JP6369702B2 - Drying method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a drying method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording apparatus including a heater that dries ink ejected onto a recording medium has been used. Among these, in order to dry the ink ejected to the recording medium, a recording apparatus including an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit that irradiates the recording medium with an electromagnetic wave is used. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a recording apparatus including a heater that radiates electromagnetic waves, such as a halogen heater or a sheathed heater.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a recording apparatus that includes a platen that supports a recording medium in a conveyance path of the recording medium, and a heater that corresponds to the position of the platen. Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a recording apparatus in which a plurality of aluminum alloy platens are provided adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction of a recording medium.

JP 2013-28094 A JP 2012-45855 A

  However, in the conventional recording apparatus provided with a heater of an electromagnetic wave irradiation type such as infrared rays as disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, vapor evaporated from the ink ejected to the recording medium by the heater. In some cases, the recording medium may be condensed and the recording medium may get wet.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to suppress the vapor evaporated from the ink due to electromagnetic wave irradiation from condensing on the medium support portion.

  In order to solve the above problems, a recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a medium support unit that supports a recording medium, and the recording medium using electromagnetic waves in the recording medium on the medium supporting unit. An electromagnetic wave irradiation unit that dries ink existing thereon, and the medium support unit is provided adjacent to the first region including an irradiation region by the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit and the first region. The second embodiment includes a second region having a thermal conductivity lower than that of the first region and including a non-irradiation region by the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit, and an opening through which vapor evaporated from the ink is passed.

Here, the “first region including the irradiation region” of the medium support unit means that the first region only needs to include at least a part of the irradiation region, and may include the non-irradiation region. It is a good meaning. In addition, the “second region including the non-irradiation region” of the medium support section means that the second region includes at least the region that is the non-irradiation region and is likely to cause dew condensation, and includes the irradiation region. It is a good meaning.
Further, the “opening” in the “opening through which vapor evaporated from ink” of the medium support part refers to the evaporated vapor passing from the recording medium side to the opposite side with respect to the medium support part. It means an opening that is possible.

  According to this aspect, the medium support portion is provided with the opening portion through which the vapor evaporated from the ink is passed. For this reason, the vapor evaporated from the ink by the electromagnetic wave irradiation passes through the opening and faces away from the portion of the medium support portion facing the recording medium, that is, the contact area between the medium support portion and the recording medium. It will be possible to escape. Thereby, the abundance of the vapor, which is a dew condensation source, in the vicinity of the medium support part can be easily reduced, and therefore, the periphery of the medium support part is in a state in which condensation does not easily occur.

And according to this aspect, the said medium support part has the 1st area | region containing the said irradiation area | region, and the 2nd area | region which has a thermal conductivity lower than this 1st area | region, and contains the said non-irradiation area | region. Since the first region includes the irradiation region, the temperature is likely to increase and condensation is unlikely to occur. In addition, the second region includes the non-irradiated region and a region where condensation is likely to occur. However, since the thermal conductivity is lower than that of the first region, condensation is unlikely to occur.
That is, according to this aspect, the combination of the first region (including the irradiation region) and the second region (including the non-irradiation region having a lower thermal conductivity than the first region) of the medium support portion causes an electromagnetic wave. It is possible to suppress the vapor evaporated from the ink by irradiation from condensing on the medium support portion. Thereby, the possibility that the recording medium gets wet and gets dirty can be reduced.
Note that the second region of the medium support portion has a lower thermal conductivity than the first region, and the first region and the second region are formed of different constituent materials having different thermal conductivities. In addition, for example, the support surface of the recording medium in the second region and the support surface of the first region are formed of the same constituent material, and the heat insulating material is opposite to the support surface of the second region. It may be realized by a configuration in which is provided.

  In the recording apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the second area is provided adjacent to at least one side of the first area in the longitudinal direction of the recording medium. It is characterized by.

  According to this aspect, in the longitudinal direction of the recording medium, it is possible to effectively suppress the vapor evaporated from the ink by the electromagnetic wave irradiation from condensing on the medium support portion.

  The recording apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the second region is provided with a heat insulating material.

  According to this aspect, the second region is provided with a heat insulating material. For this reason, the support surface of the recording medium is formed of the same constituent material in the first region and the second region, and a heat insulating material is provided on the opposite side of the support surface in the second region. The second region having a lower thermal conductivity than the first region can be easily formed. That is, with a simple configuration, it is possible to suppress the vapor evaporated from the ink due to electromagnetic wave irradiation from condensing on the medium support portion.

