JP2019059220A - Discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress generation of wrinkles in a recording medium.SOLUTION: A discharge device includes: a discharge part for discharging a droplet to one surface of a recording medium to be transported; a first drying part for drying the droplet by imparting light energy to the one surface in a non-contact manner; and a second drying part for coming into contact with only the other surface of the recording medium of which droplet has been dried by the first drying part and drying the recording medium by heating the recording medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a discharge device.

  According to Patent Document 1, a non-contact drying means for performing a primary drying process on the printing surface of the recording medium, and a secondary drying process for the printing surface of the recording medium on which the primary drying process has been performed. An ink jet printer is disclosed, comprising contact drying means comprising means for removing the resulting wrinkles. The contact drying means is composed of a heat roller and a pressure roller, and the heat roller and the pressure roller sandwich the recording medium and perform the drying process.

JP, 2013-28022, A

  Here, a first drying unit that applies light energy without contact to one surface of the recording medium to dry the droplets, and a second drying unit that dries the droplets on the first drying unit. In the configuration including the drying unit, when the second drying unit sandwiches the recording medium from one side and the other side to dry the recording medium, wrinkles may occur in the recording medium.

  According to the present invention, a first drying unit for applying light energy without contact to one surface of a recording medium to dry droplets, and a recording medium for which droplets are dried in the first drying unit are dried. Compared to a configuration in which the second drying unit sandwiches the recording medium from one side and the other side to dry the recording medium in the discharge device including the second drying unit, generation of wrinkles of the recording medium can be suppressed. The purpose is to

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ejection portion for ejecting droplets on one surface of a recording medium to be transported, and first drying for applying droplets of light energy without contact to the one surface to dry the droplets. And a second drying unit which contacts only the other surface of the recording medium on which the droplets are dried in the first drying unit and heats the recording medium to dry the recording medium.

  In the invention of claim 2, the first drying unit irradiates the one surface with light having a wavelength at which the absorptivity of the droplet is higher than the absorptivity of the recording medium.

  In the invention of claim 3, the contact member which contacts one side of the recording medium is not disposed in the path from the first drying unit to the second drying unit.

  In the invention of claim 4, only the contact member which contacts the recording medium on the other surface is disposed in the path from the first drying unit to the second drying unit.

  The invention according to claim 5 is provided with an accelerating chamber which is disposed in a path from the first drying unit to the second drying unit and promotes the evaporation of the water of the droplets.

  In the invention of claim 6, the wind is sent along the one surface in the promotion chamber.

  In the invention of claim 7, at least one of the first drying unit and the second drying unit is provided with a blower for blowing wind to the recording medium, and the blower winds along the one surface in the promotion chamber. Send

  In the invention of claim 8, the wind speed of the air sent to the promotion chamber is changed according to the transport speed of the recording medium.

  In the invention of claim 9, the promoting chamber is disposed along the one surface, and an opposing wall opposing the one surface, and the recording obliquely to the one surface from the opposing wall side. And an air outlet for blowing air toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the medium.

  In the invention of claim 10, the outer edge on the upstream side in the transport direction of the air blowing port or on the opposite wall side is disposed closer to the opposite wall than the space between the opposite wall and the one surface.

  In the invention of claim 11, an opening is formed between the outer edge on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the air blowing port or on the opposite wall side and the opposite wall.

  In the invention of claim 12, the promoting chamber is provided from the opposing wall side toward the one surface side, and the space between the opposing wall and the one surface is the upstream side in the transport direction and the downstream side in the transport direction It has a partition, and the partition plate which forms the ventilation path along the said one surface between the edge part of the said one surface side, and the said one surface.

  In the invention of claim 13, the partition plate is disposed obliquely to the one surface along the air blowing direction of the air blowing port.

  In the invention of claim 14, a gap is formed between the partition plate and the opposing wall.

  In the invention of claim 15, the promotion chamber has a discharge port through which the air flowing through the space between the opposing wall and the one surface is discharged from the space, and the partition plate is the discharge port. It is disposed at a position closer to the air outlet than the air outlet.

  In the invention of claim 16, the promotion chamber has a wall portion disposed along the other surface.

  According to the configuration of claim 1 of the present invention, the droplets are dried in the first drying unit, which applies light energy without contact to one surface of the recording medium to dry the droplets, and the first drying unit And a second drying unit for drying the recording medium, compared to the configuration in which the second drying unit holds the recording medium from one side and the other side to dry the recording medium. The occurrence of wrinkles can be suppressed.

  According to the configuration of claim 2 of the present invention, generation of wrinkles in the recording medium is suppressed as compared with a configuration in which light having a wavelength the same as the absorptivity in the recording medium and the absorptivity in the droplets is irradiated to one side. it can.

  According to the configuration of the third aspect of the present invention, compared to the configuration in which the contact member in contact with one surface of the recording medium is disposed in the path from the first drying unit to the second drying unit, the adhesion member adheres to the recording medium. It can suppress that a droplet rubs.

  According to the configuration of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the rubbing of the droplets adhering to the recording medium is suppressed in comparison with the configuration in which the recording medium is not in contact with the path from the first drying unit to the second drying unit. However, the conveyance direction of the recording medium can be changed in the path from the first drying unit to the second drying unit.

  According to the configuration of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the occurrence of wrinkles in the recording medium can be suppressed as compared with a configuration in which the recording medium is directly sent from the first drying unit to the second drying unit without passing through the acceleration chamber.

  According to the configuration of claim 6 of the present invention, evaporation of the moisture of the droplets is promoted compared to the configuration in which the wind is sent along the other surface.

  According to the configuration of claim 7 of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of parts as compared with a configuration in which wind is sent in the promotion chamber with a blower different from the blower provided in at least one of the first drying unit and the second drying unit.

  According to the configuration of claim 8 of the present invention, evaporation of water can be promoted even when the transport speed is changed, as compared with the configuration in which the wind speed of the wind is constant.

  According to the configuration of the ninth aspect of the present invention, the evaporation of the moisture of the droplets from the recording medium is promoted, as compared with the configuration in which the air is blown toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium.

  According to the configuration of claim 10 of the present invention, the flow resistance of the wind can be reduced compared to the configuration in which the outer edge protrudes to the space between the opposing wall and one surface.

  According to the configuration of claim 11 of the present invention, the air volume can be increased as compared with the configuration in which the outer edge and the opposing wall are connected without a gap.

  According to the configuration of the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the increase in humidity in the space between the opposing wall and the recording medium is suppressed, as compared with the configuration in which the air passage along one surface is formed only with the opposing wall. The wind speed can be increased.

  According to the configuration of claim 13 of the present invention, the flow resistance of the wind can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the air outlet is disposed obliquely to one surface along the intersecting direction with respect to the air blowing direction.

  According to the configuration of the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in humidity in the space between the opposing wall and the recording medium, as compared with the configuration in which the partition plate and the opposing wall are connected without a gap.

  According to the configuration of claim 15 of the present invention, the wind velocity can be increased as compared with the configuration in which the partition plate is disposed at a position closer to the outlet than the air outlet.

  According to the configuration of claim 16 of the present invention, the air volume can be increased as compared with the configuration in which only the wall along one surface is provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the 1st modification of the 1st drying part which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the 2nd modification of the 1st drying part which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the modification of the 2nd drying part which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the modification of the 2nd conveyance path which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on 2nd embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the 1st modification of 2nd embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the 2nd modification of 2nd embodiment. It is a table showing an evaluation result. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on 3rd embodiment. It is the schematic which expands and shows a part of structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on 3rd embodiment. It is the schematic which expands and shows a part of structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on a comparative example. It is the schematic which expands and shows a part of structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on a comparative example. It is the schematic which expands and shows a part of structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on the modification of 3rd embodiment. It is the schematic which expands and shows a part of structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on the modification of 3rd embodiment. It is the schematic which expands and shows a part of structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 1st modification of 3rd embodiment. It is the schematic which expands and shows a part of structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 1st modification of 3rd embodiment. It is the schematic which expands and shows a part of structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 2nd modification of 3rd embodiment. It is the schematic which expands and shows a part of structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 2nd modification of 3rd embodiment. It is the schematic which expands and shows a part of structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 2nd modification of 3rd embodiment. It is the schematic which expands and shows a part of structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 2nd modification of 3rd embodiment. It is the schematic which expands and shows a part of structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 2nd modification of 3rd embodiment. It is the schematic which expands and shows a part of structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 2nd modification of 3rd embodiment.

