JP2000335801A - Carriage mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an efficient and inexpensive carrying mechanism having a simple structure and not preventing drying even within a drying area without deforming a tip part of a spur. SOLUTION: On outer peripheral surfaces of carrier rolls 22, annular groove parts 22A are formed. Annular saw blade parts 24A formed on spurs 24 arranged opposite to the carrier rolls 22 are located within the groove parts 22A. Therefore, the saw blade parts 24A do not collide with the outer peripheral surfaces of the carrier rolls 22 and the saw blade parts 24A do not deform. A plurality of spurs 24 are rotatably supported by an elastic shaft 26. Therefore, as compared with conventional carrier mechanisms, the structures become simpler, the number of parts is reduced, assembling man-hour is reduced and cost can be reduced. Dispersion of products is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transport mechanism for transporting recording paper printed by an ink jet head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an ink jet recording apparatus, the ink does not dry immediately after printing due to the characteristics and printing density of the ink. It is necessary to allow a certain time (time for ink to dry) to elapse in order to discharge the recording paper printed on the sheet.

For this reason, the recording paper after printing is bent into a U-shape at the time of discharge, so that the recording paper has a certain degree of stiffness, and the recording paper already printed at the time of discharge and the recording paper after printing are separated. There are recording devices that prevent immediate contact, and many companies have filed applications.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-192544 discloses a method in which a recording sheet is conveyed while being held by suction on a platen. However, if the conveyance speed is increased, the recording sheet may not be held by suction on the platen. There was a big problem that it could not be raised.

On the other hand, in order to increase the speed of the recording apparatus, it is necessary to dry the ink in a short time, and a method of drying the ink by a heating means during or after printing has been devised.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-34114, a heating means for directly drying the recording paper during printing is provided. However, since the heating means is provided below the print head, the print head is adversely affected by heat. There is a limit to speeding up.

For this reason, there is a method of drying the recording paper after printing, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-135858. In this method, it is possible to increase the speed by increasing the output of the heat source or increasing the drying area.

However, if the dry area is lengthened, a transport means for transporting the recording paper even in the dry area is required, and the transport means is required to have heat resistance. For this reason,
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, spurs of a transport roll 102 using a heat-resistant rubber or metal roll 100 and a very thin metal plate having a thickness of about 0.1 mm that follow the transport roll 102. And 104 to convey the recording paper.

In consideration of cost and heat resistance, the transport roll 102 is preferably made of metal rather than heat-resistant rubber. However, if the transport roll 102 and the spur 104 are both metal, the tip of the spur 104 may be deformed. Since the surface of the transport roll 102 is damaged, a metal roll cannot be used.

On the other hand, the spur 104 is fixed to a single spring shaft 106, and the spring shaft 106 is supported by a support member 108 having a pair of bearings 108A recessed. Since the support member 108 is provided between the heating means and the recording paper, the smaller the area, the better the efficiency of drying the recording paper.

However, if the width of the bearing 108A recessed in the support member 108 is reduced, the end of the spring shaft 106 may come off the bearing 108A when the spring shaft 106 is bent. The width of 108A must be wide.

When the recording paper is conveyed, the spring shaft 106 bends, and the spur 104 is lifted.
Although the recording paper can be nipped and conveyed between the conveyance rolls 102, a plurality of spurs 104 are required in order to be able to cope with a wide recording paper size. This spur 1
Since each of the springs 04 requires the spring shaft 106, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are increased, and the cost is increased.

Further, since a plurality of spring shafts 106 are used, it is necessary to make the bearings 108A concave in accordance with the number of spring shafts 106, and the area for shielding the heating means is further increased, and the efficiency of drying the recording paper is increased. It decreases significantly.

[0014]

In view of the above facts, the present invention has a simple structure without deforming the tip of the spur, and has an efficient and inexpensive transport mechanism which does not hinder the drying even in the drying area. The task is to provide

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an annular groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the transport roll that transports the recording paper. On the other hand, a rigid spur that conveys the recording paper together with the conveying roll is arranged, and a sharp tip provided on the spur is located in the groove. This spur is
The support means movably supports the transport roll.

