JP2003276907A - Positioning mechanism for sheet type image recording material, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a positioning mechanism for sheet type recording material, and an image forming device, capable of properly positioning films of sheet type image recording material, enabling easy adjustment, and further reducing manufacturing cost. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming device 100 comprises a positioning mechanism part 30 provided with a carrying part 41 to hold the film F between a carrying drive roller 41a and a carrying auxiliary roller 41c, an alignment guide 42 having a placement part 42a to place the film F and a guide part 42b protruded upward from the placement part 42a, and positioned under a film F holding position of the carrying part 41, and a rotation drive means 44 to rotate the alignment guide 42 to position the guide part 41b on the lower side. The carrying auxiliary roller 41c is installed on the alignment guide 42. When the alignment guide 42 is turned, the film F by the carrying part 41 is released from holding, and the film F moves along the placement part 42a that is inclined to be abutted on the guide part 42b to be positioned. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet-shaped image recording material such as a film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus for forming an image or a character on a sheet-shaped image recording material such as a photosensitive material, an image is written on the recording material by light exposure and the recording material is developed. An image forming apparatus having a processor mechanism for forming a visible image, an ablation type image forming apparatus which does not require a developing process of a recording material after writing, and an ink jet type image forming apparatus are known.

In these image forming apparatuses, if the position of the recording material shifts when an image is formed on the sheet-shaped image recording material, the image shifts or vignetting occurs. Therefore, it is necessary to align the sheet-shaped image recording material in the apparatus.

For example, in an image forming apparatus for forming an X-ray image on a silver salt film in an image used for medical diagnosis, the film is a light-shielding bag so that the film is not exposed to light before image formation. It is loaded into the device as it is. Then, by opening the film bag in the device and winding it up, the film stands by in a stacked state in the device and is taken out one by one during the image forming process and conveyed to a mechanism for forming an image. To be done. In such a device, since the film is conveyed without rubbing or applying a large force, it has a structure in which there is a margin in the standby position of the film or the space of the conveying path, and the degree of freedom of the position of the film is increased. It is getting bigger.

On the other hand, it is desired that the image for medical diagnosis has a one-to-one relationship between the affected part and the image, and when the image of the affected part is formed to the edge of the film,
In many cases, an image is formed around the film with almost no margin, such as when a plurality of images are arranged to form an image used for diagnosis or the like. Therefore, alignment of the film before image formation becomes even more important.

Therefore, as a positioning mechanism of these image forming apparatuses, for example, a sheet-shaped image recording material is conveyed obliquely so that one side edge portion of the sheet-shaped image recording material is located on the side of the conveying path. A method to convey and align the sheet-shaped image recording material while pressing it, or a guide is provided on both sides of the sheet-shaped image recording material conveyance path, and the sheet-shaped image recording material is conveyed to the center while regulating the positions on both sides. A method for alignment has been proposed. Further, a method has also been devised in which the sheet-shaped image recording material is temporarily stopped during transportation, and is pressed against a guide or the like provided on the side of the transportation path by using a regulation means such as an arm to align the sheet recording material.

[0007]

However, when the sheet-shaped image recording material is skewed or conveyed while being regulated by providing guides or the like on both sides, stress such as strain is applied to the sheet-shaped image recording material. , It may not be possible to perform accurate alignment. In particular, when a film or the like is used as the sheet-shaped image recording material, the surface of the film may be damaged by contact with a roller or a guide that holds and conveys the film, or distortion. Therefore, in order to use these methods, a structure for preventing scratches is required.

Further, in the method of temporarily stopping and aligning the sheet-shaped image recording material during conveyance, the stress applied to the sheet-shaped image recording material such as a film can be reduced to some extent, but the positioning is performed by a regulating means such as an arm. Before that, a releasing means for releasing the holding of the recording material by the conveying means such as rollers is required in the conveying path. Further, since driving means for respectively driving the conveying means and the releasing means are required and further a controlling means for controlling the operation of these driving means is also required, the mechanism of the apparatus becomes complicated and the manufacturing cost increases. Was there. Further, since it is necessary to adjust the positions of the conveying means and the guides with high accuracy, maintenance is complicated and troublesome. In addition, in recent years, there has been a demand for an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image at a higher speed and with higher accuracy, and in order to realize it, each of these alignment means must also have a high-performance mechanism. There was a problem that the cost increased.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet-shaped image recording material such as a film-shaped image recording material that can be properly aligned, can be easily adjusted, and can be manufactured at a reduced cost. An object is to provide an alignment mechanism and an image forming apparatus.

