transferred to at least the driven rollers 33, 34, and 35 among the rollers constituting the transport roller pair R1, R2, and R3. A roller (for example, a sponge roller) having liquid repellency (for example, water repellency) is employed.

  Next, the recording unit 15 will be described. The recording unit 15 shown in FIG. 1 includes a guide shaft 45 that extends horizontally along a width direction Y that intersects (orthogonally) the transport direction X above the transport path in the main body case 12, and a guide shaft And a carriage 46 supported by the guide shaft 45 so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction (width direction Y) of 45. A recording head 47 is attached to the carriage 46 so as to face the conveyance path. The recording head 47 is provided with a plurality of nozzles 47a that eject ink, which is an example of a liquid. The carriage 46 reciprocates along the width direction Y (main scanning direction) while being guided by the guide shaft 45, so that the recording head 47 reciprocates in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 46.

  Further, the recording unit 15 includes a support base 48 disposed at a position facing the recording head 47 across the conveyance path. The support base 48 has a built-in suction mechanism 49 that sucks the sheet ST through a plurality of suction holes (not shown) opened on the upper surface thereof. Ink is then ejected from the nozzles 47a of the recording head 47 onto the surface (upper surface in FIG. 1) of the sheet ST supported by the support base 48, thereby performing recording (printing) for attaching the ink to the sheet ST. It has become so.

  Specifically, the printer 11 receives print job data from the host device 200 (see FIG. 6). When the print job data is input, the control device 100 as an example of a control unit included in the printer 11 divides the print data included therein into print data corresponding to one scan of the print head 47. In the middle of one scan of the carriage 46, the recording head 47 performs a printing process for ejecting ink from the nozzle 47a selected based on the recording data. Then, the sheet ST is conveyed to the next recording position between printing processes for each scan. That is, in the recording unit 15, an image based on the print job is formed on the sheet ST by alternately repeating the formation of a band-shaped image whose width direction Y is the longitudinal direction and the intermittent conveyance of the sheet ST. The In the conveyance path from the recording unit 15 to the curl correction mechanism 18, a virtual plane including the upper surface of the support base 48 and the upper surface of the conveyance path forming member 41 is a conveyance surface that conveys the sheets ST and CS being printed. .

  Further, the cutting of the sheet ST by the cutter 16 is performed in a state where the conveyance of the sheet ST by the conveying device 14 is stopped. The cutter 16 operates and cuts the approximate center of the sheet portion sandwiched between the conveying roller pairs R1 and R2 in the width direction Y, and separates the cut sheet CS from the sheet ST. In the present embodiment, the sheet ST is cut at the timing when the conveyance of the sheet ST is stopped in the printing process.

  Further, at a position downstream of the cutter 16 in the transport direction X, there is provided a drying device 17 that performs a drying process on a cut sheet CS (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “sheet CS”) to which ink from the printing process has adhered. It has been. The drying device 17 performs a drying process for drying ink on the sheet CS by blowing warm air (drying air) onto the surface (recording surface) of the sheet CS. The drying device 17 is subjected to temperature control and ventilation control by the control device 100.

  Next, the drying device 17 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The drying device 17 is disposed at a position above the region sandwiched between the transport roller pairs R2 and R3 in the transport direction X. The drying device 17 has a length corresponding to the maximum width of the sheet CS in the width direction Y, and can blow hot air over the entire region in the width direction Y of the sheet CS.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drying device 17 has a cover 51 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cover 51 has an upper surface portion 51a, a rear side surface portion 51b, a lower surface portion 51c, a front side surface portion 51d, and left and right side surface portions (not shown) facing the width direction Y. A plurality of (five shown in FIG. 2) intake ports 52 are regularly formed at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction on the rear side surface 51b on the downstream side in the transport direction of the cover 51. Further, an air outlet 53 that blows warm air toward the surface of the sheet CS is formed in the lower surface portion 51c of the cover 51 at a position closer to the upstream side in the conveyance direction (rightward in FIG. 2). The blower outlet 53 opens in a substantially rectangular shape extending along the longitudinal direction (width direction Y) of the cover 51 over the entire width direction of the sheet CS, and warm air flows obliquely downward toward the downstream side in the transport direction X. Blow out.

  In addition, a plurality of fan units 54 (only one is shown in FIG. 2) are disposed at positions facing the intake ports 52 inside the cover 51. The fan unit 54 includes a square box-shaped fan case 54a that is partially open at the front and rear, a fan motor 55 disposed in the fan case 54a, and a fan 56 fixed to the output shaft of the fan motor 55. Yes. Further, an air flow path portion 57 for guiding the air taken into the cover 51 by the fan unit 54 from the air inlet 52 to the air outlet 53 is provided inside the cover 51. Inside the cover 51, the rear end portions (left end portions in FIG. 2) of the inner wall surfaces 58a and 58b formed in a substantially J shape are connected to the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion of the fan case 54a, respectively, The end portion on the side (the lower right end portion in FIG. 2) is connected to the front and rear side portions sandwiching the air outlet 53 with respect to the lower surface portion 51c. The air flow path portion 57 is defined by the inner wall surfaces 58a and 58b and the left and right side portions (not shown) of the cover 51.

  Inside the air flow path portion 57, a heater 59 is provided at a position between the fan 56 and the outlet 53 in the air flow direction. Further, the tip end portion of the air flow path portion 57 on the air outlet 53 side is inclined so as to go to the downstream side in the transport direction X toward the air outlet 53 side. Therefore, in the drying device 17, the fan 56 rotates in a state where the heater 59 generates heat, so that the air (warm air) taken in from the air inlet 52 and heated by the heater 59 is downstream from the air outlet 53 in the transport direction X. It blows off diagonally downward toward the side. A temperature sensor 61 that detects the temperature of air is provided in the air flow path portion 57 at a position downstream of the heater 59 in the air flow direction. Heating of the heater 59 is controlled by the control device 100 so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 becomes a set temperature (target temperature).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lower surface portion 51 c of the cover 51 of the drying device 17 is a substantially horizontal surface that faces the upper surface (conveying surface) of the conveying path forming member 41 at a predetermined interval. Then, the warm air (dry air) blown from the air outlet 53 to the surface (recording surface) of the sheet CS stays in a region surrounded by the surface of the sheet CS, the lower surface portion 51c of the cover 51 and the driven rollers 34 and 35. As a result, the first dry region D1 is formed. That is, the bottom surface of the first drying region D1 is formed by the sheet CS (or the conveyance path forming member 41), and the ceiling surface of the first drying region D1 is formed by the lower surface portion 51c of the cover 51. Further, an upstream end surface and a downstream end surface in the transport direction X of the first drying region D1 are formed by the driven rollers 34 and 35, respectively.

