JP2006018159A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recorder capable of making the quality of an output object stable for avoiding conveyance troubles caused by the curl due to winding of the edge part of photosensitive recording material due to the influence of environment, and to prevent sensitizing of the photosensitive recording material. <P>SOLUTION: In the image recorder, a cartridge in which sheet type photosensitive paper is wound in a roll state and housed is loaded, and the photosensitive paper pulled out from the cartridge is fed by predetermined length, cut by a cutter part and further conveyed, and an image is formed on the photosensitive paper in an image forming part, then the photosensitive paper is outputted. The feeding date of the photosensitive paper and the replacement history information of the cartridge are stored, and the lapse of the predetermined time from the previous feeding time of the photosensitive paper or replacing time of the cartridge is monitored, and the manual processing of the edge of the photosensitive paper by a user is urged by an informing means, after a predetermined time has elapsed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus in which a cartridge containing a sheet-shaped photosensitive recording material wound in a roll is loaded.

  In an image recording apparatus in which a sheet-like photosensitive recording material is pulled out from a cartridge, cut into a predetermined length by a cutter, and conveyed by a conveying means such as a pair of conveying rollers, the photosensitive recording material can be used without increasing the loss (waste) of the photosensitive recording material. In order to increase the feeding accuracy, the photosensitive recording material pulled out to the cutter is once exposed (printed), then stopped at the position where it was sent to the cutter without being rewound into the cartridge, and kept in that state. Was. In this way, when the next photosensitive recording material is cut, it is not necessary to transport the photosensitive recording material that has been rewound in the cartridge again, and when the next photosensitive recording material is cut and transported, The responsiveness is increased and the dimensional accuracy of the cut photosensitive recording material is improved.

  However, when the photosensitive recording material is loaded in the cartridge and has not been used for a long time, the leading edge of the photosensitive recording material pulled out of the cartridge is bent due to environmental influences, etc. In addition, there is a need for leading edge processing that causes light covering and cuts the leading edge of the photosensitive recording material before the next processing.

The image recording apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 manages the time to stop using the magazine loaded in the magazine chamber, maintains the responsiveness of the apparatus, and prevents optical fog, increase / decrease, and bending of the photosensitive material tip. Then, in order to minimize the waste (loss) of the photosensitive material, a time management means for managing the use stop time from the end of use of the magazine to the start of the next use is provided, and the use stop time of the magazine However, when a predetermined set time set in advance is reached or when the predetermined set time is exceeded, an output signal is output, and the roller pair is used as a rewind signal for rewinding the photosensitive material into the magazine. However, this image recording apparatus requires automatic rewinding of the photosensitive material based on the output signal, and the control becomes complicated.
JP 2003-295330 A

  In view of the above-described problems of the prior art, the present invention avoids conveyance troubles caused by bending of the leading edge of the photosensitive recording material due to environmental influences and the like, and prevents the sensitization of the photosensitive recording material and improves the quality of the output. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus which can be stabilized.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image recording apparatus according to the present invention is loaded with a cartridge in which a sheet-like photosensitive recording material is wound and accommodated in a roll, and the photosensitive recording material drawn out from the cartridge has a predetermined length. An image recording apparatus for feeding and cutting the photosensitive recording material after further feeding, forming an image on the photosensitive recording material at an image forming unit, and outputting the photosensitive recording material. And storage means for storing cartridge replacement history information, monitoring means for monitoring the passage of a predetermined time from the previous feeding of the stored photosensitive recording material or the replacement of the cartridge, and the passage of the predetermined time And a notification means for informing the user to prompt the user to manually process the leading edge of the photosensitive recording material.

  According to this image recording apparatus, the feeding date and time of the photosensitive recording material and the cartridge replacement history information are stored, and when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous feeding of the photosensitive recording material or the cartridge replacement. In addition, it is possible to urge the front end processing of the photosensitive recording material manually, and by performing the front end processing by the user, it is possible to avoid a conveyance trouble due to bending of the front end portion of the photosensitive recording material due to environmental influences, etc. This prevents the sensitization of the photosensitive recording material and stabilizes the quality of the output. Furthermore, since control can be performed only by storing information and monitoring the passage of a predetermined time, the control system of the apparatus is simplified.

  It is preferable that the predetermined time can be arbitrarily set in the image recording apparatus. Further, it is preferable that the validity / invalidity of the operation by the monitoring unit and the notification unit can be selected.