  The recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the heat insulating material is located at a position where the temperature at the time of the electromagnetic wave irradiation is lower than the flash point of the droplet generated by condensation of the vapor. It is provided.

Here, the “flash point of the droplet generated by condensation of the vapor” corresponds to, for example, the flash point of the ink-containing component, and particularly the lowest flash point of the ink-containing component. Correspond.
According to this aspect, the heat insulating material is provided at a position where the temperature at the time of the electromagnetic wave irradiation is lower than the flash point of the droplet generated by condensation of the vapor. For this reason, even if the vapor | steam evaporated from the said ink condenses on the said heat insulating material, since the droplet generated by the dew condensation does not ignite, safety is high.

  A recording apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect or the fourth aspect, the heat insulating material has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.1 W / (m · K). .

  According to this aspect, the heat insulating material has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.1 W / (m · K). For this reason, the heat insulating material can effectively lower the thermal conductivity of the second region. That is, it is possible to effectively prevent the vapor evaporated from the ink by the electromagnetic wave irradiation from condensing on the medium support portion.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the recording apparatus further includes a dew condensation unit that condenses the vapor that has passed through the opening. .
Here, the “condensation part” means that the vapor in contact with the surface is more easily condensed than the medium support part during the drying process. Specifically, for example, it is made of a material having a high thermal conductivity such as an aluminum alloy, and is further configured to have a low temperature at which the vapor that comes into contact with it causes condensation. Of course, the configuration is not limited to this example.

According to this aspect, the medium support portion is provided with the opening portion through which the vapor evaporated from the ink is passed, and the dew condensation portion that condenses the vapor that has passed through the opening portion is provided. For this reason, the vapor | steam which evaporated from the said ink reaches this dew condensation part via the said opening part, and dew condensation is positively carried out in the said dew condensation part.
Thereby, before the vapor | steam evaporated from the said ink in the said medium support part condenses, this vapor | steam can be condensed in the said dew condensation part. That is, it is possible to more effectively suppress the vapor evaporated from the ink by the electromagnetic wave irradiation from condensing on the medium support portion.

  The recording apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the dew condensation part is provided to face the opening, and the heat conductivity of the dew condensation part is the heat conductivity of the second region. It is characterized by being higher than.

  According to this aspect, the thermal conductivity in the dew condensation part is higher than the thermal conductivity in the second region. That is, the dew condensation portion is made of a material that is more likely to dew than the second region. For this reason, it becomes possible to positively condense the vapor | steam which evaporated from the ink by the said electromagnetic wave irradiation in the said dew condensation part, and it can suppress effectively that it dew condensation on the said medium support part.

  The recording apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the electromagnetic wave irradiation length of the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit in the short direction of the recording medium is The length is equal to or longer than the length of the medium support portion in the short direction.

Here, the “length of the medium support portion in the short direction” may be a length including the outer frame when the medium support portion has an outer frame or the like, or may not include the outer frame. It may be the length of the area where the opening is provided.
Further, “equivalent” of “equal to or longer than the length of the medium support portion in the short direction” includes a case where the length is slightly shorter than the length of the medium support portion in the short direction. .
According to this aspect, the electromagnetic wave irradiation length of the electromagnetic wave irradiation part in the short direction is equal to or longer than the length of the medium support part in the short direction. For this reason, the temperature distribution in the short direction of the medium support portion can be reduced, that is, a portion having a large temperature difference does not occur, and therefore, dew condensation occurs on the end portion of the medium support portion in the short direction. Can be prevented from occurring.

  A drying method according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a drying method for drying ink by irradiating the ink existing on the recording medium with electromagnetic waves, and the opening through which the vapor evaporated from the ink by the electromagnetic wave irradiation passes. A first region including an electromagnetic wave irradiation region provided with a portion, and a second region provided adjacent to the first region and having a lower thermal conductivity than the first region and including an electromagnetic wave non-irradiation region. Drying is carried out on the medium support part having the above.

  According to this aspect, the medium support portion has a configuration in which the vapor evaporated from the ink recorded on the recording medium by the irradiation of the electromagnetic wave is not easily condensed. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the vapor evaporated from the ink due to the electromagnetic wave irradiation from condensing on the medium support portion and soiling the recording medium.