  Further, in the cover 51 of the drying device 17, a heat storage space 60 is defined between the air flow path portion 57 and the lower surface portion 51c. Once the air in the heat storage space 60 is warmed, the heat in the air in the air flow path portion 57 adjacent to the heat storage space 60 and the air staying in the first drying region D1 can be relatively suppressed. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a sensor 62 (paper end detection sensor) for detecting the leading and trailing ends of the sheet CS in the transport direction X is located at a position slightly away from the transport roller pair R3 in the transport direction X. Is provided. The sensor 62 is disposed at a position lower than the upper surface (conveying surface) of the conveying path forming member 41, for example, and detects the leading edge and the trailing edge from the lower side of the sheet CS. The sensor 62 of the present embodiment is a reflective optical sensor that is electrically connected to the control device 100, and includes a light source unit (light emitting element) and a light receiving unit (light receiving element) (not shown).

  The sensor 62 receives the reflected light of the light (detection light) emitted from the light source unit upwardly orthogonal to the transport surface, and receives an electric signal corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light to the control device 100. Output. For example, the sensor 62 outputs an ON value greater than a predetermined threshold when the sheet CS is a reflection target, and outputs an OFF value that is equal to or less than the threshold when the sheet CS is not a reflection target. . Accordingly, the leading edge of the sheet CS is detected when the output value of the sensor 62 changes from the OFF value to the ON value, and the trailing edge of the sheet CS is detected when the output value of the sensor 62 changes from the ON value to the OFF value. The

  Further, a curl correction mechanism 18 is provided at a position downstream of the sensor 62 in the transport direction X. The curl correction mechanism 18 includes a relatively large-diameter transport roller 27 (support roller) and a decurling roller pair DR (operating roller pair) located slightly downstream in the transport direction X from the transport roller 27. Yes. In addition, the curl correction mechanism 18 is provided with a decurling plate 72 that guides the leading end portion of the sheet CS to the gap between the decurling roller pair DR.

  The decurling plate 72 of the present embodiment has a guide position (position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2) disposed in a posture inclined in a direction in which the distance from the conveyance surface becomes shorter toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction X, and It is configured to rotate in a range between a retracted position (position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) arranged in a posture inclined in a direction in which the distance from the transport surface becomes longer toward the downstream side. The decal plate 72 has a proximal end serving as a rotation center located near the upper side of the conveying surface, and a distal end when located at the guide position is located near the lower end of the rear side surface portion 51 b of the drying device 17. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the decal plate 72 has a width that is slightly longer than the width of the sheet CS in the width direction Y.

  As shown in FIG. 4, on both sides of the drying device 17 in the width direction Y, frames 65a and 65b made of sheet metal or the like are erected in a state of facing each other. The frames 65 a and 65 b are pivotally supported at both end portions of the shaft portions 34 a and 35 a of the driven rollers 34 and 35 and the shaft portion 27 a of the transport roller 27. Although omitted in FIG. 4, the shaft portions of the transport rollers 24 and 25 and the transport roller 26 and the driven roller 36 constituting the decurling roller pair DR are also supported by the frames 65a and 65b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a pivot shaft 72a (also shown in FIG. 3) for pivotally supporting the decal plate 72 is pivotally supported on the frames 65a and 65b. One end of the rotation shaft 72a is connected to an output shaft of an electric motor 66 as an example of a power source assembled on the outer surface of the frame 65a. For this reason, when the electric motor 66 is driven forward and backward, the decurling plate 72 rotates between the guide position and the retracted position.

  That is, in this example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the electric motor 66 is driven to rotate forward in a state where the decal plate 72 is at the guide position (the solid line position in FIG. 3), the decal plate 72 is guided. It rotates from the position to the retracted position (the position of the two-dot chain line in the figure). Further, when the electric motor 66 is driven in reverse while the decal plate 72 is in the retracted position, the decal plate 72 is rotated from the retracted position to the guide position. Further, the decal plate 72 can be arranged at an intermediate position between the guide position and the retracted position by controlling the stop position of the electric motor 66. The decurling plate 72 is restricted to the guide position and the retracted position by abutting stoppers (not shown) provided on both sides of the rotation range. 3 and 4, the transport roller 27 is depicted as a single roller, but in reality, a plurality of transport rollers 27 are provided at intervals in the axial direction of the shaft portion 27a.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the warm air (black thick arrow shown in FIG. 3) blown to the sheet CS from the outlet 53 stays between the driven rollers 34 and 35 and opens the first drying region D1. Form. Since the downstream end in the transport direction X of the first drying area D1 is only intermittently covered with a plurality of driven rollers 35, a part of the air staying in the first drying area D1 is driven by the driven rollers 35. Leaks to the downstream side in the transport direction X through a path passing through the upper gap (solid arrow shown in FIG. 3) and a path passing through the gap between the driven rollers 35. In the state where the decal plate 72 is disposed at the guide position indicated by the solid line in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hot air leaked from the first drying region D1 to the downstream side in the transport direction X is removed from the decal plate 72 and the driven roller 35. To form a second dry region D2. For this reason, the entire drying region D including the drying regions D1 and D2 is substantially expanded downstream in the transport direction X. In the present embodiment, the guide position is the dry region forming position, and the decal plate 72 is disposed at the guide position, thereby forming the rear surface of the dry region D, while when the decal plate 72 is disposed at the retracted position, The rear surface of the dry region D is not formed.

  On the other hand, in the state where the decal plate 72 is disposed at the retracted position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 2 and 3, the air leaking from the first drying region D1 does not stay and moves along the upper surface of the decal plate 72. Thus, it flows upward in the downstream side in the transport direction X. For this reason, in the state where the decurling plate 72 is in the retracted position, the downstream end (rear surface) of the drying region D in the transport direction X is opened, so that the temperature of the drying region D (first drying region D1) decreases. It is like that. In the open state in which the decal plate 72 is disposed at the retracted position, the second drying region D2 is not formed, and the drying region D is only the first drying region D1.

  In the present embodiment, the decal plate 72 in the retracted position and opened is arranged in an inclined posture in which the distance from the transport surface becomes longer toward the downstream side in the transport direction X. For this reason, when the decal plate 72 is opened, the warm air flowing from the drying region D is guided upward so that the air inlet 52 of the drying device 17 can suck it.

  In this way, the decurling plate 72 can be moved to a guide position (drying area forming position) that forms a rear face on the downstream side in the transport direction X of the dry area D and a retracted position that does not function as a rear face of the dry area D. It has become. That is, the decurling plate 72 has a function of opening and closing the downstream end (rear surface) of the drying region D in the transport direction. In the closed state in which the decal plate 72 is disposed at the guide position, the decal plate 72 forms the rear surface of the drying region D, and hot air stays on the upstream side in the transport direction from the decal plate 72 so that the drying region D is formed. On the other hand, in the open state in which the decal plate 72 is disposed at the retracted position, the downstream end (rear surface) of the drying region D is opened, and the decal plate 72 does not form the rear surface of the drying region D. In the present embodiment, the decurling plate 72 constitutes an example of a dry region forming member.