[0010]

In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 is the position of the sheet-shaped image recording material provided in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on the sheet-shaped image recording material. In the aligning mechanism, a conveyance unit configured by a conveyance assisting unit arranged on the upper side and a conveyance unit arranged on the lower side, which conveys the sheet-shaped image recording material by sandwiching it, and the sheet-shaped image recording material. And a guide portion that is provided so as to project upward from the placing portion and that aligns the sheet-shaped image recording material by abutting a side edge portion of the sheet-shaped image recording material. And a positioning unit located below the nipping position of the sheet-shaped image recording material by the transport unit, and a rotation unit that rotates the positioning unit so that the guide unit is located below. Dynamic drive means , Wherein the transport auxiliary means,
The sheet-shaped image recording material is configured to move upward in association with the rotation of the position adjusting means based on the drive of the rotation driving means, and the sheet-shaped image recording material is inclined by the rotation of the position adjusting means. It is characterized in that it moves on the member and comes into contact with the guide member.

According to the first aspect of the invention, at a position below the position where the sheet-shaped image recording material is nipped by the conveying section,
A rotatable alignment means having a mounting portion and a guide portion, and rotation drive means for the alignment means are provided, and the upper conveyance means moves upward in conjunction with the rotation of the alignment means. Is configured to. That is, when the position aligning means rotates, the upper conveying means moves in conjunction therewith, so that the nipping of the sheet-shaped image recording material is released, and the sheet-shaped image recording material moves downward on the inclined mounting portion. The position is adjusted by abutting against the guide portion. Therefore, the sheet-shaped image recording material such as a film can be properly aligned without giving a large stress. Further, when the rotation driving means is driven, both of the nipping of the sheet-shaped image recording material by the conveying section and the positioning of the sheet-shaped image recording material by the positioning means can be performed. The configuration of the device can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the positioning mechanism driven by the driving means.

In the position adjusting mechanism for the sheet-shaped image recording material according to the first aspect, as in the second aspect, the transport assisting means may be attached to the position adjusting means. By being mounted in this way, the position adjusting means and the upper side conveying means rotate integrally, so that the nipping of the sheet-shaped image recording material by the conveying portion and the position adjustment of the sheet-shaped image recording material can be performed. The same driving means can be preferably implemented. Further, by adjusting the position of the transport assisting means in advance with respect to the position aligning means, if the position of the aligning means is adjusted, the position of the transport assisting means can also be adjusted, so that the alignment mechanism can be easily adjusted. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the position adjusting mechanism for the sheet-shaped image recording material according to the first or second aspect, when the position adjusting means is rotated by the rotation drive means, the front surface is inclined. It is characterized by further comprising a movement assisting means for assisting the movement of the sheet-shaped image recording material on the writing section.

The movement assisting means is means for facilitating the downward movement of the sheet-shaped image recording material on the inclined mounting portion, and for example, a rotating roller or the like as described in claim 4. , Means for reducing friction between the sheet-shaped image recording material and the mounting portion during the alignment operation. By providing the movement assisting means, it is possible to prevent the sheet-shaped image recording material from being damaged when the sheet-shaped image recording material moves on the placing portion, and to adjust the position of the sheet-shaped image recording material. Since the guide portion can be properly brought into contact with the guide portion, it is possible to perform suitable alignment.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the position adjusting mechanism for the sheet-shaped image recording material according to the third or fourth aspect, the movement assisting means is located above the inclined mounting portion. A first rotating roller and a second rotating roller located below the tilted mounting portion are provided, and the mounting portion is a hole through which at least a part of the conveying unit can project. The first rotation roller moves upward in conjunction with the rotation of the alignment means, and the first rotation roller and the second rotation roller are formed.
The rotating roller is configured to come into contact with the sheet-shaped image recording material on the inclined mounting portion.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the mounting portion is a plate-shaped member during operation of the alignment mechanism, substantially the entire surface of the sheet-shaped image recording material is supported from below.
It is possible to reduce stress such as bending of the sheet-shaped image recording material during alignment. Further, when the mounting portion is tilted, the first rotating roller on the upper side moves upward in association with the rotation of the alignment means to contact the sheet-shaped image recording material, and the second rotating roller on the lower side. By contacting the sheet-shaped image recording material on the inclined mounting portion with the rotating roller, the sheet-shaped image recording material is assisted in moving to the lower side of the mounting portion. It is possible to perform proper alignment while suppressing friction with the mounting portion.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including the sheet-shaped image recording material alignment mechanism according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. According to the image forming apparatus described in claim 6, since the sheet-shaped image recording material alignment mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is provided, it is possible to prevent the sheet-shaped image recording material from being damaged. However, it is possible to properly perform the alignment, and it is possible to suitably form an image in the image forming unit and obtain a good image. Further, since the position adjusting mechanism can perform the pinching release of the sheet-shaped image recording material and the position adjusting operation by the same driving means, the manufacturing cost of the apparatus can be reduced as compared with the case where these are performed by separate driving means. Therefore, it is preferable.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 100 as an example of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 is an apparatus which forms image data of photographed image data obtained by, for example, X-ray photography on a silver salt film F as a sheet-shaped image recording material by light exposure and outputs the image. As shown in FIG. 1 or 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 1, a film loading unit 10, a film transport unit 20, an image writing unit 30, and a positioning mechanism unit 4.
0 (sheet-shaped image recording material alignment mechanism), development processing section 50, film cooling section 51, and image discharge section 52
And is mainly provided. The image writing section 30 and the development processing section 50 constitute an image forming section.

