JP2005272143A - Carrying device of recording material, photographic printer, ink jet printer and electrophotographic printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent flaw on a recording surface of a recording material. <P>SOLUTION: A receiving inlet 56, first to third carrier roller pairs 65 to 67, and high speed delivery roller pairs 69 are arranged along a first carrying passage 61 in a carrying switching part 10 of a photographic printer 10, and fourth to sixth carrier roller pairs 73 to 75 are arranged along a second carrying passage. First to sixth carrying guides 82 to 87 are arranged between the receiving inlet 56 and the respective roller pairs 65 to 67, 69 and 73 to 75. Since a carrying directional downstream side guide end part 90a of recording surface guides 84a to 87a of the third to sixth carrying guides 84 to 87 is arranged in a position nearer to the first and second carrying passages than a roller central shaft of a nip roller of the closely adjacent respective roller pairs 69 and 73 to 75 and its upstream side guide end part 90b is arranged in a position separate from the first and second carrying passages more than the roller central shaft of the nip roller of the closely adjacent respective roller pairs 66, 67, 73 and 74, flaw on the recording surface of the recording material can be prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a conveyance device that bends and conveys a sheet-like recording material, and a photographic printer, an inkjet printer, and an electrophotographic printer including the conveyance device.

  For example, in a photographic printer, various processes such as exposure, development, and drying are sequentially performed while a cut sheet-like photosensitive recording paper is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction. The photosensitive recording paper is nipped and conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers arranged on the conveying line, but the conveying path at that time is bent at a plurality of locations in the printer due to restrictions such as the size of the printer. For this reason, a bending guide (conveyance guide) for guiding the photosensitive recording paper from the upstream conveyance roller pair to the downstream conveyance roller pair is provided between each conveyance roller pair, particularly in a portion where the conveyance path is bent. ing. The conveyance guide includes a recording surface guide for guiding the recording surface side of the photosensitive recording paper and a back surface guide for guiding the back surface side of the photosensitive recording paper. The photosensitive recording paper is conveyed on a conveyance path formed by both guides. Is done.

The photosensitive recording paper may be warped so that the recording surface side or the back surface side becomes convex due to drying conditions or variations in the thickness of the photosensitive recording paper. If the photosensitive recording paper is warped, the pair of transport rollers will not be able to transport the photosensitive recording paper normally, and there is a risk that some of the paper will bend and the recording surface may be damaged. There is. Therefore, by attaching a small-diameter free roller that freely rotates in accordance with the conveyance of the photosensitive recording paper to the recording surface guide provided after the drying processing section, the photosensitive recording paper is normally conveyed. (See Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-196466 (pages 5 and 6)

  As described in Patent Document 1, by attaching a free roller to the bending guide, it is possible to prevent the recording surface from being damaged due to warpage of the photosensitive recording paper, but the photosensitive recording paper is conveyed along the bending guide. In this case, it is impossible to prevent the recording surface from being damaged by sliding contact between the recording surface and the recording surface guide. In particular, the recording surface of the photosensitive recording paper immediately after being dried is easily scratched because the main component of gelatin is still soft. The scratches on the recording surface before the drying process are hardly noticeable because the gelatin swells during the development / drying process, but the scratches after the drying process remain as they are. Therefore, there is a risk that the quality of the photographic print will be significantly reduced.

  Therefore, in order to reduce the contact area between the recording surface and the recording surface guide and suppress the occurrence of scratches, the recording surface guide is formed with a plurality of ribs parallel to the sub-scanning direction. In general, the conveyance guide is often made of a SUS (stainless steel) material because it is easy to process and hardly rusts, and the ribs are often formed by drawing. Therefore, if the height of the rib is increased in order to reduce contact with the photosensitive recording paper, there is a possibility that the wrinkle is generated at the apex of the rib and the recording surface is damaged.

  Further, the guide end downstream of the recording surface guide in the conveyance direction is usually formed in a linear shape parallel to the width direction of the photosensitive recording paper. For this reason, a gap is generated between the guide end portion on the downstream side in the transport direction and the pair of transport rollers adjacent to the guide end portion. As a result, there is a limit to driving the photosensitive recording paper into the conveyance roller pair, so that when the photosensitive recording paper is guided to the downstream conveyance roller pair, the recording surface of the photosensitive recording paper is aligned with the edge of the guide end. There is a risk of rubbing and scratching. In order to prevent this, for example, there is a method of buffing the guide end, but there is a problem because the manufacturing cost becomes high.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and uses a recording material conveying device that prevents the recording surface of the recording material conveyed along a bent conveying path from being damaged, and this conveying device. An object is to provide a photographic printer, an inkjet printer, and an electrophotographic printer at a low cost.

  In the present invention, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs including a recording surface side roller in contact with the recording surface side of the recording material and a back surface side roller in contact with the back surface side of the recording material are provided along a bent conveyance path, and A conveyance guide for guiding the recording material to the conveyance roller pair downstream in the conveyance direction between the conveyance roller pair is provided on the recording surface side in the recording material conveyance apparatus provided at least on the recording surface side. The transport guide is arranged such that a guide end on the downstream side in the transport direction is located closer to the transport path than the roller central axis of the recording surface side roller that is close to the transport guide, and upstream in the transport direction The guide end portion is arranged at a position farther from the conveyance path than the roller central axis of the adjacent recording surface side roller.