  The curl correction mechanism 18 moves the driven roller 36 to the correction position shown in FIG. 2 so that the sheet CS is clamped by the pair of decurling rollers DR, and the curl is fixed to the sheet portion between the clamping position and the conveying roller 27. And a curved portion curved with a predetermined curvature in the opposite direction.

  Based on the detection signal (tip detection signal) that the sensor 62 detects the leading edge of the sheet CS, the control device 100 moves the curl correction mechanism 18 to the correction position at the timing when the detected leading edge is inserted into the gap between the decurling roller pair DR. To operate. Then, the control device 100 is based on a detection signal (rear end detection signal) in which the sensor 62 detects the rear end of the sheet CS, at a timing immediately after the detected rear end has passed through the decurling roller pair DR. The curl correction mechanism 18 is returned to the standby position.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the curl correction mechanism 18 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A shows a state where the curl correction mechanism is arranged at the standby position, and FIG. 5B shows a state where the curl correction mechanism is arranged at the correction position.

  The curl correction mechanism 18 includes a large-diameter conveyance roller 27 supported by a shaft portion 27a extending in the width direction Y, and a small-diameter conveyance roller 26 and a driven roller 36 supported by shaft portions 26a and 36a extending in the width direction Y, respectively. And a decal roller pair DR. When the driven roller 36 is in the standby position, the separation distance between the driven roller 36 and the transport roller 26 is longer than the thickness of the sheet CS, and the sheet CS is not sandwiched by the driven roller 36 and is transported by the transport roller 26. It is transported downstream (left side in the figure) along the transport path shown in FIG.

  Further, the curl correction mechanism 18 includes a lower guide plate 71 and an upper decurl plate 72 for guiding the sheet CS into the gap between the decurling roller pair DR. The lower guide plate 71 is formed in a comb-like shape extending a plurality so as to be arranged in the gaps between the plurality of transport rollers 27 from the support portion 74 toward the downstream side in the transport direction. The comb-shaped guide plate 71 forms a transport surface for the sheet CS with its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface 41a of the transport path forming member 41 (see FIG. 4) at the guide position (FIG. 5A). However, the retracted position (FIG. 5B) is configured to retract downward so as not to hinder the curl correction processing.

  On the other hand, the upper decal plate 72 is configured to be independently rotatable by the power of the electric motor 66 as described above. The decurling plate 72 gives priority to the function of opening to lower the temperature of the drying region D in order to avoid overheating of the drying region D. In other cases, the decurling plate 72 is disposed at the guide position so that the leading end of the sheet CS is moved to the decurling roller. Guide to the gap between DR. The guide plate 71 guides the back side of the sheet CS conveyed by the conveyance roller 27, while the decal plate 72 guides the front side of the sheet CS.

  The curl correction mechanism 18 includes a cam motor 73 (see FIG. 6) serving as a power source for operating the driven roller 36 and the guide plate 71 to the standby position and the correction position, and the power of the cam motor 73 is driven to the driven roller 36 and the guide plate 71. And a cam mechanism 80 for transmitting to the camera.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the cam mechanism 80 includes a cam shaft 82 that is rotated by the power of the cam motor 73 (see FIG. 6), and a cam member 83 that rotates as the cam shaft 82 rotates. , 84 and levers 85, 86 driven by rotation of the cam members 83, 84, respectively. The guide plate 71 is supported by the tip end portion (upper end portion) of the support portion 74 fixed to the side surface of the lever 85. The lever 85 has an extending portion 85a extending obliquely downward toward the downstream side in the transport direction X, and the cam member 83 is engaged with an end surface (cam follower surface) (lower surface in FIG. 5) of the extending portion 85a. ing. The lever 85 is urged counterclockwise in FIG. 5 by an urging member (for example, a torsion coil spring) (not shown), and the cam member 83 and the lever 85 are normally rotated at the standby position shown in FIG. Placed in.

  Further, the lever 86 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 88. The lever 86 has an extending portion 86a extending downward from the rotation shaft 88, and the cam member 84 is engaged with an end surface (cam follower surface) of the extending portion 86a. The shaft portion 36 a of the driven roller 36 is rotatably supported at the tip end portion of the support portion 86 b extending upward from the rotation shaft 88 in the lever 86. The lever 86 is biased counterclockwise in FIG. 5 by a biasing force of a biasing member (for example, a torsion coil spring) (not shown), and the cam member 84 and the lever 86 are normally in a standby state shown in FIG. Arranged at the pivot position. The cam members 83 and 84 and the levers 85 and 86 are provided in pairs at both axial ends of the cam shaft 82 having an axial length longer than the width of the sheet CS.

  When the cam shaft 82 is rotated approximately 180 degrees from the standby position shown in FIG. 5A as the cam motor 73 is driven, the lever 85 moves counterclockwise in FIG. 5A as the cam members 83 and 84 rotate. 5 and the lever 86 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5A, so that the lever 86 is disposed at the correction rotation position shown in FIG. 5B. As a result, the guide plate 71 is displaced from the guide position (FIG. 5A) that forms the transport surface to the retreat position (FIG. 5B) that retracts downward from the transport surface. In addition, the driven roller 36 is displaced in the clockwise direction (upstream direction in the conveyance direction X) about the rotation shaft 88 along an arcuate path, so that the sheet CS is interposed between the conveyance roller 26 and the middle of the displacement. 5 is arranged at a correction position shown in FIG. 5B in which the sheet portion between the holding position and the conveying roller 27 is bent in a direction opposite to the curl to correct the curl.

  When the cam shaft 82 rotates approximately 180 degrees from the standby state shown in FIG. 5B as the cam motor 73 is driven, the lever 85 moves as shown in FIG. 5B as the cam members 83 and 84 rotate. While rotating clockwise, the lever 86 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. As a result, the driven roller 36 returns from the correction position shown in FIG. 5B to the standby position shown in FIG. 5A, and the guide plate 71 moves from the retracted position shown in FIG. Return to the guide position shown in a).

  Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 11 will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the printer 11 is communicably connected to the host device 200 and receives print job data from the host device 200. Print job data received by the printer 11 from the host device 200 is input to the control device 100. The control device 100 includes a computer 101, a head drive circuit 102, motor drive circuits 103 to 107, and a heater drive circuit 108. A head drive circuit 102, motor drive circuits 103 to 107, and a heater drive circuit 108 are electrically connected to the computer 101.

  The computer 101 includes an ASIC 109 (Application Specific IC), a CPU 110, a ROM 111, a RAM 112, and a nonvolatile memory 113. The ROM 111 stores various control programs and various setting data. The nonvolatile memory 113 stores various programs including a firmware program and various setting data necessary for print control. In the present embodiment, the non-volatile memory 113 stores a program for the drying control process shown in the flowchart of FIG. The RAM 112 temporarily stores program data and various setting data executed by the CPU 110, various data that are calculation results and processing results by the CPU 110, various data processed by the ASIC 109, and the like.

