JP2005239328A - Unfracturing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily prevent the break of continuous paper in starting the conveyance. <P>SOLUTION: The unfracturing device 30 is disposed on the upstream side of a printing device for conveying the continuous paper 28. When a conveyance signal for starting the conveyance of the continuous paper 28 from the printing device 14 is inputted, a paper guide 36 is gradually changed from the position where it supports the continuous paper 28 in no tension state to the position where it supports the continuous paper 28 in a tensional state. The tension can be applied to the continuous paper on the upstream side of the printing device when the continuous paper 28 is started to be conveyed, so that flopping of the continuous paper 28 can be suppressed in conveying the continuous paper 28. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a breakage prevention device, and more particularly to a breakage prevention device that prevents breakage in continuous paper such as folding paper and roll paper that can be continuously processed by a printing apparatus for forming an image.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing apparatuses that form images on continuous paper such as folding paper and roll paper that can be continuously processed are known. Some printing apparatuses form images on a large amount of continuous paper at high speed.

  In order to realize high-speed image formation on continuous paper with such a printing apparatus, it is necessary to instantaneously accelerate to a constant transport speed and transport the continuous paper. For this reason, there is a problem that the continuous paper is broken by applying a strong tension to the continuous paper by the conveyance of the continuous paper. In particular, when images are continuously formed on a continuous paper by a plurality of printing apparatuses, there is a problem that the continuous paper breaks due to a difference in conveyance speed between the printing apparatuses at the start of conveyance of the subsequent printing apparatus. . Also, if the transport speed difference between printing devices becomes large, the continuous paper supplied to the printing device will loosen, causing transport failures such as the continuous paper coming off the transport path, and continuous perforations and folds on the continuous paper. There were also problems such as paper flapping.

  Therefore, techniques for preventing flapping of continuous paper supplied to such a printing apparatus and breakage of continuous paper are known (for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3).

  In the technology of Patent Document 1, when the continuous paper to be conveyed is thin in the printing apparatus, the tension applied to the continuous paper is weakened, and when the continuous paper is thick, the tension of the continuous paper is increased. The tension applied to the continuous paper is adjusted in different stages according to the thickness of the continuous paper. As a result, flapping of the continuous paper at the crease portion of the continuous paper and removal of the continuous paper from the transport path can be suppressed, and breakage of the continuous paper can be prevented by transporting the continuous paper at a stable transport speed. .

  In the technique of Patent Document 2, the conveyance speed is increased by providing a roller that controls the pressing force in the width direction of the continuous paper and winds and holds the continuous paper upstream of the image recording unit that records an image in the printing apparatus. The width and the conveyance speed in the width direction are controlled uniformly. By uniformly controlling the conveyance speed, the higher the conveyance speed of the continuous paper, the more the continuous paper vibrates due to the fluttering of the continuous paper, preventing the disturbance of the image formed on the continuous paper, and the breakage of the continuous paper. To prevent.

In the technique of Patent Document 3, a buffer for absorbing a difference in temporary conveyance speed between two printing apparatuses is provided between two printing apparatuses that form images on continuous paper. This buffer has a configuration in which a single floating roller is placed on continuous paper that is stretched between two fixed rollers and adjacent fixed rollers. When the conveying speed is lower than a predetermined speed, Increase the amount of continuous paper stored in the buffer by lowering the position and applying a large tension to the continuous paper. When the transport speed becomes high, the continuous paper is tensioned with the floating roller raised. Thus, the amount of continuous paper stored in the buffer is reduced. In this way, by controlling the amount of continuous paper in the buffer, the continuous paper due to the looseness of the continuous paper due to the difference in the conveyance speed between the two printing apparatuses is absorbed by absorbing the difference in the conveyance speed between the two printing apparatuses. Suppresses fluttering.
JP 2000-198593 (page 10, FIG. 2) JP-A-11-79508 (5th page, FIG. 3) JP-A-5-310351 (pages 7-8, FIG. 1)

  However, in the techniques of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, it is possible to suppress flapping of the continuous paper by stabilizing the conveyance speed of the continuous paper. In order to stabilize the conveyance speed by setting the values at different stages, tension is always applied to the continuous paper. In the technique of Patent Document 3 described above, the continuous paper in the buffer is always tensioned by the floating roller to adjust the amount of continuous paper stored in the buffer. Given. For this reason, in the prior art, since tension is always applied to the continuous paper, the continuous paper may be broken due to friction of the continuous paper. In particular, at the start of conveyance, a stronger tension may be applied to the continuous paper, which may cause the continuous paper to break.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a break prevention device that easily prevents breakage of continuous paper at the start of conveyance.