  Further, it is preferable that the conveyance guide is bent in a substantially square shape so that a side facing the recording surface of the recording material is concave. Furthermore, it is preferable that the bent portion of the conveyance guide formed to be bent in a substantially square shape is formed in an R shape.

  The recording surface side roller is a skewer roller, and at least the guide end portion on the downstream side in the transport direction of the transport guide is formed in a comb shape in accordance with the shape of the skewer roller. It is preferable that the conveyance guide is arranged so that the guide end portion formed in the mold is inserted between the rollers of the skewer roller. Preferably, a plurality of ribs parallel to the recording material conveyance direction are formed on the surface of the conveyance guide facing the recording material in the width direction of the recording material. Furthermore, it is preferable that the end of the rib on the downstream side in the transport direction is a guide end on the downstream side in the transport direction and is formed in an R shape. Moreover, it is preferable that the height of the rib is 0.2 to 0.4 mm.

  The photographic printer of the present invention includes an exposure device that exposes an image on the recording material, a development processing device that develops the exposed recording material, and a drying device that dries the recording material after the development processing. The recording material conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is provided on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the recording material with respect to the drying device.

  The ink jet printer of the present invention includes an ink jet head that records an image by ejecting ink onto the recording material, and the recording material conveying device according to claim 1 is provided with respect to the ink jet head. The recording material is provided downstream in the conveyance direction of the recording material.

  The electrophotographic printer of the present invention further comprises an image transfer unit for transferring a toner image formed by an electrophotographic method to the recording material, and the recording material conveying apparatus according to claim 1. The recording material is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material with respect to the image transfer unit.

  The recording material conveying apparatus of the present invention is provided with a plurality of conveying roller pairs along a curved conveying path, which are composed of a recording surface side roller in contact with the recording surface side of the recording material and a back surface side roller in contact with the back surface side of the recording material. And a conveyance guide for guiding the recording material to the conveyance roller pair on the downstream side in the conveyance direction is provided at least on the recording surface side of the recording material, and is provided on the recording surface side. The guide end on the downstream side in the transport direction of the transport guide is disposed at a position closer to the transport path than the roll center axis of the recording surface side roller adjacent thereto, and the guide end on the upstream side in the transport direction, Since the recording paper sheet is conveyed along the conveyance guide, only the leading edge and the trailing edge of the recording paper sheet are in contact with the conveyance guide. It can be. As a result, damage to the recording surface of the recording material can be prevented. Further, since it is not necessary to buff the recording surface side of the conveyance guide, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Since the conveyance guide on the side facing the recording surface of the recording material is bent in a substantially square shape, the recording surface of the recording material can be similarly prevented from being damaged.

  Since the bent portion of the conveyance guide is formed in an R shape, it is possible to prevent the leading edge or trailing edge of the recording material from being caught.

  Since the guide end portion of the conveyance guide formed in the comb shape is arranged so as to sink into between the rollers of the recording surface side roller of the skewer shape, the recording surface of the recording material is the edge of the guide end portion. It is possible to prevent rubbing.

  Since a plurality of ribs extending in the recording material conveyance direction are formed on the surface of the conveyance guide that faces the recording surface of the recording material, the recording surface of the recording material can be similarly prevented from being damaged.

  Since the end of the rib on the downstream side in the conveyance direction is formed in an R shape, it is possible to prevent the recording surface of the recording material from being similarly damaged.

  Since the height of the rib is 0.2 to 0.4 mm, it is possible to prevent the wrinkle from being generated at the apex of the rib.

  In the photographic printer of the present invention, since the recording material conveying device is provided on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the recording material with respect to the drying device for drying the recording material after the development processing, the recording material recording is similarly performed. No scratches on the surface.

  In the ink jet printer of the present invention, since the recording material transport device is provided downstream of the ink jet head in the transport direction of the recording material, the recording surface of the recording material is similarly prevented from being damaged.

  In the electrophotographic printer of the present invention, the recording material conveying device is provided on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the recording material with respect to the image transfer unit, so that the recording surface of the recording material may be similarly damaged. Disappear.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a photographic printer (printer processor) 10 using the conveying device of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the photographic printer 10 is roughly composed of a printer 12 and a processor 13. Each unit of the photographic printer 10 is connected to the control unit 15 via a wiring (not shown), and the operation of the entire photographic printer 10 is controlled by the control unit 15.

  The printer 12 records an image while conveying the recording material in the sub-scanning direction (conveyance direction). The supply unit 17, the back printing unit 18, the skew correction unit 19, the exposure unit 20, and the sub-scanning receiving unit 21. , The distribution unit 22, the carry-out unit 23, and the like.

  The supply unit 17 is set with magazines 27a and 27b in which a recording paper roll 26 obtained by winding the photosensitive recording paper 25 in a roll shape is stored. In each magazine 27a, 27b, a pair of paper feed rollers 28a, 28b for pulling out the photosensitive recording paper 25 and transporting it toward the back printing unit 18 is provided. When the paper feed roller pair 28a, 28b is rotationally driven by a paper feed motor (not shown), the photosensitive recording paper 25 is pulled out from the recording paper roll 26 and fed toward the cutters 30a, 30b.