  Below, an example of the embodiment concerning the present invention is explained based on a drawing.

First Embodiment
(Ink jet recording apparatus 10)
First, the inkjet recording device 10 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 10.

  The inkjet recording device 10 is an example of a discharge device that discharges droplets. Specifically, the inkjet recording device 10 is a device that discharges ink droplets onto a recording medium. More specifically, the inkjet recording apparatus 10 is an apparatus that discharges ink droplets onto the continuous paper P (an example of a recording medium) to form an image on the continuous paper P. In other words, the inkjet recording apparatus 10 can be said to be an example of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet recording apparatus 10 includes a transport mechanism 20, a discharge unit 30 (an example of a discharge unit), a first drying unit 50, a second drying unit 60, and a cooling unit 70. Have. Hereinafter, the ink and continuous paper P used for the inkjet recording apparatus 10, and each part of the inkjet recording apparatus 10 (the transport mechanism 20, the discharge unit 30, the first drying unit 50, the second drying unit 60, and the cooling unit 70) The conveyance path of the continuous paper P will be described.

(ink)
As an ink used for the inkjet recording device 10, for example, an aqueous ink is used. The aqueous ink contains water, a colorant and other additives. As a coloring agent, a pigment and dye are used, for example.

  The ink has the property of penetrating into the recording medium. The ink may be any ink having the property of permeating the recording medium.

(Continuous paper P)
The continuous paper P used in the inkjet recording apparatus 10 is a long recording medium having a length in the transport direction. Paper is used as the continuous paper P. Examples of the paper include coated paper and non-coated paper (plain paper).

  The recording medium has the property that the ink penetrates. The recording medium may be a sheet (cut sheet), as long as it has a property of the ink to penetrate.

(Transporting mechanism 20)
The transport mechanism 20 is a mechanism for transporting the continuous paper P. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the transport mechanism 20 includes an unwinding roll 22, a winding roll 24, and a plurality of winding rolls 26.

  The unwinding roll 22 is a roll for unwinding the continuous paper P. Continuous paper P is wound around the unwinding roll 22 in advance. The unwinding roll 22 unwinds the wound continuous paper P by rotating.

  The plurality of winding rolls 26 are rolls on which the continuous paper P is wound. Specifically, the plurality of winding rolls 26 are wound around the continuous paper P between the unwinding roll 22 and the winding roll 24. Thus, the transport path of the continuous paper P from the unwinding roll 22 to the winding roll 24 is defined. In other words, the plurality of winding rolls 26 can be said to be a contact member that contacts the continuous paper P.

  The winding roll 24 is a roll for winding the continuous paper P. The winding roll 24 is rotationally driven by the drive unit 28. Thus, the take-up roll 24 takes up the continuous paper P, and the unwinding roll 22 takes up the continuous paper P. The continuous paper P is conveyed by being taken up by the take-up roll 24 and unwound by the unwinding roll 22. The plurality of winding rolls 26 rotate following the conveyed continuous paper P. In each of the drawings, the conveyance direction of the continuous paper P (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as “conveyance direction”) is indicated by an arrow A as appropriate.

  In addition, the transport speed of the continuous paper P is set in the range of 100 m / min or less and 20 m / min or more. Further, in the present embodiment, the transport speed can be changed every 10 m / min.

(Discharge unit 30)
The discharge unit 30 is an example of a discharge unit that discharges droplets on one surface of the recording medium to be conveyed. Specifically, the discharge unit 30 is a unit that discharges an ink droplet (an example of a droplet) on the surface (an example of one surface) of the continuous paper P. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the discharge unit 30 applies ink droplets of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) to the surface of the continuous paper P. The ejection heads 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K (hereinafter referred to as 32Y to 32K) are provided.

  In addition, since the surface of the continuous paper P from which the ink droplet is discharged is a surface on which an image is formed by the ink droplet attached to the continuous paper P, hereinafter, the surface is referred to as a "forming surface". Moreover, the surface on the opposite side of the formation surface is called "non-formation surface".

  The ejection heads 32Y to 32K are disposed in this order toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper P. Each discharge head 32Y to 32K has a length in the width direction of the continuous paper P (cross direction intersecting with the conveyance direction of the continuous paper P). Each of the ejection heads 32Y to 32K ejects ink droplets by a known method such as a thermal method or a piezoelectric method. Thereby, an image is formed on the continuous paper P.

  Hereinafter, in the continuous paper P, a portion where an ink droplet is discharged and an image is formed is referred to as an “image portion”. Further, in the continuous paper P, a portion where an image is not formed is referred to as a "non-image portion".

(First drying unit 50)
The first drying unit 50 is an example of a first drying unit that applies light energy without contact to one surface of the recording medium to dry the droplets. Specifically, the first drying unit 50 dries the ink droplets in the image area by applying light energy in a noncontact manner to the formation surface of the continuous paper P on which the ink droplets are discharged from the discharge unit 30. It is an apparatus. More specifically, the first drying unit 50 is configured as follows.

  The first drying unit 50 is disposed downstream of the discharge unit 30 in the transport direction. Therefore, in the first drying unit 50, the continuous sheet P on which the ink droplet is discharged by the discharge unit 30 and the image is formed is conveyed.

  Furthermore, the first drying unit 50 includes a housing 52 and an irradiation unit 53 disposed inside the housing 52. Inside the housing 52, a passage 54 through which the continuous paper P is conveyed and an arrangement area 56 in which the irradiation unit 53 is arranged are formed.

  The passage 54 is formed along the vertical direction in FIG. Further, the passage 54 has an inlet 54A into which the continuous paper P is introduced, and an outlet 54B from which the continuous paper P is discharged. A wire mesh 57 is disposed between the passage 54 and the placement area 56. The wire mesh 57 has a function of suppressing the continuous paper P transported in the passage 54 from contacting the irradiation unit 53.

  In the passage 54, the continuous paper P is conveyed in a state in which the formation surface of the continuous paper P is directed to the irradiation unit 53.

  The irradiation part 53 is comprised with the lamp | ramp which irradiates light to the formation surface of continuous paper P. As shown in FIG. A plurality of irradiation units 53 are disposed along the passage 54. In other words, a plurality of irradiation units 53 are disposed along the conveyance direction of the continuous paper P in the passage 54.

  The irradiation unit 53 irradiates light to the forming surface of the continuous paper P, heats the moisture of the ink droplet and the moisture of the continuous paper P with light energy, and evaporates (vaporizes) the moisture to form the ink droplet and the continuous paper. Dry P.

  Specifically, the irradiating unit 53 irradiates the forming surface with light having a wavelength at which the ink droplet absorptivity is higher than the absorptivity of the continuous paper P. More specifically, the irradiation unit 53 irradiates the formation surface with infrared light as the light. More specifically, the irradiation unit 53 irradiates near infrared rays to the formation surface. More specifically, the irradiation part 53 irradiates the light of the wavelength of the range of 2 micrometers or more and 2.5 micrometers or less on a formation surface, for example.

  As described above, in the first drying unit 50, the formation surface is irradiated with light having a wavelength at which the absorptivity of the ink droplet is higher than the absorptivity of the continuous paper P, so that an image is obtained more Evaporate the water in the department. In other words, the image portion is dried more than the non-image portion of the continuous paper P.

  The output of the irradiation unit 53 is controlled based on the temperature of the continuous paper P detected by the temperature sensor 59 disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the first drying unit 50 (second conveyance path described later). For the temperature sensor 59, for example, a detection sensor that detects the radiation temperature without contact is used.