  In order to achieve the above object, the break prevention device of the present invention is provided on the upstream side of a printing apparatus that conveys continuous paper and forms an image on the continuous paper, and tension is applied to the continuous paper supplied to the printing apparatus. A support means that can be switched to any one of a steady state that supports in a given state and an avoidance state that supports continuous paper without applying tension, and the support means from the steady state to the avoidance state or the avoidance state When switching means for switching to a steady state and a transport signal for starting transport of continuous paper from the printing apparatus are input, the switching means is controlled to switch the support means from the avoidance state to the steady state, When a stop signal for stopping the conveyance of continuous paper or a pause signal for pause is input from the printing apparatus, the support means is switched from a steady state to an avoidance state. It comprises a control means for controlling the exchange unit.

  The support means of the breakage prevention apparatus of the present invention is provided on the upstream side of a printing apparatus that conveys continuous paper and forms an image on the continuous paper. Continuous paper is a recording medium on which images can be continuously formed by a printing apparatus. An example of continuous paper is folding paper, roll paper, and the like. The support means is provided so as to be switchable between a steady state and an avoidance state. The steady state indicates the state of the support means when the continuous paper supplied to the printing apparatus is supported in a tensioned state. The avoidance state indicates the state of the support means when the continuous paper is supported without applying tension. That is, in the steady state, the continuous paper is in a state where the tension is applied by the support means, and in the avoidance state, the continuous paper is in a slack state where the tension is not applied by the support means.

  The switching means is for switching the support means from the steady state to the avoidance state or from the avoidance state to the steady state. By the switching means, the continuous paper is switched from a state where tension is applied to a state where tension is not applied, or from a state where tension is not applied to a state where tension is applied. When the conveyance of the continuous paper is started in the printing apparatus and the conveyance signal for starting the conveyance of the continuous paper is input from the printing apparatus, the control means switches the switching means to switch the support means from the avoidance state to the steady state. Control. In addition, when the conveyance of the continuous paper is temporarily stopped in the printing apparatus and a temporary stop signal for stopping the conveyance of the continuous paper is input from the printing apparatus, the control unit switches the support unit from the steady state to the avoidance state. The switching means is controlled as follows. Similarly, when the conveyance of the continuous paper is stopped in the printing apparatus and the stop signal for stopping the conveyance of the continuous paper is input from the printing apparatus, the control means switches the support means from the steady state to the avoidance state. Control the switching means.

  As described above, when the conveyance signal is input from the printing apparatus, the support unit is switched from the avoidance state to the steady state, and the continuous paper is continuously applied in a state where the continuous paper is tensioned from a state where the continuous paper is not tensioned. To be supported. In addition, when a pause signal or a stop signal is input from the printing apparatus, the support unit is switched from a steady state to an avoidance state, and continuously from a state in which tension is applied to continuous paper to a state in which tension is not applied to continuous paper. It is switched to support the paper.

  Therefore, when the printing apparatus is paused and immediately after the start of conveyance, no tension is applied to the continuous paper upstream of the printing apparatus, and after the continuous conveyance of the printing apparatus starts, tension is applied to the continuous paper upstream of the printing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to prevent breakage of the continuous paper at the start of conveyance.

  The control means can control the switching means to gradually switch the support means from the avoidance state to the steady state when a conveyance signal is input from the printing apparatus.

  The control unit controls the switching unit to gradually switch the support unit from the avoidance state to the steady state when a conveyance signal is input from the printing apparatus. For this reason, when conveyance of the continuous paper in the printing apparatus is started, the support unit is switched by the control unit so as to support the continuous paper in a state where the tension is gradually applied. Therefore, since the continuous paper can gradually shift from a state where tension is not applied to a state where tension is applied, breakage of the continuous paper at the start of conveyance can be suppressed.

  The support means includes at least a pair of rollers and a movable paper guide provided between at least the pair of rollers, and the control means determines the position of the paper guides at least a pair of rollers. The switching can be performed by moving to a position where tension is applied to the continuous paper stretched between the roller and the paper guide, or a position where tension is not applied to the continuous paper.

  The support means includes at least a pair of rollers and a paper guide provided between the pair of rollers. The paper guide is provided so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the continuous paper supplied to the printing apparatus. The continuous paper is stretched between the pair of rollers and a paper guide provided between the pair of rollers. The control means moves the position of the paper guide to a position that applies tension to the continuous paper stretched between at least the pair of rollers and the paper guide provided between the pair of rollers. The switching means is controlled to switch from the avoidance state to the steady state. Further, the control means moves the position of the paper guide to a position where tension is not applied to the continuous paper spanned between the pair of rollers and the paper guide provided between the pair of rollers. The switching means is controlled to switch the support means from the avoidance state to the steady state. In this way, the switching means can be controlled so as to switch the support means from the steady state to the avoidance state or from the avoidance state to the steady state by moving the position of the paper guide provided between at least the pair of rollers. Therefore, it is possible to prevent breakage of the continuous paper supplied to the printing apparatus with a simple mechanism.