1 is a schematic side view illustrating a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a medium support unit in the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating a medium support unit in the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating a medium support unit in the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view illustrating a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a medium support unit and a dew condensation unit in a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[Embodiment 1] (FIGS. 1 to 4)
Hereinafter, the recording apparatus of Embodiment 1 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. The recording apparatus is a recording apparatus capable of recording on a recording medium with water-based ink, but is not limited to a recording apparatus that can use water-based ink. The recording apparatus is a so-called after-heater type recording apparatus in which the medium support portion of the present invention is provided at a position different from the recording area (position where the nozzle surface of the recording head can be opposed). The recording apparatus is not limited to the apparatus, and may be a recording apparatus provided with the medium support portion of the present invention in the recording area. Further, the recording apparatus is a recording apparatus that conveys a recording medium to the recording head and performs recording. However, the recording apparatus may be a so-called flat bed type recording apparatus that moves the recording head relative to the medium support portion.
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a recording apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.

The recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a setting unit 2 that sets a roll R1 so that a recording medium P for recording can be sent out. The recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment uses a roll-type recording medium as the recording medium P, but is not limited to a recording apparatus that uses such a roll-type recording medium. For example, a single-sheet recording medium may be used.
When the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment transports the recording medium P in the transport direction A, the set unit 2 rotates in the rotation direction C.

  Further, the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a transport mechanism 15 that includes a plurality of transport rollers (not shown) for transporting the roll-type recording medium P in the transport direction A in the vicinity of the platen 3 and the like. The set unit 2 rotates in the rotation direction C, a plurality of conveyance rollers (not shown) of the conveyance mechanism 15 rotate, and a winding unit 14 described later rotates in the rotation direction C, whereby the recording medium P is moved in the conveyance direction A. Be transported. The moving path of the recording medium P at the time of transport is the transport path of the recording medium P.

Further, the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a recording mechanism 16 that performs recording by causing the recording head 4 to reciprocate in a scanning direction B that intersects the conveyance direction A of the recording medium P. The recording head 4 records ink by ejecting ink from the nozzles onto the recording medium P in the recording area 23 in the transport path of the recording medium P by the transport mechanism 15. An image is formed (recorded) on the recording medium P by the ink ejected from the recording head 4. Note that the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes the recording mechanism 16 that performs recording by reciprocating the recording head 4, but a so-called line head in which a plurality of nozzles that eject ink are provided in a direction intersecting the transport direction A. May be a recording apparatus.
Here, the “line head” is provided so that the nozzle region formed in the crossing direction intersecting the transport direction A of the recording medium P can cover the entire crossing direction of the recording medium P. The recording head is used in a recording apparatus that forms an image by fixing one of the recording head and the recording medium and moving the other. The area of the nozzles in the cross direction of the line head may not be able to cover the entire cross direction of all the recording media P supported by the recording apparatus.
In the present embodiment, the transport direction A corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the recording medium P, and the crossing direction (scanning direction B) intersecting the transport direction A corresponds to the short direction of the recording medium P.

Here, the area facing the recording head 4 when recording on the recording medium P is the recording area 23, and more specifically, the ink provided on the nozzle formation surface 24 of the recording head 4 is not ejected. The area opposite to the illustrated nozzle configuration area is a recording area 23. The recording mechanism 16 evaporates a part of the volatile component of the ink ejected to the recording medium P in the recording area 23, so that the recording area 23 can be heated to about 50 ° C. to 60 ° C. An electromagnetic wave irradiation type platen heater 5 is provided.
As electromagnetic waves, it is desirable to use infrared rays, and the wavelength is 0.76 to 1000 μm. In general, infrared rays are further classified into near infrared rays, middle infrared rays, and far infrared rays depending on the wavelength, and the definitions of the divisions are various, but the wavelength ranges are approximately 0.78 to 2.5 μm, 2.5 to 4. 0 μm, 4.0 to 1000 μm. Among these, it is preferable to use mid-infrared rays.