The control unit 1 has a CPU (Central Process
g Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM
(Random Access Memory).
The RAM has a work memory area for storing various programs and various data designated by the CPU, processing results, and the like. The ROM stores a system program for driving the image forming apparatus 100, various application programs, and the like. The CPU reads out a designated program from the system programs and various application programs stored in the storage unit and stores it in the work memory area in the RAM.
Various processes are executed in accordance with the programs stored in M, and the processing results are stored in the work memory area in RAM.

The control unit 1 is, for example, a film transport unit 20.
By outputting a control signal to the sheet-shaped image recording material, the sheet-shaped image recording material can be conveyed to a predetermined location in the image forming apparatus 100,
Alternatively, by outputting a control signal to the alignment mechanism section 40, the sheet-shaped image recording material is aligned. In addition, the control unit 1 outputs a control signal to the image writing unit 30 to execute writing of an image by light exposure, and outputs a control signal to the development processing control unit 50b included in the development processing unit 50. Accordingly, the developing process of the sheet-shaped image recording material on which the image is written is executed.

In the film loading unit 10, a silver salt film (hereinafter, referred to as a regular size) formed inside the tray 11 as a sheet-shaped image recording material used in the image forming apparatus 100.
Film F).
A plurality of the films F are put into a light-shielding bag from the outside and are sealed in the tray 11 to be loaded. Then, the bag is unsealed by an unsealing means (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 100 and wound up to form the film F.
Are stacked on the tray 11 and stand by for image forming processing. Means such as a suction cup (not shown) and a feeding roller 12 are provided above the side of the tray 11, and each film F is fed one by one on the basis of a control signal from the control unit 1 during image forming processing. It is adapted to be taken out from the tray 11 and delivered to the film transport unit 20.

The film transport unit 20 is provided with transport rollers 21 ... Constituting a pair of two rollers along a route for transporting the film F in the image forming apparatus 100. The transport roller 21 is configured to sandwich and transport the film F between two rollers. The film transport unit 20 is the film loading unit 10.
From the first writing unit 30 to the film writing unit 30, and the first writing unit 30 from which a part of the first feeding unit 22 is turned back, and then the film F is fed to the development processing unit 50. 2 transport section 23 and development processing section 50
A third transport unit 24 that transports the film F to the image discharge unit 52 via the film cooling unit 51. In the film transport unit 20, the roller 21 rotates in a predetermined direction in accordance with a drive command signal from a control unit (not shown), so that the film F is moved to a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus 100 during the image forming process. It is designed to be transported.

The image writing section 30 is provided with a laser irradiation device 31 and a film detection sensor 32. In the image writing unit 30, the film F is detected by the film detection sensor 32, and according to the control signal from the control unit 1, the film F moving at a predetermined speed is detected.
The laser irradiation device 31 irradiates a laser beam, and X
An image obtained by line photography or the like is written on the film F.

The alignment mechanism section 40 is a location for aligning the film F with the image writing section 30, and is an extension of the first transport section 22 of the film transport section 20 that has passed through the image writing section 30. It is provided at a position so as to be adjacent to the image writing unit 30. The alignment mechanism section 40 is provided from the film loading section 10 to the first transport section 22.
The film F conveyed through the image writing unit 30 via the film is rewound, and the film F is aligned so that the film F is located at the optimum position for the image writing process. It is responsible for sending out to 30.

The structure of the alignment mechanism 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. The alignment mechanism unit 40 includes a base 40a, a transport unit 41, an alignment guide 42 as a alignment unit, a movement assisting unit 43, a rotation driving unit 44, a home position detection sensor 45, and
And a film detection sensor 49.
3 is a perspective view of the alignment mechanism portion, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of the alignment mechanism section 40 viewed from the guide section 42b side of an alignment guide 42. In FIG. 4, arrow A indicates the direction in which the film F is fed, and arrow A indicates the direction in which the film F is fed, and these arrows A and B are the transport directions of the film F. The guide portion 42b is a virtual line (dotted line)
It shows with.