  The at least a pair of rollers and the paper guide can be rotated in the direction in which the continuous paper is conveyed.

  By enabling at least a pair of rollers and a paper guide to rotate in the direction in which the continuous paper is conveyed, the paper guide and the continuous paper when supporting the continuous paper in a tensioned state, and the pair of rollers and the continuous paper are used. Friction can be reduced and continuous paper breakage can be suppressed.

  The paper guide may be a driven roller that rotates following the conveyance of continuous paper, or a drive roller that conveys the continuous paper at a conveyance speed corresponding to the conveyance speed.

  The paper guide can be constituted by a driven roller that rotates in accordance with the conveyance of the continuous paper, or a drive roller that conveys the continuous paper at a conveyance speed corresponding to the conveyance speed of the printing apparatus for conveying the continuous paper. For this reason, when the continuous paper transport is started and the continuous paper being transported is supported by the paper guide, the paper guide rotates according to the continuous paper transport or continuously at the transport speed corresponding to the continuous paper transport speed. Since the paper can be conveyed, friction between the paper guide and the continuous paper can be suppressed, and breakage of the continuous paper due to friction can be suppressed.

  The support means includes at least a pair of rollers, and a paper guide that is provided between at least the pair of rollers and is configured by a rotatable eccentric member, and the control means includes the paper guide. Supporting the continuous paper in a state where tension is applied by pressing the continuous paper stretched between at least a pair of rollers, or in a state where tension is not applied by avoiding pressing of the continuous paper As described above, the switching can be performed by rotating the paper guide.

  The support means includes at least a pair of rollers, and a paper guide that is provided between the pair of rollers and is formed of an eccentric member that is rotatable in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper. The paper guide formed of the eccentric member can rotate in the transport direction, and can press the continuous paper stretched between at least a pair of rollers, or can avoid pressing. The control means controls the rotation of the paper guide to press the continuous paper stretched between the pair of rollers to apply tension to the continuous paper or to avoid pressing the continuous paper. The switching means is controlled to support the continuous paper in a state where no tension is applied. As described above, the paper guide is composed of a rotatable eccentric member, and the switching means is controlled so as to switch the support means from the steady state to the avoidance state or from the avoidance state to the steady state by rotating the paper guide. Therefore, the continuous paper supplied to the printing apparatus can be prevented from being broken with a simple mechanism.

  The paper guide may be provided on a reverse printing surface of a continuous paper on which an image is formed by the printing apparatus. Since the paper guide can be provided on the reverse printing surface opposite to the printing surface of the continuous paper on which an image is formed by the printing apparatus, the influence of the stain on the printing surface of the continuous paper due to the paper guide can be suppressed.

  According to the break prevention device of the present invention, when a conveyance signal for starting conveyance of continuous paper is input from the printing apparatus, the state is gradually shifted to a state in which tension is applied to the continuous paper on the upstream side of the printing apparatus. When a stop signal for stopping continuous conveyance or a stop signal for stopping conveyance is input, the continuous sheet can be supported without applying tension to the continuous sheet. It is possible to create a state in which tension is not applied to the continuous paper immediately after the start of transport of continuous paper, and it is possible to gradually apply tension after the start of transport of continuous paper, making it easy to break the continuous paper at the start of transport The effect that it can prevent is obtained.

  An example of an embodiment according to the fracture preventing device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a printer system including a breakage prevention device.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of the printer system 10. The printer system 10 includes a printing device 12 and a printing device 14. The printer system 10 includes a continuous paper supply device 18, a buffer unit 20, a turn unit 22, a breakage prevention device 30, and a continuous paper storage device 24. In the present embodiment, the printing device 12, the printing device 14, the turn unit 22, and the breakage prevention device 30 are described as one unit each. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of units are configured. Also good.

  The continuous paper supply device 18 is for loading the continuous paper 28 and for supplying the continuous paper 28 to the printing device 12. The continuous paper 28 is a paper that can be continuously subjected to image forming processing by the printing device 12 and the printing device 14. An example of the continuous paper 28 is a folded paper that is bent for each predetermined paper length, a folded paper in which perforations are formed for each predetermined paper length, and roll paper.