A drying mechanism 17 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction A of the recording medium P of the recording head 4. The drying mechanism 17 includes an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 7 that can irradiate the recording medium P recorded by the recording head 4 with electromagnetic waves such as infrared rays. Further, the drying mechanism 17 supports the recording medium P in a support region including the electromagnetic wave irradiation region 18 and the non-irradiation region 20 of the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 7, and is about 100 ° C. to 120 ° C. by electromagnetic wave irradiation by the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 7. The first medium support 12 is a medium support provided with an opening 19 (see FIG. 2) through which the vapor evaporated from the ink heated and discharged onto the recording medium P is passed. Here, in the first medium support unit 12, an irradiation region 18 irradiated with electromagnetic waves from the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 7 and a non-irradiation region 20 not irradiated with electromagnetic waves are generated. In the case where the first medium support portion 12 is manufactured using a material having high thermal conductivity, the ratio of the heat that escapes from the heat transmitted from the irradiation region 18 in the non-irradiation region 20 increases. The temperature difference with the non-irradiated region 20 increases. Condensation of the vapor evaporated from the ink is likely to occur at a low temperature in a portion where the temperature change is large. Therefore, if the temperature difference between the irradiation region 18 and the non-irradiation region 20 increases, Condensation is likely to occur. In particular, dew condensation is likely to occur in the portion of the first medium support 12 that faces the recording medium.
In the irradiation region 18, the ejected ink is heated to about 100 ° C. to 120 ° C. by the electromagnetic wave irradiation by the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 7. The second medium support unit 21 is upstream of the first medium support unit 12 in the transport direction A, and the second medium support unit 22 is downstream of the first medium support unit 12 in the transport direction A. It is provided adjacent to the medium support portion 12.

In the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the heat insulating material 25 is provided at the upstream end portion in the transport direction A of the first medium support portion 12, and the heat insulating material is provided at the downstream end portion in the transport direction A of the first medium support portion 12. 26 is provided. In the first medium support portion 12, a portion where the heat insulating materials 25 and 26 are not provided constitutes the first region 27, and a portion where the heat insulating materials 25 and 26 are provided constitutes the second region 28. (See FIG. 3). In other words, the first medium support unit 12 includes a first region 27 including the irradiation region 18 and a second region 28 having a lower thermal conductivity than the first region 27 and including the non-irradiation region 20. (See FIG. 3).
In the first medium support unit 12 of this embodiment, the support surface of the recording medium in the second region 28 and the support surface of the first region 27 are formed of the same constituent material, and the support surface of the second region 28 Is a configuration in which heat insulating materials 25 and 26 are provided on the opposite side. However, the 1st area | region 27 and the 2nd area | region 28 may be the structure formed with another structural material from which heat conductivity differs, without providing a heat insulating material etc.

Here, in the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the heat insulating materials 25 and 26 are provided at the upstream and downstream ends of the first medium support unit 12 in the transport direction A, and the second region 28 is configured. Yes. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the first region 27 including the irradiation region 18 and the first region 27 are provided adjacent to the first region 27 in any region of the first medium support unit 12. What is necessary is just the structure which has the 2nd area | region 28 including the non-irradiation area | region 20 whose heat conductivity is lower than the area | region 27.
Here, the first region 27 including the irradiation region 18 only needs to include at least a part of the irradiation region 18, and may include the non-irradiation region 20. The second region 28 including the non-irradiation region 20 may include the irradiation region 18 as long as it includes at least a region that is the non-irradiation region 20 and is likely to cause dew condensation.

  Further, a tension adjusting unit 13 that adjusts the tension of the recording medium P when the recording medium P is wound is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction A of the recording medium P of the drying mechanism 17. . A winding unit 14 capable of winding the recording medium P is provided on the downstream side of the tension adjusting unit 13 in the conveyance direction A of the recording medium P. In the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the roll R2 of the recording medium P is formed, the winding unit 14 rotates in the rotation direction C.

Next, the medium support unit will be described in more detail.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a medium support portion in the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

The first medium support unit 12 is provided with an opening 19. That is, an opening 19 is provided through which vapor evaporated from the ink ejected onto the recording medium P can pass from the recording medium P side to the opposite side with respect to the first medium support part 12. . The opening 19 serves to pass the vapor evaporated from the ink from one surface side of the first medium support portion 12 to the other surface side.
By providing the opening 19, the vapor evaporated from the ink by electromagnetic wave irradiation passes through the opening 19 and faces the recording medium P of the first medium support 12, that is, the first medium. It is possible to escape in a direction away from the contact area between the support portion 12 and the recording medium P. Thereby, the abundance of the vapor, which is a dew condensation source, in the vicinity of the medium support part can be easily reduced, and therefore, the periphery of the medium support part is in a state in which condensation does not easily occur. The first medium support portion 12 is provided with an outer frame 6 that also serves as a reinforcing member.