  The notification means preferably includes at least one of a display unit, an indicator lamp, and a sound generation unit, and can notify the user with a display or sound to prompt the tip processing.

  Further, the monitoring means and the notification means operate regardless of whether the apparatus power is on or off, and thus continue monitoring for a predetermined time even when the apparatus power is turned off, and manually process the leading edge of the photosensitive recording material. Can be urged.

  According to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to avoid a conveyance trouble caused by bending of the leading end portion of the photosensitive recording material due to environmental influences and the like, and to prevent sensitization of the photosensitive recording material and to stabilize the quality of the output material.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the entire image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view of the inside of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 1 as viewed from the front side. FIG. 3 is a plan view of an essential part of a feeding unit including a pair of conveyance rollers and a cutter unit of the image recording apparatus of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image recording apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes an exposure unit 11 that exposes a sheet-like photosensitive recording material to form an image, a developing unit 21 that develops the exposed photosensitive recording material, Is provided.

  The exposure unit 11 displays various types of information, and an operation display unit 2 including a touch panel capable of inputting various types of information for operation of the entire apparatus, and a front end process of the photosensitive recording material is provided in the vicinity of the operation display unit 2. A warning sound generator 48 for generating an alarm sound such as a buzzer sound to inform the user of the necessity, and a dedicated cartridge 13 containing a photosensitive paper, which is a sheet-like photosensitive recording material wound inside a roll. The first and second loading sections 12 and 12 'that can be loaded after the paper feed covers 3 and 4 are opened, and the open / close door 5a that can be opened and closed by grasping the handle 5b from the front of the apparatus. Prepare.

  The development unit 21 includes an upper panel 6 that can be opened and closed for maintenance, and a replenishment panel 7 that is provided on the front surface so as to be opened and closed for replenishment of a developing solution or the like.

  Further, when the cartridge 13 is loaded into the loading sections 12 and 12 ′ of the image recording apparatus 1 for replacement or the like, the paper feed covers 3 and 4 are opened as shown in FIG. , 4 are closed. An open / close detection sensor 61 (FIG. 6) whose contact is mechanically turned on / off in response to the opening / closing of the paper feed covers 3 and 4 is provided in the paper feed covers 3 and 4 or the loading sections 12 and 12 ′. By detecting the opening and closing of the paper feed covers 3 and 4 by 61, the replacement of the cartridge 13 can be detected. Note that the open / close detection sensor 61 may be constituted by an optical sensor or the like.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a groove 13a is provided at a predetermined position on the bottom surface of the cartridge 13 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 13 (perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3). When performing a leading edge process for cutting the leading edge of the photosensitive paper drawn out from the cartridge 13, the cartridge 13 is removed from the loading sections 12 and 12 ', and then the leading edge of the photosensitive paper as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. With the portion S1 being along the bottom surface of the cartridge 13, the tip portion S1 can be manually cut to a predetermined length by aligning the cutter with the groove 13a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the exposure unit 11 of the image recording apparatus 1 includes a first transport roller pair 40, 41 that feeds photosensitive paper from the cartridge 13 loaded in the loading unit 12, 12 ′ to the drum 10, and the first. A feeding unit 14 including two conveying roller pairs 42 and the like is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the feeding unit 14 is further disposed between the first conveyance roller pair 40 and the second conveyance roller pair 42 and guides the photosensitive paper being conveyed. A guide member 45, a second guide member 46 disposed between the other first transport roller pair 41 and the second transport roller pair 42 for guiding the photosensitive paper being transported, and the first transport roller A cutter unit 43 disposed between the pair 40 and the inlet side of the first guide member 45; a cutter unit 44 disposed between the first transport roller pair 41 and the second guide member 46; Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an exit sensor 51 and an exit sensor 52 are arranged in the vicinity of the exit of the photosensitive paper from the cartridges 13 of the loading sections 12 and 12 ′, respectively. The exit sensors 51 and 52 are reflective or transmissive optical sensors. It detects the presence or absence of photosensitive paper.

  Further, a relatively narrow driven roller 47 is arranged in the vicinity of the downstream side of the second conveying roller pair 42, and is driven to rotate as the photosensitive paper moves. In addition, the driven roller 53 is arranged to rotate following the rotation of the drum 10, and the photosensitive paper conveyed from the second conveying roller pair 42 and the driven roller 47 is sandwiched between the driven roller 53 and the drum 10. And wind around the outer periphery of the drum 10.