  The printing device 12 is for forming an image based on the image data included in the print data on the surface 28A of the continuous paper 28 supplied from the continuous paper supply device 18. The print data is data including image data for forming an image on the continuous paper 28, and a cable not shown from a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) for creating print data not shown. Is input via. The continuous paper 28 on which the image is formed on the surface 28A of the continuous paper 28 by the printing device 12 is supplied to the printing device 14 via the buffer unit 20, the turn unit 22, and the breakage prevention device 30. Similarly to the printing device 12, the printing device 14 forms an image on the back surface 28 </ b> B of the continuous paper 28 based on image data included in print data input from a PC (not shown) via a cable (not shown). belongs to. The continuous paper 28 on which the image is formed on the back surface 28 </ b> B of the continuous paper 28 by the printing device 14 is sequentially stored in the continuous paper storage device 24.

  The buffer unit 20 adjusts the amount of the continuous paper 28 stored in the buffer unit 20 by always applying tension to the continuous paper 28 supplied from the printing apparatus 12 to the turn unit 22. Three buffer rolls (not shown) are attached to the buffer unit 20, and the continuous paper 28 is wound around the three buffer rolls. Of the three buffer rolls, the central buffer roll is provided so as to freely move up and down. As the central buffer roll moves downward, the continuous paper 28 is pulled downward, and is held in a state where tension is continuously applied downward at this position. Further, as the central buffer roll moves upward, the continuous paper 28 pulled downward is kept upward and below the position pulled downward while being continuously tensioned downward. It moves and is held in tension in the upper position continuously downward by the central buffer roll. As described above, the tension is always applied to the continuous paper 28 in the buffer unit 20 and the amount of the continuous paper 28 in the buffer unit 20 can be adjusted by moving the position of the central buffer roll up and down. It has become.

  The turn unit 22 is for turning the continuous paper 28 upside down and supplying it to the printing apparatus 14. That is, when the continuous paper 28 is conveyed from the printing apparatus 12 to the printing apparatus 14 via the turn unit 22, one printing apparatus 12 forms an image on the front surface (or the back surface) on the same continuous paper 28. The other printing apparatus 14 prints the back surface (or the front surface) so that images are formed on both sides of the continuous paper 28.

  In the present embodiment, the printing device 12 and the printing device 14 are described as forming images on the front and back of the continuous paper 28. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form, and the printing device 12 and the printing device 14 are not limited thereto. Thus, an image may be formed on the same surface of the continuous paper 28.

  The printing apparatus 12 includes an image forming unit 12A for forming an image and an apparatus control unit 12B. The apparatus control unit 12B is for performing various controls of the apparatus main body such as control of image formation in the image forming unit 12A and transport control of the continuous paper 28 according to image formation in the image forming unit 12A. The image forming unit 12A includes a well-known device (not shown) for forming an image on the continuous paper 28. For example, a photosensitive drum charged by a charging device, image data included in print data, and the like. A writing device that outputs a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, a developing device that visualizes and develops the electrostatic latent image with toner, and a surface formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. There are a transfer machine that transfers the developed image onto the continuous paper 28 and a fixing device that fixes the image transferred onto the continuous paper onto the continuous paper.

  The printing device 14 includes an image forming unit 14A and a device control unit 14B. The apparatus control unit 14B starts image formation control in the image forming unit 14A, conveyance control of the continuous paper 28 according to image formation in the image forming unit 14A, and conveyance of the continuous paper 28 to the breakage prevention device 30. This is for performing various controls such as transmission control via a communication unit (not shown) such as a transport signal for the above, or a pause signal for temporarily stopping the transport of the continuous paper 28. Since the image forming unit 14A has substantially the same configuration as the image forming unit 12A, description thereof is omitted.

  The breakage prevention device 30 is for preventing breakage of the continuous paper 28 supplied to the printing device 14, and is provided on the upstream side of supplying the continuous paper 28 to the printing device 14. In the present embodiment, the breakage prevention device 30 is provided upstream of the printing device 14 and downstream of the turn unit 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the breakage prevention device 30 includes a pair of fixed rollers 32, a paper guide 36 provided between the pair of rollers 32, a drive unit 38, and a communication unit 40. , Including. The continuous paper 28 is stretched between the pair of rollers 32 of the breakage prevention device 30 and the paper guide 36.

  The roller 32 is a member having a substantially circular cross section in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper 28, and is provided so as to be rotatable in the conveyance direction X of the continuous paper 28. The paper guide 36 is provided between the pair of rollers 32, and is a member having a substantially circular cross section in the transport direction of the continuous paper 28 and is rotatably provided in the transport direction X. Therefore, when the continuous paper 28 stretched between the pair of rollers 32 and the paper guide 36 is conveyed in the conveyance direction X, the continuous paper 28 and the roller 32 and the continuous paper 28 and the paper guide 36 The friction can be reduced. Further, the paper guide 36 is provided on the reverse printing surface of the continuous paper 28 on which an image is formed by the printing device 14. For this reason, the configuration is such that the paper guide 36 can suppress the stain on the printing surface on which the printing apparatus 14 forms an image.