The shape or the like of the opening 19 is not particularly limited, and may be any shape as long as it has a circular shape, a polygonal shape, or other structure that can pass steam.
A preferable configuration example of the opening 19 includes a quadrangle in which at least a part is formed by arranging linear members having a diameter of 0.3 mm or less in a lattice shape. A region with a certain area is necessary for the vapor to condense, but at least a part of the area is made of a linear member having a diameter of 0.3 mm or less to reduce the area other than the opening. Therefore, it is possible to reduce such a region having a constant area and to suppress the dew condensation at a contact portion with the recording medium P in the first medium support portion 12 with high accuracy. is there.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the opening ratio of the opening part 19 with respect to the 1st medium support part 12 is 40% or more. This is because it is possible to suppress the dew condensation on the first medium support portion 12 with high accuracy.

  On the opposite side of the first medium support unit 12 from the side that supports the recording medium, the upstream side and the downstream side end of the first medium support unit 12 in the transport direction A are across the direction intersecting the transport direction A. Thermal insulation materials 25 and 26 are provided. In the first medium support portion 12, a portion where the heat insulating materials 25 and 26 are not provided constitutes the first region 27, and a portion where the heat insulating materials 25 and 26 are provided is more heated than the first region 27. A second region 28 having a low conductivity is formed.

  As described above, in the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the first region 27 including the irradiation region 18 and the second region 28 including the non-irradiation region 20 having a lower thermal conductivity than the first region 27 are adjacent to each other. It is the structure provided together. For this reason, it can suppress that the vapor | steam evaporated from the ink by electromagnetic wave irradiation condenses on a medium support part. This is because the first region 27 includes the irradiated region 18, and the temperature is likely to increase, and it is difficult for condensation to occur. The second region 28 includes the non-irradiated region 20 and a region where condensation is likely to occur. This is because the thermal conductivity is low, so that condensation is unlikely to occur. Accordingly, the vapor evaporated from the ink due to the electromagnetic wave irradiation is a medium by the combination of the first region 27 (including the irradiation region) and the second region 28 (including the non-irradiation region 20 having a lower thermal conductivity than the first region 27). Condensation on the support portion can be suppressed.

  Note that the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is a recording apparatus that includes the transport mechanism 15 for the recording medium P, but the second area 28 is provided adjacent to both sides of the first area 27 in the transport direction A. It is a configuration. For this reason, in a recording apparatus having a recording medium conveyance mechanism, it is possible to effectively prevent condensation of vapor evaporated from ink due to electromagnetic wave irradiation onto the medium support portion. However, in order to have such an effect, the second region may be provided adjacent to at least one side of the first region in the transport direction A, and the second region is the first region in the transport direction A. It is not limited to the structure provided adjacent to both sides.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the medium support portion in the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a medium support portion in the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.
The medium support portions (the first medium support portion 12 and the second medium support portions 21 and 22) are provided to be inclined as viewed from the side of the recording apparatus 1 as shown in FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the medium support portion horizontally for easy understanding of these descriptions.

  In the first medium support unit 12 of the present embodiment, the heat insulating material 25 is provided at the upstream end in the transport direction A, and the heat insulating material 26 is provided at the downstream end in the transport direction A of the first medium support 12. It has been. For this reason, the first medium support 12 has a lower thermal conductivity in the second region 28 in which the heat insulating materials 25 and 26 are provided than in the first region 27 in which the heat insulating materials 25 and 26 are not provided. It has become.

  Further, the first region 27 where the heat insulating materials 25 and 26 are not provided is located at a place including both the irradiation region 18 and the non-irradiation region 20. On the other hand, the second region 28 provided with the heat insulating materials 25 and 26 is located outside the irradiation region 18 and is located in a place including only the non-irradiation region 20. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the first region 27 may not include the non-irradiation region 20 as long as the irradiation region 18 is included, and the second region 28 is the non-irradiation region 20 and condensation occurs. The irradiation area 18 may be included as long as at least the easy area is included.

Further, in the first medium support unit 12 of the present embodiment, the heat insulating materials 25 and 26 irradiate the electromagnetic wave more than the flash point of the droplet generated by condensation of the vapor evaporated from the ink discharged to the recording medium P. It is provided at a position where the temperature of the heat insulating materials 25 and 26 at the time of electromagnetic wave irradiation by the portion 7 is lowered. For this reason, even if the vapor | steam evaporated from the said ink condenses on the heat insulating materials 25 and 26, since the droplet produced by the dew condensation does not ignite, safety is high.
Here, the “flash point of the droplet generated by condensation of vapor” corresponds to, for example, the flash point of the ink-containing component, and in particular, the lowest flash point of the ink-containing component. Corresponds.
Further, whether or not the heat insulating material is provided at a position lower than the flash point of the droplet by measuring the temperature of the heat insulating material at the time of electromagnetic wave irradiation by the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 7 with a non-contact type thermometer or the like. It is possible to verify this.
On the other hand, if the distance 29 between the irradiation region 18 and the second region 28 is too far away, the effect of suppressing dew condensation is reduced. Therefore, the distance 29 is preferably 20 mm or less. Here, the distance 29 is the distance between the irradiation region 18 and the second region 28, and is the shortest distance between the irradiation region 18 and the second region 28.