  In addition, the first drying unit 50 is configured to send a wind to the passage 54 in the first drying unit 50 and the irradiation unit 53 in order to suppress the removal of the evaporated water and the overheating of the irradiation unit 53. Good.

(Second drying unit 60)
The second drying unit 60 is an example of a second drying unit that contacts only the other surface of the recording medium whose droplets have been dried in the first drying unit and heats the recording medium to dry the recording medium. . Specifically, the second drying unit 60 is in contact with only the non-forming surface of the continuous paper P whose ink droplets have been dried in the first drying unit 50, and drying the continuous paper P by heating the continuous paper P and drying it. It is an apparatus.

  More specifically, the second drying unit 60 has a drying drum 62. The drying drum 62 is configured of, for example, a cylindrical drum made of metal. In the second drying unit 60, the drum surface is heated by a heat source such as a halogen lamp disposed inside the drying drum 62.

  The drying drum 62 is disposed downstream of the first drying unit 50 in the transport direction. The continuous paper P is wound around the drying drum 62 such that the non-formed surface of the continuous paper P contacts the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 62.

  Then, in the second drying unit 60, the portion of the continuous paper P in which the ink droplets are dried in the first drying unit 50 is conveyed to the drying drum 62, and the non-formed surface of the portion is heated by the drying drum 62. The continuous paper P is dried. The surface temperature of the drying drum 62 is set, for example, in the range of 70 ° C. or more and 150 ° C. or less.

  As described above, in the second drying unit 60, the drying drum 62 contacts only the non-forming surface of the continuous paper P, and heats the continuous paper P to dry the continuous paper P. In other words, the second drying unit 60 does not have the contact member in contact with the formation surface of the continuous paper P. Furthermore, in other words, in the second drying unit 60, the continuous paper P is not sandwiched between the formed surface and the non-formed surface. Furthermore, in other words, in the second drying unit 60, the non-forming surface is not pressed against the drying drum 62.

(Cooling unit 70)
The cooling unit 70 has a function of cooling the continuous paper P. Specifically, the cooling unit 70 has a cooling roll 72 that cools the continuous paper P in contact with the forming surface of the continuous paper P. The cooling roll 72 is disposed downstream of the second drying unit 60 in the conveying direction. The continuous paper P is wound around the cooling roll 72 so that the formation surface of the continuous paper P contacts the outer peripheral surface of the cooling roll 72.

  Then, in the cooling unit 70, the portion of the continuous paper P in which the continuous paper P is dried by the second drying unit 60 is conveyed to the cooling roll 72, and the formation surface of the portion is cooled by the cooling roll 72.

(First conveyance path for continuous paper P)
The first transport path is a transport path from the discharge unit 30 to the first drying unit 50. Specifically, in the first conveyance path, the inlet 54A (end position) of the housing 52 of the first drying unit 50 from the position (start position) where the ink droplet discharged from the discharge head 32Y of the discharge unit 30 is attached It is a route to The end position of the first conveyance path may be grasped as the position irradiated from the irradiation unit 53 disposed on the most upstream side in the second drying unit 60.

  In the first conveyance path, the continuous paper P is wound around the winding roll 26A such that the non-forming surface of the continuous paper P is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the winding roll 26 (hereinafter referred to as 26A).

  Thereby, in the first conveyance path, the conveyance direction (the conveyance direction) of the continuous sheet P is changed between the discharge unit 30 and the first drying unit 50. Specifically, the conveyance direction of the continuous paper P is changed from a first direction along the ejection surface 32S of the ejection heads 32Y to 32K to a second direction away from the ejection surface 32S in a direction intersecting with the ejection surface 32S. In other words, the second direction can also be said to be the direction on the non-forming surface side with respect to the forming surface of the continuous paper P conveyed in the first direction.

  Furthermore, the first direction is also the direction in which the continuous paper P is discharged from the discharge unit 30. The second direction is a direction in which the continuous paper P enters the first drying unit 50. Therefore, in the first conveyance path, the direction in which the continuous paper P is discharged from the discharge unit 30 and the direction in which the continuous paper P enters the first drying unit 50 are different.

  In the first conveyance path from the ejection unit 30 to the first drying unit 50, ink droplets ejected from the ejection unit 30 penetrate the inside of the continuous paper P in the setting range of the conveyance speed set by the conveyance mechanism 20. Before cutting, the length of the image portion of the continuous paper P is set to be conveyed to the first drying unit 50.

  In other words, in the first conveyance path, in the setting range of the conveyance speed set by the conveyance mechanism 20, the image portion is in a state in which the ink droplets ejected from the ejection unit 30 exist on the formation surface of the continuous paper P. The length to be conveyed to the first drying unit 50 is set.

  As described above, the length of the first transport path is set in order to make the ink droplet absorb the light irradiated by the first drying unit 50 and evaporate more water of the ink droplet. From this point of view, it is desirable that the length of the first transport path be as short as possible.

(Second transport path for continuous paper P)
The second transport path is a transport path from the first drying unit 50 to the second drying unit 60. Specifically, the second transport path is from the outlet 54B (starting position) of the housing 52 of the first drying unit 50 to a position (end position) at which contact with the drying drum 62 of the second drying unit 60 starts. It is a route. The start position of the second transport path may be understood as the position irradiated from the irradiation unit 53 disposed on the most downstream side in the second drying unit 60.

  Here, the contact member which contacts the formation surface of the continuous paper P is not disposed in the second conveyance path. The contact member includes, for example, a winding roll 26 wound around the continuous paper P such that the outer peripheral surface contacts the formation surface of the continuous paper P.

  And the contact member which contacts the continuous paper P by a non-forming surface is arrange | positioned at a 2nd conveyance path. Specifically, the above-mentioned winding roll 26 (hereinafter, referred to as 26B) on which the continuous paper P is wound is disposed in the second conveyance path so that the non-forming surface of the continuous paper P contacts the outer peripheral surface of itself. ing. That is, the winding roll 26 is an example of the contact member that contacts the continuous paper P at the non-forming surface.

  As described above, only the contact member that contacts the continuous paper P at the non-forming surface is disposed in the second conveyance path. Note that “a configuration in which only the contact member that contacts the continuous paper P in the non-forming surface is disposed” refers to “a contact member that contacts the continuous paper P is in contact with the non-forming surface of the continuous paper P It means a configuration in which only the contact member is disposed. Therefore, a member that is not in contact with the continuous paper P may be disposed to face the formation surface of the continuous paper P.

  In other words, the continuous paper P is wound on the above-described winding roll 26B on the downstream side of the first drying unit 50 in the transport direction and on the upstream side of the second drying unit 60 in the transport direction. Thereby, in the second conveyance path, the conveyance direction (the conveyance direction) of the continuous paper P is changed between the first drying unit 50 and the second drying unit 60. Specifically, the transport direction of the continuous paper P is changed from the third direction along the passage 54 of the first drying unit 50 to a fourth direction away from the irradiation unit 53 in the cross direction to the passage 54.

  In other words, the fourth direction can also be said to be the direction on the non-forming surface side with respect to the forming surface of the continuous paper P conveyed in the third direction.

  Specifically, the third direction is downward (downward). Further, the third direction is the same direction as the aforementioned second direction in the first transport path.

  The fourth direction is a substantially horizontal direction. The fourth direction can be said to be the lateral direction. Furthermore, the fourth direction is also a direction from the right side to the left side in FIG.

  Furthermore, the third direction is also the direction in which the continuous paper P is discharged from the first drying unit 50. The fourth direction is a direction in which the continuous paper P enters the second drying unit 60. Therefore, in the second transport path, the direction in which the continuous paper P is discharged from the first drying unit 50 and the direction in which the continuous paper P enters the second drying unit 60 are different.

  In the second conveyance path, in the setting range of the conveyance speed set by the conveyance mechanism 20, the light from the irradiation unit 53 of the first drying unit 50 is reached before the image unit of the continuous paper P reaches the second drying unit 60. The length is set such that the evaporation of the water content of the irradiated ink droplets is sufficiently performed.