  In the present embodiment, the paper guide 32 is described as being provided between the pair of rollers 32. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, between the two or more rollers 32 is provided. It may be provided in.

  The paper guide 36 is attached to the drive unit 38 by a support shaft 37. The drive unit 38 changes the position of the paper guide 36 in accordance with a conveyance signal for starting conveyance of the continuous paper 28 input from the printing apparatus 14 and a pause signal for temporarily stopping conveyance of the continuous paper 28. This is for gradually switching from position A to position B or from position B to position A.

  The position A indicates the position of the paper guide 36 that can support the continuous paper 28 with a predetermined tension applied to the continuous paper 28 between the pair of rollers 32. The paper guide 36 is a continuous paper. The steady state which supports 28 in the state which gave tension | tensile_strength is shown. The position B indicates the position of the paper guide 36 that can support the continuous paper 28 without applying tension to the continuous paper 28 between the pair of rollers 32. The avoidance state which supports in the state which does not give tension is shown.

  For example, when the continuous paper 28, which is a folded paper in which folds are formed in advance every 15 inches in the length direction (conveying direction X) of the continuous paper 28, is conveyed, the length Y between the rollers 32 is set to the fold of the continuous paper 28. Assuming that the paper guide 36 is placed at the position A in advance, the straight line connecting the position 44 of the continuous paper 28 supported by the paper guide 36 and the lower surfaces of the pair of rollers 32. (Reference straight line) The position A is adjusted so that the shortest distance P to Q is 1 cm or more and 2 cm or less. Further, the position B is adjusted in advance so as to be a position away from the reference straight line Q.

  That is, when the paper guide 36 is positioned at the position A, the continuous paper 28 between the pair of rollers 32 is lifted from the reference straight line Q to the position A, so that the continuous paper 28 is supported in a tensioned state. Is done. When the paper guide 36 is positioned at the position B, the continuous paper 28 between the pair of rollers 32 is slackened below the reference straight line Q, so that the continuous paper 28 is supported in a state where no tension is applied. .

  Here, since the drive unit 38 gradually switches the position of the paper guide 36 from the position A to the position B and from the position B to the position A, the tension is changed from the steady state in which the continuous paper 28 is supported in a tensioned state. Gradually switching from the avoiding state in which the continuous paper 28 is supported in a state in which no tension is applied to the steady state in which the continuous paper 28 is supported in a state in which the tension is applied. Can be done.

  The communication unit 40 is for inputting a conveyance signal for starting conveyance of the continuous paper 28 or a pause signal for temporarily stopping conveyance of the continuous paper 28 from the printing apparatus 14.

  The breakage prevention device 30 further includes a control unit 46. The control unit 46 is connected to each of the drive unit 38 and the communication unit 40 so as to be able to exchange data and commands with each other. The control unit 46 is configured to include a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown), and stores in advance a processing routine shown in FIG. This is for executing various processing such as processing based on the processing routine shown in FIG.

  The breakage prevention device 30 corresponds to the breakage prevention device of the present invention, and the paper guide 36 and the pair of rolls 32 correspond to support means of the breakage prevention device 30 of the present invention. The paper guide 36 corresponds to the paper guide of the breakage prevention device 30 of the present invention, and the roll 32 corresponds to the roll of the present invention. The drive unit 38 corresponds to a switching unit, and the control unit 46 corresponds to a control unit.

  Next, the process performed by the control part 46 of the fracture | rupture prevention apparatus 30 is demonstrated.

  It should be noted that the break prevention device 30 has not yet received a conveyance signal for starting conveyance of the continuous paper 28 from the printing apparatus 14 or immediately after power activation, or a pause signal for temporarily stopping conveyance of the continuous paper. In the initial input state, the sheet guide 36 will be described as being located at the position A. That is, immediately after the printing apparatus 14 is turned on and before the continuous paper 28 is transported, the paper guide 36 of the breakage prevention device 30 supports the continuous paper 28 in a tensioned state.

  In the breakage prevention device 30, when power is supplied to the breakage prevention device 30 by a power switch (not shown), the process proceeds to step 102.

  In step 102, it is determined whether or not a conveyance signal for starting conveyance of the continuous paper 28 is input from the printing apparatus 14. The determination in step 102 can be made by determining that a conveyance signal for starting conveyance of the continuous paper 28 is input from the printing apparatus 14 via the communication unit 40.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the printing apparatus 14 starts conveying the continuous paper 28, the printing apparatus 14 outputs a high level signal 50 </ b> A to the breakage prevention apparatus 30 as a conveyance signal to start conveying the continuous paper 28. When the conveyance of the paper 28 is temporarily stopped, a low level signal 50B for temporarily stopping the conveyance is output as a temporary stop signal to the breakage prevention device 30. In this way, the determination in step 102 can be made by determining whether or not the signal input from the printing apparatus 14 via the communication unit 40 is the high-level signal 50A.