  The computer 101 performs various controls by causing the CPU 110 to execute programs stored in the ROM 111 and the nonvolatile memory 113. For example, the computer 101 controls the recording head 47 via the head drive circuit 102 and also feeds the motor 20, the transport motor 40, the electric motor 66, the cam motor 73, and the fan motor 55 via the motor drive circuits 103 to 107. Are driven and controlled.

  The computer 101 drives the feeding motor 20 via the motor driving circuit 103, feeds the sheet ST from the roll body RS (see FIG. 1), and drives the conveyance motor 40 via the motor driving circuit 104. Thus, the fed sheet ST is conveyed by the rotation of the conveying rollers 21 to 27.

  Connected to the computer 101 is a rotary encoder 67 that outputs a pulse signal with the number of pulses proportional to the amount of rotation of the transport motor 40 constituting the transport device 14. When the leading edge of the sheet ST is detected by a sensor (not shown) on the upstream side in the transport direction X from the recording unit 15, the computer 101 uses a pulse of a pulse signal input from the rotary encoder 67 with the detection position as a reference. The number is counted, and the transport position of the sheets ST and CS is grasped from the counted value. The computer 101 also detects the conveyance speed proportional to the rotation speed of the conveyance motor 40 and the direction in which the sheet is conveyed according to the rotation direction of the conveyance motor 40 based on the pulse signal from the rotary encoder 67.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a power transmission switching device 68 is connected to the output shaft of the transport motor 40. The power transmission switching device 68 switches the power transmission destination between the transport motor 40 and the transport rollers 21 to 27 in accordance with the transport process of the sheet ST. Further, due to the speed reduction mechanism interposed between the power transmission switching device 68 and the conveying rollers 21 to 27, the sheet conveying speed is slightly higher after the cutting than before the cutting by the cutter 16, and the cutting is performed. Each subsequent sheet CS is conveyed at a slight interval. The rotary encoder 67 may be configured to detect the rotation of the power transmission system of the power transmission switching device 68 and the rotation of the shaft portions of the conveyance rollers 21 to 27 as long as the conveyance position of the sheet ST can be detected. .

  In addition, the computer 101 controls the current supplied to the heater 59 via the heater drive circuit 108 so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 becomes the set temperature (target temperature), so that the computer 101 can control the current from the outlet 53 of the drying device 17. Controls the temperature of the hot air blown out. Further, the computer 101 drives and controls the fan motor 55 so that the rotation speed of the fan 56 becomes a set speed via the motor drive circuit 107, and controls the flow rate of the hot air blown from the blowout port 53.

  Further, the computer 101 controls the electric motor 66 based on the processing result of the drying control process shown in FIG. 8, and moves the decurling plate 72 between the retracted position (open position) and the guide position (drying area forming position) (closed position). Open and close by moving between.

  Further, when the computer 101 detects the leading edge of the sheet CS when the input signal from the sensor 62 changes from the OFF value to the ON value, the cam 101 is cammed at the timing when the leading edge is inserted into the gap between the decal roller pair DR. The shaft 82 is driven by a rotation amount corresponding to about 180 degrees. By driving the cam motor 73, the curl correction mechanism 18 operates from the standby position (FIG. 5A) to the correction position (FIG. 5B). Further, when the computer 101 detects the trailing edge of the sheet CS when the input signal from the sensor 62 changes from the ON value to the OFF value, the computer 101 detects that the trailing edge has finished passing through the gap between the decurling roller pair DR. The motor 73 is driven by a rotation amount corresponding to about 180 degrees of the cam shaft 82. By driving the cam motor 73, the curl correction mechanism 18 returns from the correction position (FIG. 5B) to the standby position (FIG. 5A). When the sensor 62 detects the leading edge or the trailing edge of the sheet CS, the number of pulses of the pulse signal from the rotary encoder 67 is counted, and the conveyance distance based on the counted value is the first setting for starting the correction operation. At the timing when the distance or the second set distance for return operation is reached, the curl correction mechanism 18 is operated to the correction position or the standby position.

  Further, the CPU 110 executes a drying control processing program shown in FIG. 8 stored in the nonvolatile memory 113. The left side in FIG. 6 shows functional blocks constructed by the CPU 110 executing a program for the drying control process. When the CPU 110 executes this program, a timer unit 121, a sheet number determination unit 122, a first determination unit 123, a second determination unit 124, and a command unit 125 are built in the computer 101. Of course, each of these units 121 to 125 is not limited to a software configuration constructed by the CPU 110 executing a program, and may be configured by hardware such as an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit included in the computer 101, Further, some of the software may be software and the other may be hardware.

  Here, the print job data received by the printer 11 from the host device 200 includes a print command and one or a plurality of print image data. The computer 101 interprets the print command and, for example, in the case of printing a plurality of sheets, performs print control for printing one sheet at a time based on the print image data. When the number of prints included in one print job is k, it is assumed that the sheet CS printed on the nth sheet is a sheet CSn (n = 1, 2,... K). For example, the first (first) sheet in the print job is indicated by “CS1”, and the last (kth) sheet in the print job is indicated by “CSk”.

  The timer 121 measures the time during which the sheet CS is not dried in the drying region D. In the printer 11 according to the present embodiment, a printing instruction is accepted in units of jobs, and the sheet CS on which a print image in the same job is printed is conveyed almost continuously. For this reason, the timer 121 measures the elapsed time after the drying process of the final (kth) sheet CSk on which the final image of the print job has been printed. Here, the drying end position of the sheet CS that is determined that the drying process of the sheet CS is finished is, for example, a position where the rear end of the sheet CS has come out of the drying region D1.

  The timing unit 121 grasps the timing of starting timing when the final sheet CSk reaches the drying end position based on the detection result of the sensor 62, for example. When the sensor 62 detects the leading edge of the sheet CSk, the conveyance distance of the sheet CSk from the leading edge detection time is counted by a counter (not shown), and the counted value of the conveyance distance is the dry area D1 at the trailing edge of the sheet CSk. It is determined that the final sheet CSk has reached the drying end position when the set value (set transport distance) indicating that the sheet has passed has been reached. As this set value, for example, a value obtained by subtracting the distance in the conveyance direction X between the axis of the driven roller 35 and the optical axis of the sensor 62 from the conveyance direction length (sheet length) of the sheet CSk is used. Then, when the sheet CSk reaches the drying end position, the time measuring unit 121 starts measuring elapsed time. Then, when the first sheet CS1 on which the first image of the next print job is printed, for example, the time measuring unit 121 resets the time measuring time. This is because it is determined that it is not necessary to open the decal plate 72 when the heat of vaporization for one sheet is taken away.

