JP2004323198A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly switch an image formation device into a pressing condition and a pressing releasing condition of an image forming object member by a pair of rollers with a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: This image formation device comprises a carrying means for carrying and driving a sheet-like image formation object member PS, an image formation head forming the image by repeatedly forming a line-like part image against the image formation object member PS transferred by the transfer means, and a pair of transfer rollers 3, 4 carrying and driving the image formation object member PS to the carrying means under a pressing and nipping condition. A pressing releasing area formed in a manner that a distance from a rotary axial core to an outer periphery is shorter than the other portion is provided at one part of the outer periphery of at least one carrying roller of a pair of the carrying rollers 3, and the pressing releasing area is positioned on an existing side of the other transfer roller, so as to release pressing against the image formation object member PS. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention forms an image by repeatedly forming a line-shaped partial image on the image forming target member conveyed by the conveying unit that conveys and drives a sheet-shaped image forming target member. An image forming head is provided, and the conveying unit is driven to rotate by a driving force of a rotation driving unit to convey the image forming target member at an image forming position of the image forming head, and the image forming target is The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a pair of conveyance rollers for conveying and driving a member while pressing and holding the member.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Such an image forming apparatus repeatedly forms a line-shaped partial image on a sheet-shaped image forming target member conveyed and moved by a conveying unit, and forms one completed image on the image forming target member. A specific example is an apparatus for exposing and forming an image on photographic paper with an exposure head.
In such an image forming apparatus, in the pair of transport rollers disposed downstream of the image forming position in the transport direction of the image forming head, the pair of transport rollers rotating in a press-contact state is provided with the front end of the image forming target member. , The image quality of the formed image is degraded due to the minute vibration of the image forming target member caused by the rush, and the pair of transports arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction of the image forming position. In the case of rollers, the image quality of the formed image is degraded due to the minute vibration of the image forming target member caused by the rear end of the image forming target member passing through a pair of conveying rollers rotating in a pressed state. It has been known.
[0003]
For this reason, in order to reduce the fine vibration as described above, the pair of transport rollers arranged on the downstream side receive the image forming target member in the pressure release state, and then switch to the pressure bonding state to switch the image forming target member. The pair of transport rollers that are transported and arranged on the upstream side are controlled to switch from the pressure bonding state to the pressure release state before the rear end of the image forming target member passes through the position of the pair of transport rollers.
Conventionally, as a method of switching the pair of transport rollers between a pressure-contact state and a pressure-release state, as described in Patent Literatures 1 to 3, a rotating shaft of a free-rotating roller among the pair of transport rollers is driven. A general configuration is to move the roller in the approaching / separating direction with respect to the roller.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-62-135064
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-62-193358
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-63-67859
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional configuration in which the rotation axis of the transport roller itself is moved, the impact given to the image formation target member when the transport roller comes into contact with the image formation target member or separates from the image formation target member increases. Therefore, in order to sufficiently reduce the deterioration of the image quality as described above, the moving speed of the idle roller is sufficiently reduced before and after the pair of transport rollers contact or separate from the image forming target member. In order to achieve this, a cam mechanism and a damper mechanism are required, and the mechanism becomes complicated, or the control configuration becomes complicated.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to smoothly switch between a state in which an image forming target member is pressed by a pair of rollers and a state in which the pressure is released with a simple configuration. The point is to be able to do it.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
With the configuration according to claim 1, a conveying unit that conveys and drives a sheet-shaped image forming target member, and a line-shaped partial image is repeatedly formed on the image forming target member conveyed by the conveying unit. An image forming head that forms an image by forming the image forming head, and the conveying unit rotates with a driving force of a rotary driving unit to convey the image forming target member at an image forming position of the image forming head. When the image forming apparatus is provided with a pair of transport rollers that are driven and transported in a state where the image forming target member is pressed and clamped, the pair of transport rollers arranged upstream in the transport direction with respect to the image forming position are provided. A conveying roller or the pair of conveying rollers disposed downstream in the conveying direction with respect to the image forming position, wherein at least one of the pair of conveying rollers A part of the outer peripheral surface of the conveying roller is provided with a pressure release area formed so that the distance from the rotation axis to the outer peripheral surface is shorter than other parts, and the pressure releasing area is provided by the presence of the other conveying roller. By being located on the side, the pressure bonding to the image forming target member is released.
[0007]
Therefore, it is not necessary to perform an operation to move the rotation axis of the transport roller itself, and in the transport roller provided with the pressure release area, whether the pressure release area is located on the side where the other transport roller exists. By such a rotation operation, it is possible to switch between a state in which the image forming target member is pressed and held by the pair of transport rollers and transported and a state in which the pressure is released.
Thus, with a simple configuration, it is possible to smoothly switch between a state in which the image forming target member is pressed by a pair of rollers and a state in which the pressure is released.
[0008]
Further, with the configuration according to the second aspect, the pair of transport rollers is configured by a driving-side roller that is rotationally driven by the rotational driving unit, and an idler roller, and the press-release area is , Formed on the idle roller.
In many cases, a pair of transport rollers that transport and drive the image forming target member rotate one of the transport rollers and configure the other transport roller as an idle-type transport roller.
[0009]
In the case where a pair of transport rollers are configured as described above, by providing the pressure release area on the side of the idle roller instead of the drive roller, the pressure release and pressure release are performed separately from the transport driving of the image forming target member. Can be set to be switched, so that a rotational driving force can be constantly applied to the drive-side roller, so that complication of the transport drive control can be avoided.
This is particularly suitable when the same transport speed is applied to the transport rollers arranged on both the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction of the image forming position by a single power source.
[0010]
Further, with the configuration according to the third aspect, the idle roller is rotatably supported from the pressure release state to the pressure state by weight balance, and the pressure release state of the idle roller is supported. There is provided switching means for switching between a state in which the rotation transition from the pressure state to the crimping state is permitted and a state in which the rotation transition is prevented.
That is, the idler roller presses the image formation target member against the drive side roller so that the conveyance driving force of the drive side roller is reliably transmitted to the image formation target member to be conveyed, Essentially, its rotation is driven rotation.
Therefore, if the driving force of a motor or the like is directly applied to the idle roller to control the posture of the idle roller to switch between the pressure release state and the pressure state, the operating force is increased. A mechanism or the like for matching the rotation of the idler roller with the original driven rotation is required, which complicates the apparatus configuration.
[0011]
Therefore, the idle roller is supported by a weight balance so as to be rotatable from the pressure release state to the pressure state, and the idle roller is allowed to rotate from the pressure release state to the pressure state. By providing the switching means for switching to the blocking state, the rotation of the idler roller is merely set so as not to become excessive due to the weight balance, and the idler roller is driven by the rotational driving force of the driving roller. Can be smoothly shifted to a state where
[0012]
In addition, in the case where the idle roller formed with the pressure release area is shifted from the pressure release state to the pressure state with respect to the image forming target member in the middle of the image forming process, By keeping the rotation direction of the idle roller at the time of rotation transition to the rotation direction of the driven rotation by the rotational driving force of the driving roller, the rotational movement adapted to the transport movement of the image forming target member is performed. The idle roller in a state applied in advance comes into contact with the image forming target member, and it is possible to reduce an impact acting on the image forming target member during the image forming process due to the contact. As a result, the deterioration of the image quality of the formed image can be suppressed as much as possible.