Here, the heat insulating materials 25 and 26 are not particularly limited in their shapes and constituent materials, but those having a thermal conductivity of less than 0.1 W / (m · K) can be preferably used. Since such a heat insulating material can effectively lower the thermal conductivity of the second region 28, it effectively suppresses the vapor evaporated from the ink due to electromagnetic wave irradiation from condensing on the medium support portion. It is because it can do.
In addition, as such a heat insulating material, a fiber type heat insulating material, a foamed resin type heat insulating material, or the like can be used. As a fiber type heat insulating material, glass wool, rock wool, a cellulose fiber etc. can be used preferably, for example. Moreover, as a foamed resin-type heat insulating material, a urethane foam etc. can be used preferably, for example. This is because any of these heat insulating materials can easily have a thermal conductivity of less than 0.1 W / (m · K) and is excellent in workability.

In the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the length of the first medium support unit 12 and the second medium support units 21 and 22 in the intersecting direction intersecting the transport direction A is the maximum width of the recording medium expected to be used. It corresponds to.
Here, the “maximum width of the recording medium expected to be used” is, for example, the largest recording medium that can be used and a recommended recording medium described in the instruction manual of the recording apparatus. The width is mentioned.
Further, “corresponding to the maximum width of the recording medium assumed to be used” means that it is equal to or greater than the maximum width of the recording medium assumed to be used. The meaning includes a case where it is slightly shorter than the maximum width of the recording medium which is supposed to be used.

Further, as represented by the electromagnetic wave irradiation region 18 of the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 7 in FIG. 4, the electromagnetic wave irradiation length of the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 7 in the crossing direction intersecting the transport direction A is the first medium in the crossing direction. This corresponds to the length of the support portion 12.
Here, “the length of the first medium support portion 12 in the intersecting direction” is the length including the outer frame 6 when the first medium support portion 12 has the outer frame 6 or the like as in the present embodiment. Alternatively, the length of the region in which the opening is provided without including the outer frame 6 may be used.
Further, “corresponding to the length of the first medium support portion 12 in the intersecting direction” means equal to or longer than the length of the first medium support portion 12 in the intersecting direction, Equivalently, it also includes the case where it is slightly shorter than the length of the first medium support portion 12 in the crossing direction.

  In the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the irradiation length of the electromagnetic wave of the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 7 in the cross direction corresponds to the length of the first medium support unit 12 in the cross direction. The temperature distribution in the intersecting direction of the first medium support portion 12 can be reduced, that is, a portion having a large temperature difference does not occur, and thus the end portion of the first medium support portion 12 in the intersecting direction and the like. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of condensation.

  Further, from the above, it can be said that in the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the irradiation length of the electromagnetic wave of the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 7 in the intersecting direction corresponds to the maximum width of the recording medium assumed to be used. For this reason, the temperature distribution in the cross direction of the first medium support portion 12 can be reduced, that is, a portion having a large temperature difference does not occur, and thus the end portion of the first medium support portion 12 in the cross direction, etc. Condensation is prevented from occurring.

  Further, in the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the second medium support parts 21 and 22 with droplets generated by condensation of vapor evaporated from the ink ejected to the recording medium P by the electromagnetic wave irradiation by the electromagnetic wave irradiation part 7. The contact angle at is greater than the contact angle at the first medium support 12 with the droplet.

  A large contact angle with the droplet means that the droplet is easily repelled (it is difficult to wet), and it is difficult for the droplet to condense. That is, the first medium support unit 12 is more easily wetted than the second medium support units 21 and 22 (it is easy to condense the vapor), but the first medium support unit 12 is provided with the opening 19 so that the vapor is released. be able to. Therefore, the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can suppress the vapor condensation in both the first medium support part 12 and the second medium support parts 21 and 22 by the specification of the contact angle. It is possible to further suppress the vapor evaporated from the ink from condensing on the medium support portion.