  The sheet number determination unit 122 includes a counting unit that counts the number of sheets to be dried in the same print job, and the drying process is performed from now on using the count value of the counting unit. The number of sheets CS in the currently executed print job is determined. The counting unit, for example, has an initial value of “1” and increments the count value every time one drying process is started, and the sheet CS to be subjected to the drying process is the number of sheets in the print job. A count value indicating whether or not is counted.

  The first determination unit 123 starts the print job until the first sheet CS1 on which the first image of the print job is printed enters the drying region D (that is, until the drying start position is reached). The determination process is performed using the time measured by the time measuring unit 121 at the determination time set within the period. That is, the first determination unit 123 uses a preset threshold time T1 (hereinafter, referred to as “job interval time Tj”) after the last sheet CSk in the preceding print job has finished the drying process. It is determined whether it is equal to or greater than (threshold). Here, when the job interval time Tj exceeds the threshold time T1, when the drying process is performed on the first sheet CS1 of the next print job, the last sheet CSk in the preceding print job already exists in the dry region D. Not.

  The second determination unit 124 is for determining whether or not the job interval time exceeds the second threshold time, and is used in a second embodiment to be described later. Details thereof will be described in the second embodiment.

  The command unit 125 performs opening / closing control of the decurling plate 72 based on the determination result of the first determination unit 123. That is, when the first determination unit 123 determines that the job interval time Tj is equal to or greater than the threshold time T1, the command unit 125 arranges (that is, opens) the decal plate 72 at the retracted position with respect to the motor drive circuit 105. Command. On the other hand, when the first determination unit 123 determines that the job interval time Tj is less than the threshold time T1, the command unit 125 causes the motor drive circuit 105 to place (that is, close) the decal plate 72 at the guide position. Command.

<Action>
Next, the operation of the printer 11 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the printer 11 is turned on, the control device 100 starts energizing the heater 59 and driving the fan motor 55, and starts blowing warm air (dry air) from the outlet 53 of the drying device 17. Further, the decurling plate 72 is arranged at the guide position (drying area forming position). That is, the decal plate 72 is closed. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 reaches the set temperature, the printer 11 finishes the preparation state (preliminary heating preparation state) and enters a standby state in which printing can be performed.

  In the preheating preparation state, the first drying region D1 is formed between the driven rollers 34 and 36, and the air leaked from the driven roller 35 that forms the rear surface of the first drying region D1 is more than the decal plate 72. The second dry region D2 is formed by staying upstream. Therefore, a relatively wide dry region D (D1 + D2) is formed in the transport direction X. In the standby state shown in FIG. 7A, since the decal plate 72 is closed, the warm air in the drying region D is difficult to escape, and the drying region D is maintained at a relatively high temperature.

  When the print job data is received from the host device 200, the computer 101 in the control device 100 performs print processing based on the print job data. The conveyance of the sheet ST by driving the feeding motor 20 and the conveyance motor 40 and the scanning in the width direction Y of the carriage 46 by driving a carriage motor (not shown) are alternately performed. During the scanning of the carriage 46, the recording head 47 ejects ink from the nozzles 47a selected based on the recording data, whereby an image based on the print job is printed on the surface of the sheet ST. Each time the cutting position reaches the cutter 16, the sheet ST on which the image is printed and the ink is attached is cut by the cutter 16 into sheets CS for each image.

  Then, the sheet CS in which the ink is in an undried state is conveyed to a drying region D1 formed on the lower side of the drying device 17. In this dry region D1, warm air is blown from the blower outlet 53 toward the surface of the sheet CS. For this reason, the ink adhering to the surface of the sheet CS is dried by the heat of the air staying in the first drying region D1 and the flow velocity of the warm air (airflow) blown toward the surface of the sheet CS.

  Hereinafter, the drying control process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 executed by the computer 101 will be described. This drying control process is performed for each print job each time print job data is received.

  After at least one print job is executed after the printer 11 is powered on, the “time interval Tj that is the elapsed time after the timing unit 121 finishes drying the final sheet CSk in the preceding print job” ”. If no print job is executed, the elapsed time from when the printer 11 is in a standby state is counted as “job interval time Tj”.

  In step S1, it is determined whether or not it is the first sheet. That is, the sheet number determination unit 122 determines whether or not the sheet CS to be subjected to the drying process is the first sheet among print jobs currently being executed. If it is the first sheet, the process proceeds to step S2, and if it is not the first sheet (that is, if it is the second sheet or later), the process proceeds to step S4. For example, when the first sheet CS1 on which the first image of the print job is printed is to be subjected to a drying process, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, it is determined whether the job interval time is equal to or greater than a threshold time. That is, the first determination unit 123 determines whether or not the job interval time Tj is equal to or greater than the threshold time T1 (Tj ≧ T1). If the job interval time Tj is equal to or greater than the threshold time T1, the command unit 125 opens the decal plate 72 in step S3. On the other hand, if the job interval time Tj is less than the threshold time T1 (Tj <T1), the command unit 125 closes the decurling plate 72 in step S4. When Tj ≧ T1 is established, the command unit 125 outputs a command value for driving the electric motor 66 to the rotational position where the decurling plate 72 can be disposed at the retracted position to the motor driving circuit 105. On the other hand, when Tj ≧ T1 is not established (that is, Tj <T1), the command unit 125 electrically drives the motor drive circuit 105 to a rotational position where the decal plate 72 can be disposed at the guide position (dry region forming position). A command for driving the motor 66 is output.

  That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the job interval time Tj is equal to or greater than the threshold time T1 and the drying process is performed on the sheet CS1 that is the first print in the print job. The decal plate 72 is opened to the retracted position, and the rear surface of the drying area D is opened. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the air in the drying region D is discharged to the downstream side in the transport direction X when the decal plate 72 is opened. For this reason, the temperature of the drying region D decreases, and the temperature becomes an appropriate temperature that can prevent over-drying of the sheet CS1. In other words, when the threshold time T1 or more has elapsed since the preceding sheet CS took the heat of vaporization through the drying region D, the temperature of the drying region D that has reached an appropriate temperature has increased again, and the sheet CS1 remains as it is. Is dried, the sheet CS1 becomes overdried. Therefore, by opening the decurling plate 72 and discharging the excessively heated air in the drying region D, the drying region D is brought to an appropriate temperature, and the first sheet CS is sent to the drying region D having the appropriate temperature. Thus, the first sheet CS is subjected to a drying process at an appropriate temperature.