[0013]
Further, by providing the configuration according to the fourth aspect, the pair of transport rollers is configured by a driving-side roller that is rotationally driven by the rotational driving unit, and an idler roller, and the pressure release area is , Formed on the drive-side roller.
In many cases, a pair of transport rollers that transport and drive the image forming target member rotate one of the transport rollers and configure the other transport roller as an idle-type transport roller.
In the case where the pair of transport rollers is configured as described above, by providing the pressure release area on the drive side roller side instead of the idle roller, the drive side roller is rotated to transport and drive the image forming target member. The driving operation is integrated with the switching operation between the press-contact state and the press-release state of the pair of transport rollers, and it is necessary to separately provide a mechanism for switching between the press-contact state and the press-release state. In addition, the device configuration can be simplified.
[0014]
In addition, with the configuration according to the fifth aspect, the pressure release area forms a flat surface substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the transport roller on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical transport roller. It is constituted by.
In other words, the press roller release area can be provided on the transport roller with a simple shape that only cuts off a part of the outer peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical roller. And the above-mentioned press-release state can be suppressed as much as possible.
[0015]
Further, with the configuration according to the sixth aspect, the sheet-shaped image forming target member is formed of photographic paper, and the image forming head is a line extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to a conveying direction of the photographic paper. The exposure is repeated to form an image, and an image is formed on the photographic paper to be conveyed and driven.
In the case where the image forming apparatus is configured as an apparatus for exposing and forming an image by repeating a line-shaped exposure on a photographic paper being transported and moved, the influence of micro-vibration of the photographic paper during exposure on image quality deterioration is large, It is particularly preferable to suppress such micro vibration as described above.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided in a photographic print system will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First embodiment>
The photographic print system DP exemplified in the first embodiment constitutes a system called a so-called digital minilab, and as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a processed photographic film 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as a “digital minilab”). A photographic film reading device FS for reading a frame image of a "film 1") and a frame image read by the photographic film reading device FS are exposed on photographic paper 2 which is an example of a sheet-like image forming member PS. And an exposure / development apparatus EP for performing a development process.
[0017]
[Schematic configuration of photographic film reader FS]
The photographic film reading device FS is provided with the casters CT while the exposure / developing device EP is fixedly installed, and is configured to be easily transported and moved.
As schematically shown in FIG. 8, a housing of the photographic film reader FS includes a halogen lamp 10, a light guide 11 composed of a bundle of optical fibers, and a CCD line sensor for photoelectrically converting a frame image of the film 1. A unit 13, a lens 14 for forming an image of the film 1 on the CCD line sensor unit 13, a mirror 15 for bending the optical path by 90 degrees, an output signal of the CCD line sensor unit 13 and A / A A signal processing circuit 16 for performing D conversion or the like is provided, and a setup filter 17 for adjusting the device is disposed between the halogen lamp 10 and the light incident end of the light guide 11 so as to be able to move in and out of the optical path. A motor 18 is provided for driving the set-up filter 17 to move in and out.
Outside the housing of the photographic film reader FS, a film transport mechanism, a film mask, and the like, not shown, are provided in a state located below the light emitting end of the light guide 11 so that the film 1 is placed at a predetermined reading position. A film mask unit 12 to be positioned is provided detachably.
[0018]
The CCD line sensor unit 13 includes CCD line sensors in which approximately 5000 CCD elements are arranged in the width direction of the film 1 arranged in three rows, and the light receiving surface of each CCD line sensor has red, green, and blue colors, respectively. A color filter is formed, and the frame image of the film 1 is separated by color and detected.
In the photographic film reader FS, when the film 1 is set on the film mask unit 12, the film transport mechanism starts transporting the film 1, and the frame images are sequentially read, and the red, green, and blue digital images are read. The data is output to the exposure / developing device EP as data.
[0019]
[Overall Configuration of Exposure / Development Apparatus EP]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the exposure / development apparatus EP is formed separately from the photographic film reading apparatus FS, and has an exposure head 21 for forming an exposure image on the photographic paper 2 inside the housing. An exposure control device 22 for controlling an exposure head 21 based on image data of an image to be formed by exposure, a development processing device 23 for developing the photographic paper 2 exposed by the exposure head 21, and a photographic paper magazine 8. A photographic paper transport system PT that transports the drawn-out photographic paper 2 to the developing device 23 and a transport control device 24 that controls the photographic paper transport system PT are provided. A temporary storage conveyor 25 for temporarily storing the developed photographic paper 2 for each order, and a discharge conveyor 26 for transporting the photographic paper 2 discharged from the development processing device 23 to the temporary storage conveyor 25 are provided. Be Furthermore, the main controller 27 for controlling these portions are provided in the housing.
The exposure head 21 repeatedly scans the laser beam, the intensity of which has been modulated based on the image data, in a main scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of the photographic paper 2, and a linear exposure extending in the main scanning direction. To form an image on the photographic paper 2 to be conveyed and driven, and to form an image by repeatedly forming a linear partial image on the photographic paper 2 to be conveyed. It functions as the forming head IM.
[0020]
The main controller 27 has a monitor 27a for simulating and displaying a print image, and an operator for observing the simulated image displayed on the monitor 27a and inputting a correction amount of an exposure condition. The console 27b is connected to an external input / output device 27c such as an MO drive or a CD-R drive. By providing the external input / output device 27c, it is possible to produce a photographic print using image data recorded on various recording media such as CD-R media in addition to the image data of the film 1 input from the photographic film reader FS. And the image data read by the photographic film reader FS can be recorded and stored in those recording media.
[0021]
[Configuration of photographic paper transport system PT]
As shown in FIG. 1, in order to transport the photographic paper 2 at the exposure position of the exposure head 21 (that is, the image forming position), the photographic paper 2 is transported to the photographic paper transport system PT which constitutes the transport means TM for transporting and driving the photographic paper 2. An upstream transport roller 3 is disposed upstream of the exposure position in the photographic paper transport direction, and a downstream transport roller 4 is disposed downstream of the exposure position in the photographic paper transport direction. In FIG. 1, a laser beam emitted in a scanning state from the exposure head 21 is schematically shown by a solid line A and a broken line B.
The upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4 both transport and drive the photographic paper 2 by rotating while pressing the photographic paper 2 with a pair of transport rollers.
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the pair of transport rollers includes driving rollers 3a and 4a that are rotationally driven by rotational driving means RD described later, and a rotatably supported idler. As shown in FIG. 1, four pairs of transport rollers having such a configuration are arranged side by side in the rotation axis direction. The upstream drive roller 3a and the downstream drive roller 4a have the same dimensions.
[0022]
The rotation driving means RD for driving the driving rollers 3a and 4a to rotate is connected to the conveyance driving motor 31, the driving pulley attached to the rotation shaft of the conveyance driving motor 31, and the rotation shafts 32 and 33 of the driving rollers 3a and 4a. It is provided with a timing belt 34 wound around the attached driven pulleys 32a, 33a and the like. The driving side of the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4 is driven by the rotational driving force of the transport drive motor 31. The rollers 3a and 4a are integrally rotated at the same rotational speed, so that the peripheral speed, that is, the transport speed of the photographic paper 2 is matched between the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4.
[0023]
The other idle rollers 3b, 4b are both driven to switch between a crimping state in which the printing paper 2 is crimped between the driving rollers 3a, 4a and a crimping release state in which the crimping is released. However, the switching type is different between the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4.