  The cutters 30a and 30b are respectively arranged with the conveyance path of the photosensitive recording paper 25 interposed therebetween. When the leading end of the photosensitive recording paper 25 is fed out by a predetermined length from the cutters 30a and 30b, a cutter driving mechanism (not shown) is activated. Then, the photosensitive recording paper 25 is cut into a recording paper sheet 35 having a predetermined length. Instead of providing two cutters, a single cutter may be arranged in the vicinity of the back printing unit 18. In the cutters 30a and 30b, the cut recording paper sheet 35 is fed along the conveyance path indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure by a plurality of conveyance roller pairs arranged in the conveyance path, and the back printing unit 18 and the skew correction unit 19. , Exposure unit 20, sub-scanning receiving unit 21, sorting unit 22, and carry-out unit 23 in this order.

  The back print unit 18 includes a back print head 37 that records print information such as a photograph date, print date, frame number, and various IDs on the back surface (the surface opposite to the recording surface) of the recording paper sheet 35. As the back print head 37, a known print head such as a dot impact head, an ink jet head, or a thermal transfer print head is used.

  The skew correction unit 19 includes a registration roller pair 39 that corrects the tilt of the recording paper sheet 35 and a plurality of rollers disposed before and after the registration roller pair 39 in order to prevent exposure position / angle deviation in the exposure unit 20. This is composed of a pair of conveying rollers. As a skew correction method using the registration roller pair 39, a known method can be used. For example, methods described in JP-A-60-153358 and JP-A-11-349191 can be applied.

  The exposure unit 20 includes an exposure unit 41, a sub-scanning roller pair 42, 43, and the like. Although not shown, the exposure unit 41 includes a known laser printer and an image memory. The image memory stores image data read by a film scanner (not shown) or from a recording medium such as a memory card (not shown). The laser printer scans recording light (laser light) whose intensity is modulated corresponding to the image to be recorded in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction, and exposes the image on the recording paper sheet 35. The nip rollers of the sub-scanning roller pairs 42 and 43 can be switched between a position where the recording paper sheet 35 is sandwiched and a position where the recording paper sheet 35 is separated from the recording paper sheet 35. It is switched when it is detected. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the conveyance speed of the recording paper sheet 35 from changing during the exposure.

  The sub-scan receiving unit 21 includes a plurality of roller pairs that hold the leading end portion of the recording paper sheet 35 sent out from the exposure unit 20 during exposure, and is at the same speed as the conveyance speed of the exposure unit 20. 35 is sent to the downstream side in the transport direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the downstream side). Each conveyance roller pair of the sub-scanning receiving unit 21 includes a driving roller and a nip roller capable of releasing the nip, and does not nip the recording paper sheet 35 during exposure recording, and the nip roller moves when the exposure recording at the rear end is completed. Then, the recording paper sheet 35 is nipped and conveyed to the sorting unit 22.

  The sorting unit 22 sorts the recording paper sheets 35 conveyed in a single row into a plurality of rows in the main scanning direction according to the sheet size while conveying the recording paper sheets 35 at a predetermined first speed. For example, when a normal size or small size recording paper sheet 35 is conveyed, sorting is performed in two rows, and when a large size recording paper sheet that cannot be conveyed in two rows is conveyed, it is conveyed as it is in a single row. Let The allocating unit 22 is configured as a replaceable unit, and a component having a capacity corresponding to the processing speed of the photographic printer 10 is detachably set. Further, the carry-out unit 23 conveys the recording paper sheet 35 sent from the distribution unit 22 to the processor 13 at a second speed corresponding to the processing speed of the processor 13.

  The processor 13 includes a development processing unit 46, a drying processing unit 47, a conveyance path switching unit 48, a return unit 49, a sorter 50, and the like. The recording paper sheet 35 sent out from the printer 12 is indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure. The inside of the processor 13 is transported along the transport path shown. The development processing unit 46 is provided with a developing tank 52, a bleach-fixing tank 53, and a water washing tank 54 in order from the upstream side. A developing solution is stored in the developing tank 52, a bleach-fixing solution is stored in the bleach-fixing tank 53, and a predetermined amount of cleaning water is stored in the washing tank 54. The recording paper sheet 35 is conveyed through the processing tanks 52 to 54, whereby the recording paper sheet 35 is subjected to each of development, fixing, and washing processes.

  The drying processing unit 47 is disposed above each of the processing tanks 52 to 54, and includes a conveyance belt and a blower duct (not shown). The blower duct blows dry air heated by a heater (not shown) onto the recording paper sheet 35 being transported on the transport belt. As a result, the washing water adhering to the recording paper sheet 35 is removed when the washing tank 54 is washed. The dried recording paper sheet (photo print) 35 is conveyed to a conveyance path switching unit 48 provided in the upward direction in the drawing at the outlet of the drying processing unit 47.

  The transport path switching unit 48 transports the normal size recording paper sheets 35 transported in two rows to the return unit 49, and when the large size recording paper sheets 35 are transported in a single row, the transport path The large-size recording paper sheet 35 is conveyed to the tray 55 attached to the switching unit main body 48a. The transfer path switching unit 48 is an application of the transfer apparatus of the present invention, and includes two bent transfer paths, which will be described in detail later. The reversing unit 49 conveys the recording paper sheets 35 conveyed in two rows back to a single row, and has a reversing processing capability corresponding to the processing capability of the photographic printer 10 (for example, a reversing unit). A fast return speed, a non-returned one, etc.) are set to be exchangeable. The sorter 50 collectively outputs a plurality of recording paper sheets 35 sent from the returning unit 49 for each print job.