  Here, when the decal plate 72 is opened, the second drying region D2 is not formed, and the drying region D is only the first drying region D1. However, the warm air from the drying region D flows downstream in the conveyance direction X of the driven roller 35, and the drying of the ink on the sheet CS1 proceeds due to the flow velocity of the warm air flowing near the surface of the sheet CS1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the decal plate 72 arranged at the retracted position guides the warm air upward, and a part of the warm air guided upward is taken into the intake port 52. Here, for example, if cold air is taken in from the intake port 52, the temperature of the warm air in the drying device 17 is lowered, and it is necessary to increase the supply current to the heater 59 in order to heat it to the set temperature. This causes the power consumption of the heater 59 to increase. However, in the present embodiment, since warm air is taken into the intake port 52, the heat of the discharged warm air can be efficiently reused, and the power consumption of the heater 59 can be kept low.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7C, in the drying process for the second and subsequent sheets, the decal plate 72 moves to the guide position (drying area forming position) after the drying process for the first sheet CS1 is completed. And closed. As a result, the warm air leaking from the first drying region D1 stays on the surface side of the sheet CS, and the second drying region D2 is formed. When the first sheet CS1 passes through the drying region D (D1), the ink on the sheet CS takes away the heat of vaporization for evaporation of the solvent (or dispersion medium) (for example, water), and thus the drying region D (D1 ) Temperature has dropped. For this reason, even if the decal board 72 is closed, the drying region D is maintained at an appropriate temperature. Then, the second sheet CS2 enters the drying region D maintained at an appropriate temperature.

  The third sheet CS3 enters the drying region D where the ink on the second sheet CS2 has taken the heat of vaporization for evaporation of the solvent and has reached an appropriate temperature. Further, the k-th sheet CSk enters the drying region D where the ink on the (k−1) -th sheet CSk-1 has taken the heat of vaporization for evaporation of the solvent and has reached an appropriate temperature. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7C, the second and subsequent sheets CS are dried by passing the sheet CS through a relatively long drying region D (D1 + D2) formed by closing the decal plate 72. Is called.

  If the job interval time Tj is less than the threshold time T1, the decal plate 72 is held closed even for the first sheet of the print job. This is because the threshold time T1 has not passed since the drying process was performed on the final sheet CSk of the preceding print job and the heat of vaporization was taken to reach an appropriate temperature, and the sheet CS is overheated. This is because it can be considered that the temperature of the drying region D has not risen until now. Therefore, when Tj <T1 is established, the drying process is performed by transporting the drying region D (D1 + D2) to the first sheet CS1 without opening the decurling plate 72.

  Therefore, in the printer 11 according to the present embodiment, drying of the ink on the sheet CS is promoted by the drying region D formed by retaining the hot air blown from the air outlet 53 on the surface of the sheet CS on the surface side of the sheet CS. Is done. For this reason, the conveyance speed of the sheet CS can be further increased by the amount of time required for drying the ink. As a result, the printing throughput of the printer 11 can be improved.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) A decal plate 72 (drying region forming member) that can move to a guide position (drying region forming position) that forms a rear surface on the downstream side in the transport direction of the drying region D and a retracted position that does not function as a rear surface of the drying region D. Was provided. Therefore, even when the sheet CS is put into the drying area D and subjected to the drying process in a state where there is no preceding sheet CS in the drying area D, the decal plate 72 is moved to the retracted position so that the downstream side in the transport direction of the drying area D is moved. The temperature of the drying region D can be lowered to an appropriate temperature by opening and releasing the excessively heated air in the drying region D to the downstream side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent over-drying of the sheet CS that has entered the drying area D in a state where there is no preceding sheet CS that takes the heat of vaporization in the drying area D. In addition, once the first sheet CS takes the heat of vaporization and the drying region D reaches an appropriate temperature, the decal plate 72 is disposed at the guide position (drying region formation position), thereby Since the rear surface is closed and the temperature of the drying region D is prevented from excessively decreasing, the second and subsequent sheets CS can be dried in the drying region D at an appropriate temperature.

  (2) The elapsed time after finishing the drying process of the sheet CS is measured by the timer unit 121, the first determination unit 123 determines whether or not the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the threshold time T1, and the elapsed time is a threshold. When the time T1 is equal to or longer than the time T1, the decal plate 72 is opened. On the other hand, when the elapsed time is less than the threshold time T1, the decal plate 72 is kept closed. For this reason, it is possible to avoid an excessive temperature drop in the dry region D, which is a problem in the case where the elapsed time is less than the threshold time T1 and the decal plate 72 does not need to be opened, but is open. Therefore, the sheet CS1 can be dried at an appropriate temperature regardless of whether the interval time between print jobs is short or long.

  (3) In the case of the same print job, the elapsed time after finishing the drying process for only the final sheet CSk, that is, the job interval time Tj is measured by the timer unit 121. For this reason, since it is not necessary to measure the elapsed time after the completion of the drying process for each sheet CS belonging to the print job, the drying control process can be simplified.

  (4) Since the decurling plate 72 (guide member) for guiding the sheet CS to the curl correction mechanism 18 is used as the dry region forming member, the number of parts can be reduced and the printer 11 can be configured relatively easily. it can.

  (5) Since the decal plate 72 arranged at the retreat position is inclined in such a direction that the distance from the conveyance surface becomes longer toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction X, warm air from the drying region D is sucked into the intake of the drying device 17. It can guide to the mouth 52 side. For this reason, the warm air discharged by opening the decal plate 72 can be taken into the drying device 17 from the intake port 52 and circulated again. Therefore, the heat of the heater 59 can be efficiently used to efficiently generate the drying air at the set temperature. For example, the power consumption of the heater 59 required to generate the hot air at the set temperature is kept low compared to the configuration in which the hot air discharged by opening the drying region D is exhausted outside the main body case 12 without being reused. be able to.

  (6) A decal plate 72 disposed downstream of the driven roller 35 forming the first drying region D1 in the transport direction X is provided to be openable and closable. For this reason, when the decal plate 72 is closed, the second drying region D2 can be formed by retaining the hot air that has passed over the driven roller 35 or leaked from the gap. For this reason, by adding the second drying area D2 to the downstream side of the first drying area D1, the drying area D can be substantially expanded in the transport direction X. As a result, the sheet CS is more easily dried and the conveyance speed can be increased, thereby improving the printing throughput.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the content of the drying control process is different from that of the first embodiment. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected, the description is abbreviate | omitted, and especially a different structure is demonstrated.

  The control device 100 included in the printer 11 stores a drying control processing program shown in the flowchart of FIG. When the CPU 110 executes this program, a timer unit 121, a sheet number determination unit 122, a first determination unit 123, a second determination unit 124, and a command unit 125 are built in the computer 101. The timing unit 121, the number determination unit 122, the first determination unit 123, and the command unit 125 basically have the same processing functions as in the first embodiment.

  When the first determination unit 123 determines that the job interval time Tj is equal to or greater than a threshold time (hereinafter also referred to as “first threshold time T1”) (Tj ≧ T1), the second determination unit 124 further It is determined whether or not the job interval time Tj is equal to or longer than a second threshold time T2 (second threshold). Here, the second threshold time T2 is set to be longer than the first threshold time T1.

  In the first embodiment, only one threshold time T1 is set, and the decal plate 72 is opened and closed depending on whether or not the job interval time Tj is equal to or greater than the threshold time T1. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the job interval time Tj is equal to or longer than the first threshold time T1, the decal plate 72 is opened, but when the opening degree is less than the second threshold time T2, the decurling plate 72 is half-opened. In the case of T2 or more, the structure is fully opened.