As described above, since the tip of the spur is located in the groove, the spur does not hit the outer peripheral surface of the transport roll when the recording paper is not conveyed, and the tip of the spur is deformed. There is no. For this reason, a metal transport roll can be used in a place where the transport roll requires heat resistance, and the cost can be reduced.

In addition, as compared with the case where the spur is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the transport roll, the tip of the spur is located in the groove, so that when the spur is lifted by the recording paper, the spur's own weight etc. As a result, the recording paper is pressed toward the transport roll. For this reason, the conveyance force of the conveyance roll for conveying the recording paper is improved, and jamming of the recording paper is reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a high friction member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the transport roll. For this reason,
The transporting force of the transport roll for transporting the recording paper is improved, and jamming of the recording paper is reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a spur is arranged at an axial end of the transport roll that transports the recording paper, avoiding the transport roll. The tip of this spur is sharply formed, and is located below the recording paper conveyance path surface. This spur is movably supported by the support roll with respect to the transport roll.

Therefore, the spur does not hit the outer peripheral surface of the transport roll, so that the tip of the spur does not deform. Further, the cost is lower than in the case where a groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the transport roll.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the spur is arranged on at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side of a tangent line where the recording paper and the transport roll for transporting the recording paper abut. The tip of this spur is sharply formed, and is located below the recording paper conveyance path surface. This spur is movably supported by the support roll with respect to the transport roll.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of spurs
It is rotatably supported by one elastic shaft. This elastic shaft is fixed by fixing means arranged on both sides of each spur, and when each spur is lifted when the recording paper passes between the transport roll and the spur, the elastic shaft bends upward, Stability is generated. This restoring force generates an urging force that causes the spur to urge the recording paper toward the transport roll, thereby improving the transport power of the transport roll transporting the recording paper.

As described above, by supporting a plurality of spurs with one elastic shaft, compared with the conventional case where both ends of each spring shaft are fixed to the bearing, the present invention provides When the shaft is bent, the elastic shaft does not come off from the fixing means, so that the fixing means can be narrowed. Therefore, the area for shielding the heating means is reduced, and the efficiency of drying the recording paper is improved.

Further, since it is not necessary to increase the width of the fixing means, it is possible to form an opening through which hot air passes through the fixing means, and the efficiency of drying the recording paper is further improved. Further, the number of parts is reduced and the number of assembly steps is reduced, so that the cost can be reduced. In addition, variations in products are reduced.

In the invention according to claim 6, the fixing means is
It is composed of a support member and a plate. The support members are arranged on both sides of each spur and support the elastic shaft. On the other hand, the plate is attached to the support member, and holds above the elastic axis.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the span of the elastic shaft required to support one spur can be adjusted by changing the holding position of the plate. Accordingly, the biasing force for biasing the recording paper by the spur can be easily adjusted only by changing the holding position of the plate due to the bending of the elastic shaft when each spur is lifted.

[0027]

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an image forming apparatus 10 using a transport mechanism according to a first embodiment. On the downstream side of the image forming apparatus 10, a sheet feed tray 1 is provided.
2 are arranged, and the recording paper P is placed thereon. The recording paper P is separated one by one from the uppermost stage by the paper feed roll 14 and passes through the chute 16.

Next, the recording paper P is conveyed to the printing unit 18 and
Ink is ejected from the print head 18A to form an image on the recording paper P. Next, the recording paper P passes through the dryer unit 20, and dries the ink. Then, the recording paper P on which the image has been formed is discharged to the discharge tray 40.

Here, since high-speed printing is required for the image forming apparatus 10, the conveying speed is high, and
In order to take a sufficient drying time, a large drying area of the dryer unit 20 is provided, and a transport roll 22 is provided in the drying area.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of the transport rolls 22 are fixed to a drive shaft 42,
Reference numeral 2 is adapted to be rotated by a driving force transmitted by driving means (not shown).