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 schematically showing the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4 in a side view, the idle roller 3b of the upstream transport roller 3 is entirely A flat surface 35 (in FIG. 1, this flat surface 35 faces the side where the driving roller 3a exists) is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical conveying roller in parallel with the rotation axis of the conveying roller. By doing so, a part of the outer peripheral surface of the idle roller 3b is formed such that the distance from the rotation axis to the outer peripheral surface is shorter than other parts.
[0024]
With such a shape, when the flat surface 35 faces the side where the driving roller 3a is present, the printing paper 2 can freely move between the driving roller 3a and the idle roller 3b. When the gap is formed and the press-bonding state of the photographic printing paper 2 is released and the formation area of the flat surface 35 is displaced from the upper end position of the drive-side roller 3a, the drive-side roller 3a and the idle roller 3b are displaced. The printing paper 2 is brought into a pressure-bonded state in which the printing paper 2 is pressed and conveyed and driven for conveyance. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the area where the flat surface 35 is formed may be referred to as a pressure release area.
[0025]
The idle roller 3b is fixed to a support shaft 36, and the support shaft 36 is rotatably supported by a support mechanism (not shown).
At one end of the support shaft 36, an operation bar 36a for operating the support shaft 36 is attached in a posture orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the support shaft 36, and the operation bar 36a is close to the mounting position of the operation bar 36a. An operation wheel 37 is rotatably mounted on the support shaft 36.
An operation pin 37a for operating the operation bar 36a by engaging with the operation bar 36a is attached to a side surface of the operation wheel 37.
[0026]
The operation bar 36a is connected to the idle roller 3b as a load distribution forming member that forms an asymmetric load distribution with respect to the rotation axis of the idle roller 3b. Thus, the operation bar 36a is stabilized in a state in which the operation bar 36a is in a vertical position below the support shaft 36.
In this stable state, the flat surface 35 of the idle roller 3b is oriented substantially in the horizontal direction, and the idle roller 3b and the driving roller 3a are in the above-mentioned pressure-bonded state in which the photographic printing paper 2 is pressed and clamped. The roller 3b is rotatably supported by the weight balance from the pressure-released state to the pressure-bonded state.
[0027]
An attitude control motor 38 is provided to rotationally drive the operation wheel 37, and a timing belt 39 is wrapped around the operation wheel 37 and a driving pulley 38 a attached to a rotation shaft of the attitude control motor 38. ing.
As will be described in detail later, the operation wheel 37 is driven to rotate by driving the attitude control motor 38, and the position of the operation pin 37a of the operation wheel 37 is changed to switch between the crimp release state and the crimp state. Therefore, the operating wheel 37, the attitude control motor 38 and the like constitute a switching means SW for switching between the state in which the rotation of the idle roller 3b from the pressure release state to the pressure contact state is permitted and the state in which the rotation is prevented. I have.
[0028]
In contrast to the upstream transport roller 3 having the above configuration, the downstream transport roller 4 has a support shaft 40 that rotatably supports the idle roller 4b attached to the free end side of the swing arm 41, and is not shown. By swinging the swing arm 41 about the swing axis (indicated by a two-dot chain line C in FIG. 1) by the drive means, the idle roller 4b is moved toward and away from the drive roller 4a. Move to By the swinging operation of the idle roller 4b, a pressing state in which the photographic printing paper 2 is pressed and held between the driving roller 4a and the idle roller 4b for conveyance and a pressing state in which the pressing is released is performed. Switch to.
[0029]
In the photographic paper transport system PT, in addition to the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4, an inlet transport roller 5 disposed further upstream of the upstream transport roller 3 in the photographic paper transport direction, and a downstream In addition to the outlet-side transport roller 6 disposed downstream of the transport roller 4 in the photographic-paper transport direction, a number of transport rollers 7 are provided. As described above, the transport operation of the photographic paper 2 by these transport rollers is performed. Is controlled by the transport control device 24.
Although a detailed description is omitted, the inlet-side transport roller 5 and the outlet-side transport roller 6 also have a configuration similar to that of the downstream-side transport roller 4, and a state in which the photographic paper 2 is pressed and transported, and the pressure is released. The state is switched to the state in which
In the middle of the transport path of the photographic paper transport system PT including a large number of transport rollers as described above, the cutter 42 for cutting the long photographic paper 2 drawn from the photographic paper magazine 8 into a set print size. And a sorting device 43 for sorting the transport line of the printing paper 2.
[0030]
[Transport operation of photographic paper 2 at exposure position]
Next, regarding the operation of transporting the photographic paper 2 at the exposure position under the control of the transport control device 24, FIGS. 2 to 6 showing the schematic arrangement of each transport roller near the exposure position in a side view, and FIG. A description will be given based on the flowchart of FIG. 7 showing the transport control processing to be executed. 2 to 6, the position of exposure by the exposure head 21 is indicated by a dashed arrow D, and the rotation angle of the idle roller 3b of the upstream transport roller 3 is set to be opposite to the posture shown in FIG. The clockwise direction is displayed as a positive direction (increase direction).
In the first embodiment, the drive roller 3a of the upstream transport roller 3 and the drive roller 4a of the downstream transport roller 4 are always integrally rotated at the same angular velocity.
[0031]
The transport control device 24 omits the illustration that the front end of the photographic paper 2 transported and driven by the entrance transport roller 5 has been transported to the position of the upstream transport roller 3 as shown in FIG. When detection is performed by a detection sensor or the like, the processing shown in FIG. 7 is started.
In the initial state shown in FIG. 2, the operation pin 37a of the operation wheel 37 supports the operation bar 36a so that the operation bar 36a assumes a substantially horizontal posture. In this state, the flat surface 35 of the idle roller 3b is driven. It faces the side where the side roller 3a is located, that is, the lower side, and is in the pressure-release state. Hereinafter, the position of the operating pin 37a in this state may be referred to as a home position.
[0032]
When the front end of the photographic paper 2 is conveyed to the position shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance control device 24 starts the rotation drive of the attitude control motor 38 and rotates the operation wheel 37 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. Then, the operation pin 37a rotates around the rotation axis of the operation wheel 37 with the rotation of the operation wheel 37 (step # 1).
When the operating pin 37a starts rotating (moving downward near the home position), the load on the operating bar 36a causes the support shaft 36 and the idle roller 3b fixed to the support shaft 36 to rotate counterclockwise. Rotate in the direction.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the rotation angle of the idle roller 3b becomes approximately 30 °, the formation area of the flat surface 35, that is, the pressure release area is displaced from the top of the driving roller 3a, The state shifts to the above-mentioned crimping state in which the photographic printing paper 2 is crimped and held by the roller 3b and the driving roller 3a.
The boundary between the flat surface 35 formed on the idler roller 3b and the other outer peripheral surface transitions from the pressure-released state to the pressure-bonded state, and transitions from the pressure-bonded state to the pressure-released state. At this time, the curvature is gently changed so that the load fluctuation acting on the moving photographic paper 2 becomes sufficiently smooth.
[0033]
The rotational angular speed of the operation wheel 37 is set so as to be greater than the rotational angular speed of the idle roller 3b rotated by the driving force of the driving roller 3a after shifting to the pressure bonding state, and the idle rotation with the driving roller 3a. After the transition to the pressure bonding state from the pressure release state with the expression roller 3b, the operation pin 37a of the operation wheel 37 rotates ahead and separates from the operation bar 36a.
