DRYING DEVICE AND PRINTING DEVICE

• US 20200130379A1
• Filed: 10/31/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: WASHIO, Yuichi
• Granted Patent: US 11,292,272 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/00216 using infrared [IR] radiation or microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/0022 using convection means, e.g. by using a fan for blowing or sucking air
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4461 by blowing air towards handled material
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/517 Drying material
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 29/245 Air blast devices
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 13/10 Arrangements for feeding, heating or supporting materials; Controlling movement, tension or position of materials heating processes F26B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 3/283 in combination with convection
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 3/30 from infrared-emitting elements by radiation emanating from passages containing heated fluids other than combustion gases F26B23/10

Abstract

A drying device includes: a supporting section that supports a medium on which printing was performed; a conveying section that conveys, along a conveying region, the medium supported by the supporting section; a heat generating section configured to heat, over a width direction, the medium supported by the supporting section; a fix-supporting section configured to support the heat generating section fixing the heat generating section; and free-supporting section configured to support the heat generating section so that the heat generating section can expand and contract, wherein the fix-supporting section is located in a first lateral region that is a region outside the conveying region in the width direction, and the free-supporting section is located in a second lateral region that is a region outside the conveying region in the width direction and different from the first lateral region.

Claims

1. A drying device comprising:

a supporting section configured to support a medium on which printing was performed;

a conveying section configured to convey, along a conveying region, the medium supported by the supporting section;

a heat generating section configured to heat, over a width direction, the medium supported by the supporting section;

a fix-supporting section configured to support the heat generating section fixing the heat generating section; and

a free-supporting section configured to support the heat generating section so that the heat generating section can expand and contract, wherein

the fix-supporting section is located in a first lateral region that is a region outside the conveying region in the width direction, and

the free-supporting section is located in a second lateral region that is a region outside the conveying region in the width direction and that is a region different from the first lateral region.

2. The drying device according to claim 1, wherein

the conveying section conveys the medium brought near the second lateral region within the conveying region.

3. The drying device according to claim 1, wherein

the conveying section conveys the medium brought near the first lateral region within the conveying region.

4. The drying device according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate supporting section, that is located between the fix-supporting section and the free-supporting section in the width direction, configured to support the heat generating section so that the heat generating section can expand and contract.

5. The drying device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a drying chamber configured to dry the medium supported by the supporting section;

a channel member that forms an air blowing passage that connects an inflow port with an outflow port;

a heating chamber provided between the drying chamber and the air blowing passage; and

an air blowing section configured to cause air to flow into the air blowing passage via the inflow port and to send, to the drying chamber via the outflow port, the air flowing into the air blowing passage, wherein

an intake port and an exhaust port are formed in the heating chamber, and

the exhaust port is located downstream from the outflow port in a conveying direction of the medium.

6. The drying device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a drying chamber configured to dry the medium supported by the supporting section;

a channel member that forms an air blowing passage that connects an inflow port with an outflow port;

a heating chamber provided between the drying chamber and the air blowing passage; and

an air blowing section configured to cause air to flow int the air blowing passage via the inflow port and to send, to the drying chamber via the outflow port, the air caused to flow into the air blowing passage, wherein

an intake port and a communication port are formed in the heating chamber, and

the air blowing passage between the air blowing section and the outflow port communicates with the heating chamber via the communication port.

7. The drying device according to claim 5, wherein

a communication port is formed in the heating chamber, and

the air blowing passage between the air blowing section and the outflow port communicates with the heating chamber via the communication port.

8. A printing device comprising:

a printing section configured to perform printing on a medium;

a supporting section configured to support the medium on which printing was performed;

a conveying section configured to convey, along a conveying region, the medium supported by the supporting section;

a heat generating section configured to heat, over a width direction, the medium supported by the supporting section;

a fix-supporting section configured to support the heat generating section fixing the heat generating section; and

a free-supporting section configured to support the heat generating section so that the heat generating section can expand and contract, wherein

the fix-supporting section is located in a first lateral region that is a region outside the conveying region in the width direction, and

the free-supporting section is located in a second lateral region that is a region outside the conveying region in the width direction and that is a region different from the first lateral region.