  The state in which the evaporation of the water content of the ink droplets is sufficiently performed means the state in which the difference between the water contained in the image area of the continuous paper P and the water contained in the non-image area of the continuous paper P is at least small. . Furthermore, the state in which the evaporation of the water content of the ink droplets has been sufficiently performed means that wrinkles due to the difference in shrinkage at the time of drying in the second drying unit 60 caused by the difference in water between the image area and the non-image area are not observed. In this case, the difference in water content between the image area and the non-image area is small.

  Thus, by setting the length of the second transport path, the length of the second transport path becomes longer than the length of the first transport path.

(Third conveyance route of continuous paper P)
The third transport path is a transport path from the second drying unit 60 to the cooling unit 70. Specifically, in the third conveyance path, the continuous paper P is directed to the cooling roll 72 of the cooling unit 70 from the position (starting position) at which the continuous paper P starts to separate from the drying drum 62 of the second drying unit 60 It is a route to the position (end position) where the contact starts.

  In the third conveyance path, the continuous paper P is wound around the winding roll 26C such that the formation surface of the continuous paper P is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the winding roll 26 (hereinafter, referred to as 26C). That is, the continuous sheet P is wound around the winding roll 26C between the downstream side of the second drying unit 60 in the transport direction and the upstream side of the cooling unit 70 in the transport direction.

  That is, in the present embodiment, on the downstream side of the discharge unit 30 in the conveyance direction, the continuous paper P is first contacted with the formation surface in the third conveyance path.

(Operation of the first embodiment)
According to the inkjet recording apparatus 10, ink droplets are discharged from the discharge unit 30 to the forming surface of the continuous paper P conveyed from the unwinding roll 22 toward the winding roll 24, and an image is formed on the forming surface Be done.

  The image portion of the continuous paper P is conveyed to the first drying unit 50 through the first conveyance path. In the first drying unit 50, light energy is applied without contact to the forming surface of the continuous paper P, and the ink droplets in the image area are dried.

  Specifically, the irradiating unit 53 of the first drying unit 50 irradiates light having a wavelength at which the absorptivity of the ink droplet is higher than the absorptivity of the continuous paper P on the formation surface, and the ink droplet of the image portion dry.

  Furthermore, the image portion of the continuous paper P is conveyed to the second drying unit 60 through the second conveyance path. In the second drying unit 60, the drying drum 62 in contact with only the non-forming surface of the continuous paper P heats the non-forming surface to dry the continuous paper P. Then, the continuous paper P is cooled by the cooling unit 70 and then taken up by the take-up roll 24.

  Here, in the case of the configuration (first comparative example) in which the second drying unit 60 dries the continuous paper P by sandwiching the continuous paper P from the forming surface and the non-forming surface (first comparative example), pressure is locally applied to the continuous paper P As a result, the continuous paper P may be wrinkled.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the drying drum 62 contacts only the non-forming surface of the continuous paper P, the occurrence of the wrinkles of the recording medium is suppressed as compared with the first comparative example.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the irradiating unit 53 of the first drying unit 50 irradiates light having a wavelength at which the absorptivity of the ink droplet is higher than the absorptivity of the continuous paper P on the formation surface, The moisture of the continuous paper P is heated by light energy, and the moisture is evaporated to dry the ink droplets and the continuous paper P.

  Here, in the configuration (second comparative example) in which light having a wavelength the same as the absorptivity of the continuous paper P and the absorptivity of the ink droplets is emitted to the forming surface (second comparative example), the second drying unit 60 , Wrinkles may occur on the continuous paper P. In the image portion of the continuous paper P, the moisture of the ink droplet penetrates the continuous paper P, and cuts and swells the hydrogen bond between the fibers (cellulose) of the continuous paper P. When the moisture contained in the continuous paper P (including the moisture of the ink droplet that has permeated the continuous paper P) evaporates, the cut hydrogen bonds of the fibers (cellulose) of the continuous paper P recombine, and the continuous paper P contracts Do.

  On the other hand, in the non-image area of the continuous paper P, the continuous paper P contracts due to the evaporation of the water contained in the continuous paper P.

  Then, in the image area of the continuous paper P, the water content of the ink droplets increases as the water content of the ink droplets penetrates, but the water content is larger than in the non-image area of the continuous paper P. Since the forming surface is irradiated with light having the same wavelength as the absorptivity in droplets, the difference between the amount of water in the image area of the continuous paper P and the amount of water in the non-image area is unlikely to be small.

  For this reason, in the image area and the non-image area of the continuous paper P, when the water evaporates in the second drying unit 60, a shrinkage difference may occur and the continuous paper P may be wrinkled.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the irradiating unit 53 of the first drying unit 50 irradiates the light of the wavelength having the ink absorptivity higher than the absorptivity of the continuous paper P on the forming surface, As compared with the second comparative example, the difference between the water content in the image area of the continuous paper P and the water content in the non-image area becomes smaller. Thereby, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the contraction difference between the image portion and the non-image portion of the continuous paper P is suppressed and the generation of the wrinkles of the continuous paper P is suppressed as compared with the second comparative example.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the contact member that contacts the formation surface of the continuous paper P is not disposed in the second conveyance path. For this reason, it is suppressed that the ink drop adhering to continuous paper P rubs compared with the composition (third comparative example) where the contact member which contacts the formation side of continuous paper P is arranged on the 2nd conveyance path. Thereby, the image disturbance of the continuous paper P is suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, only the contact member that contacts the continuous paper P at the non-forming surface is disposed in the second conveyance path. For this reason, as compared with the configuration (the fourth comparative example) in which the continuous paper P is not in contact with the continuous paper P in the second conveyance path, the ink droplets attached to the continuous paper P are prevented from rubbing and continuous in the second conveyance path The transport direction of the paper P can be changed. In the present embodiment, in the second transport path, the transport direction of the continuous paper P is the fourth from the third direction along the passage 54 of the first drying unit 50 and the fourth away from the irradiation unit 53 in the cross direction to the passage 54 It is configured to be changed in the direction.

(First Modified Example of First Drying Unit 50)
As shown in FIG. 2, the first drying unit 50 may be configured to include a blower 55 that sends a wind to a portion (hereinafter, referred to as a conveyance portion) to be conveyed in the path 54 of the continuous paper P.

  The blower 55 sends the wind to the passage 54 so that the wind is applied to the formation surface of the conveyance portion of the continuous paper P. Specifically, the blower 55 sends the wind to the passage 54 so that the wind flows from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction along the formation surface of the transport portion of the continuous paper P. This promotes the drying of the ink droplets.

  The air sent from the blower 55 to the passage 54 may be heated by a heating unit (not shown) and the warm air may be sent to the passage 54.

(Second Modification of First Drying Unit 50)
As the first drying unit, as shown in FIG. 3, the first drying unit 150 may include an irradiation unit 153 that emits a laser beam. The irradiation part 153 irradiates the light of the wavelength whose absorption factor in an ink drop is higher than the absorption factor in continuous paper P on a formation surface. Specifically, the laser light emitted from the irradiation unit 153 has a wavelength in the near infrared range (0.7 μm or more and 1.4 μm or less). In order to increase the absorptivity of the laser light of the ink, an absorbent that absorbs the laser light may be added to the ink.

  The irradiation unit 153 has, for example, a configuration in which a plurality of surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) are arranged in the conveyance direction and the width direction of the continuous paper P. In this configuration, the light emission of the individual elements of the surface emitting laser may be controlled to adjust the irradiation amount of the laser light to the continuous paper P.

  Furthermore, also in this configuration, as in the first modified example shown in FIG. 2, the portion to which the first drying unit 150 is transported may be exposed to wind.

(Modification of second drying unit 60)
As shown in FIG. 4, the second drying unit 60 may be configured to include a blower 65 that sends a wind to a portion of the continuous paper P wound on the drying drum 62 (hereinafter, referred to as a winding portion). .

  For example, a plurality of blowers 65 are disposed along the circumferential direction of the drying drum 62 so as to face the winding portion of the continuous paper P. The blower 65 applies a wind to the forming surface of the winding portion of the continuous paper P. This accelerates the drying of the continuous paper P.