[0034]
The transport control device 24 detects the transport position of the printing paper 2 by a detection sensor or the like (not shown) and detects that the printing paper 2 has shifted to the pressure bonding state (step # 2). An instruction is given to release the pressure bonding of the paper 2 (step # 3). The pressure release instruction for the entrance-side transport roller 5 is output before the front end of the photographic paper 2 reaches the exposure position (indicated by the dashed arrow D).
As shown in FIG. 4, as the front end side of the printing paper 2 passes through the exposure position, an image is exposed and formed by the exposure head 21.
[0035]
In this state, when it is detected by a detection sensor or the like (not shown) that the front end of the photographic paper 2 has passed the existing position of the downstream transport roller 4 (step # 4), the idle roller in the downstream transport roller 4 is detected. By swinging the support shaft 40 of 4b, the downstream transport roller 4 is switched from the pressure-released state to the pressure-bonded state (step # 5). This switching operation is also performed gently so that the load fluctuation acting on the photographic paper 2 becomes smooth.
When it is detected that the position of the operation pin 37a of the operation wheel 37 has returned to the home position by a detection sensor or the like (not shown) (step # 6), the attitude control motor 38 is stopped, and the operation wheel 37 is stopped. Is stopped (step # 7).
As a result, the operation wheel 37 maintains the stop posture shown in FIG. 5, and the photographic paper 2 is driven to be transported by the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4.
[0036]
In this state, the conveyance drive of the photographic paper 2 and the exposure forming of the image are continued, and when the idle roller 3b of the upstream transport roller 3 rotates to the state shown in FIG. 6, the flat surface of the idle roller 3b is rotated. 35 is oriented downward and returns to the crimp release state again.
As a result, the idle roller 3b does not receive the rotational driving force of the driving roller 3a via the photographic paper 2, and the load on the operation bar 36a is maintained until the operation bar 36a contacts the operation pin 37a of the operation wheel 37. To rotate.
Thereafter, when the photographic paper 2 is conveyed by the downstream conveyance roller 4 and it is detected that the rear end of the photographic paper 2 has passed the position of the downstream conveyance roller 4 by a detection sensor or the like (not shown) (step # 8). Then, the idle roller 4b of the downstream transport roller 4 is separated from the drive roller 4a to switch to the pressure release state (step # 9), and to switch to the state in which the photographic paper 2 is transported by the outlet transport roller 6.
[0037]
[Overall operation of exposure / developing apparatus EP]
Next, the overall operation of the exposure / developing apparatus EP will be schematically described.
When the frame image of the film 1 is read by the photographic film reader FS and the image data is input to the main controller 27, the main controller 27 generates a photographic print based on the image data. An image to be obtained is obtained by a simulation operation and displayed on the monitor 27a.
The operator observes the simulated image displayed on the monitor 27a, and appropriately performs exposure condition correction input from the console 27b.
When there is a correction input from the console 27b, the main control device 27 corrects and calculates the exposure condition based on the instruction, generates image data for exposure, and sends the image data to the exposure control device 22.
The exposure control device 22 drives the exposure head 21 based on the received image data for exposure in cooperation with the above-described transport driving of the photographic paper 2, and controls the exposure paper 2 to be transported to the exposure position. The image is exposed and formed as a latent image.
The photographic paper 2 subjected to the exposure processing by the exposure head 21 is subjected to development processing and drying processing by the development processing device 23, and then is discharged onto the discharge conveyor 26 from the discharge port 23a.
[0038]
<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the photographic paper transport system PT, in particular, only in the configuration of the portion for transporting the photographic paper 2 at the exposure position of the exposure head 21. The other parts are common to the first embodiment.
Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the photographic paper transport system PT according to the second embodiment will be described.
[0039]
[Configuration of photographic paper transport system PT]
The photographic paper transport system PT functions as a transport means TM for transporting the photographic paper 2 as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10 corresponding to FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, Similarly to the first embodiment, the transport means TM of the second embodiment is provided with an upstream transport roller 3 disposed upstream of the exposure position in the photographic paper transport direction, and in the photographic paper transport direction of the exposure position. The downstream side transport roller 4 is disposed on the downstream side. Also in FIG. 10, a laser beam emitted from the exposure head 21 in a scanning state is schematically shown by a solid line A and a broken line B.
The upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4 both transport and drive the photographic paper 2 by rotating while pressing the photographic paper 2 with a pair of transport rollers.
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 and the like, the pair of transport rollers is connected to drive-side rollers 3a and 4a that are rotationally driven by a rotational drive unit RD, which will be described later, and to a rotatably supported idler. As shown in FIG. 10, four pairs of transport rollers having such a configuration are arranged side by side in the rotation axis direction. The upstream drive roller 3a and the downstream drive roller 4a have the same dimensions.
[0040]
The rotation drive means RD for rotating the drive rollers 3a and 4a has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and is attached to the transport drive motor 31, the transport drive motor 31, and the rotating shaft of the transport drive motor 31. And a timing belt 34 wound around the driven pulleys 32a and 33a attached to the rotating shafts 32 and 33 of the driven rollers 3a and 4a. The driving rollers 3a, 4a of the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4 are rotated integrally at the same rotational speed by the rotational driving force, and the peripheral speed, that is, the transport speed of the printing paper 2 is adjusted to the downstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 3. It is matched with the transport roller 4.
[0041]
The other idle rollers 3b, 4b are both driven to switch between a crimping state in which the printing paper 2 is crimped between the driving rollers 3a, 4a and a crimping release state in which the crimping is released. However, the switching type is different between the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4.
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 16 schematically showing the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4 in a side view, the idle roller 4b of the downstream transport roller 4 is entirely A flat surface 51 (in FIG. 10, this flat surface 51 faces the side where the driving roller 4a is present) is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical conveyance roller in parallel with the rotation axis of the conveyance roller. By doing so, a part of the outer peripheral surface of the idle roller 4b is formed such that the distance from the rotation axis to the outer peripheral surface is shorter than other parts.
[0042]
With such a shape, the printing paper 2 can freely move between the driving side roller 4a and the idle roller 4b when the flat surface 51 is oriented toward the side where the driving side roller 4a exists. When the gap is formed and the pressure-bonding release state where the pressure-bonding of the photographic printing paper 2 is released and the formation area of the flat surface 51 is displaced from the upper end position of the drive-side roller 4a, the drive-side roller 4a and the idle roller 4b The printing paper 2 is brought into a pressure-bonded state in which the printing paper 2 is pressed and conveyed and driven for conveyance. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the area where the flat surface 51 is formed may be referred to as a pressure release area.
[0043]
The idle roller 4b is fixed to a support shaft 52, and the support shaft 52 is rotatably supported by a support mechanism (not shown).
An operation bar 52a for operating the support shaft 52 is attached to one end of the support shaft 52 in a posture orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the support shaft 52, and is close to a mounting position of the operation bar 52a. An operation wheel 53 is rotatably attached to the support shaft 52.
An operation pin 53a for engaging the operation bar 52a and operating the operation bar 52a is attached to a side surface of the operation wheel 53.
[0044]
The operation bar 52a is connected to the idle roller 4b as a load distribution forming member that forms an asymmetric load distribution with respect to the rotation axis of the idle roller 4b. Thus, the operation bar 52a is stabilized in a state in which the operation bar 52a is in a vertical position below the support shaft 52.