  Next, in step 104, a switching process for gradually switching the paper guide 36 to the position A is executed. In step 104, the paper guide 36 provided on the drive unit 38 via the support shaft 37 is gradually moved from the position B to the position A by driving the drive unit 38. If the paper guide 36 is already at the position A before the process of step 104, the paper guide 36 is held at the position A.

  By the processing in step 104, the paper guide 36 gradually moves from a position where it is supported without applying tension to the continuous paper 28 between the pair of rollers 32 to a position where it is supported with given tension. For this reason, the continuous paper 28 between the pair of rollers 32 gradually changes in tension from a state in which no tension is applied. If the paper guide 36 is already in the position A before the processing of step 102, the paper guide 36 is in a position to support the continuous paper 28 in a state where tension is continuously applied. 28 is continuously tensioned.

  On the other hand, if the result in step 102 is negative, the process proceeds to step 106, where it is determined whether or not a pause signal for temporarily stopping the conveyance of the continuous paper 28 in the printing apparatus 14 is input from the printing apparatus 14. The determination in step 106 can be made by determining that a pause signal for temporarily stopping the conveyance of the continuous paper 28 is input from the printing apparatus 14 via the communication unit 40.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the printing apparatus 14 starts transporting the continuous paper 28, the high-level signal 50A is used as the transport signal to start transporting the continuous paper 28, as shown in FIG. When output to the breakage prevention device 30 and the conveyance of the continuous paper 28 are temporarily stopped, a low level signal 50B for temporarily stopping the conveyance is output to the breakage prevention device 30 as a pause signal. Can be determined by determining whether or not the signal input from the printing apparatus 14 via the communication unit 40 is the low-level signal 50B.

  If the determination in step 106 is negative, the process proceeds to step 110. If the determination is affirmative and it is determined that a temporary stop signal has been input, the process proceeds to step 108, and a switching process for gradually switching the paper guide 36 from position A to position B is performed. Execute. The processing of step 108 is to gradually move the position of the paper guide 36 from the position A to the position B by driving the driving unit 38. When the paper guide 36 is already at the position B, the position of the paper guide 36 is maintained at the position B.

  By the processing in step 108, the paper guide 36 gradually moves from a position where the continuous paper 28 between the pair of rollers 32 is supported in a state where a predetermined tension is applied to a position where the continuous paper 28 is supported in a state where no tension is applied. For this reason, the continuous paper 28 between the pair of rollers 32 gradually changes from a state where tension is applied to a state where tension is not applied, and has a slack state.

  If the paper guide 36 is already in the position B before the processing of step 106, the paper guide 36 is in a position to support the continuous paper 28 without applying tension, so that the continuous paper No tension is continuously applied to 28, and the state continues to be slack.

  Next, in step 110, it is determined whether or not a signal indicating power-off is input. The determination in step 110 can be made by determining a signal input indicating that the power is turned off by pressing a power switch (not shown) of the breakage prevention device 30. If the result in step 110 is negative, the process returns to step 102. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 112. After the paper guide 36 is moved to the initial position A, this routine is terminated.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a time chart when the processes in steps 102 to 110 are repeatedly executed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the printing apparatus 14 starts conveying the continuous paper 28, the printing apparatus 14 outputs a conveyance signal 50 </ b> A for starting conveyance of the continuous paper 28 to the breakage prevention apparatus 30. In the breakage prevention device 30, when the conveyance signal 50 </ b> A is input from the printing device 14, the position of the paper guide 36 is gradually switched to the position A. The continuous paper 28 is supported in a tensioned state by the paper guide 36 positioned at the position A, that is, in a steady state, and is in a state without slack.

  Next, when the conveyance of the continuous paper 28 is temporarily stopped by the printing device 14, the printing device 14 outputs a temporary stop signal 50 </ b> B for temporarily stopping the conveyance of the continuous paper 28 to the breakage prevention device 30. . In the break prevention device 30, when a temporary stop signal is input from the printing device 14, the position of the paper guide 36 is gradually switched from the position A to the position B (signal 60). As the position of the paper guide 36 is gradually switched from the position A (steady state) to the position B (avoidance state), the continuous paper 28 is gradually tensioned from a state where no tension is applied. Become. For this reason, when conveyance of the continuous paper 28 is temporarily stopped by the printing apparatus 14, the continuous paper 28 upstream of the printing apparatus 14 is gradually switched from a state where tension is applied to a state where the tension is not applied. It is done.