  Next, the conveyance path switching unit 48 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a receiving port 56 that receives the recording paper sheet 35 sent from the drying processing unit 47 is formed on the lower surface of the switching unit main body 48 a of the transport path switching unit 48 in the drawing. Further, on the right side surface of the switching unit main body 48a in the drawing, a first delivery port 58 for sending the normal size recording paper sheets 35 conveyed in two rows to the returning unit 49 is formed. Above the delivery port 58, a second delivery port 59 for feeding the large size recording paper sheet 35 to the tray 55 is formed. In addition, a first transport path 61 for transporting the normal size recording paper sheet 35 from the receiving port 56 to the first sending port 58 is provided in the switching unit main body 48a. From the middle of the path 61, a second conveyance path 62 for conveying the large size recording paper sheet 35 to the second delivery port 59 is branched.

  In the first transport path 61, first to third transport roller pairs 65 to 67 and a high-speed feed roller pair 69 are sequentially arranged from the upstream side between the receiving port 56 and the first delivery port 58. The first transport path 61 extends vertically upward from the receiving port 56 and is bent in the vicinity of the first delivery port 58 so as to extend in a substantially horizontal direction. Each roller pair 65-67, 69 is arranged along the 1st conveyance path 61 which bends. In addition, a switching guide 71 is disposed between the second conveyance roller pair 66 and the third conveyance roller pair 67, and the conveyance path is switched according to the size of the recording paper sheet 35.

  The first to third transport roller pairs 65 to 67 are respectively first to third capstan rollers 65a to 67a that are rotationally driven by a transport motor (not shown), and first to third nip rollers 65b to 67b that are driven rollers. The capstan rollers 65 a to 67 a and the nip rollers 65 b to 67 b are arranged so as to sandwich the first conveyance path 61. Here, although not shown, a belt is laid on the first to third capstan rollers 65a to 67a, and they are driven to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed. The high-speed feed roller pair 69 also includes a high-speed drive roller 69a and a high-speed nip roller 69b. Since the high-speed drive roller 69a can rotate at a higher speed than the first to third capstan rollers 65a to 67a, the time for feeding the recording paper sheet 35 to the swing-back portion 49 can be shortened. Here, the high-speed driving roller 69 a is rotated at the same speed as the first to third capstan rollers 65 a to 67 a until the rear end side of the recording paper sheet 35 is fed from the third conveying roller pair 67. The Alternatively, the third conveyance roller pair 67 may be configured as a free roller at the moment when it is sandwiched between the high-speed delivery roller pair 69.

  As described above, the second conveyance path 62 branches from the switching guide portion 71 arranged in the middle of the first conveyance path 61 toward the second delivery port 59, and the second delivery port 59 extends from the switching guide portion 71 to the second delivery port. 59 to 59, fourth to sixth transport roller pairs 73 to 75 are arranged. Similarly to the first transport path 61, the second transport path 62 is bent so as to extend in the substantially horizontal direction in the vicinity of the second delivery port 59, so the fourth to sixth transport roller pairs 73 to 75 are It arrange | positions along with the 2nd conveyance path 62 so that it may be bent. Here, the fourth to sixth transport roller pairs 73 to 75 are basically the same as the first to third transport roller pairs 65 to 67, and sandwich the second transport path 62, respectively. The fourth to sixth capstan rollers 73a to 75a and the fourth to sixth nip rollers 73b to 75b are arranged as described above.

  The switching guide portion 71 includes, for example, a switching guide 78, an arm member 79 fixed to the switching guide 78, and a solenoid 80 connected to the other end of the arm member 79. The switching guide 78 is formed of a resin material, and the first guide surface 78a that guides the recording paper sheet 35 to the first transport path 61 side and the second guide that guides the recording paper sheet 35 to the second transport path 62 side. A surface 78b is formed. The driving of the solenoid 80 is controlled by the control unit 15 (see FIG. 1). Accordingly, the control unit 15 drives the solenoid 80 according to the size of the recording paper sheet 35 to rotate the switching guide 78, so that the recording paper sheet 35 is moved along the first conveyance path 61 and the second conveyance path 62. And can be transported. Note that it is preferable to provide a detection sensor or the like on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the switching guide 78 so that the size of the recording paper sheet 35 conveyed can be detected.

  Between the receiving port 56, the first to third transport roller pairs 65 to 67, the high-speed feed roller pair 69, and the fourth to sixth transport roller pairs 73 to 75, the recording paper sheet 35 fed from the upstream side respectively. First to sixth conveyance guides 82 to 87 for guiding the leading end to a pair of conveyance rollers on the downstream side are provided. As the first to sixth transport guides 82 to 87, metal and resin can be used. However, in this embodiment, as described above, SUS (stainless steel) is used because it is easy to process and hardly rusts. Steel) is used. Each of the conveyance guides 82 to 87 includes first to sixth recording surface side guides 82a to 87a disposed on the recording surface side of the recording paper sheet 35, and first to sixth back surface side guides disposed on the back surface side thereof. 82b-87b. The third recording surface guide 84a and the third back surface guide 84b are disposed so as to sandwich the switching guide 78.