[Embodiment 2] (FIGS. 5 to 6)
Hereinafter, the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the recording apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a medium support portion and a dew condensation portion in the recording apparatus 1 of the second embodiment. In addition, the structural member which is common in the said Embodiment 2 is shown with the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits detailed description.
The recording apparatus according to the second embodiment is different from the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment in that the drying mechanism 17 includes the dew condensation portion 8 below the first medium support portion 12 and the second medium support portions 21 and 22. Is different.

The drying mechanism 17 according to the second embodiment includes a dew condensation unit 8 that has a higher thermal conductivity than the first medium support unit 12 and the second medium support units 21 and 22 and condenses the vapor that has passed through the opening 19. Yes.
Here, the dew condensation part 8 means that the vapor in contact with the surface is more easily condensed than the medium support part during the drying process. Specifically, for example, it is made of a material having a high thermal conductivity such as an aluminum alloy, and is further configured to have a low temperature causing condensation.

According to the third embodiment, the vapor evaporated from the ink reaches the dew condensation part 8 through the opening 19 and is positively dewed in the dew condensation part 8.
Thereby, before the vapor | steam evaporated from the said ink condensed on the 1st medium support part 12 and the 2nd medium support part 21 and 22, this vapor | steam can be condensed on the dew condensation part 8. FIG. That is, it is possible to more effectively suppress the vapor evaporated from the ink by the electromagnetic wave irradiation from condensing on the first medium support part 12 and the second medium support parts 21 and 22.

  However, the dew condensation part 8 is not limited to the above-described configuration. If the heat conductivity of the dew condensation part 8 is higher than the heat conductivity of the second region 28, the dew condensation part 8 positively Condensation can be performed, and condensation on the second region 28 can be effectively suppressed.

  In addition, the dew condensation part 8 of the present embodiment is a component member that is provided to face the opening 19 and causes the steam that has passed through the opening 19 to condense. As shown in FIG. A liquid receptacle 9 is provided at the bottom for receiving droplets generated by condensation. In addition, a waste liquid bottle 11 for collecting the liquid accumulated in the liquid receiver 9 through the tube 10 is provided below the liquid receiver 9.

  Further, the temperature conductivity in the dew condensation part 8 is preferably higher than the temperature conductivity in the first medium support part 12. The temperature conductivity is obtained by dividing the thermal conductivity by the density and the specific heat capacity. Therefore, when the temperature conductivity of the dew condensation part 8 is higher than the temperature conductivity of the first medium support part 12, the dew condensation part 8 is the first. Heat is more likely to escape than the medium support portion 12, and the temperature tends to be low. For this reason, since the dew condensation part 8 and the first medium support part 12 have such a temperature conductivity relationship, the heat conductivity in the dew condensation part 8 is higher than the heat conductivity in the first medium support part 12. This is because it is possible to suppress the condensation of steam at the first medium support portion 12 with high accuracy, as in the case of high.

  Further, it is preferable that the dew condensation part 8 has a smaller contact angle with the droplet generated by the condensation of the vapor than the first medium support part 12. This is because the dew condensation part 8 is more easily wetted than the first medium support part 12, so that the dew condensation on the first medium support part 12 can be suppressed with high accuracy.

  Further, the dew condensation part 8 of the present embodiment is arranged such that the distance L1 (FIG. 6) between the first medium support part 12 and the second medium support parts 21 and 22 is 2 mm or more and 20 mm or less. It is preferable to arrange | position. Here, when the distance L1 between the first medium support part 12 and the second medium support parts 21 and 22 is not constant, it is preferable that the distance L1 is arranged to be 2 mm or more and 20 mm or less in any part. . Since the interval between the dew condensation part 8 and the first medium support part 12 and the second medium support parts 21 and 22 is 2 mm or more, the liquid droplets condensed at the dew condensation part 8 are transferred to the first medium support part 12 and the second medium support part 12. It can suppress adhering to the medium support parts 21 and 22. Then, when the interval between the dew condensation part 8 and the first medium support part 12 and the second medium support parts 21 and 22 is 20 mm or less, the first medium support part 12 and the second medium support parts 21 and 22 This is because the condensation of steam can be suppressed with high accuracy.