Further, FIG. 5 is a view showing the rotation driving means 44, and FIG. 6 is a side view of the position adjusting mechanism section 40 seen from the image writing section 30 side. Note that FIG. 3A and FIG.
(A) is a state of the alignment mechanism section 40 when the film F is drawn in and out, FIG. 3 (b) and FIG.
(B) shows a state of the position alignment operation of the film F.

The base 40a is provided on the lowermost side of the positioning mechanism section 40, and plays a role of supporting the constituent members of the positioning mechanism section 40 described later.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the transport section 41 includes a transport drive roller 41a as a lower transport means,
A transport assist roller 41c as a transport assist means provided on the upper side of the transport drive roller 41a.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the transport driving rollers 41a are arranged at two positions in the width direction of the film F, and two sets are provided in the transport direction, for a total of four. The transport driving roller 41a is provided with an alignment guide 42.
On the lower side of the base 40, the base 40 is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 41aa provided in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the film F.
The rotary shaft 41aa is attached to the rotary drive means 41ab (FIG. 2) composed of a motor or the like. Then, the rotation driving means 41ab rotates the rotation shaft 41aa at a predetermined speed according to the control signal from the control unit 1.
When stopped, the transport driving roller 41a is rotated or stopped at a predetermined speed in a direction substantially parallel to the transport direction of the film F.

As shown in FIG. 3, the conveyance assisting rollers 41c and 41c are arranged on the upper side of the alignment guide 42.
It is provided at a total of four positions corresponding to the upper side of the transport drive roller 41a, and is supported by the rotating shaft 41ca so as to be rotatable in the transport direction of the film F. The rotation shaft 41ca that supports the conveyance assisting roller 41c, which is the upper conveyance unit, is fixed to the alignment guide 42.

The alignment guide 42 includes a placing portion 42a formed of a plate member, a guide portion 42b provided on one side of the placing portion 42a so as to project upward from the placing portion 42a, and a placing portion. 42a on the other side of 42a
and a side wall portion 42c protruding upward from a. The mounting portion 42a is a plate-shaped member in which holes 46, 46 for projecting the upper portion of the transport drive roller 41a when the film F is rolled in and unrolled, and holes 47 for projecting the upper portion of the movement assisting means 43 are formed. It is composed of. Further, the end portion 42d on the opposite side of the image writing unit 30 in the placing portion 42a is formed to be curved so as to be warped upward, and in the case of a large-sized film F, the end portion 42d is placed in a curved state. It is supposed to be done. By being formed in this way, the width occupied by the alignment guide 42 can be reduced and the size of the entire apparatus can be suppressed. The guide portion 42b has a side surface portion 4 inside thereof.
By bringing the film F into contact with 2ba, it plays a role of aligning the film F with the image writing section 30. The side wall portion 42c prevents the film F from dropping from the side edge portion of the placing portion 42a. In the alignment guide 42, a mounting portion 42a is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 42e that is substantially parallel to the transport direction of the film F, and is attached to the base 40a. The alignment guide 42 is rotated by the movement of the rotation drive means 44 so that the guide portion 42b is on the lower side.

The movement assisting means 43 includes first rotating rollers 43a, 43a arranged at a position above the mounting portion 42a when the alignment guide 42 is rotated.
The second rotating roller 4 arranged below the mounting portion 42a.
3b and 43b, both of which are arranged substantially perpendicular to the transport drive rollers 41a and 41a. The first rotation rollers 43a, 43a are provided at two positions in the film F transport direction, and are aligned with each other at the alignment guide 4
The upper portion of the second mounting portion 42a is fixed to the alignment guide 42 while being rotatably supported so that the upper portion thereof partially projects from the holes 47. Second rotating roller 4
3b and 43b are provided below the alignment guide 42, and as a horizontal position, the rotation shaft 42e and the guide portion 4 are provided.
It is rotatably attached to the base 40a so as to be positioned between the base 40a and 2b. Second rotating rollers 43b, 43
In FIG. 5b, the alignment guide 42 is rotated to place the placement portion 42a.
When the mounting portion 42a is tilted, the upper part thereof projects from the holes 47, 47 of the mounting portion 42a. When the mounting portion 42a is tilted, the film F is assisted in moving toward the guide portion 42b. It is supposed to do.