  The first transport path 61 is formed by the first to fourth transport guides 82 to 85 and the switching guide 78, and the second transport path is formed by the third, fifth and sixth transport guides 84, 86, 87 and the switching guide 78. In this embodiment, the second conveyance roller pair 67 and the high-speed feed roller pair 69, the second conveyance roller pair 66 and the fourth conveyance roller pair 73, and the fourth conveyance roller are formed. The conveyance path is largely bent at a total of four locations between the roller pair 73 and the fifth conveyance roller pair 74 and between the fifth conveyance roller pair 74 and the sixth conveyance roller pair 75. Therefore, when the recording paper sheet 35 is conveyed along the third to sixth conveyance guides 84 to 87 arranged between these roller pairs, the recording surface (emulsion surface) of the recording paper sheet 35 and the The third to sixth recording surface guides 84a to 87a may be rubbed and the recording surface may be damaged. In particular, as in this embodiment, when the recording paper sheet 35 before printing is stored in the form of the recording paper roll 26 (see FIG. 1), the recording paper sheet 35 is wound around the roll. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the recording surface and the third to sixth recording surface guides 84a to 87a are rubbed.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the arrangement and shape of the third to sixth recording surface guides 84a to 87a are adjusted so that the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 is not damaged. Hereinafter, the shape and arrangement of the sixth recording surface guide 87a will be described as an example.

  The sixth recording surface guide 87a has a downstream guide end 90a disposed closer to the second conveyance path 62 than the roller central axis of the sixth nip roller 75b, and an upstream guide end. 90b is disposed at a position farther from the second conveyance path 62 than the roller central axis of the fifth nip roller 74b. That is, the sixth recording surface guide 87a is inclined and arranged so as to approach the second transport path 62 from the upstream fifth nip roller 74b toward the downstream sixth nip roller 75b. By disposing the sixth recording surface guide 87a at an angle, the leading edge of the recording paper sheet 35 sent out from the fifth conveying roller pair 74 first contacts the sixth recording surface guide 87a, and then the sixth recording surface guide 87a. While sliding on the recording surface guide 87a, it is guided to the sixth conveying roller pair 75. Similarly, when the rear end side of the recording paper sheet 35 is sent out from the fifth transport roller pair 74, the rear end side slides on the sixth recording surface guide 87a to the sixth transport roller pair 75. Guided.

  Further, when the leading edge and the trailing edge of the recording paper sheet 35 are guided by the sixth conveying roller pair 75, the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 is prevented from coming into contact with the sixth recording surface guide 87a. The sixth recording surface guide 87a is bent in a generally U shape so that the side facing the recording surface is concave. Further, the bent portion 87c of the sixth recording surface guide 87a has an R shape and prevents the leading edge or the trailing edge of the recording paper sheet 35 from being caught. As a method for forming such a shape, for example, there are methods such as press working and drawing. Although the entire sixth recording surface guide 87a may be processed into an R shape, it is preferable that only a part of the sixth recording surface guide 87a has an R shape in terms of processing accuracy and cost. The sixth recording surface guide 87a is disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the second conveyance path 62, and its shape is bent into a generally U shape so that only the leading edge and the trailing edge of the recording paper sheet 35 are the first. 6 Touches the recording surface guide 87a. This prevents the recording surface from slidingly contacting the sixth recording surface guide 87a.

  Further, by arranging the sixth recording surface guide 87a in the above-described arrangement and shape, the occurrence of rubbing between the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 and the sixth recording surface guide 87a is considerably suppressed, but the guide end portion 90a thereof is If the recording paper sheet 35 is formed in a linear shape parallel to the width direction (main scanning direction), a gap is generated between the guide end 90a and the sixth nip roller 75b. As a result, as described above, the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 may be rubbed with the edge of the guide end portion 90a.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the sixth nip roller 75b is a skewer roller, and the guide end 90a of the sixth recording surface guide 87a is comb-shaped according to the shape of the sixth nip roller 75b. Form. Then, the arrangement of the sixth recording surface guide 87a and the sixth nip roller 75b is adjusted so that the convex portion of the guide end 90a formed in the comb shape is embedded between the rollers of the skewer-shaped sixth nip roller 75b. .

  Further, a plurality of ribs 95 parallel to the conveyance direction of the recording paper sheet 35 are formed in the width direction of the recording paper sheet 35 on the surface of the sixth recording surface guide 87 a that faces the recording paper sheet 35. At this time, it is preferable that at least one rib 95 is formed on each convex portion of the guide end portion 90a. Further, if each rib 95 is formed so as to penetrate the end side of the guide end portion 90a, the end side becomes a wave shape. Therefore, when the recording paper sheet 35 is conveyed, the recording surface may be scratched by rubbing against the wavy edge. In order to prevent this, in the present embodiment, at least the rib end portion 95a on the downstream side of each rib 95 is formed in front of the end side of the guide end portion 90a, and the rib end portion 95a is formed in an R shape. Keep it.

  Further, since the rib 95 is usually formed by drawing processing, if it is excessively high, drawing wrinkles occur at the apexes, and the recording surface is likely to be damaged. Further, when the rib 95 is buffed and polished, man-hours and time are required. Therefore, as shown in the sectional view of the sixth recording surface guide 87a in FIG. 4, the rib 95 is formed so that t1 = 0.2 to 0.4 mm when the height of the rib 95 is t1. Yes. In this embodiment, when the thickness of the sixth recording surface guide 87a is t2, and the width of the rib 95 is t3, t2 = 0.8 to 1.0 mm and t3≈6.0 mm. The rib 95 is formed so that its height t1 is in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 mm. Further, the rolling direction of the material is set in a direction parallel to the rib 95. As a result, the occurrence of drawing wrinkles can be suppressed, and the number of buffing steps and time can be reduced.