The transport roll 22 is formed of metal, and the outer peripheral surface of the transport roll 22 is coated with a high-friction material (not shown) or subjected to surface processing such as embossing.

For this reason, the friction coefficient of the outer peripheral surface of the transport roll 22 is increased, and the transport roll 22 is moved to a recording paper (not shown).
The conveyance force for conveying the recording paper is improved, and jamming of the recording paper is reduced. In addition, an annular groove 22 </ b> A is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the transport roll 22.

On the other hand, a plurality of metal spurs 24 (described later) face the transport roll 22. The annular saw blade portion 24A formed on the outer periphery of the spur 24 is located in the groove portion 22A, and the saw blade portion 24A does not hit the outer circumferential surface of the transport roll 22, and the saw blade portion 24A is deformed. There is no.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The depth of A is the spur 24 with no recording paper (not shown).
Has a depth such that the saw blade 24A does not contact the bottom of the groove 22A.

With this configuration, when there is no recording paper,
The saw blade portion 24A of the spur 24 is located below the recording paper conveyance path surface. When the recording paper is conveyed, the spur 24 is lifted by the recording paper as shown in FIG. 26
Are bent upward (to be described later).

The plurality of spurs 24 are rotatably supported by one elastic shaft 26. As described above, since the plurality of spurs 24 are supported by one elastic shaft 26, the structure is simplified, the number of parts is reduced, the number of assembling steps is reduced, and the cost can be reduced as compared with the related art. In addition, variations in products are reduced.

On the other hand, the elastic shaft 26 on which the plurality of spurs 24 are supported is supported by a substantially rectangular support member 28 extending in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, as shown in FIGS. . The support member 28 has a spur escape portion 30 formed therein.
Has a size that allows insertion.

A side wall 28A is provided upright along the longitudinal direction of the support member 28. Also, the spur escape section 30
The bearing portions 32 are recessed on both sides of the bearing. The elastic shaft 26 is supported by the bearing portion 32.

Further, on the top surface of the support member 28, a substantially rectangular plate 34 extending in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction can be attached. Like the support member 28, the plate 34 has a spur escape portion 36 and a side wall 34.
A is formed. Inner sidewall of sidewall 28A and sidewall 34A
The plate 34 is positioned on the support member 28 by contact with the outer wall of the support member 28.

At this time, the spur escape section 36 and the spur escape section 3
This coincides with 0, and the spur 24 can be inserted through the spur escape portion 36 and the spur escape portion 30. Further, the position of the screw hole 28B formed in the support member 28 matches the position of the screw hole 34B formed in the plate 34. When the fixing screw 44 is screwed, the plate 34 is fixed to the support member 28.

The upper portion of the elastic shaft 26 is held by the plate 34, and the elastic shaft 26 is fixed by the support member 28 and the plate 34. In addition, since the side walls 28A and 34A are erected on the support member 28 and the plate 34, bending and warping are strengthened.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the width W of the bearing portion 32 formed on the support member 28 and the width L1 of the holding portion 46 for holding the upper part of the elastic shaft 26 of the plate 34 are:
The width L1 is wider. Therefore, when the spur 24 is lifted, the elastic shaft 26 bends upward from the edge of the holding portion 46.

Accordingly, when each spur 24 is lifted when the recording paper P passes between the transport roll 22 and the spur 24, the elastic shaft 26 bends upward, and a restoring force is generated. This restoring force generates an urging force that causes the spur 24 to urge the recording paper P toward the transport roll 22, and improves the transport force for transporting the recording paper P by the transport roll.

The width of the holding portion 46 differs depending on the position of the plate 34 in the longitudinal direction.
Is shorter than the width L2. And one elastic shaft 2
6 have the same spring constant, the urging force of the spur 24 urging the recording paper P is P1> P2.