  In addition, the structure which heats the wind which applies to continuous paper P from the air blower 65 with a heating part (illustration omitted), and may apply | hang the warm air to continuous paper P may be sufficient. Alternatively, the wind may be sent in the circumferential direction of the drying drum 62 along the winding portion of the continuous paper P.

(Modification of second transport route)
The second transport path may have a variable length, as shown in FIG. Specifically, in the second conveyance path, the winding roll 26 (hereinafter referred to as 26D) whose non-formed surface of the continuous paper P contacts the outer circumferential surface of the continuous paper P is disposed downstream in the conveyance direction with respect to the winding roll 26B. It is done.

  The winding roll 26D is movable along the vertical direction in FIG. 5 to a first position (position indicated by a two-dot chain line) and a second position (position indicated by a solid line). In the state where the winding roll 26D is at the first position, the continuous paper P is linearly conveyed from the winding roll 26B toward the drying drum 62. In the state where the winding roll 26D is in the second position, the continuous paper P is transported from the winding roll 26B to the drying drum 62, bypassing the winding roll 26D. As a result, it is possible to adjust the time for which the moisture of the ink droplet irradiated with light in the first drying unit 50 is evaporated.

  For example, the length of the second conveyance path may be changed according to the conveyance speed of the continuous paper P. For example, when the transport speed of the continuous paper P is increased, the length of the second transport path is increased. As a result, even when the transport speed of the continuous paper P is increased, the time for the moisture of the ink droplet to evaporate is secured.

(Other Modifications of First Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the winding roll 26B is used as an example of the contact member that contacts the non-forming surface of the continuous paper P in the second conveyance path, but the invention is not limited thereto. The contact member may be a guide member (guide) which guides the continuous paper P in contact with the non-forming surface of the continuous paper P. For example, the guide member is configured to move while the continuous paper P slides relative to the guide member without rotating. Therefore, the contact member may be a rotating member or a non-rotating member.

Second Embodiment
Next, an inkjet recording apparatus 200 according to a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a view showing an ink jet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment. In addition, about the part comprised by 1st embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  The inkjet recording apparatus 200 includes an evaporation promoting chamber 202 and a blower 206. This point is different from the inkjet recording apparatus 10. The inkjet recording apparatus 200 is configured in the same manner as the inkjet recording apparatus 10 except that the evaporation promoting chamber 202 and the blower 206 are included.

  The evaporation promoting chamber 202 is an example of an accelerating chamber that promotes evaporation of water droplets. Specifically, the evaporation promoting chamber 202 is an accelerating chamber that promotes evaporation of the moisture of the ink droplet irradiated with light in the first drying unit 50. More specifically, the evaporation promoting chamber 202 promotes evaporation of the moisture of the ink droplets by lowering the relative humidity around the continuous paper P. More specifically, the evaporation promoting chamber 202 is configured as follows.

  The evaporation promoting chamber 202 is disposed in the second transfer path. Specifically, the evaporation promoting chamber 202 is disposed between the winding roll 26B and the drying drum 62 in the second conveyance path.

  The evaporation promoting chamber 202 has a housing 210. In the inside of the housing 210, a passage 212 for transporting the continuous paper P is formed. The passage 212 is formed along the left-right direction in FIG. The passage 212 also has an inlet 212A into which the continuous paper P is introduced and an outlet 212B from which the continuous paper P is discharged.

  The blower 206 is a blower that sends a wind to a portion (hereinafter, referred to as a conveyance portion) to be conveyed in the path 212 of the continuous paper P. Specifically, the blower 206 sends the wind to the passage 212 so that the wind is applied to the formation surface of the conveyance portion of the continuous paper P. Specifically, the blower 206 sends the wind to the passage 212 so that the wind flows from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction along the formation surface of the transport portion of the continuous paper P.

  Moreover, as for the wind which the fan 206 sends, it is desirable that it is dry. That is, as for the wind which fan 206 sends, it is desirable that humidity is low. The humidity of the wind is, for example, 20% or less.

  The wind speed of the blower 206 can be changed in accordance with the transport speed of the continuous paper P. Specifically, the blower 206 is configured to increase the wind speed when the conveyance speed of the continuous paper P is increased.

  More specifically, for example, as described below, the wind speed is associated in advance with the conveyance speed of the continuous paper P, and the blower 206 is used to send the wind at the wind speed correlated with the conveyance speed of the continuous paper P. May be driven. In this configuration, when the conveyance speed of the continuous paper P is changed, the wind speed is changed to the wind speed associated with the conveyance speed.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the transport speed of the continuous paper P can be changed every 10 m / min, for example, in the range of 100 m / min or less and 20 m / min or more. For example, the transport speeds of 20, 30, and 40 m / min are associated with the first wind speed, the transport speeds of 50, 60, and 70 m / min, and the second wind speed faster than the first wind speed, and 80, 90, and 100 m The transport speed of / min and the third wind speed faster than the second wind speed are associated with each other. Then, for example, when the blower 206 is driven to feed the wind of the first wind speed at a conveying speed of 20, 30, 40 m / min, the conveying speed is changed to any of 50, 60, 70 m / min The driving of the blower 206 is controlled so as to send the wind at a second wind speed higher than the first wind speed.

(Operation of Second Embodiment)
According to the inkjet recording apparatus 200, the evaporation of the water of the ink droplet irradiated with the light in the first drying unit 50 is promoted in the evaporation promoting chamber 202. Therefore, the water content in the image area of the continuous paper P is higher than that in the configuration (the fifth comparative example) in which the continuous paper P is directly sent from the first drying unit 50 to the second drying unit 60 without passing through the evaporation promoting chamber 202. The difference between the amount and the amount of water in the non-image area decreases. Thereby, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the contraction difference between the image portion and the non-image portion of the continuous paper P is suppressed and the generation of the wrinkles of the continuous paper P is suppressed as compared with the fifth comparative example.

  Further, the evaporation promoting chamber 202 accelerates the evaporation of the moisture of the ink droplet irradiated with the light in the first drying unit 50, so that the necessary amount of the moisture is required to be evaporated as compared with the fifth comparative example. Time is reduced. As a result, the second transport path is shortened, and the apparatus can be miniaturized.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the blower 206 sends the wind to the passage 212 along the formation surface of the conveyance portion of the continuous paper P. For this reason, evaporation of the water of the ink droplets is promoted compared to the configuration (sixth comparative example) in which the wind is sent along the non-forming surface of the continuous paper P. As a result, the occurrence of wrinkles in the continuous paper P is suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the wind speed of the blower 206 can be changed in accordance with the transport speed of the continuous paper P. Specifically, when the conveyance speed of the continuous paper P is increased, the air velocity of the blower 206 is increased.

  Here, in the configuration (seventh comparative example) in which the wind speed of the blower 206 is constant, when the conveyance speed of the continuous paper P is changed, the time of passing through the second conveyance path changes. That is, the evaporation time of the water of the ink droplet irradiated with light in the first drying unit 50 changes, and the degree of evaporation of the water changes. Specifically, when the transport speed of the continuous paper P is increased, the evaporation time of the moisture of the ink droplet may be shortened, and the ink may be sent to the second drying unit 60 in a state where the evaporation of the moisture is not sufficient. On the other hand, since the wind speed of the blower 206 can be changed according to the conveyance speed of the continuous paper P, for example, when the conveyance speed of the continuous paper P is increased, the wind speed is increased. Compared to the seventh comparative example, evaporation of water can be promoted even when the transport speed is changed.

(First Modified Example of Second Embodiment)
Also in the second embodiment, the first modification shown in FIG. 2 of the first drying unit 50 described above may be applied. In this case, instead of the blower 206, as shown in FIG. 7, the blower 55 may be used to send wind. In this case, the wind is sent from the evaporation promoting chamber 202 disposed downstream of the first drying unit 50 to the first drying unit 50, for example.