  The control unit 46 gradually switches the position of the paper guide 36 from the position A to the position B simultaneously with the input of the temporary stop signal 50B from the printing apparatus 14 (switching from the conveyance signal 50A to the temporary stop signal 50B). Alternatively, the position of the sheet guide 36 may be gradually switched from the position A to the position B after a predetermined time (t1) has elapsed from the input of the pause signal 50B.

  Further, when the printing apparatus 14 starts to convey the continuous paper 28 after the temporary stop, the printing apparatus 14 switches the temporary stop signal 50B to the conveyance signal 50A and outputs the conveyance signal 50A to the breakage prevention apparatus 30. To do. In the breakage prevention device 30, when the conveyance signal 50 </ b> A is input from the printing device 14, the position of the paper guide 36 is gradually switched from the position B to the position A. The continuous paper 28 is in a state where the tension is not gradually applied from the state where the tension is applied as the position of the paper guide 36 is gradually switched from the position B (avoidance state) to the position A (steady state). Become. For this reason, when the conveyance of the continuous paper 28 is resumed by the printing device 14, the continuous paper 28 upstream of the printing device 14 gradually changes from a state where no tension is applied to a state where tension is applied and there is no slack. Switched. For this reason, it is possible to create a slack state in which tension cannot be applied immediately after the start of conveyance.

  Note that the control unit 46 gradually moves the position of the paper guide 36 from the position B to the position A (signal 62) simultaneously with the input of the conveyance signal 50A from the printing apparatus 14 (switching from the temporary stop signal 50B to the conveyance signal 50A). It may be controlled to switch, or the position of the paper guide 36 may be gradually switched to the position A after a predetermined time (t2) has elapsed from the input of the conveyance signal 50A.

  As described above, according to the breakage prevention device 30 of the present embodiment, the breakage prevention device 30 is provided on the upstream side of the printing device 14 that conveys the continuous paper 28, and the continuous paper 28 is conveyed from the printing device 14. When a conveyance signal for starting the printing is input, the paper guide 36 gradually switches from a position where the continuous paper 28 is supported without applying tension to a position where the continuous paper 28 is supported with tension applied. It is done. Further, when a pause signal for temporarily stopping the conveyance of the continuous paper 28 is input from the printing device 14, the paper guide 36 supports the continuous paper 28 from a position where the continuous paper 28 is supported in a tensioned state. The position is gradually switched to a supporting position without applying tension.

  As described above, when the conveyance of the continuous paper 28 of the printing apparatus 14 is temporarily stopped, no tension is applied to the continuous paper 28 on the upstream side of the printing apparatus 14 and the conveyance of the continuous paper 28 of the printing apparatus 14 is started. Further, since it is possible to gradually switch the continuous paper 28 on the upstream side of the printing device 14 so as to apply tension, it is possible to prevent breakage of the continuous paper at the start of conveyance of the printing device 14. Further, at the time of temporary stop, tension is not applied to the continuous paper 28, and tension can be applied to the continuous paper 28 only when the continuous paper 28 is started to be transported by the printing apparatus 14, so that the paper friction of the continuous paper 28 is suppressed. It is possible to prevent the continuous paper from being broken. Further, since the tension can be gradually applied to the continuous paper on the upstream side of the printing apparatus 14 when the continuous paper 28 is started to be transported, the continuous paper is slackened immediately after the transport is started, and gradually after the transport is started. Since tension can be applied to the continuous paper 28, flapping of the continuous paper 28 when the continuous paper 28 is conveyed can be suppressed.

  Accordingly, it is possible to easily prevent the continuous paper 28 from being broken at the start of conveyance with a simple mechanism.

  In the present embodiment, the breakage prevention device 30 has been described as being provided upstream of the printing device 14 (between the printing device 14 and the turn unit 22). It may be upstream of the device 14 and is not limited to such a position.

  Further, the breakage prevention device 30 may be provided upstream of the printing device 12 and downstream of the continuous paper supply device 18. When the breakage prevention device 30 is provided at such a position, the printing device 12 has the same configuration as the printing device 14, and a conveyance signal and a pause signal are sent from the printing device 12 to the breakage prevention device 30 instead of the printing device 14. What is necessary is just to make it output. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent breakage of the continuous paper at the start of conveyance of the continuous paper 28 supplied to the printing apparatus 12.

  In the present embodiment, it has been described that a switching process for gradually switching the paper guide 36 from the position A to the position B is executed when a temporary stop signal is input from the printing apparatus 14 (see step 106). A switching process for gradually switching the sheet guide 36 from the position A to the position B may be executed by inputting a stop signal for stopping the conveyance of the continuous paper 28 from the printing apparatus 14.