In the present embodiment, the transport driving roller 41a, the transport auxiliary roller 41c, the first rotary roller 43a, and the second rotary roller 43b are, for example, those whose transport surface is made of rubber. .

The rotation drive means 44, as shown in FIG.
The cam 44a and a drive unit 44b including a drive motor and a drive control circuit are provided. Cam 44a
Is composed of a circular member 44aa and a cam pin 44ab provided at an eccentric position of the circular member 44aa. The rotation center 44ac of the circular member 44aa is the drive unit 4
4b is fixed to the rotating shaft 44bb, and the rotational driving force from the driving unit 44b is transmitted to the cam 44a to allow the circular member 44aa to rotate.
Is designed to rotate.

As shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 6 (a), the rotation driving means 44 is provided on the side wall 42c of the alignment guide 42 so that the cam pin 44ab abuts from below. Then, FIG. 5C and FIG.
As shown in (b), during the alignment operation of the alignment mechanism unit 40, the drive unit 44b is driven based on the control signal from the control unit 1 to rotate the cam 44a and the cam pin 44ab to the alignment guide 42. It is designed to push up and rotate. And further cam 44
By rotating a, the alignment guide 42 is returned to substantially the same position as before the rotation.

In this rotation drive means 44, the cam 4
FIG. 5 before 4a pushes up the alignment guide 42.
The position shown in (b) and FIG. 6 (a) is the home position of the cam 44a. Further, in this state, the side wall portion 42c side of the alignment guide 42 is supported from below by the side portion 40aa of the base 40a, and the mounting portion 42a is substantially horizontal. The position of the alignment guide 42 or the mounting portion 42a where the mounting portion 42a is substantially horizontal is referred to as a standby position.

The rotation driving means 44 is used as the alignment guide 4.
The angle at which the mounting portion 42a is tilted by rotating 2 varies depending on the type and shape of the movement assisting means 43, the material and weight of the film F, and is appropriately set. For example, the position adjusting mechanism section 40 is provided with the movement assisting means 43 by the rotating rollers 43a, 43a as in the present embodiment,
As a sheet-shaped image recording material, PET (Poly Ethylene T
In the case of using the film F having erephthalate) as a base material and spraying latex for preventing sticking on the surface, the film F can move to the guide part 42b side if the inclination angle of the mounting part 42a is 5 degrees or more. . In consideration of the speed of movement of the film F and the certainty that the film F is properly brought into contact with the guide portion 42b, the inclination angle of the mounting portion 42b is preferably about 15 degrees. If the inclination angle of the mounting portion 42b is too large, the impact when the film F comes into contact with the guide portion 42b may be large, and the film F may be damaged. Therefore, even for the maximum inclination angle, the sheet-shaped image recording is performed. It is desirable to set considering the type of material.

The home position detecting sensor 45 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b) and (c), the rotation drive means 44 is provided in the vicinity of the cam 44a, and the cam 44a is provided in the drive portion 44.
When it returns to the home position after making about one rotation by driving b, a detection signal is output to the control unit 1.
A method for detecting the home position of the cam 44a is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), a sensor unit 45a that comes into contact with the cam 44a when the cam 44a is located at the home position may be provided for detection, or an infrared sensor or the like may be used.

The film detection sensor 49, as shown in FIG.
It is provided on the 0 side and can detect that the film F has passed through the image writing section 30.

The positional relationship between the components of the alignment mechanism 40 when the alignment guide 42 is at the standby position will be described. When the alignment guide 42 is in the standby position, the upper portion of the transport drive roller 41a projects from the hole 46 of the alignment guide 42, and the upper end portion of the transport drive roller 41a is positioned higher than the upper end portion of the first rotation roller 43a. It is supposed to do. In addition, the second rotating roller 4
3b is located below the mounting portion 42 at the standby position.

Further, when the alignment guide 42 is at the standby position, the film F is sandwiched between the transport driving roller 41a and the transport auxiliary roller 41c. At this time, the nip force for sandwiching the film F depends on the weight of the roller,
A pressing means such as a spring may be provided if necessary. Then, the transport drive roller 41a is rotated by the rotation drive means 41ab so that the film F can be fed into or out of the image writing section 30. 4 and 6 when the film F is drawn in and out.
As shown in (a), the upper end portion of the first rotating roller 43a is located below the holding position of the film F (indicated by the arrow A in FIGS. 4 and 6), so that it does not come into contact with the film F. It has become.