As described above, by changing the width of the holding portion 46, the span of the elastic shaft 26 required to support one spur 24 can be adjusted, and the elastic shaft when each spur 24 is lifted can be adjusted. The urging force for urging the recording paper P by the flexure of 26 can be easily adjusted.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a heater 48 is disposed in the dryer unit 20 in a state perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording paper P. The support member 28 and the plate 34 are arranged between the heater 48 and the recording paper P.

For this reason, both ends of each spring shaft 106 (see FIG. 10) are
8A (see FIG. 10), in the present invention, when the elastic shaft 26 is bent, the elastic shaft 26 does not come off from the bearing portion 32 and the holding portion 46. The portion 46 can be narrowed, and the total area occupied by the support member 28 and the plate 34 in the drying portion is reduced, and the efficiency of drying the recording paper P is improved.

An opening 38 is formed in the support member 28, and the plate 3 corresponds to the opening 38.
4, an opening 39 is formed, and the opening 38 and the opening 3 are formed.
9 allows hot air to pass through. Therefore, the recording paper P
The drying efficiency is further improved.

Here, one groove 22A is formed for one transport roll 22, but a plurality of grooves 22A may be formed on one transport roll in accordance with the number of spurs 24.

The transport mechanism according to the present embodiment may be used outside the drying area. In this case, since the transport roll does not need heat resistance, it may not be made of metal.For example, even if the transport roll is formed of a synthetic resin having low rigidity, the spur does not hit the outer peripheral surface of the transport roll. The outer peripheral surface of the transport roll is not damaged.

Next, a transport mechanism according to the second embodiment will be described.

Since the basic structure of the transport mechanism is the same as that of the first embodiment, only different parts will be described.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the transport roll 50
On both sides in the axial direction of
Is arranged. The saw blade portion 24A of the spur 24 is arranged below the conveyance path surface of the recording paper P, and as shown in FIG. 6B, the recording paper P is conveyed as in the first embodiment. Then, the spur 24 can be lifted by the recording paper P.

With such a configuration, the spurs 24 do not hit the outer peripheral surface of the transport roll 50.
Is not deformed. Further, the cost is lower than when the groove 22A (see FIG. 4) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the transport roll 50.

Next, a transport mechanism according to a third embodiment will be described.

Since the basic structure of the transport mechanism is the same as that of the second embodiment, only different parts will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the recording paper P
The spur 24 is arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the tangent line S at which the and the transport roll 50 abut. Therefore, the spur 24 does not hit the outer peripheral surface of the transport roll 50, so that the saw blade portion 24A of the spur 24 does not deform.

However, in this case, one elastic shaft 26 is required on each of the upstream side and the downstream side of the tangent line S. For this reason, the shapes of the support member and the plate are slightly different as needed, such as forming bearings on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the support member (not shown). Note that only one of the upstream side and the downstream side of the tangent line S may be disposed.

As a modification of the third embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (A), (B) and (C), the tangent S (FIG. 7A)
When the spurs 24 are arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the transport roll 50 (see FIG. 2), the position of the transport roll 50 in the axial direction may be different.

Here, since an example is given,
The present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

Next, as an example, the spur 24 according to the first embodiment will be described.
A method of mounting the hologram will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of transport rolls 22 are fixed to the drive shaft 42, and the drive shaft 42 is connected to driving means (not shown). Next, the plurality of spurs 24 are inserted through one elastic shaft 26. At this time, the spur 24 is arranged in accordance with the pitch of the groove 22A formed on the transport roll 22.

Next, the elastic shaft 26 is moved to the bearing portion 32 formed on the support member 28 disposed above the transport roll 22.
Place on. In this state, the saw blade 24A of the spur 24 is located in the groove 22A.

Next, the side wall 34A formed on the plate 34 is formed on the inner side of the side wall 28A formed on the support member 28.
Abut the outer surface of In this state, the plate 34 is positioned with respect to the support member 28. Then, the fixing screw 44 is screwed into the screw hole 28B and the screw hole 34B, and the elastic shaft 26 is sandwiched and fixed between the bearing 32 and the plate 34.