  In the present embodiment, the paper guide 36 is described as a member having a circular cross section in the conveyance direction. However, the position of the center of the cross section in the conveyance direction and the rotation axis of the conveyance direction of the paper guide 36 is different. You may make it comprise with eccentric members, such as. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the paper guide 50 configured as an eccentric member is provided in the breakage prevention device 30 in place of the paper guide 36. Then, the rotation shaft 50 </ b> A of the paper guide 50 is attached to the drive unit 38 via the support shaft 37. The paper guide 50 rotates about the rotation shaft 50A of the paper guide 50, thereby pressing or not pressing the continuous paper 28 between the pair of rolls 32, thereby applying tension to the continuous paper 28. The continuous paper 28 can be supported in a state where it is held, or the continuous paper 28 can be supported in a state where no tension is applied. The drive unit 38 is for rotating the paper guide 50 in the transport direction. In this case, the control unit 46 supports the continuous paper 28 either in a state where the continuous paper 28 is applied with a tension (steady state) or in a state where the continuous paper 28 is not applied with a tension (avoidance state). Thus, the rotation of the paper guide 36 may be controlled.

  In this way, by configuring the paper guide 50 with an eccentric member, the continuous paper 28 supplied to the printing apparatus 14 can be supported in a tensioned state or in a state where no tension is applied with a simpler configuration. The continuous paper 28 supplied to the printing apparatus 14 can be prevented from being broken with a simple configuration.

  In the present embodiment, the paper guide 36 is described as being provided to be able to rotate in the transport direction following the transport of the continuous paper 28, but according to the transport speed of the continuous paper 28 of the printing apparatus 14. You may make it control to drive so that the continuous paper 28 may be conveyed at speed. In this case, a motor for rotating the paper guide 36 at a speed corresponding to the conveyance speed of the printing apparatus 14 is provided in advance, and when a conveyance signal is input from the printing apparatus 14, it rotates at the conveyance speed of the printing apparatus 14. As described above, the drive of the motor may be controlled by the control unit 46 via the drive unit 38.

  With such a configuration, the sheet friction between the sheet guide 36 and the continuous paper 28 can be further suppressed, and the continuous paper 28 can be prevented from being broken.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the main structures of the fracture | rupture prevention apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed with a fracture | rupture prevention apparatus. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a transition of a sheet guide position and a sheet slack state according to a conveyance signal input from a printing apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the paper guide comprised by the eccentric mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

28 Continuous paper 30 Breakage prevention device 36 Paper guide 38 Drive unit 40 Communication unit 46 Control unit

Claims (7)

It is provided on the upstream side of a printing apparatus that conveys continuous paper and forms an image on the continuous paper, and in a steady state in which the continuous paper supplied to the printing apparatus is supported in a tensioned state, and the continuous paper is tensioned. Support means switchable to any state of avoidance state to support in the state of not giving,
Switching means for switching the support means from the steady state to the avoidance state, or from the avoidance state to the steady state;
When a conveyance signal for starting conveyance of continuous paper is input from the printing apparatus, the switching unit is controlled to switch the support unit from an avoidance state to a steady state, and conveyance of continuous paper from the printing apparatus is performed. Control means for controlling the switching means to switch the support means from a steady state to an avoidance state when a stop signal for stopping the operation or a pause signal for temporarily stopping is input,
A break prevention device comprising:   2. The fracture preventing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when a conveyance signal is input from the printing apparatus, the control unit controls the switching unit to gradually switch the support unit from an avoidance state to a steady state.   The support means includes at least a pair of rollers and a movable paper guide provided between at least the pair of rollers, and the control means determines the position of the paper guides at least a pair of rollers. 3. The switching according to claim 1, wherein the switching is performed by moving to a position where tension is applied to a continuous paper stretched between a roller and the paper guide or a position where tension is not applied to the continuous paper. Break prevention device.   The break prevention device according to claim 3, wherein at least the pair of rollers and the paper guide are rotatable in a direction in which the continuous paper is conveyed.   5. The drive mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the paper guide is a driven roller that rotates following the conveyance of continuous paper, or a driving roller that conveys the continuous paper at a conveyance speed corresponding to a conveyance speed. The break prevention device as described.   The support means includes at least a pair of rollers, and a paper guide that is provided between at least the pair of rollers and is configured by a rotatable eccentric member, and the control means includes the paper guide. Supporting the continuous paper in a state where tension is applied by pressing the continuous paper stretched between at least a pair of rollers, or in a state where tension is not applied by avoiding pressing of the continuous paper The break prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the switching is performed by rotating the paper guide.   The break prevention device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the paper guide is provided on a reverse printing surface of a continuous paper on which an image is formed by the printing device.

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