Next, the positioning operation of the film F in the positioning mechanism section 40 will be described. First, when the control signal is output from the control unit 1 in a state where the film F is sandwiched by the transporting unit 41 in the position adjusting mechanism unit 30 at the standby position, the rotation driving unit 44 is driven and the cam 44a rotates. Then, the alignment guide 42 rotates so that the guide portion 42b is on the lower side, and the mounting portion 42a is inclined. At this time, since the conveyance assisting roller 41c is fixed to the alignment guide 42, the alignment guide 4
It moves upward in conjunction with 2. Thereby, the sandwiching of the film F sandwiched between the transport driving roller 41a and the transport auxiliary roller 41c is released.

When the alignment guide 42 is further tilted, the transport drive roller 41a is positioned below the mounting portion 42a, and the film F contacts the first roller 43a above the inclined mounting portion 42a. Further, at this time, the film F is instructed by the mounting portion 42a substantially entirely from below. When the mounting portion 42a reaches the maximum inclination angle, the upper portion of the second rotating roller 43b is below the inclined mounting portion 42a and is above the mounting portion 42a through the hole 47 of the mounting portion 42a. The film F and the second rotating roller 43b come into contact with each other. Since the first roller 43a and the second rotating roller 43b are rotatably provided, the film F smoothly moves downward on the inclined mounting portion 42a due to its own weight and rotation of the transport assisting means 43. Move
It abuts on the guide portion 42b side.

After the mounting portion 42a reaches the maximum inclination angle, the cam 44a of the rotation driving means 44 further rotates, whereby the alignment guide 42 rotates in a direction in which the inclination is reduced. The second rotation roller 43b is again positioned below the mounting portion 42a, the upper portion of the transport driving roller 41a projects from the hole 46 of the mounting portion 42a and contacts the film F, and the transport auxiliary roller 41c is It moves downward together with the alignment guide 42 and eventually comes into contact with the film F.

When the alignment guide 42 reaches the standby position, the mounting portion 42a becomes substantially horizontal, and the film F is again pinched between the transport driving roller 41a and the transport auxiliary roller 41c. At this time, the film F is brought into contact with the guide portion 42b during the alignment operation, so that the film F is aligned with the image writing unit 30, and is sandwiched by the transport unit 41. When the alignment guide 42 returns to the standby position in this way, the cam 44a is positioned at the home position, and the home position detection sensor 45 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 1, and the control unit 1 outputs the control signal. Drive unit 44 of rotation drive means 44
The drive of b is stopped and the alignment operation is ended. After that, the transport unit 41 is driven based on the control signal from the control unit 1, so that the film F is transferred to the image writing unit 30.
Is delivered at a predetermined speed.

In the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 100, first, one film F is fed from the film loading unit 10 according to the control signal from the control unit 1, and along the first transport unit 22 of the film transport unit 20. It is conveyed, passes through the image writing unit 30, and is fed into the alignment mechanism unit 40. When the film F passes through the image writing unit 30 when the film F is fed into the position adjusting mechanism unit 40, a detection signal from the film detection sensor 49 is output to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 determines that the retraction of the film F into the alignment mechanism unit 40 is completed when a certain time has elapsed after receiving this detection signal, and outputs a drive control signal to the alignment mechanism unit 40 to output the film. Align F.

After the alignment of the film F is completed, the control unit 1
Outputs a control signal to the transport unit 41 and the image writing unit 30 to write an image on the film F. After that, the film F is conveyed to the development processing unit 50 through the second conveyance unit 23, and the thermal development processing is executed on the development drum 50a based on the control of the development processing control unit 50b. Form an image. Further, the control unit 1 outputs a control signal to convey the film F along the third conveying unit 24, and the film cooling unit 51 conveys the film F softened to a high temperature by the heat development process.
Then, the image is discharged from the image output unit 52 to the image forming apparatus 100.
To be discharged to outside.

According to the alignment mechanism section 40 of the image forming apparatus 100 described above, the conveyance assisting roller 41c is attached to the alignment guide 42. Then, the rotation driving means 44 drives the alignment guide 42 and the conveyance assisting roller 41c to integrally rotate, thereby releasing the film F from the conveyance unit 41 and aligning the film F by the alignment guide 42. And both can be done. Therefore, the structure of the device is simpler than that of the positioning mechanism in which these are driven by separate driving means, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, since the first rotating roller 43a and the second rotating roller 43b as the movement assisting means 43 are provided, the friction when the film F moves on the mounting portion 42a is reduced. Therefore, the film F can be prevented from being damaged during the alignment operation, and the film F can be appropriately and promptly brought into contact with the guide portion 42b, so that the alignment can be appropriately performed.