In such a process, the plurality of spurs 24 can be easily attached, so that the number of assembling steps can be reduced.
Cost can be reduced. In addition, variations in products are reduced.

[0066]

According to the present invention, the above configuration is provided.
According to the invention described in claim 4, since the spur does not hit the outer peripheral surface of the transport roll and the tip end of the spur does not deform, the location where the transport roll is required to have heat resistance is made of metal. Can be used, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since the spur generates an urging force for urging the recording paper toward the transport roll, the transport power for transporting the recording paper by the transport roll is improved, and jamming of the recording paper is reduced.

According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention,
By supporting a plurality of spurs with one elastic shaft, the fixing means can be narrowed, the area for shielding the heating means is reduced, and the efficiency of drying the recording paper is improved. Further, an opening through which the warm air passes can be formed in the fixing means, and the efficiency of drying the recording paper is further improved. further,
Since the number of parts is reduced and the number of assembly steps is reduced, the cost can be reduced. In addition, variations in products are reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus using a transport mechanism according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the transport mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a transport mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a front view showing a state where there is no recording paper, and FIG. 4B is a front view showing a state where the recording paper is being conveyed;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state where a holding position of a plate used in the transport mechanism according to the first embodiment is changed.

FIG. 6A is a front view showing a state where there is no recording paper, and FIG. 6B is a front view showing a state where the recording paper is being conveyed.

FIG. 7A is a front view illustrating a state where there is no recording paper, and FIG. 7B is a side view of the transport mechanism according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a modification of the transport mechanism according to the third embodiment,
(A) is a top view showing a state where there is no recording paper,
(B) is a front view and (C) is a side view.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional transport mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a conventional transport mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 22 transport roll 22A groove 24 spur 26 elastic shaft (supporting means) 28 support member (fixing means) 34 plate (fixing means) 50 transport roll L1 width (holding position) L2 width (holding position) S tangent

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masao Majima 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Institution (72) Inventor Fumihiko Ogasawara 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Jun Takamura 2274 Hongo, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Ebina Office (72) Inventor Yoshihiko Fujimura 2274 Hongo, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Ebina Office F term (reference) 2C056 EA24 HA29 HA32 HA34 HA47 2C05 9 AA22 AA26 CC03 CC06 3F049 AA01 CA02 CA32 DA11 DA12 LA07 LB03

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A transport mechanism for transporting recording paper printed by an inkjet head, comprising: a transport roll for transporting the recording paper; an annular groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of the transport roll; And a supporting means for movably supporting the spur with respect to the transport roll, the rigid spur for transporting the recording paper together with the transport roll. 2. The transport mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a high friction member is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the transport roll. 3. A transport mechanism for transporting recording paper printed by an inkjet head, comprising: a transport roll for transporting the recording paper; and a transport roll disposed at an axial end of the transport roll, avoiding the transport roll. A transport mechanism comprising: a spur having a sharp tip located below a recording paper transport path surface; and support means for movably supporting the spur with respect to a transport roll. 4. A transport mechanism for transporting recording paper printed by an ink jet head, comprising: a transport roll for transporting the recording paper; and an upstream or downstream side of a tangent line at which the transport roll contacts the recording paper. A spur, which is disposed on at least one of the above and has a sharp end located below the conveying path surface of the recording paper, and support means for movably supporting the spur with respect to the conveying roll. . 5. The support means includes one elastic shaft rotatably supporting the plurality of spurs, and the recording paper provided on both sides of each spur, wherein the recording paper passes between the transport roll and the spur. The transport mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising fixing means for fixing the elastic shaft at a position where each spur is lifted. 6. The fixing means is constituted by a support member disposed on both sides of each spur to support the elastic shaft, and a plate attached to the support member and holding an upper portion of the elastic shaft. The transport mechanism according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The spur according to claim 6, wherein the biasing force for urging the recording paper by the spur is changed by bending of the elastic shaft when the spur is lifted by changing the holding position of the plate. Transport mechanism.