In this stable state, the flat surface 51 of the idle roller 4b is oriented substantially in the horizontal direction, and the idle roller 4b and the drive-side roller 4a are in the above-mentioned pressure-bonded state in which the photographic printing paper 2 is pressed and clamped. The roller 4b is rotatably supported by the weight balance from the pressure-released state to the pressure-bonded state.
[0045]
An attitude control motor 54 is provided to rotationally drive the operation wheel 53, and a timing belt 55 is wound around the operation wheel 53 and a driving pulley 54 a attached to a rotation shaft of the attitude control motor 54. ing.
As will be described later in detail, the operation wheel 53 is driven to rotate by the drive of the attitude control motor 54, and the position of the operation pin 53a of the operation wheel 53 is changed to switch between the crimp release state and the crimp state. Therefore, the operating wheel 53, the attitude control motor 54, and the like constitute switching means SW for switching between a state in which the rotation of the idle roller 4b from the press-release state to the press-contact state is permitted and a state in which the rotation is prevented. I have.
[0046]
In contrast to the downstream transport roller 4 having the above-described configuration, the upstream transport roller 3 has a support shaft 56 that rotatably supports the idle roller 3b attached to the free end side of the swing arm 57, and is not shown. By swinging the swing arm 57 about a swing axis (indicated by a two-dot chain line E in FIG. 10) by the driving means, the idle roller 3b is moved toward and away from the drive roller 3a. Move. By the swinging operation of the idle roller 3b, a pressing state in which the photographic paper 2 is pressed and conveyed between the driving roller 3a and the idle roller 3b in a press-contact state, and a press-release state in which the pressing is released. Switch to.
[0047]
In the photographic paper transport system PT, similarly to the first embodiment, in addition to the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4, the photographic paper transport system PT is disposed further upstream of the upstream transport roller 3 in the photographic paper transport direction. In addition to the inlet-side transport roller 5 and the outlet-side transport roller 6 disposed downstream of the downstream-side transport roller 4 in the photographic-paper transport direction, a number of transport rollers 7 are provided. The transport operation of the photographic paper 2 by the transport rollers is controlled by the transport controller 24.
The inlet-side transport roller 5 and the outlet-side transport roller 6 also have a configuration similar to that of the upstream-side transport roller 3, and switch between a state in which the photographic paper 2 is pressed and transported and transported and a state in which the pressure is released. Further, a cutter 42 that cuts the long photographic paper 2 drawn out of the photographic paper magazine 8 into a set print size and a conveyance row of the photographic paper 2 are distributed in the middle of the conveyance path of the photographic paper conveyance system PT. (See FIG. 8) is also common to the above-described first embodiment.
[0048]
[Transport operation of photographic paper 2 at exposure position]
Next, regarding the transport operation of the photographic paper 2 at the exposure position under the control of the transport control device 24, FIGS. 11 to 16 showing the schematic arrangement of each transport roller near the exposure position in a side view, and the transport control device 24 A description will be given based on the flowchart of FIG. 17 showing the transport control processing to be executed. 11 to 16, the position of exposure by the exposure head 21 is indicated by a dashed arrow D, and the rotation angle of the idle roller 4b of the downstream side transport roller 4 is set to be opposite to the posture shown in FIG. The clockwise direction is displayed as a positive direction (increase direction).
Also in the second embodiment, the drive roller 3a of the upstream transport roller 3 and the drive roller 4a of the downstream transport roller 4 are always integrally rotated at the same angular velocity.
[0049]
When the photographic printing paper 2 is received at the exposure position of the exposure head 21 (position of arrow D), as shown in FIG. 11, the upstream-side transport roller 3 is in the pressure-bonded state, and the state shown in FIG. The photographic printing paper 2 is transported to the state shown in the figure, and an image is exposed and formed by the exposure head 21 in parallel with the transport driving. During this time, before the front end of the photographic paper 2 reaches the exposure position, the entrance-side transport roller 5 is switched from the pressure-bonded state to the pressure-released state, and thereafter, only the upstream-side transport roller 3 is used. Is transported.
[0050]
FIG. 12 shows that the rear end of the photographic paper 2 has reached a position slightly upstream of the upstream conveyance roller 3 in a state where the conveyance drive of the photographic paper 2 and the exposure operation by the exposure head 21 are being performed as shown in FIG. When the detection is performed by a detection sensor or the like that omits, the transfer control device 24 starts the processing shown in FIG.
In the initial state shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the operation pin 53a of the operation wheel 53 is supported so that the operation bar 52a is in a substantially horizontal posture. In this state, the flat surface 51 of the idle roller 4b is in this state. Indicates the side where the drive-side roller 4a exists, that is, the lower side, and is in the pressure-release state. Hereinafter, the position of the operating pin 53a in this state may be referred to as a home position.
[0051]
When the rear end of the printing paper 2 is conveyed to the above-described predetermined position, the conveyance control device 24 starts the rotation drive of the attitude control motor 54, and moves the operation wheel 53 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. The operation wheel 53 is rotated (step # 11), and the operation pin 53a is also rotated around the rotation axis of the operation wheel 53 by the rotation of the operation wheel 53.
When the operation pin 53a starts rotating (moving downward near the home position), the load on the operation bar 52a causes the support shaft 52 and the idle roller 4b fixed to the support shaft 52 to rotate counterclockwise. Rotate in the direction.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 13, when the rotation angle of the idle roller 4b becomes approximately 30 °, the formation area of the flat surface 51, that is, the pressure release area is displaced from the top of the drive side roller 4a, A transition is made to the above-mentioned press-contact state in which the photographic printing paper 2 is pressed and held by the roller 4b and the drive-side roller 4a.
The boundary between the flat surface 51 formed on the idle roller 4b and the other outer peripheral surface shifts from the pressure release state to the pressure state similarly to the idle roller 3b in the first embodiment. At this time, the curvature is gently changed so that the load fluctuation acting on the moving photographic paper 2 becomes sufficiently smooth.
Further, when the idle roller 4b shifts from the pressure-released state to the pressure-bonded state, the idle roller 4b and the printing paper 2 come into contact with each other in a state in which the idle roller 4b is given a rotational motion in advance. By doing so, the impact due to the contact is reduced, and deterioration of the image quality of the exposed image can be suppressed as much as possible.
[0053]
The rotational angular speed of the operation wheel 53 is set so as to be greater than the rotational angular speed of the idle roller 4b that is rotated by the driving force of the drive roller 4a by shifting to the pressure bonding state. After the transition with the expression roller 4b from the pressure-released state to the pressure-bonded state, the operation pin 53a of the operation wheel 53 rotates ahead and separates from the operation bar 52a.
The transport control device 24 detects the transport position of the printing paper 2 by a detection sensor or the like (not shown) and detects that the state has shifted to the press-fitting state (step # 12), and the support shaft 56 of the idle roller 3b. To move the upstream side transport roller 3 from the pressure-bonded state to the pressure-released state (Step # 13). This switching operation is also performed gently so that the load fluctuation acting on the photographic paper 2 becomes smooth.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 14, the driving of the photographic paper 2 and the exposing operation by the exposing head 21 are continued, and the rotation of the operating pin 53a of the operating wheel 53 to the home position is detected by a detection sensor or the like (not shown). (Step # 14), the rotation of the attitude control motor 54 is stopped, and the rotation of the operation wheel 53 is stopped (Step # 15).