  The convex portion of the comb-shaped guide end portion 90 a is not in contact with the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 because the convex portion of the comb-shaped guide end portion 90 a has entered between the rollers of the skew-shaped sixth nip roller 75 b. Further, since the ribs 95 are formed on the respective convex portions of the guide end portion 90a, the concave portion of the guide end portion 90a is prevented from contacting the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35. That is, the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 is not in contact with the edge of the guide end portion 90a, so that the recording surface is prevented from being damaged.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the third to fifth recording surface guides 84a to 86a are basically inclined with respect to the respective transport paths 61 and 62, similarly to the sixth recording surface guide 87a. The shape is bent into a generally square shape. Note that the inclination angle when the third to sixth recording surface guides 84a to 87a are inclined and the bending angle when the third to sixth recording surface guides 84a to 87a are bent into a dogleg shape are the shape of each of the transport paths 61 and 62, the recording paper, and the like. In accordance with the type (thickness and stiffness) of the sheet 35, the optimum angle is adjusted so as not to rub against the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35.

  Further, the nip rollers 69b, 73b, 74b on the downstream side of the third to fifth recording surface guides 84a to 86a are skewer rollers, and the guide end portions 90a of the recording surface guides 84a to 86a are formed in a comb shape. Thus, the convex portions of the guide end portions 90a formed in the comb shape are embedded between the rollers of the skewer-shaped nip rollers 69b, 73b, and 74b. Here, although not shown in FIG. 2, the third to fifth recording surface guides 84a to 86a are also formed with a plurality of ribs 95 similar to the sixth recording surface guide 87a.

  Next, the operation of the photographic printer 10 having this configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6. FIG. When the user gives a print instruction, the control unit 15 pulls out the photosensitive recording paper 25 by a predetermined length from the magazines 27a and 27b loaded in the supply unit 17 and drives the cutters 30a and 30b as shown in FIG. Thus, the recording paper sheet 35 is formed. The recording paper sheet 35 is adjusted in skew by a skew correction unit 19 after predetermined information such as photographing information is recorded by the back printing unit 18. The recording paper sheet 35 that has passed through the skew correction unit 19 is conveyed to the exposure unit 20, and an image is scanned and exposed by laser light modulated based on the image data.

  The recording paper sheet 35 on which image recording has been completed passes through the sub-scan receiving unit 21 and is sent to the distribution unit 22. In the sorting unit 22, when the normal size or small size recording paper sheet 35 is conveyed, the sorting unit 22 performs sorting into two rows, and when the large size recording paper sheet 35 that cannot be conveyed in two rows is conveyed, It is conveyed in a single row as it is. Here, in this description, it is assumed that the recording paper sheet 35 is a normal size. The recording paper sheets 35 distributed in two rows pass through the carry-out unit 23 and are conveyed to the processor 13.

  The recording paper sheet 35 conveyed to the processor 13 is subjected to development, fixing, and washing processes in the developing tank 52, the bleach-fixing tank 53, and the water washing tank 54, and then conveyed to the drying processing unit 47. The drying processing unit 47 blows dry air heated by a heater onto the recording paper sheet 35 to remove the cleaning water adhering to the recording paper sheet 35. The dried recording paper sheet 35 is conveyed to a conveyance path switching unit 48 provided in the upward direction in the drawing at the outlet of the drying processing unit 47.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording paper sheet 35 conveyed to the conveyance path switching unit 48 is conveyed from the receiving port 56 into the switching unit main body 48a. At this time, the control unit 15 drives the solenoid 80 so that the normal size recording paper sheets 35 conveyed in two rows are conveyed along the first conveyance path 61 to the first delivery port 58. The switching guide 78 is rotated clockwise in the figure. The recording sheet 35 conveyed into the switching unit main body 48 a is sequentially conveyed between the first to third conveyance roller pairs 65 to 67 along the first conveyance guide 82, the second conveyance guide 83, and the switching guide 78. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the leading edge of the recording paper sheet 35 sent out from the third conveying roller pair 67 first comes into contact with the fourth recording surface guide 85a. Here, FIG. 5A and FIGS. 5B to 5C and FIGS. 6A to 6B described later are transported between the third transport roller pair 67 and the high-speed delivery roller 69. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state of a recording paper sheet 35. FIG. 5 and 6 show only one row of recording paper sheets 35, the other rows are conveyed in exactly the same manner, and are not shown.

  Even after the leading edge of the recording paper sheet 35 contacts the fourth recording surface guide 85a, the conveyance by the third conveyance roller pair 67 continues. Since the fourth recording surface guide 85a is disposed to be inclined with respect to the first conveyance path 61 and the shape thereof is bent in a generally U shape, the leading edge of the recording paper sheet 35 is the fourth side. While sliding on the recording surface guide 85a, it is guided to the high-speed feed roller pair 69 (see FIG. 5B). At this time, since only the front end side of the recording paper sheet 35 contacts the fourth recording surface guide 85a, the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 is prevented from being damaged. Further, the guide end portion 90a of the fourth recording surface guide 85a is formed in a comb shape, the comb-shaped guide end portion 90a is inserted between the rollers of the skew-shaped high-speed nip roller 69b, and further the fourth recording surface guide. Since a plurality of ribs 95 (see FIG. 3) are formed on the surface facing the recording paper sheet 35 of 85a, the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 is scratched by the edge of the guide end portion 90a of the fourth recording surface guide 85a. Can be prevented. The recording paper sheet 35 guided by the high-speed feed roller pair 69 is nipped by the high-speed feed roller pair 69 and further conveyed toward the first discharge port 58 (see FIG. 2) on the downstream side (see FIG. 2). 5 (c)).