  Further, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 3, the rotary encoder 54 is coaxially connected to the driven roller 47, and detects the amount of rotation of the driven roller 47 rotated by the movement of the photosensitive paper, and based on the detected amount of rotation. The length of the photosensitive paper that has passed through the second conveying roller pair 42 and passed through the driven roller 47 can be measured.

  The first and second transport roller pairs 40, 41, and 42 are rotationally driven by a pulse motor that operates based on the input operation pulse signal, and the first transport roller pair 40, 41 among them is a pulse motor 56 (FIG. 6). ).

  3 are located in the vicinity of the downstream side of the first conveying roller pair 40, 41 and in the vicinity of the respective inlet sides of the first guide member 45 and the second guide member 46, respectively. The paper is cut into a predetermined length at a predetermined timing.

  The exposure unit 11 further rotates for main scanning while vacuum-sucking and holding the photosensitive paper conveyed from the conveying roller pair 42 and passing through the reference roller 47 to the driven roller 53 to the outer peripheral surface. A drum 10 rotating in the direction R, an optical unit 16 for exposing a light beam such as LED light or laser light to photosensitive paper on the drum 10 based on image data, and the optical unit 16 for sub scanning for sub scanning. The sub-scanning unit 17 that conveys in the direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2), the peeling member 18a that peels off the photosensitive paper on the drum after image recording, and the guide unit that guides the peeled photosensitive paper to the conveying roller pair 55 15. The exposed photosensitive paper is conveyed to the developing unit 21 through the outlet 19 and the connecting portion 19a.

  The developing unit 21 of the image recording apparatus 1 in FIG. 2 performs wet development on the exposed photosensitive paper sent from the exposure unit 11, and includes a developing unit 23 that performs development processing of the photosensitive paper and a fixing that performs fixing processing. Unit 24, stabilizing unit 25 that performs stabilization processing, drying unit 26 that performs drying processing, discharging unit 27 that discharges and outputs the dried photosensitive paper to the outside by a pair of conveying rollers 27 a, and the output photosensitive paper And an accumulating unit 28 for accumulating

  3 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a front view of the cutter unit of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a top view of the main part of the cutter unit of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cutter unit 43 rotates while moving in the width direction T of the photosensitive paper S in FIG. 5 or in the opposite direction T ′ to rotate the photosensitive paper linearly in the width direction. The photosensitive paper S extends in the width direction and is fixed so that the photosensitive paper S indicated by a broken line can be sandwiched between the cutter 43a, the motor 43c that rotationally drives the rotary cutter 43a, and the rotary cutter 43a. And a linear fixing portion 43b.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the photosensitive paper S enters the inlet 43 d of the cutter unit 43 from the upstream conveying roller pair 40, exits the outlet 43 e, and is conveyed to the inlet 45 a of the first guide member 45. . Then, it passes through the first guide member 45 and is further transported between the drum 10 and the driven roller 53 by the second transport roller pair 42, but the length of the photosensitive paper S that has passed through the transport roller pair 42. 3 is measured, and when the photosensitive paper S reaches a predetermined length, the conveyance by the conveyance roller pair 40, 42 is stopped, and the rotary cutter unit 43a of FIG. 5 is connected to the motor 43c and one end of the fixed unit 43b. The photosensitive paper S is cut linearly in the width direction while moving in one direction in the direction T or T ′ from the side. The other cutter unit 44 is configured in the same manner as the cutter unit 43, and rotates the rotary cutter unit by a motor 44a (FIG. 6) to cut the photosensitive paper from the second loading unit 12 '.

  FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a control system of the image recording apparatus 1 of FIG. The control unit 50 of the image recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 6 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and the like, calculates the length of the photosensitive paper based on the rotation amount of the driven roller 47 measured by the rotary encoder 54, and generates a motor. A cutter driving signal is sent to 43c and 44a to operate the cutter units 43 and 44 to cut the photosensitive paper into a predetermined length.

  The control unit 50 stores the time when the cutter driving signal is sent to the motors 43c, 44a of the cutter units 43, 44 in the memory 57 such as a hard disk storage device as photosensitive paper feeding date / time information, and detects opening / closing. The time when the closing signal from the sensor 61 due to the opening and closing of the paper feed covers 3 and 4 of the loading sections 12 and 12 ′ is detected is stored in the memory 57 as the replacement date / time information of the cartridge 13.