Thereafter, when the printing paper 2 is further conveyed to the position shown in FIG. 15 and the detection sensor or the like (not shown) detects that the rear end of the printing paper 2 has passed the exposure position (step # 16), the exit A signal is output to instruct the side transport roller 6 to switch from the pressure release state to the pressure bonding state (step # 17), and the upstream transport roller 3 is further switched from the pressure release state to the pressure bonding state (step # 18).
[0055]
When the idle roller 4b of the downstream transport roller 4 rotates to the state shown in FIG. 16 along with the transport of the photographic paper 2, the flat surface 51 of the idle roller 4b moves to the side where the driving roller 4a exists (that is, the lower side). Side), and the downstream transport roller 4 shifts from the pressure-bonded state to the pressure-bonded release state.
Accordingly, the support shaft 52 of the idle roller 4b rotates counterclockwise by the load of the operation bar 52a until the operation bar 52a comes into contact with the operation pin 53a located at the home position. Return to
[0056]
<Third embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The third embodiment is also different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the photographic paper transport system PT which is the transport means TM for transporting the photographic paper 2, and in particular, the configuration for transporting the photographic paper 2 at the exposure position of the exposure head 21. Only the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment, and the other parts are common to the first embodiment.
Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the photographic paper transport system PT of the third embodiment will be described.
[0057]
[Configuration of photographic paper transport system PT]
As shown in FIG. 18 corresponding to FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, the photographic printing paper transport system PT, which is the transport means TM of the third embodiment, prints the exposure position at the exposure position similarly to the first embodiment. An upstream transport roller 3 is disposed upstream in the paper transport direction, and a downstream transport roller 4 is disposed downstream of the exposure position in the photographic paper transport direction. Also in FIG. 18, a laser beam emitted from the exposure head 21 in a scanning state is schematically shown by a solid line A and a broken line B.
The upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4 both transport and drive the photographic paper 2 by rotating while pressing the photographic paper 2 with a pair of transport rollers.
Also in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18 and the like, the pair of transport rollers are rotatably supported by drive-side rollers 3a and 4a that are rotationally driven by rotational drive means RD described later. As shown in FIG. 18, four pairs of transport rollers having such a configuration are arranged side by side in the rotation axis direction.
[0058]
The rotation drive unit RD that drives the drive rollers 3a and 4a to rotate drives the drive rollers 3a and 4a integrally with the first and second embodiments using a single motor. In the third embodiment, an upstream transport drive motor 61 for rotating and driving the drive roller 3a of the upstream transport roller 3 and a downstream transport for rotating the drive roller 4a of the downstream transport roller 4 are provided. A drive motor 62 is provided separately, and a driven pulley 32 a attached to the rotation shaft 32 of the drive roller 3 a of the upstream conveyance roller 3 and a drive pulley attached to the rotation shaft of the upstream conveyance drive motor 61. The timing belt 63 is looped around, and the driven pulley 33a attached to the rotation shaft 33 of the drive roller 4a of the downstream transport roller 4 and the downstream transport drive motor 62 Timing belt 64 is formed is wound around between a drive pulley attached to the rotation axis.
[0059]
The other idle rollers 3b, 4b are rotatably mounted on the support shafts 65, 66, respectively.
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the idle rollers 3b and 4b are operated to press and hold the photographic paper 2 between the drive rollers 3a and 4a and release the press. However, in the third embodiment, the crimping state and the crimp release are performed by operating not the idle rollers 3b and 4b but the driving rollers 3a and 4a. Switch to state.
[0060]
For this reason, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18 and FIGS. 19 to 39 schematically showing the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4 in a side view, the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream The drive-side rollers 3a, 4a of the side transport roller 4 form flat surfaces 67, 68 on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the generally cylindrical transport roller in parallel with the rotation axis of the transport roller. The drive rollers 3a and 4a are formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface so that the distance from the rotation axis to the outer peripheral surface is shorter than the other parts.
FIG. 18 shows a state in which the flat surface 67 formed on the drive-side roller 3a of the upstream-side transport roller 3 faces the front side (that is, the upstream side in the photographic paper transport direction), and the drive of the downstream-side transport roller 4 is performed. This shows a state where the flat surface 68 formed on the side roller 4a faces the existing side (that is, the upper side) of the idle roller 4b.
[0061]
With such a shape, when the flat surfaces 67 and 68 are oriented so as to face the side where the idle rollers 3b and 4b exist, the photographic paper 2 is placed between the drive roller 4a and the idle rollers 4b. When a gap is formed in which the flat surface 67, 68 is displaced from the lower end position of the idle rollers 3b, 4b, a gap is formed in which the gap can freely move, and the press-bonding state of the printing paper 2 is released. The printing paper 2 is brought into a pressure-contact state in which the printing paper 2 is pressed and held between the drive-side roller 4a and the idle roller 4b. In the following, similarly to the first and second embodiments, the area where the flat surfaces 67 and 68 are formed may be referred to as a pressure-release area for convenience of explanation.
The upstream drive roller 3a and the downstream drive roller 4a have the same shape, and the rotational angular velocities of the drive rollers 3a and 4a by the upstream transport drive motor 61 and the downstream transport drive motor 62 are matched. In this state, the peripheral speeds of the driving rollers 3a and 4a in the pressed state are made equal to each other so that the transport speed of the photographic paper 2 by the upstream transport roller 3 and the transport speed of the photographic paper 2 by the downstream transport roller 4 are matched. .
[0062]
In the photographic paper transport system PT, similarly to the first embodiment, in addition to the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4, the photographic paper transport system PT is disposed further upstream of the upstream transport roller 3 in the photographic paper transport direction. In addition to the inlet-side transport roller 5 and the outlet-side transport roller 6 disposed downstream of the downstream-side transport roller 4 in the photographic-paper transport direction, a number of transport rollers 7 are provided. The transport operation of the photographic paper 2 by the transport rollers is controlled by the transport controller 24.
The entrance-side conveyance roller 5 and the exit-side conveyance roller 6 perform printing by moving one conveyance roller (upper conveyance roller) of the pair of conveyance rollers toward and away from the other conveyance roller. The state is switched between a state in which the paper 2 is clamped and transported and driven and a state in which the pressure is released, and furthermore, the length of the paper 2 drawn out of the photographic paper magazine 8 in the transport path of the photographic paper transport system PT. The point that the cutter 42 that cuts the photographic paper 2 of the length into the set print size and the sorting device 43 that sorts the transport row of the photographic paper 2 are provided (see FIG. 8) are also common to the first embodiment. It is.
[0063]
[Transport operation of photographic paper 2 at exposure position]
Next, regarding the transport operation of the photographic paper 2 at the exposure position under the control of the transport control device 24, FIG. 19 to FIG. A description will be given based on the flowchart of FIG. 40 showing the transport control processing to be executed. 19 to 39, the exposure position of the exposure head 21 is indicated by a dashed arrow D, and the rotation angle of each of the drive rollers 3a and 4a of the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4 is determined by The clockwise direction is indicated as a positive direction (increase direction) with reference to the posture in which the flat surfaces 67 and 68 face vertically upward, and is displayed near each of the driving rollers 3a and 4a.