  Specifically, the blower 55 sends the wind to the passage 212 of the evaporation promoting chamber 202 so that the wind flows from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction along the formation surface of the transport portion of the continuous paper P. In this configuration, the blower 206 is unnecessary. Therefore, the number of parts is reduced as compared with the configuration (eighth comparative example) in which the air is separated from the passage 212 of the evaporation promoting chamber 202 by a blower different from the blower 55 (eighth comparative example).

Second Modification of Second Embodiment
Also in the second embodiment, the modification shown in FIG. 4 of the second drying unit 60 described above may be applied. In this case, instead of the blower 206, as shown in FIG. 8, the blower 65 may be used to send wind.

  Specifically, the blower 65 sends the wind to the passage 212 of the evaporation promoting chamber 202 so that the wind flows from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction along the formation surface of the transport portion of the continuous paper P. In this configuration, the blower 206 is unnecessary. Therefore, the number of parts is reduced as compared with a configuration (a ninth comparative example) in which wind is sent to the passage 212 of the evaporation promoting chamber 202 with a blower different from the blower 65 (a ninth comparative example).

  Note that, instead of the blower 206, both of the blower 55 and the blower 65 may be used to send the wind.

(Another modification of the second embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the blower 206 sends the wind to the passage 212 so that the wind flows from the downstream side to the upstream side in the conveyance direction along the formation surface of the conveyance portion of the continuous paper P. It is not limited to. The blower 206 may send the wind to the passage 212 so that the wind flows from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction. In addition, the blower 206 may apply wind to the formation surface of the conveyance portion of the continuous paper P in the direction perpendicular to the formation surface.

  In the second embodiment, the wind speed of the blower 206 can be changed according to the transport speed of the continuous paper P, but the invention is not limited thereto. The wind speed of the blower 206 may be constant.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the modifications shown above may be combined with each other as appropriate.

(Evaluation)
In the case where the evaporation promoting chamber 202 is provided and in the case where the evaporation promoting chamber 202 is not provided, continuous paper P in which a square solid image of arbitrary size of two-color superposition is formed in the image area under the following conditions. The occurrence of wrinkles was evaluated. The wrinkles of the continuous paper P were visually confirmed.
[conditions]
・ Conveying speed of continuous paper P: 50 m / min
· Continuous paper P: OK top coat + (manufactured by Oji Paper Co., Ltd .: basis weight 127.9 g / m ² )
Paper temperature after passing through the first drying unit 50: 70 ° C.
The drum temperature of the drying drum 62: 110 ° C.
・ The warm air temperature of the blower 65: 110 ° C
・ Wind temperature in evaporation promotion room 202: 25 ° C
[Evaluation results]
As shown in FIG. 9, in the case where the second conveyance path is 1500 mm and 2000 mm, wrinkles are generated in the continuous paper P when the evaporation promoting chamber 202 is not provided, but when the evaporation promoting chamber 202 is provided. It was found that no wrinkles occurred on the continuous paper P. As described above, it was found that the provision of the evaporation promoting chamber 202 can suppress the occurrence of wrinkles.
Further, in the case where the evaporation promoting chamber 202 is not provided, the occurrence of the wrinkles of the continuous paper P can not be suppressed unless the second conveyance path is 2500 mm or more. When the path is 1500 mm or more, the occurrence of the wrinkles of the continuous paper P can be suppressed. Therefore, it was found that by providing the evaporation promoting chamber 202, it is possible to shorten the distance of the second conveyance path (the conveyance time on the second conveyance path).
In addition, the moisture content shown in FIG. 9 installed the infrared multicomponent meter which can measure the light absorbency of an image part by irradiating the infrared rays of the absorption area of water right in front of the drying drum 62, and measured the light absorbency and electrical resistance It is the value converted into the moisture content using the calibration curve with the moisture content by an equation moisture meter. The calibration curve is created by correlating the absorbance of the infrared multicomponent meter with the moisture content of the electrical resistance type paper moisture meter with a plurality of paper samples containing predetermined moisture in advance.

Third Embodiment
Next, an inkjet recording apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a view showing an ink jet recording apparatus according to the third embodiment. In addition, about the part comprised by 1st embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  The inkjet recording apparatus 300 has an evaporation promoting chamber 302 and a blower 306, as shown in FIG. This point is different from the inkjet recording apparatus 10. The inkjet recording apparatus 300 is configured in the same manner as the inkjet recording apparatus 10 except that the evaporation promoting chamber 302 and the blower 306 are included.

  The evaporation promoting chamber 302 is an example of an accelerating chamber that promotes evaporation of water droplets. Specifically, the evaporation promoting chamber 302 is an accelerating chamber that promotes evaporation of the moisture of the ink droplet irradiated with light in the first drying unit 50. More specifically, the evaporation promoting chamber 302 promotes the evaporation of the moisture of the ink droplet by reducing the relative humidity around the continuous paper P (at least the space on the side where the continuous paper P is formed). More specifically, the evaporation promoting chamber 302 is configured as follows.

  The evaporation promoting chamber 302 is disposed in the second transfer path. That is, the evaporation promoting chamber 302 is disposed in the transport path from the first drying unit 50 to the second drying unit 60.

  The evaporation promoting chamber 302 is, as shown in FIG. 11, a first opposing wall 311 (an example of an opposing wall) facing the forming surface of the continuous paper P and a second opposing wall opposing the non-forming surface of the continuous paper P. And 312 (an example of a wall). Furthermore, the evaporation promoting chamber 302 is provided with an air duct 330 (air duct) that sends the air from the air blower 306 (see FIG. 10) to the space between the first facing wall 311 and the second facing wall 312. And an air outlet 326 formed.

  The blower 306 is a device that generates a wind and sends the wind to the air duct 330. As the blower 306, for example, a centrifugal blower, such as a multi-blade blower (for example, a sirocco fan), which blows air in a centrifugal direction, or an axial flow blower, which blows air in an axial direction, is used.

  The first opposing wall 311 of the evaporation promoting chamber 302 is disposed along the formation surface of the continuous paper P. The first opposing wall 311 is disposed from the outlet 54 B of the first drying unit 50 to the air duct 330. Further, the first opposing wall 311 is curved along the outer periphery of the winding roll 26B at a portion facing the continuous paper P wound around the winding roll 26B. Furthermore, the width of the first opposing wall 311 along the width direction of the continuous paper P is wider than that of the continuous paper P. Specifically, each of the widthwise both ends of the first opposing wall 311 is in the width direction more than each of the widthwise both ends of the continuous paper P (specifically, the continuous paper P having the maximum width that can be conveyed) Overhanging outside.

  The second opposing wall 312 is disposed along the non-forming surface of the continuous paper P. The second opposite wall 312 is disposed from the outlet 54 B of the first drying unit 50 to the air duct 330. Further, an opening 312A is formed in the second opposing wall 312 at a portion where the winding roll 26B is disposed. The width of the second opposing wall 312 in the width direction of the continuous paper P is wider than that of the continuous paper P. Specifically, each of the widthwise both ends of the second opposing wall 312 is a continuous sheet rather than each of the widthwise both ends of the continuous sheet P (specifically, the continuous sheet P having the maximum width that can be conveyed) It projects outward in the width direction of P.

  The second opposing wall 312 also functions as a guide member (guide) that guides the continuous paper P by contacting the non-forming surface of the continuous paper P. That is, the second opposing wall 312 can be said to be an example of the contact member that contacts the continuous paper P on the non-forming surface. Furthermore, the second opposing wall 312 is provided with a plurality of (specifically, three) contact rollers 314 that contact the non-forming surface of the continuous paper P. That is, the plurality of winding rolls 26 are an example of the contact member that contacts the continuous paper P at the non-forming surface. The contact roller 314 is driven to rotate by the continuous paper P.

  The air duct 330 has an upper wall portion 332 (see FIG. 11), a lower wall portion 334 (see FIG. 11), and a pair of side wall portions 336 (see FIG. 10). In FIG. 11, a part of the air duct 330 is illustrated.