  In addition, when the image is recorded on the photosensitive paper, the control unit 50 sets a predetermined elapsed time that has elapsed from the date and time information of the operation of the above-described cutter units 43 and 44 stored in the memory 57 or replacement of the cartridge 13. It is determined whether or not the time is exceeded, and when the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time, the operation display unit 2 displays that the leading edge processing of the photosensitive paper is necessary, and controls the warning sound generation unit 48, By generating an alarm sound from the warning sound generator 48, it is possible to notify the user that manual processing of the leading edge of the photosensitive paper is necessary.

  Next, the operation steps S01 to S16 of the image recording apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 to 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the cartridge 13 is loaded for replacement in the loading section 12 or 12 ′ of FIGS. 1 to 3 (S 01). The opening / closing detection sensor 61 detects the opening / closing of the paper feed covers 3 and 4 at this time, and the replacement of the cartridge 13 is detected, and the replacement date and time is stored in the memory 57 (S02).

  On the other hand, when image data is input to the image recording apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 to 6 (S03), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the replacement date of the cartridge 13 (S04). Is passed, the alarm sound is generated from the warning sound generation unit 48 (S05) and displayed on the operation display unit 2 (S06), so that the user needs to manually process the leading edge of the photosensitive paper. Inform.

  Next, the user notified by the above means stops the apparatus, removes the cartridge 13 from the loading section 12 or 12 '(S07), and the front end of the photosensitive paper that has come out of the cartridge 13 as shown in FIG. The tip processing is performed by manually cutting the part S1 with the groove 13a (S08).

  Then, after the cartridge 13 is loaded again into the loading unit 12 or 12 ′, the photosensitive paper is fed from the cartridge through the feeding unit 14 by the conveying roller pair 40 or 41, and further toward the drum 10 by the conveying roller pair 42. Feed (S09). If the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S04, the photosensitive paper is fed from the cartridge toward the drum 10.

  Next, the length of the photosensitive paper is measured by the rotary encoder 54 coaxially connected to the driven roller 47 on the downstream side of the conveying roller pair 42. When the photosensitive paper reaches a predetermined length, the conveyance is stopped, and the photosensitive paper is removed. Cut by the cutter unit 43 or 44 (S10). The operation date and time of the cutter unit 43 or 44 is stored in the memory 57 (S11).

  Next, the cut photosensitive paper is further conveyed between the drum 10 and the driven roller 53, wound around the drum 10, and a suction blower (not shown) is operated to make the inside of the drum 10 have a negative pressure. The photosensitive paper is vacuum-sucked and held on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 10, and a light beam is exposed to the photosensitive paper on the drum 10 from the optical unit 16 (S12). During this exposure, the drum 10 is rotated in the rotation direction R to perform main scanning, and the optical unit 16 is sub-scanned by the sub-scanning unit 17, thereby recording an image on photosensitive paper based on the image data.

  After the above-described image recording, the peeling member 18 a approaches the drum 10 and peels the photosensitive paper from the drum 10, and then guides the photosensitive paper to the guide unit 15. When the photosensitive paper S is conveyed while being guided by the guide portion 15 and reaches the conveyance roller pair 53, the photosensitive paper is sent to the outlet 19 by the conveyance roller pair 53 and further conveyed to the connecting portion 19a between the developing unit 21. (S13).

  Next, in the development unit 21, the development unit 23, the fixing unit 24, the stabilization unit 25, and the drying unit 26 perform development processing on the exposed photosensitive paper sent from the outlet 19 through the connection unit 19a (S14). The photosensitive paper on which the image is recorded is output from the discharge unit 27 to the stacking unit 28 by the conveying roller pair 27a or the like (S15).

  If there is next image data (S16), if there is sufficient photosensitive paper remaining in the cartridge 13 and cartridge replacement is not necessary, the process returns to step S03, and when the image data is input, the cutter unit 43 stored in step S11 described above. Alternatively, in step S04, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the previous operation date / time of 44 has passed a predetermined time, and thereafter the same steps are repeated.

  The leading edge of the photosensitive paper in the cartridge loaded in step S01 or the leading edge of the photosensitive paper on the cartridge 13 side cut in step S10 is removed from the cartridge 13 for a relatively long time after loading of the cartridge 13 or after the previous cutting. If the cutters 43 and 44 are pulled out, the leading edge of the photosensitive paper may be bent due to the influence of the environment or the like, and the leading edge of the photosensitive paper may be covered with light. According to the image recording apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 to 7, when a predetermined time elapses after the cartridge 13 is loaded or after the previous operation of the cutter unit, the operation display unit 2 and the warning sound generating unit 48 To the user, and the user can cut the leading edge of the photosensitive paper manually to remove the bent and / or light-covered portion and execute the leading edge processing. In, can be avoided conveyance troubles such as jamming caused by the habit bending of the tip portion of the photosensitive paper, also it can stabilize the quality of the output product to prevent sensitization of the photosensitive sheet.