[0064]
FIGS. 19 to 26 show the case where the printing paper 2 having a print size having a short length in the photographic paper conveying direction is driven to be conveyed in FIGS. 19 to 39, and FIGS. A case is shown in which the photographic paper 2 having a long print size in the transport direction is transported and driven.
The transport driving for the photographic papers 2 having different print sizes as described above will be described in parallel with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Hereinafter, the photographic paper 2 having a short length in the photographic paper transport direction may be referred to as short photographic paper, and the photographic paper 2 having a long length in the photographic paper transport direction may be referred to as long photographic paper.
[0065]
When the photographic paper 2 is received at the exposure position (position of arrow D) of the exposure head 21, as shown in FIG. 19 (for short photographic paper) and FIG. 27 (for long photographic paper), The rotation angles of the drive-side rollers 3a and 4a of the downstream-side transport roller 4 are both 0 ° and stationary, and both are in the pressure-release state. In the following, for convenience, the posture in which the rotation angle is 0 ° as shown in FIGS. 19 and 27 is referred to as a home position.
The transport control device 24 starts the process shown in FIG. 40 when detecting that the front end of the photographic paper 2 has been transported to the position shown in FIGS. 19 and 27 by a detection sensor or the like (not shown). The transport control device 24 is supplied in synchronization with an upstream transport drive motor 61 and a downstream transport drive motor 62 composed of a pulse motor to specify the transport position of the photographic paper 2. A counter for counting the driving pulse is provided. The counting process of the counter is started together with the start of the process of FIG. 40, and the rotation angles of the driving rollers 3a and 4a and the printing paper are appropriately determined based on the count value of the counter. 2 can be detected.
[0066]
With the start of the processing in FIG. 40, first, the rotational drive of the upstream transport drive motor 61 is started, and the rotational drive of the upstream drive roller 3a is started (step # 21).
As shown in FIG. 20 (in the case of short photographic paper) and FIG. 28 (in the case of long photographic paper), when the driving roller 3a on the upstream side is rotated by approximately 40 °, the pressure release area of the driving roller 3a is loosened. It shifts from the lower end position of the roller 3b and shifts to the pressure bonding state.
The boundary between the flat surface 67 formed on the driving roller 3a and the other outer peripheral surface is switched between the pressure-released state and the pressure-bonded state, like the idle roller 3b in the first embodiment. At this time, the curvature is gently changed so that the load fluctuation acting on the moving photographic paper 2 becomes sufficiently smooth. The same applies to the formation of the flat surface 68 on the downstream drive-side roller 4a.
As described above, when the state is shifted to the pressure bonding state (step # 22), an instruction to shift the entrance side transport roller 5 from the pressure bonding state to the pressure release state is output (step # 23). As a result, the photographic paper 2 is brought into a state of being driven to be conveyed only by the upstream side conveyance roller 3.
[0067]
The photographic paper 2 is further conveyed by the upstream conveying roller 3, and when the front end of the photographic paper 2 reaches the exposure position of the exposure head 21 as shown in FIGS. 21 and 29, the image on the photographic paper 2 is exposed. Formation begins.
Further, the conveyance of the photographic paper 2 and the exposure forming of the image progress, and the rotation angle of the drive side roller 3a of the upstream side conveyance roller 3 is set to the set rotation angle (252 ° in the third embodiment) from the count value of the counter. ) Is detected (step # 24), the rotational drive of the downstream transport drive motor 62 is started, and the rotational drive of the drive roller 4a of the downstream transport roller 4 is started (step # 25).
As a result, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 (for short photographic paper) and FIGS. 30 and 31 (for long photographic paper), both the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4 are connected. At the same time, the printing paper 2 is transported by the transport rollers 3 and 4 while maintaining the pressure release state.
[0068]
In this state, when the rotation angle of the upstream drive side roller 3a becomes 360 ° and the pressure release area returns to the home position (step # 26), the information of the preset print size and the counter Then, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to continue the transport drive by the upstream transport roller 3 (step # 27).
That is, the length of the drive roller 4a on the downstream side that can transport and drive the photographic paper 2 from this point to the next pressure release state, and at least the rear end of the photographic paper 2 passes through the exposure position of the exposure head 21. The drive roller 4a on the downstream side is compared with the remaining length for transporting and driving the photographic paper 2, and when the latter length is longer, the rotational drive of the drive roller 3a on the upstream side is continued. .
[0069]
In the case of the short photographic printing paper shown in FIGS. 19 to 26, the rotation operation of the upstream transport drive motor 61 is stopped because the transport drive by the upstream transport roller 3 does not need to be continued (step # 28). As a result, as shown in FIG. 24 and the like, the upstream-side transport roller 3 maintains the pressure-release state, and when the rear end of the printing paper 2 passes through the exposure position as shown in FIG. 25 (step # 29), the exit side The transport roller 6 is switched from the pressure-released state to the pressure-bonded state (step # 30). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 26, after the transport drive by the further downstream transport roller 4 is continued, when the pressure release area formed on the downstream drive roller 4a returns to the home position (step # 31). ), The rotation operation of the downstream side transport drive motor 62 is stopped, and the rotation of the drive side roller 4a is stopped (step # 32). In the case of a short photographic paper, the transport process at the exposure position of one photographic paper 2 is completed.
[0070]
On the other hand, in the case of long photographic paper, as shown in FIGS. 32 to 36, the transport drive by both the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4 is continued. In FIG. 32 and subsequent figures, the rotation angles of the driving rollers 3a and 4a are integrated and displayed.
In the case of long photographic paper as well, when the upstream drive roller 3a makes two rotations and the continuation of the conveyance drive by the upstream conveyance roller 3 becomes unnecessary (step # 27), the rotation operation of the upstream conveyance drive motor 61 is stopped. It is stopped (step # 28), and the above-mentioned crimp release state is maintained as shown in FIG. 37 and thereafter.
The conveyance drive of the printing paper 2 by the downstream conveyance roller 4 and the exposure forming of the image by the exposure head 21 are continued, and when the rear end of the printing paper 2 passes through the exposure position as shown in FIG. 38 (step # 29). Then, the exit-side transport roller 6 is switched from the pressure-released state to the pressure-bonded state (step # 30). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 39, after the transport drive by the further downstream transport roller 4 is continued, when the pressure release area formed on the downstream drive roller 4a returns to the home position (step # 31). Then, the rotation of the downstream-side transport drive motor 62 is stopped, and the rotation of the drive-side roller 4a is stopped (step # 32), thereby terminating the transport process of the photographic paper 2 for one sheet at the exposure position.
[0071]
<Other embodiments>
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be listed.
(1) In the first and second embodiments, the operation bar 36a is attached to the support shafts 36, 52 of the idle rollers 3b, 4b, so that the crimp release state can be rotationally shifted to the crimp state. Although the weight balance is set to a suitable value, for example, the weight balance may be set in the idle rollers 3b and 4b in a state of being eccentric from the rotation axis, and the setting method of the weight balance as described above can be variously changed. It is.
[0072]
(2) In the first and second embodiments, only one of the idler rollers on the upstream side and the downstream side is shaped to form the pressure release area. However, the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport are used. In both of the rollers 4, the flat surfaces 35 and 51 may be formed on the idle rollers 3b and 4b to provide the pressure release area.
(3) In the first to third embodiments, the flat surfaces 35, 51, 67, 68 parallel to the rotation axis are formed on the idle rollers 3b, 4b or the driving rollers 3a, 4a. Although the crimp release area is formed, the specific shape for forming the crimp release area does not necessarily need to be a flat surface, and can be variously changed, such as a curved surface having a larger radius of curvature than other portions. It is.