  As represented by the first and second embodiments, the recording apparatus according to the example of the present invention includes a medium support unit (first medium support unit 12) that supports the recording medium P, and a first medium support unit. The recording medium P on the recording medium 12 has an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 7 that dries ink existing on the recording medium P using electromagnetic waves, and the first medium support unit 12 is an irradiation region by the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 7. A first region 27 including 18 and a second region 28 provided adjacent to the first region 27 and having a lower thermal conductivity than the first region 27 and including the non-irradiated region 20 by the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit 7. In addition, an opening 19 through which vapor evaporated from the ink is passed is provided.

Accordingly, since the opening 19 through which the vapor evaporated from the ink passes is provided in the medium support portion (first medium support portion 12), the vapor evaporated from the ink by the electromagnetic wave irradiation passes through the opening 19. It is possible to escape in a direction away from the portion of the first medium support 12 facing the recording medium P, that is, the contact area between the first medium support 12 and the recording medium P. Thereby, the abundance of the steam, which is a dew condensation source, in the vicinity of the first medium support part 12 can be easily reduced, and therefore, the periphery of the first medium support part 12 is in a state in which condensation does not easily occur.
The first medium support unit 12 includes a first region 27 including the irradiation region 18 and a second region 28 having a thermal conductivity lower than that of the first region 27 and including the non-irradiation region 20. Since the first region 27 includes the irradiation region 18, the temperature tends to increase and condensation is unlikely. In addition, the second region 28 includes the non-irradiated region 20 and a region where condensation is likely to occur. However, since the thermal conductivity is lower than that of the first region 27, condensation is unlikely to occur.
Therefore, the combination of the first region 27 (including the irradiation region 18) and the second region 28 (including the non-irradiation region 20 having a lower thermal conductivity than the first region 27) of the first medium support unit 12 causes the electromagnetic wave irradiation. As a result, it is possible to prevent the vapor evaporated from the ink from condensing on the first medium support portion 12.
Note that “suppressing condensation” does not mean that the vapor does not condense on the medium support part at all, and even if liquid condensed on the medium support part adheres to the recording medium. It is used in a sense that does not pose a problem if the condensation is not recognized.

In other words, the drying method of the present invention is a drying method in which the ink existing on the recording medium P is dried by irradiating the ink with electromagnetic waves, and is evaporated from the ink by the electromagnetic wave irradiation. A first region including an electromagnetic wave irradiation region provided with an opening through which steam passes, and a second region including an electromagnetic wave non-irradiation region which is provided adjacent to the first region and has a lower thermal conductivity than the first region. And drying on a medium support having a region.
By having such a feature, it is possible to suppress the vapor evaporated from the ink due to the electromagnetic wave irradiation from condensing on the first medium support portion 12 and staining the recording medium P.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Recording device, 2 ... Set part, 3 ... Platen, 4 ... Recording head,
5 ... Platen heater, 6 ... Outer frame, 7 ... Electromagnetic wave irradiation part, 8 ... Condensation part,
9 ... Liquid receptacle, 10 ... Tube, 11 ... Waste liquid bottle, 12 ... First medium support part,
13 ... tension adjusting unit, 14 ... winding unit, 15 ... transport mechanism, 16 ... recording mechanism,
17 ... Drying mechanism, 18 ... Irradiation region, 19 ... Opening, 20 ... Non-irradiation region,
21: Second medium support unit, 22: Second medium support unit, 23: Recording area,
24 ... Nozzle forming surface, 25 ... Insulating material, 26 ... Insulating material, 27 ... First region,
28 ... the second region, 29 ... the distance between the irradiation region 18 and the second region 28,
P: Recording medium, R1: Recording medium roll, R2: Recording medium roll

Claims (3)

A drying method for drying ink by performing electromagnetic wave irradiation from an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit to ink existing on a recording medium,
A first region including an electromagnetic wave irradiation region for evaporating and drying components in the ink by the electromagnetic wave irradiation;
The adjoin the first region in the longitudinal direction of the recording medium, and a second region including the electromagnetic wave non-irradiation area heat insulating material is provided,
I have a,
The heat insulating material is dried on a medium support provided at a position where the temperature at the time of electromagnetic wave irradiation is lower than the flash point of a droplet generated by condensation of vapor generated by evaporation of components in the ink. The drying method characterized by performing. The drying method according to claim 1 , wherein the heat insulating material has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.1 W / (m · K). 3. The printing method according to claim 1 , wherein an electromagnetic wave irradiation length of the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit in a short direction of the recording medium is equal to that of the medium support unit in a crossing direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the recording medium. A drying method characterized by being equal to or longer than the length.

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