  The upper wall portion 332 is a wall portion constituting an upper portion of the air duct 330. The lower wall portion 334 is a wall portion that constitutes the lower portion of the air duct 330. The upper wall portion 332 extends obliquely from the first opposing wall 311 side toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous sheet P with respect to the formation surface of the continuous sheet P in a side cross sectional view. The lower wall portion 334 is disposed below the upper wall portion 332 along the upper wall portion 332 in a side cross sectional view. That is, similarly to the upper wall portion 332, the lower wall portion 334 also extends obliquely from the first opposing wall 311 side toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous sheet P with respect to the formation surface of the continuous sheet P.

  Further, the lower wall portion 334 is disposed at a position farther from the continuous paper P than the upper wall portion 332. Further, the lower wall portion 334 is disposed upstream of the upper wall portion 332 in the transport direction of the continuous paper P.

  The upper wall portion 332 and the lower wall portion 334 are wider in width along the width direction of the continuous paper P than the continuous paper P. Specifically, each of the width direction both ends of the upper wall portion 332 and the lower wall portion 334 is from each of the width direction both ends of the continuous paper P (specifically, the continuous paper P having the maximum width that can be conveyed) Also, it protrudes outward in the width direction of the continuous paper P. Note that a pair of side wall portions 336 (see FIG. 10) connect each of both widthwise end portions of the upper wall portion 332 and the lower wall portion 334.

  The air blowing port 326 is a blowing port for blowing air obliquely from the first opposing wall 311 side toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper P with respect to the formation surface of the continuous paper P. Therefore, the air blowing direction of the air blowing port 326 is a direction (diagonally upward right (arrow B) in FIG. 11) directed obliquely to the formation surface of the continuous paper P and toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper P. . Further, the angle θ (see FIG. 11) of the blowing direction with respect to the continuous paper P is set, for example, in the range of 20 ° or more and 60 or less.

  The air outlet 326 has a rectangular shape having a length in the width direction of the continuous paper P. For example, the length of the air outlet 326 in the width direction of the continuous paper P is longer than the width of the continuous paper P. Specifically, each of the longitudinal direction both ends of the air outlet 326 is larger than that of each of the widthwise both ends of the continuous paper P (specifically, the continuous paper P having the maximum width that can be conveyed). It projects outward in the width direction. Note that, for example, the length of the air outlet 326 in the width direction of the continuous paper P may be the same as the width of the continuous paper P, or may be shorter than the width of the continuous paper P. The width W (see FIG. 11) between the lower wall portion 334 and the upper wall portion 332 of the air outlet 326 is, for example, 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less. In addition, the distance between the upper edge (the edge closest to the continuous paper P) and the continuous paper P at the air outlet 326 is a distance such that the continuous paper P does not contact the upper edge when flapping or the like occurs. . The distance is set to, for example, 10 mm or more.

  The wind sent from the air outlet 326 circulates in the space between the first opposing wall 311 and the forming surface of the continuous paper P, along the forming surface to the upstream side in the transport direction. That is, the space between the first opposing wall 311 and the formation surface of the continuous paper P functions as a flow passage 318 through which the wind flows. The height H (see FIG. 11) of the flow passage 318 is set to, for example, 10 mm or more and 100 mm or less.

  The outer edge 338 on the upstream side in the transport direction of the air outlet 326 is disposed closer to the first opposing wall 311 (lower side) than the flow passage 318. Specifically, the outer edge 338 is connected to the first opposing wall 311. That is, the outer edge 338 does not extend into the flow passage 318. The outer edge 338 is also an outer edge of the air blowing port 326 on the first opposing wall 311 side (the side away from the continuous paper P). That is, the outer edge 338 is also the lower outer edge of the air outlet 326.

  In addition, as for the wind sent out from the ventilation hole 326, it is desirable that it is dry. That is, it is desirable that the wind sent from the air outlet 326 has a low humidity. The humidity of the wind is, for example, 20% or less.

  Further, the wind speed sent out from the air blowing port 326 may be changed according to the transport speed of the continuous paper P. Specifically, for example, the blower 306 is configured to increase the wind speed when the transport speed of the continuous paper P is increased.

(Operation of Third Embodiment)
According to the ink jet recording apparatus 300, the evaporation promoting chamber 302 promotes the evaporation of the moisture of the ink droplet irradiated with the light by the first drying unit 50. Therefore, the water content in the image area of the continuous paper P is higher than that in the configuration (the tenth comparative example) in which the continuous paper P is directly sent from the first drying unit 50 to the second drying unit 60 without passing through the evaporation promoting chamber 302. The difference between the amount and the amount of water in the non-image area decreases. Thereby, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the contraction difference between the image portion and the non-image portion of the continuous paper P is suppressed and the generation of the wrinkles of the continuous paper P is suppressed as compared with the tenth comparative example.

  Further, the evaporation promoting chamber 302 accelerates the evaporation of the moisture of the ink droplet irradiated with light in the first drying unit 50, so that the necessary amount of the moisture is required to be evaporated as compared with the tenth comparative example. Time is reduced. As a result, the second transport path is shortened, and the apparatus can be miniaturized.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the air blowing port 326 of the air blowing duct 330 blows air obliquely toward the formation surface of the continuous paper P from the first opposing wall 311 side toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper P. Therefore, the relative velocity of the wind with respect to the formation surface of the continuous paper P is increased, as compared with the configuration (the eleventh comparative example) in which the air is blown toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper P. For this reason, evaporation of the water of the ink droplet is promoted more than in the eleventh comparative example. As a result, the occurrence of wrinkles in the continuous paper P is suppressed.

  Further, the outer edge 338 upstream of the air outlet 326 in the conveying direction is disposed closer to the first opposing wall 311 (lower side) than the flow passage 318. Here, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, in the configuration where the outer edge 338 protrudes to the flow passage 318 (the twelfth comparative example), the corner surrounded by the first opposing wall 311 and the lower wall portion 334 At a portion (a space portion surrounded by an alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13), an air vortex is generated, which is a flow resistance of the wind sent out from the air outlet 326.

  On the other hand, since the outer edge 338 is disposed closer to the first opposing wall 311 (lower side) than the flow passage 318, air vortex is less likely to occur compared to the twelfth comparative example, and the air outlet 326 Flow resistance of the wind sent out from the

  Note that, in the configuration shown in FIG. 13, the overhanging wall 319 is formed to project upward from the end of the first opposing wall 311 in the downstream of the transport direction. The lower wall portion 334 of the air duct 330 is connected to the upper end of the overhanging wall 319.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the evaporation promoting chamber 302 has a second opposing wall 312 disposed along the non-forming surface of the continuous paper P. For this reason, it is difficult for the wind to escape to the upper side of the continuous paper P, and the air volume is increased as compared with the configuration in which only the first facing wall 311 is provided (the thirteenth comparative example).

  As a blower duct 330 according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the tip end portion of the upper wall portion 332 is configured to extend above (directly above) the tip end portion of the lower wall portion 334 It is also good. In this configuration, the outer edge 338 is not the outer edge on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the air outlet 326, but is the outer edge on the first opposing wall 311 side (the side away from the continuous paper P) of the air outlet 326.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, in the air duct 330 according to the third embodiment, the tip end of the upper wall portion 332 has the same height (the same position in the vertical direction) as the tip end portion of the lower wall portion 334. It may be arranged configuration. In this configuration, the outer edge 338 is not the outer edge of the air outlet 326 on the first opposing wall 311 side (the side away from the continuous paper P), but the outer edge of the air outlet 326 in the transport direction upstream.

(First Modified Example of Third Embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 16, an opening 350 may be formed between the outer edge 338 and the first opposing wall 311. The opening 350 is disposed upstream of the outer edge 338 in the transport direction. Further, the opening 350 is formed in a rectangular shape having a length in the width direction of the continuous paper P. The length of the opening portion 350 in the width direction of the continuous paper P is, for example, the same length as the length of the air outlet 326 in the width direction of the continuous paper P. Note that both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the opening 350 may be open or may be closed by the first opposing wall 311.

  In the first modification, when the wind is sent from the air outlet 326, the wind draws air into the flow passage 318 through the opening 350. Therefore, in the first modified example, the volume of the wind flowing through the flow passage 318 is increased as compared with the configuration (the fourteenth comparative example) in which the outer edge 338 and the first facing wall 311 are connected without a gap.