[0073]
(4) In the first to third embodiments, the photographic paper 2 is illustrated as the image forming target member PS, and the laser exposure type exposure head 21 is illustrated as the image forming head IM. For example, a PLZT optical shutter is used. The exposure format of the image can be changed in various ways, such as configuring the exposure head 21 to expose and form a partial image in a line with an array.Furthermore, when an image is formed on a recording paper by an inkjet head, The present invention may be applied.
(5) In the first to third embodiments, the case where the pair of transport rollers is constituted by the idle rollers 3b, 4b and the drive-side rollers 3a, 4a is illustrated, but both of the pair of transport rollers are used. May be configured to be directly driven to rotate by the rotation driving means RD.
(6) In the first to third embodiments, the pressure release area is formed only on one of the pair of transport rollers, that is, on only one of the idle rollers 3b, 4b or the driving rollers 3a, 4a. Although the case is illustrated, the pressure release area may be formed on both of the pair of transport rollers.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
According to the configuration of the first aspect, in the transport roller provided with the pressure release area, the pressure release area of the transport roller is provided without the operation of moving the rotation axis itself of the transport roller. By rotating only whether or not the roller is located on the side where the roller exists, it is possible to switch between a state in which the image forming target member is pressed and held by a pair of transport rollers and transported, and a state in which the pressure is released. .
Thus, with a simple configuration, it is possible to smoothly switch between a state in which the image forming target member is pressed by a pair of rollers and a state in which the pressure is released.
[0075]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, by providing the pressure release area on the side of the idle roller instead of the drive roller, the pressure release and pressure release are performed separately from the conveyance of the image forming target member. Can be set to be switched, so that a rotational driving force can be constantly applied to the drive-side roller, so that complication of the transport drive control can be avoided.
[0076]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the driving force of a motor or the like is directly applied to the idle roller in order to control the attitude of the idle roller to switch between the pressure release state and the pressure state. If this is attempted, a mechanism or the like for matching the operating force with the original driven rotation of the idler roller is required, which complicates the device configuration. And a switching means for switching between a state in which the idle roller is allowed to rotate and a state in which the rotational transition from the pressure release state to the pressure state is permitted and blocked. By simply setting the rotational force of the idler roller due to the weight balance so as not to be excessive, the idler roller is smoothly rotated by the rotational driving force of the driving roller. It is possible to migrate.
[0077]
Further, according to the configuration of the fourth aspect, by providing the pressure release area on the side of the driving roller instead of the idle roller, the driving roller is rotated to drive the image forming target member. The driving operation is integrated with the switching operation between the press-contact state and the press-release state of the pair of transport rollers, and it is necessary to separately provide a mechanism for switching between the press-contact state and the press-release state. In addition, the device configuration can be simplified.
[0078]
Further, according to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the pressure release area can be provided on the transport roller with a simple shape that only cuts off a part of the outer peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical roller. The pressure-compression releasing area is provided to switch between the crimping state and the pressure-releasing state, thereby minimizing the complexity of the configuration.
According to the configuration of claim 6, in the case where the image forming apparatus is configured as an apparatus for exposing and forming an image by repeating line-shaped exposure on the photographic paper being conveyed and moved, the image forming apparatus may be configured to remove the photographic paper being exposed. The influence of the micro-vibration on the image quality degradation is great, and it is particularly preferable to suppress such micro-vibration as described above.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a transport unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a transport state according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a transport state in a side view according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a transport state in a side view according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a transport state in a side view according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a transport state in a side view according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a photographic print system according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of the photo print system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main part of a transport unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a transport state in a side view according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating a transport state according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating a transport state according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating a transport state according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory view of a transport state in a side view according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating a transport state according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a main part of a transport unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory view of a state of transporting a short photographic paper in a side view according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a short photographic paper is conveyed in a side view according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory view of a state in which a short photographic paper is transported in a side view according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory view of a conveyance state of a short photographic paper in a side view according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 23 is an explanatory view of a state in which a short photographic paper is conveyed in a side view according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is an explanatory view of a state in which a short photographic paper is transported in a side view according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 25 is an explanatory view of a state of transporting a short photographic paper in a side view according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is an explanatory view of a conveyance state of a short photographic paper in a side view according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is an explanatory view of a state of transporting a long photographic paper in a side view according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28 is an explanatory view of a state of transporting a long photographic paper in a side view according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 29 is an explanatory view of a state of transporting a long photographic paper in a side view according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 30 is an explanatory view of a state of transporting a long photographic paper in a side view according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 31 is an explanatory view of a state of transporting a long photographic paper in a side view according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 32 is an explanatory view of a state of transporting a long photographic paper in a side view according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 33 is an explanatory view of a state of transporting a long photographic paper in a side view according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 34 is an explanatory view of a state of transporting a long photographic paper as viewed from the side according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 35 is an explanatory view of a state in which a long photographic paper is transported in a side view according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 36 is an explanatory view of a state of transporting a long photographic paper in a side view according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 37 is an explanatory view of a state of transporting a long photographic paper in a side view according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a long photographic paper is conveyed in a side view according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 39 is an explanatory view of a state in which a long photographic paper is transported in a side view according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 40 is a flowchart according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
IM image forming head
PS Image forming target member
RD rotation drive means
SW switching means
TM transport means
2 photographic paper
3, 4 Transport roller
3a, 4a Drive side roller
3b, 4b idle roller

Claims (6)

A conveying unit that conveys and drives the sheet-shaped image forming target member, and an image forming head that forms an image by repeatedly forming a linear partial image on the image forming target member conveyed by the conveying unit. Is provided,
In order to convey the image forming target member at the image forming position of the image forming head to the conveying unit, the image forming target member is rotationally driven by a driving force of a rotary driving unit, and is conveyed in a state where the image forming target member is pressed and clamped. An image forming apparatus provided with a pair of transport rollers to be driven,
In the pair of transport rollers disposed in the transport direction upstream with respect to the image forming position or the pair of transport rollers disposed in the transport direction downstream with respect to the image formation position, at least one of the pair of transport rollers A part of the outer peripheral surface of one of the transport rollers is provided with a pressure release area formed so that the distance from the rotation axis to the outer peripheral surface is shorter than the other part, and the pressure release area is formed by the other transport roller. An image forming apparatus configured to release pressure bonding to the image forming target member by being positioned on the existence side. The pair of transport rollers are configured by a drive-side roller that is rotationally driven by the rotational drive unit, and an idler roller,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure release area is formed on the idle roller. The idle roller is rotatably supported by the weight balance from the pressure release state to the pressure state,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a switching unit configured to switch between a state in which rotation of the idle roller is released from the pressure-bonded state to the pressure-bonded state and a state in which rotation is prevented. The pair of transport rollers are configured by a drive-side roller that is rotationally driven by the rotational drive unit, and an idler roller,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure release area is formed on the driving roller. The pressure release area is formed by forming a flat surface substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the transport roller on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the transport roller having a substantially cylindrical shape. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The sheet-shaped image forming target member is made of photographic paper,
The said image forming head is comprised so that the linear exposure extended in the direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the said photographic paper may be repeated, and the image may be exposed and formed on the photographic paper driven by conveyance. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.

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