  Therefore, the command unit 125 commands the motor drive circuit 105 about the rotational position of the electric motor 66 based on the determination results of the first determination unit 123 and the second determination unit 124. Specifically, the command unit 125 is configured to be electrically driven that can place the decal plate 72 in the closed position (guide position) with respect to the motor drive circuit 105 when it is determined that the job interval time Tj is less than the first threshold time T1. The rotational position of the motor 66 is commanded. Further, the command unit 125 can arrange the decurling plate 72 in the half-open position with respect to the motor drive circuit 105 when it is determined that the job interval time Tj is not less than the first threshold time T1 and less than the second threshold time T2. The rotation position of the electric motor 66 is commanded. Furthermore, when it is determined that the job interval time Tj is equal to or longer than the second threshold time T2, the command unit 125 can place the decal plate 72 in the fully open position (retracted position) with respect to the motor drive circuit 105. The rotational position of 66 is commanded.

Next, the operation of the printer 11 of the present embodiment will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 with reference to FIG.
In step S11, it is determined whether or not it is the first sheet. That is, the sheet number determination unit 122 determines whether or not the sheet CS to be subjected to the drying process is the first sheet among print jobs currently being executed. If it is the first sheet, the process proceeds to step S12, and if it is not the first sheet (that is, if it is the second sheet or later), the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not the job interval time is equal to or longer than the first threshold time. This determination process is performed by the first determination unit 123. If the job interval time Tj is equal to or longer than the first threshold time T1 (Tj ≧ T1), the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, Tj ≧ T1 is not satisfied, that is, the job interval time Tj is less than the first threshold time T1 (Tj <T1). If YES, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S13, it is determined whether the job interval time is equal to or longer than the second threshold time. This determination process is performed by the second determination unit 124. If the job interval time Tj is equal to or longer than the second threshold time T2 (Tj ≧ T2), the process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, Tj ≧ T2 is not satisfied, that is, the job interval time Tj is less than the second threshold time T2 (Tj <T2). If so, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In the case of the first sheet CS1 of the print job, the command unit 125 instructs the motor drive circuit 105 to determine the rotational position of the electric motor 66 according to the determination result of the job interval time Tj, thereby decurling the plate. 72 is controlled as follows. If the job interval time Tj is less than the first threshold time T1, the decurling plate 72 is closed in step S16. That is, the decal plate 72 is held in a closed state. If the job interval time Tj is not less than the first threshold time T1 and less than the second threshold time T2 (T1 ≦ Tj <T2), the decurling plate 72 is half-opened in step S14. If the job interval time Tj is equal to or longer than the second threshold time T2 (Tj ≧ T2), the decurling plate 72 is fully opened in step S15. If it is the second and subsequent sheets CSn (n = 2,..., K) of the print job (that is, if a negative determination is made in step S11), the decurling plate 72 is closed in step S16.

  Therefore, when the job interval time Tj is less than the first threshold time T1 (Tj <T1), for example, as in the case of the second and subsequent sheets shown in FIG. 7C, the decal plate 72 is closed and dried. The sheet CS1 is subjected to a drying process in the process of being conveyed in the region D (D1 + D2).

  Further, when the job interval time Tj is not less than the first threshold time T1 and less than the second threshold time T2 (T1 ≦ Tj <T2), for example, as shown in FIG. Part of the air staying in D is discharged downstream in the transport direction X. Since the opening degree of the decurling plate 72 at this time is half open, it can be avoided that the temperature of the drying region D is excessively lowered by opening the decurling plate 72. As a result, the sheet CS1 is conveyed in the drying region D adjusted to an appropriate temperature, so that the sheet CS1 can be appropriately dried.

  If the job interval time Tj is longer than the second threshold time T2 (Tj ≧ T2), for example, as shown in FIG. A part is discharged in a larger amount than in the case of being partially opened downstream in the transport direction X. For this reason, even if the temperature of the drying region D is maintained for a relatively long time in the standby state shown in FIG. As a result, the drying region D (D1) is adjusted to an appropriate temperature. As a result, the sheet CS1 conveyed in the drying region D is appropriately dried without being overdried.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(7) When the job interval time Tj is not less than the first threshold time T1 and less than the second threshold time T2 (T1 ≦ Tj <T2), the decurling plate 72 is half-opened as shown in FIG. The flow rate of the air discharged from D can be suppressed to a low level, and the temperature of the drying region D can be prevented from excessively decreasing. Therefore, even when the job interval time Tj is not long enough to fully open the decurling plate 72, the temperature of the drying region D can be adjusted to an appropriate temperature and an appropriate drying process can be performed on the sheet CS1.

In addition, the said embodiment can also be changed into the following forms.
-It is not limited to the structure using a decal board. For example, a dedicated dry region forming member that can move between the dry region forming position and the retracted position may be provided at a position downstream of the air outlet 53 in the transport direction X. Further, the method of moving the dry region forming member to the dry region forming position and the retracted position is not limited to the rotation method, and a slide method of sliding the dry region forming member in the vertical direction or the width direction can also be adopted. Also in the case of the rotation method, the rotation axis is not limited to the upper opening type arranged on the lower end side of the decal plate, but the lower opening type arranged on the upper end side of the decal plate, the end in the width direction Y A lateral opening type in which a rotation shaft extending in the vertical direction is arranged on the part side may be used.

  -It is good also as a structure which abolishes conveyance roller pair R3 of the conveyance direction downstream rather than the blower outlet 53, and the drying area | region D is formed between the conveyance roller pair R2 and the decurl board 72 of an upstream. In addition, in a printer that does not include a curl correction mechanism, a configuration in which a drying region D is formed between the upstream conveying roller pair R2 and a dedicated drying region forming member (for example, an opening / closing plate) can be employed.

  -After the drying region forming member is retracted to the retracted position, as the drying of the first sheet CS1 progresses, that is, with the lapse of time from the start of drying of the first sheet CS1, the drying region forming member is A configuration of closing continuously or stepwise can also be adopted. According to this configuration, it is possible to avoid that the temperature of the drying region D is excessively lower than the desired temperature when the second and subsequent sheets CS are dried.

  The dry region forming member may be opened between the first sheet CS1 and the m-th sheet CSm. That is, the decurling plate 72 is not closed even when the drying process of the first sheet CS1 is finished, and the decurling plate 72 is closed when the drying process of the mth sheet CSm is finished. In this case, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the opening degree of the drying region forming member is gradually narrowed every time the sheet CS to be dried is switched. For example, the first sheet may have a large opening, the second sheet may have a medium opening, and the third sheet may have a small opening.