  Also, the image recording apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 stores time information of cartridge replacement and recording paper cutting operations, monitors the passage of time based on the stored time information, and performs actual tip processing manually. Therefore, the burden on the control unit 50 is reduced, the control system is simplified, and high costs can be avoided.

  Also, the monitoring and notification of the passage of time in steps S04 to S06 in FIG. 7 is executed regardless of whether the apparatus power is on or off. Therefore, even if the apparatus power is off, FIG. Regardless of whether or not image data is input, it is possible to continue monitoring the passage of time and to prompt the user to manually process the leading edge of the photosensitive paper by the operation display unit 2 or the warning sound generation unit 48. If the photosensitive paper feeding operation is performed before the predetermined time has elapsed, the date / time information stored in step S11 in FIG. 7 is reset and the new cut date / time information is stored.

  As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, in FIG. 1, a warning light emitting unit 49 made up of a light emitting diode (LED) in which red light, yellow light or the like blinks for warning may be further arranged in the vicinity of the operation display unit 2 as notification means. Further, the notification means for prompting the leading edge processing of the photosensitive paper can be configured by any one or two of the operation display unit 2, the warning sound generation unit 48, and the warning light emitting unit 49.

  Further, the monitoring and notification of the passage of time in steps S04 to S06 can be enabled and operated or disabled and not operated depending on the selection on the operation display unit 2.

  In addition, the predetermined time described above can be set in the control unit 50 by an input operation on the operation display unit 2, and can be changed as appropriate in response to environmental fluctuations such as temperature and humidity.

  In FIG. 7, the time (cut date / time) at which the cutter driving signal is sent is stored in the memory 57 as the photosensitive paper feed date / time information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the time when the roller driving signal is sent to the first conveying roller pair pulse motor 56 may be stored in the memory 57 as the photosensitive paper feeding date / time information.

  Further, after the lapse of a predetermined time, instead of processing the leading edge of the recording paper, it may be displayed on the operation display unit 2 or the like that prompts replacement of the cartridge.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an entire image recording apparatus according to an embodiment. It is the figure which looked at the inside of the image recording device of FIG. 1 from the front side. FIG. 3 is a plan view of main parts of a feeding unit including a pair of conveyance rollers, a cutter unit, and the like of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 2. It is a front view of the cutter part of FIG. It is a principal part top view of the cutter part of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the image recording apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image recording apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 to 6.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image recording apparatus 2 Operation display part (notification means)
3, 4 Paper feed cover 10 Drum (image forming unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Exposure unit 12,12 'Loading part 13 Cartridge 13a Groove 14 Feeding part 21 Developing unit 40 Conveying roller pair 40, 41, 42 Conveying roller pair 43, 44 Cutter part 43c, 44a Cutter part motor 48 Warning sound generating part ( Notification means)
49 Warning light emitting part (notification means)
50 Control unit (monitoring means)
54 Rotary encoder 56 Pulse motor for conveying roller pair 57 Memory 61 Open / close detection sensor S Photosensitive paper S1 Tip of photosensitive paper

Claims (5)

A cartridge containing a sheet-shaped photosensitive recording material wound in a roll is loaded, the photosensitive recording material drawn out from the cartridge is fed by a predetermined length, cut by a cutter unit, and further conveyed, An image recording apparatus for forming an image on a photosensitive recording material in an image forming unit and outputting the photosensitive recording material,
Storage means for storing photosensitive recording material feeding date and time and cartridge replacement history information;
Monitoring means for monitoring elapse of a predetermined time from the time of feeding the stored photosensitive recording material or the replacement of the cartridge;
An image recording apparatus comprising: notifying means for notifying a user after the predetermined time has elapsed so as to prompt the user to manually process the leading edge of the photosensitive recording material. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time can be arbitrarily set. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein valid / invalid of the operation by the monitoring unit and the notification unit can be selected. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit includes at least one of a display unit, an indicator lamp, and a sound generation unit. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit and the notification unit operate regardless of whether the apparatus power is on or off.

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