  Next, when the conveyance of the recording paper sheet 35 is continued and the trailing edge is sent out from the third conveying roller pair 67, only the trailing edge is the fourth recording surface as shown in FIG. It contacts the guide 85a. When the trailing edge of the recording paper sheet 35 is sent out from the third conveying roller pair 67, the high-speed sending roller pair 69 is driven to rotate at high speed, and the recording paper sheet 35 is sent out from the first sending-out port 58. At this time, the rear end side of the recording paper sheet 35 is also guided to the high-speed feeding roller pair 69 while sliding on the fourth recording surface guide 85a (see FIG. 6B). Since only the rear end side of the recording paper sheet 35 is in contact with the fourth recording surface guide 85a and the guide end portion 90a, the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 is prevented from being damaged.

  When the recording paper sheet 35 is transported along the fourth transport guide 85, only the leading edge and the trailing edge are in contact with the fourth recording surface guide 85a, and the recording surface is in contact with the fourth recording surface guide 85a. Since it does not contact, the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 is prevented from being damaged. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, when the large-sized recording paper sheet 35 is conveyed along the third, fifth, and sixth recording surface guides 84a, 86a, and 87a on the second conveying path 62, Similarly, the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 is not damaged.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the recording paper sheets 35 sent out in two rows from the first delivery port 58 are turned back to a single row in the return portion 49 and sent to the sorter 50. The sorter 50 collects a plurality of recording paper sheets 35 for each print job and then outputs them to the outside of the photo printer 10.

  The present invention is not limited to the inside of the conveyance path switching unit 48, but is arranged in a conveyance path that is bent so that the recording surface side of the recording paper sheet 35 is convex in each part in the photographic printer 10. It can be applied to a conveyance guide (recording surface side guide). For example, in FIG. 1, the conveyance path for conveying the recording paper sheet 35 dried by the drying processing unit 47 to the upper conveyance path switching unit 48 is bent so that the recording surface side is convex. Therefore, although not shown in the drawings, when a conveyance guide for guiding the recording paper sheet 35 from the drying processing unit 47 to the conveyance path switching unit 48 is provided, the recording surface side guide of this conveyance guide is the above-described third guide. The arrangement and shape may be the same as those of the sixth recording surface side guides 84a to 87a.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to a photographic printer, and may be applied to various printers in which a conveyance path for conveying a recording material is bent, for example, a thermal printer, a thermal transfer printer, an inkjet printer, an electrophotographic printer, and the like. It is possible to apply. Further, the present invention can also be applied to a photographic printer that directly records an image with projection light from a film.

  As a specific example, as shown in FIG. 7, a case where the present invention is applied to an ink jet printer 101 including an ink jet head 100 instead of the exposure unit 20 and the development processing unit 46 (see FIG. 1) will be described. Here, FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of the ink jet printer 101. The same members as those of the photographic printer 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Similar to the photographic printer 10, the inkjet printer 101 is provided with a conveyance path switching unit 48 in the upward direction of the exit of the drying processing unit 47, and the internal conveyance path is convex on the recording surface side of the recording paper sheet 35. It is bent to become. For this reason, the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 comes into contact with the first to sixth conveyance guides 103 to 108 in the conveyance path switching unit 48, particularly the third to sixth conveyance guides 105 to 108, so that the recording surface is damaged. There is a risk that.

  Accordingly, the third to sixth conveyance guides 105 to 108 are arranged and shaped in the same manner as the third to sixth conveyance guides 84 to 87 (see FIG. 2) of the photographic printer 10 described above, so that the recording sheet 35 Can be prevented from coming into contact with the third to sixth conveyance guides 105 to 108. Here, although the drying processing unit 47 is provided in the inkjet printer 101, the present invention is not limited to this, and the drying processing unit 47 may not be provided. In this case, the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 and the third to sixth conveyance guides 105 to 108 are not in contact with each other, so that there is no possibility that the recording surface is similarly damaged.

  Next, a case where the present invention is applied to the electrophotographic printer 110 shown in FIG. 8 will be described. The electrophotographic printer 110 includes paper trays 112a and 112b, pickup rolls 113a and 113b, an image transfer unit 114, a first fixing unit 115, a second fixing unit 116, and a main body that store recording paper sheets 35 having different sizes. The conveyance path switching unit 117, the returning unit 118, the sorter 119, and the conveyance roller pair and the conveyance guide arranged along the conveyance path (two-dot chain line in the drawing) of the invention are configured.

  The image transfer unit 114 is arranged along an endless intermediate transfer belt 121 that is stretched and rotated by a plurality of stretching rolls, and is arranged along the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 121. Yellow, magenta, cyan, black The electrophotographic image forming units 122 a, 122 b, 122 c and 122 d for forming the respective color toner images, the belt cleaning unit 123 and the secondary transfer roll 124 facing the intermediate transfer belt 121, and the backup roll 125 are configured. Each of the electrophotographic image forming units 122a to 122d includes a photosensitive drum 127, a charging roll 128, a developing unit 129, a primary transfer roll 130, a drum cleaning unit 131, and a charge eliminating roll 132, respectively. ing.

  At the time of printing, electrostatic latent images corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black images are formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 126. Each electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image by the developing unit 129 and is sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 121 by the pressing force of the primary transfer roll 130 to form a full-color toner image. In addition, the recording paper sheet 35 is fed from one of the paper trays 112 a and 112 b at a predetermined timing, and is conveyed between the secondary transfer roll 124 and the backup roll 125. Then, the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 121 is transferred onto the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 by the pressing force of the secondary transfer roll 124.