  As the opening 350 formed between the outer edge 338 and the first opposing wall 311, as shown in FIG. 17, the lower side of the outer edge 338 (the side away from the continuous paper P, the first for the continuous paper P) It may be configured to be formed on one facing wall 311 side). This configuration also has the same function as the configuration shown in FIG.

Second Modification of Third Embodiment
As shown in FIG. 18, the evaporation promoting chamber 302 may have a partition plate 360 that divides the flow passage 318 into the upstream side in the transport direction and the downstream side in the transport direction. A plurality of (specifically, three) partition plates 360 are arranged along the transport direction. Each partition plate 360 is provided from the first opposing wall 311 side toward the forming surface side of the continuous paper P. Specifically, each partition plate 360 extends upward from the first opposing wall 311.

  The partition plate 360 has a gap between the upper end (the end on the continuous paper P side) and the formation surface of the continuous paper P. Thus, a ventilation path 362 is formed along the formation surface between the upper end (the end on the continuous paper P side) of the plurality of partition plates 360 and the formation surface of the continuous paper P. The air passage 362 is a passage through which the wind flows (passes) in which the length in the vertical direction is shorter than the flow passage 318 described above.

  In the second modified example, compared to the configuration (corresponding to the fifteenth comparative example) in which the air passage (corresponding to the flow passage 318) along the formation surface of the continuous paper P is formed only with the first opposing wall 311, Because the length in the vertical direction is shortened, the wind speed is increased.

  Further, in the second modification, the first opposing wall 311 is brought close to the continuous paper P, and the vertical length of the air passage is not shortened, and a space is formed between the partition plates 360. Therefore, the capacity of the space between the first opposing wall 311 and the formation surface of the continuous paper P is secured. Therefore, in the second modified example, the wind speed is increased while suppressing the increase in humidity in the space between the first facing wall 311 and the formation surface of the continuous paper P, as compared with the fifteenth comparative example.

  Further, in the second modified example, the divider plate 360 is more than the discharge port 329 from which the wind having flowed through the space (flow passage 318) between the first opposing wall 311 and the formation surface of the continuous paper P is discharged. It is disposed at a position close to the air outlet 326.

  Therefore, the air passage 362 has a shorter length in the vertical direction than the flow passage 318 as compared with the configuration (the sixteenth comparative example) in which the partition plate 360 is disposed at a position closer to the outlet 329 than the air outlet 326. It is formed at a position close to the air outlet 326. Therefore, the wind speed is higher than that of the sixteenth comparative example.

  That is, the configuration (see FIG. 20) in which the partition plate 360 is closer to the air outlet 326 than in the configuration (see FIG. 19) farther from the air outlet 326 has a high effect of increasing the wind speed of the wind flowing through the air passage 362 . Therefore, it is desirable that the partition plate 360 be configured to be close to the air outlet 326.

  As the partition plate 360, as shown in FIG. 21, the number of sheets may be increased to four and the interval between the partition plates 360 may be narrowed. In this configuration, the wind speed of the wind flowing through the ventilation path 362 is increased. When the number of sheets is increased, the space between the first opposing wall 311 and the formation surface of the continuous paper P is narrowed, and the humidity is increased. Therefore, it is desirable to increase the divider plate 360 to such an extent that the humidity necessary for drying the continuous paper P can be maintained.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 22, the partition plate 360 may be disposed obliquely to the formation surface of the continuous paper P along the blowing direction of the air outlet 326 (upper right in FIG. 22). In the configuration shown in FIG. 22, each partition plate 360 extends from the first opposing wall 311 toward the upper right of FIG.

  According to the configuration shown in FIG. 22, the blower outlet is disposed obliquely to the forming surface of the continuous paper P along the crossing direction (diagonal left upper in FIG. 22) with respect to the blower direction (diagonal upper right in FIG. 22). The flow resistance of the wind is reduced as compared to the existing configuration.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 23, a gap 366 may be formed between the partition plate 360 and the first opposing wall 311.

  According to the configuration shown in FIG. 23, air is circulated by the gap 366 between the space on the upstream side in the transport direction partitioned by the partition plate 360 and the space on the downstream side in the transport direction. The increase in humidity in the space between the first opposing wall 311 and the continuous paper P is suppressed as compared with a configuration in which the opposing wall 311 is connected without a gap.

(Another modification of the third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, the air blowing port 326 blows obliquely to the formation surface of the continuous paper P and toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper P, but the invention is not limited thereto. The air blowing port 326 may be configured to blow air obliquely to the formation surface of the continuous paper P and toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper P.

  In the third embodiment, the wind speed of the blower 306 can be changed according to the transport speed of the continuous paper P, but the invention is not limited thereto. The wind speed of the blower 306 may be constant.

  In addition, the evaporation promoting chamber 302 may be disposed in the conveyance path from the first drying unit 50 to the second drying unit 60, and the outlet 54B of the first drying unit 50 and the first opposing wall are not connected. It is also good.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the modifications shown above may be combined with each other as appropriate.

10, 200, 300 Ink jet recording apparatus (an example of discharge apparatus)
26B Wrapping roll (example of contact member)
30 Discharge unit (an example of discharge part)
50 first drying unit 55 blower 60 second drying unit 202, 302 evaporation promotion chamber (an example of a promotion chamber)
306 Blower 311 first opposing wall (an example of opposing wall)
312 Second opposing wall (an example of a wall)
326 air outlet 329 outlet 338 outer edge 350 opening 360 partition plate 362 air passage 366 gap P continuous paper (an example of recording medium)

Claims (16)

A discharge unit that discharges droplets onto one surface of the recording medium to be conveyed;
A first drying unit that applies light energy without contact to the one surface to dry the droplets;
A second drying unit which contacts only the other side of the recording medium on which the droplets are dried in the first drying unit and heats the recording medium to dry the recording medium;
Dispensing device comprising The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the first drying unit irradiates the one surface with light having a wavelength at which the absorptivity of the droplet is higher than the absorptivity of the recording medium. The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein a contact member in contact with one surface of the recording medium is not disposed in a path from the first drying unit to the second drying unit. The discharge device according to claim 3, wherein only a contact member that contacts the recording medium on the other surface is disposed in a path from the first drying unit to the second drying unit. The discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an acceleration chamber disposed in a path from the first drying unit to the second drying unit and promoting evaporation of water in the droplets. The discharge device according to claim 5, wherein in the promotion chamber, a wind is sent along the one surface. At least one of the first drying unit and the second drying unit includes a blower for blowing air to the recording medium,
The discharge device according to claim 6, wherein the blower blows air along the one surface in the promotion chamber. The discharge device according to claim 6, wherein a wind speed of air sent to the promotion chamber is changed according to a conveyance speed of the recording medium. The promotion room is
An opposing wall disposed along the one side and opposing the one side;
An air outlet for blowing air obliquely from the opposite wall side toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium with respect to the one surface;
The discharge device according to any one of claims 6 to 8. The discharge device according to claim 9, wherein the outer edge on the upstream side in the transport direction of the air blowing port or on the opposing wall side is disposed closer to the opposing wall than a space between the opposing wall and the one surface. The discharge device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein an opening is formed between the outer wall on the upstream side in the transport direction of the air blowing port or the opposite wall side and the opposite wall. The promotion room is
The space between the opposing wall and the one surface is divided into the upstream side and the downstream side in the conveying direction, and the end of the one side is provided from the opposing wall side toward the one side. The discharge device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising: a partition plate forming a ventilation path along the one surface between the part and the one surface. The discharge device according to claim 12, wherein the partition plate is disposed obliquely to the one surface along a blowing direction of the blower port. The discharge device according to claim 12, wherein a gap is formed between the partition plate and the facing wall. The promotion chamber has a discharge port through which the wind flowing through the space between the opposing wall and the one surface is discharged from the space,
The discharge device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the partition plate is disposed at a position closer to the air outlet than the outlet. The discharge device according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the promotion chamber has a wall portion disposed along the other surface.