Further, during the alignment operation, the film F is supported almost entirely from below by the plate-shaped mounting portion 42a, and when the mounting portion 42a is tilted, the film F and the first rotating roller on the upper side. The lower second rotating roller assists the downward movement of the mounting portion 42a, and smoothly moves to contact the guide portion 42b. Therefore, it is possible to properly perform the alignment while reducing the stress applied to the film F.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to properly align the film F while preventing the film F from being scratched, and to form an image by writing and developing the image, so that a good image can be obtained. Further, since the position adjusting mechanism 40 can perform the pinching release of the film F and the position adjusting operation of the film F by rotating the rotation driving means 44 once in one direction, they are separately driven. Compared with the case where the driving means is driven in two directions or the case where the driving means is driven in two directions, the load of the arithmetic processing in the control unit 1 can be reduced, and the simple configuration can reduce the manufacturing cost of the apparatus, which is preferable.

In addition, in the position adjusting mechanism 40, since the auxiliary transportation rollers 41c are attached to the alignment guide 42, if the auxiliary transportation rollers 41c are adjusted in advance with respect to the alignment guides 42, these adjustments will be performed separately. Adjustment is easy because it is not necessary to perform the adjustment. Further, the alignment mechanism section 40 of the present invention includes the transport drive roller 41a.
Is attached to the base 40a, the conveyance drive roller 41a, the conveyance auxiliary roller 41c, and the alignment guide 42 (guide portion 42b) are integrally attached. Therefore, if these positional relationships are adjusted in advance with high precision, the alignment mechanism 40 can be adjusted with high precision simply by positioning the guide part 42b or the transport part 41 with respect to the writing part 30. Therefore, it is easy to adjust the alignment mechanism unit 40 and the image forming apparatus 100. Further, according to the present invention, the rotation shaft 42e is fixed even when repair, adjustment, replacement, etc. of the transport unit 41, the rotation drive means 44 (cam 44a, drive unit 44b), the home position detection sensor 45, etc. are required. If it is carried out without removing it, it is not necessary to readjust the position with respect to the image writing section 30, which is preferable because the maintenance of the image forming apparatus 100 becomes easy.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the present invention can be applied to a sheet-shaped image recording material alignment mechanism for various image forming apparatuses such as a printing apparatus as well as an apparatus for forming an X-ray image on a film F with a laser beam. Further, the sheet-shaped image recording material may be applied to an image forming apparatus in which the recording material loading portion is conveyed in one direction to the image writing portion through the alignment mechanism portion. Further, the alignment guide may be a plate-shaped member, a net shape, or the like, and a plurality of supporting members formed long in the width direction of the recording material may be provided to support the recording material from below. In addition, a flat mounting portion may be provided without forming the curved end 42d of the alignment guide. Further, the transport means of the alignment mechanism unit 30 may be configured by a transport driving roller 41a, a transport auxiliary roller 41c, a conveyor configured by a belt, or the like. In addition, a free roller or the like that can rotate in the same direction as the transport drive roller 41a may be provided as the lower transport means, and the transport drive roller 41a, the transport auxiliary roller 41c, the rotation roller of the movement assist means, and the like. The number and arrangement position of the can be changed as appropriate.

Further, the upper conveying means may be provided so as to be movable upward without being fixed to the alignment guide, and the recording medium may be clamped by being pushed up by the rotation of the alignment guide. In addition, either or both of the first rotating roller and the second rotating roller of the movement assisting means may be provided with a driving means for rotationally driving. In addition, the rotation driving means may be provided above the guide portion of the alignment guide so that the alignment guide is pushed down and rotated. Further, the shape of the cam can be changed appropriately.

Further, in addition to the rotating roller, the movement assisting means may be configured to reduce the friction with the mounting portion by blowing air from below the sheet-shaped image recording material. Alternatively, recording may be performed by providing a raised material or the like with a small frictional resistance at the contact portion with the recording material (for example, the upper surface side) in the mounting portion, forming a rib on the upper surface of the mounting portion, or performing embossing. The material may be slippery. Further, a means for reducing these frictional resistances, a rotating roller or the like may be provided in combination.