  The recording paper sheet 35 to which the full color toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the first fixing unit 115. In the first fixing unit 115, the toner image on the recording paper sheet 35 is primarily fixed by heating and pressing. Next, the recording paper sheet 35 is conveyed to the second fixing unit 116, and the toner image on the recording paper sheet 35 that has been primarily fixed by heating and pressurization is secondarily fixed. Thereafter, the recording paper sheet 35 is conveyed to a conveyance path switching unit 117 disposed in the upward direction of the second fixing unit 116 in the drawing.

  Even in the conveyance path switching unit 117, the conveyance path is bent so that the recording surface side of the recording paper sheet 35 is convex, so that the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 after fixing may be damaged. Therefore, the second to fifth transport guides 131 to 134 among the first to fifth transport guides 130 to 134 in the transport path switching unit 117 are replaced with the third to sixth transport guides 84 to 87 of the photographic printer 10 (FIG. 2), the second to fifth transport guides 131 to 134 and the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 can be prevented from coming into contact with each other. As a result, there is no possibility that the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 will be damaged as in the case of the photographic printer 10 and the inkjet printer 101 described above.

  Thus, by using the conveyance device (conveyance path switching unit) of the present invention, only the leading edge and the trailing edge of the recording paper sheet 35 are in contact with the conveyance guide and the recording surface is not in contact with each other. In various printers such as the printer 10, the inkjet printer 101, and the electrophotographic printer 110, the recording surface of the recording paper sheet 35 can be prevented from being damaged.

1 is a schematic view of a photographic printer using a conveyance device of the present invention. It is the schematic of the conveyance switching part of a photographic printer. It is the perspective view which looked at the guide end part of the conveyance direction downstream of the conveyance guide arrange | positioned in the conveyance switching part, and the nip roller which adjoins this guide end part from the downward direction. It is sectional drawing of the rib formed in the conveyance guide. (A) is a state in which the leading edge of the recording paper sheet is sent out from the upstream roller pair, (b) is a state in which the leading edge of the recording paper sheet is guided by the downstream roller pair, and (c). FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the leading end portion of the recording paper sheet is held between a pair of rollers on the downstream side. (A) shows a state in which the trailing edge of the recording paper sheet is fed out from the upstream roller pair, and (b) shows a state in which the trailing edge of the recording paper sheet is guided by the downstream roller pair. FIG. It is the schematic of the inkjet printer using the conveying apparatus of this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an electrophotographic printer using the conveyance device of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Photo printer 12 Printer 13 Processor 35 Recording paper sheet 48 Conveyance switching part 61 1st conveyance path 62 2nd conveyance path 65-67 1st-3rd conveyance roller pair 69 High-speed sending roller pair 71 Switching guide part 74-75 4th To sixth conveyance roller pair 78 switching guides 82 to 87 first to sixth conveyance guides 84a to 87a third to sixth recording surface guides 90a guide end portions 95 ribs

Claims (10)

A plurality of conveying roller pairs each comprising a recording surface side roller in contact with the recording surface side of the recording material and a back surface side roller in contact with the back surface side of the recording material are provided along the bent conveying path. In the middle of the recording material conveyance device, the conveyance guide for guiding the recording material to the conveyance roller pair on the downstream side in the conveyance direction is provided at least on the recording surface side.
The conveyance guide provided on the recording surface side is disposed such that a guide end portion on the downstream side in the conveyance direction is closer to the conveyance path than the roller central axis of the recording surface side roller that is adjacent to the conveyance guide. An apparatus for conveying a recording material, characterized in that the guide end on the upstream side in the conveying direction is disposed at a position farther from the conveying path than the roller central axis of the adjacent recording surface side roller.   2. The recording material conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying guide is bent in a substantially square shape so that a side facing the recording surface of the recording material is concave.   3. A recording material conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the bent portion of the conveying guide bent into the substantially square shape is formed in an R shape.   The recording surface side roller is a skewer roller, and at least the guide end on the downstream side in the transport direction of the transport guide is formed in a comb shape in accordance with the shape of the skewer roller. 4. A recording material conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a conveying guide is arranged so that the formed guide end portion is embedded between the rollers of the skewer roller.   5. A plurality of ribs parallel to the recording material conveyance direction are formed on a surface of the conveyance guide facing the recording surface of the recording material in the width direction of the recording material. The recording material conveying apparatus as described.   6. The recording material conveying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an end portion of the rib on the downstream side in the conveying direction is a guide end portion on the downstream side in the conveying direction, and is formed in an R shape.   7. A recording material conveying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the rib has a height of 0.2 to 0.4 mm. An exposure device that exposes an image to the recording material, a development processing device that develops the exposed recording material, and a drying device that dries the recording material after development processing,
8. A photographic printer, wherein the recording material conveying device according to claim 1 is provided downstream of the drying device in the conveying direction of the recording material. An inkjet head for recording an image by discharging ink to the recording material;
8. An ink jet printer, wherein the recording material conveying device according to claim 1 is provided downstream of the ink jet head in the conveying direction of the recording material. An image transfer unit for transferring a toner image formed by electrophotography to the recording material;
8. An electrophotographic printer, wherein the recording material conveying device according to claim 1 is provided downstream of the image transfer unit in the conveying direction of the recording material.

Images