  The heat of vaporization when the sheet is dried varies depending on the sheet length and the amount of ink (printing area) on the sheet. Therefore, the timing of moving the dry region forming member from the retracted position to the dry region forming position is determined by using at least one of the sheet length and the print area after starting the first sheet drying process. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the temperature is estimated and the drying region forming member is closed when it is estimated that the temperature of the drying region D has reached a predetermined temperature (stable temperature during sheet drying).

  ・ As a configuration in which the accumulated sheet length subjected to the drying process is measured from the start of drying of the first sheet, and the dried area forming member is moved (closed) to the dried area forming position when the accumulated sheet length reaches the set length. Also good.

  The drying end position at which it is determined that the sheet CS has been dried can be set as appropriate. For example, the position (rear end detection position) when the rear end of the sheet CSk is detected by the sensor 62 located in the vicinity of the downstream end of the drying region D1 is set as the drying end position, and the rear end of the sheet CS is detected by the sensor 62. It may be determined that the drying end position has been reached. Also, assuming that a plurality of sheets CS are continuously conveyed, the position at which the trailing edge of the preceding sheet CS is positioned when the leading edge of the succeeding sheet CS enters the drying region D It can also be the end position. Further, the exit of the drying region D (the rotation center position of the decal plate 72) may be set as the drying end position. In this case, it is determined that the drying process has been completed when the trailing edge of the sheet CS has reached the exit (drying end position) of the drying region D. Further, when the leading edge of the sheet CSk reaches the exit of the drying region D or D1, it may be determined that the drying process of the sheet CSk is finished.

  The presence / absence of the sheet CS in the drying area D is detected by a sensor, and in the drying process from the state where there is no sheet in the drying area D, the decal plate 72 is placed at the retracted position (opened), and the sheet is in the drying area D In the drying process, a configuration in which the decal plate 72 is disposed (closed) at the guide position can be employed.

  The determination content of the first determination unit 123 is changed to the determination of the elapsed time, and the number of sheets of the print job to be dried CSn is determined so that the drying process of the first sheet is performed. It is also possible to employ a configuration in which the decurling plate 72 is opened when performing, and the decurling plate 72 is closed when drying the second and subsequent sheets. In this case, the timing for closing the decal plate 72 is not limited to the second sheet, and may be the third or more p-th sheet.

  The recording apparatus is not limited to a serial printer, and may be an ink jet line printer. In this case, the recording head may be either a full-line recording head or a multi-head recording head.

  In the above-described embodiment, the recording apparatus is embodied as an ink jet recording apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and liquids other than ink, liquids obtained by dispersing or mixing particles of functional materials in liquids, gels, and the like. It is also possible to embody the present invention in a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges a fluid (including such a fluid). For example, even in a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid material that contains materials such as electrode materials and color materials (pixel materials) used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface-emitting displays in a dispersed or dissolved state. Good. Further, it may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a bio-organic material used for biochip manufacture, or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid that is used as a precision pipette and serves as a sample. Furthermore, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a transparent resin liquid such as a thermosetting resin onto a substrate to form a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) used for an optical communication element or the like, an acid or an alkali to etch the substrate, etc. The liquid injection apparatus which injects etching liquids, such as a fluid body injection apparatus which injects fluid bodies, such as gel (for example, physical gel), may be sufficient. The present invention can be applied to any one of these fluid ejecting apparatuses. As described above, the recording medium is not limited to a sheet such as paper (continuous paper or cut paper), and may be a substrate on which elements, wiring, and the like are formed by inkjet. Alternatively, a sheet made of synthetic resin or metal may be used. In this specification, “liquid” includes liquids (including inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts, etc.), liquids, fluids, and the like. In short, any liquid that needs to be dried by the drying air from the drying means is sufficient.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer which is an example of a recording apparatus, 14 ... Conveyor apparatus which is an example of a conveyance means, 15 ... Recording part, 16 ... Cutter, 17 ... Drying apparatus which is an example of a drying means, 18 ... Curl correction means (processing means) An example of the curl correction mechanism, 21 to 27... Transport roller, 34... An example of a dry region forming member and a driven roller that is an example of a transport member, 35. Driven roller, 47 ... recording head, 50 ... heater, 51 ... cover, 52 ... inlet, 53 ... air outlet, 54 ... fan unit, 55 ... fan motor, 56 ... fan, 62 ... sensor, 66 ... power source An electric motor as an example, 72... A decal plate as an example of a drying region forming member and a guide member, 100... DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Computer, 121 ... Time measuring part which is an example of time measuring means, 122 ... Number determination part, 123 ... 1st determination part, 124 ... 2nd determination part, 125 ... Command part, R2, R3 ... Conveyance roller as a conveyance roller Pair: DR: Decal roller pair, ST, CS: Sheet as an example of recording medium, X: Conveying direction, Y: Width direction, D: Drying area, D1: First drying area, D2: Second drying area , Tj... Job interval time as an example of elapsed time, T1... Threshold value as an example of threshold, T2... Second threshold time as an example of second threshold.

Claims (6)

Conveying means for conveying a recording medium on which recording is performed by adhesion of liquid from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction;
A recording head for performing recording on the recording medium to be conveyed in the middle of the conveying path;
The heated air is blown out toward the surface from an outlet formed at a position facing the surface of the recording medium on which the liquid adheres in the middle of the conveying path of the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means. A drying means for performing a drying process on the recording medium;
A rear surface on the downstream side in the transport direction of the drying area, which is disposed downstream of the air outlet of the drying unit in the transport direction and allows the air blown from the air outlet to stay on the surface side of the recording medium. A dry region forming member that can be moved to a retreat position that does not function as a dry region forming position and the rear surface of the dry region;
A recording apparatus comprising: Disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction from the air outlet of the drying means, respectively, the air blown from the air outlet is retained on the surface side of the recording medium, A pair of transport rollers capable of forming a first drying region;
The drying region forming member is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the transport roller, and retains the air that has flowed from the gap between the transport rollers to the downstream side in the transport direction, so that the second drying in the dry region is performed. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is configured to be movable between the dry area forming position for forming an area and a retreat position where the flowed out air is not retained.   In the drying process from the absence of the recording medium in the drying area, the drying area forming member is disposed at the retreat position, and in the drying process from the state in which the recording medium is in the drying area, the drying area forming member is disposed. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls a power source that outputs power for movement to the dry region forming member so as to be disposed at a dry region forming position.   When performing a drying process on a plurality of recording media constituting the same recording job from the absence of the recording medium in the drying area, the control unit forms the drying area in the drying process on the first recording medium. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a member is arranged at the retracted position, and the drying area forming member is arranged at the dry area forming position in a drying process of the second and subsequent recording media.   5. The dry region forming member moved to the retracted position is disposed in a posture capable of guiding the air from the dry region to the suction port side of the drying means. The recording device according to one item. A curl correcting means for correcting curling of the recording medium is disposed downstream of the drying means in the transport direction,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a guide member that guides the recording medium to the curl correcting unit also serves as the dry region forming member.

Images