[0056]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the position aligning means is rotated, the upper conveying means is moved in conjunction therewith, so that the sheet-shaped image recording material is released from being pinched,
The sheet-shaped image recording material is aligned by moving downward on the inclined mounting portion and contacting the guide portion.
Therefore, the sheet-shaped image recording material such as a film can be properly aligned without giving a large stress. Further, when the rotation driving means is driven, both of the nipping of the sheet-shaped image recording material by the conveying section and the positioning of the sheet-shaped image recording material by the positioning means can be performed. The configuration of the device can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the positioning mechanism driven by the driving means.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the positioning means and the upper conveying means rotate integrally,
The nipping of the sheet-shaped image recording material by the conveying unit and the positioning of the sheet-shaped image recording material can be suitably performed by the same driving unit. In addition, if the position of the position adjusting means is adjusted, the position of the conveyance assisting means can be adjusted at the same time, which facilitates the adjustment of the position adjusting mechanism.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by providing the movement assisting means, it is possible to prevent the sheet-shaped image recording material from being damaged when the sheet-shaped image recording material is moved on the placing portion, and to prevent the sheet-shaped image recording material from being damaged. The recording material can be appropriately brought into contact with the guide portion.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the mounting portion is tilted, the first rotating roller and the second rotating roller contact the sheet-shaped image recording material and move to the lower side of the mounting portion. Since it is possible to suppress the friction between the sheet-shaped image recording material and the mounting portion, it is possible to perform proper alignment.

According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect,
The sheet-shaped image recording material can be appropriately aligned while being prevented from being scratched, and a favorable image can be obtained by suitably performing image formation in the image forming unit.
Further, since the position adjusting mechanism can perform the pinching release of the sheet-shaped image recording material and the position adjusting operation by the same driving means, the manufacturing cost of the apparatus can be reduced as compared with the case where these are performed by separate driving means. Therefore, it is preferable.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus as an example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alignment mechanism portion in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an alignment guide of the alignment mechanism section,
It is a schematic structure figure which looked at a transportation part and a movement auxiliary means from the guide part side.

5A and 5B show rotation driving means, FIG. 5A is a cam, FIG. 5B is a side view showing the rotation driving means and an alignment guide at a home position, and FIG. 5C is a rotation driving means rotating the alignment guide. It is a side view which shows a mode that it makes it.

6A and 6B are side views of the alignment mechanism section viewed from the image writing section side, where FIG. 6A shows a state when the film F is being rewound, and FIG. 6B shows a state when the position adjustment operation of the film F is performed.

[Explanation of symbols]

30 image writing unit 40 alignment mechanism unit (positioning mechanism for sheet-shaped image recording material) 40a base 41 transport unit 41a transport drive roller (lower transport unit) 41c transport auxiliary roller (upper transport auxiliary unit) 42 alignment guide (Alignment Means) 42a Placement Section 42b Guide Section 44 Rotation Driving Means 43a First Rotation Roller (Movement Assistance Means) 43b Second Rotation Roller (Movement Assistance Means) 100 Image Forming Apparatus

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 3F049 CA31 DB03 LA01 LB08                 3F102 AA01 AB05 BA02 BB04 CB01                       EA03

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A positioning mechanism for a sheet-shaped image recording material, which is provided in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet-shaped image recording material, wherein a conveyance assisting means arranged on an upper side and a conveyance arranged on a lower side. A transporting unit configured to sandwich the sheet-shaped image recording material and transport the sheet-shaped image recording material, a mounting portion on which the sheet-shaped image recording material can be mounted, and a projecting portion protruding upward from the mounting portion. A guide portion for aligning the sheet-shaped image recording material by abutting a side edge portion of the sheet-shaped image recording material,
A positioning unit located below a nipping position of the sheet-shaped image recording material by the transport unit; and a rotation driving unit configured to rotate the positioning unit so that the guide unit is located below. The conveyance assisting unit is configured to move upward in conjunction with the rotation of the position adjusting unit based on the drive of the rotation driving unit, and the sheet-shaped image recording material is rotated by the position adjusting unit. A sheet-shaped image recording material alignment mechanism, characterized in that the sheet-like image recording material is moved on an inclined mounting portion and comes into contact with the guide portion. 2. The position adjusting mechanism for a sheet-shaped image recording material according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance assisting device is attached to the position adjusting device. 3. A movement assisting means for assisting the movement of the sheet-shaped image recording material on the inclined mounting portion when the position adjusting means is rotated by the rotation drive means. The alignment mechanism for a sheet-shaped image recording material according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The position adjusting mechanism for a sheet-shaped image recording material according to claim 3, wherein the movement assisting means is a rotating roller. 5. The movement assisting means includes a first rotating roller located above the inclined mounting portion and a second rotating roller located below the inclined mounting portion. The mounting portion is composed of a plate-shaped member having a hole through which at least a part of the conveying means is projectable, and the first rotating roller is configured to rotate the aligning means. And the first rotating roller and the second rotating roller are configured to come into contact with the sheet-shaped image recording material on the inclined mounting portion. The position adjusting mechanism for a sheet-shaped image recording material according to claim 3 or 4. 6. An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet-like image recording material alignment mechanism according to claim 1. Description: