JP2006082973A - Sheet body sucking and carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely take out a plurality of sheet bodies with different width dimensions and provide a device therefore economically especially by effectively simplifying its structure. <P>SOLUTION: This sucking and carrying device 30 comprises suction cups 54a and 54b disposed according to cumulative fluorescent body sheets 16 and 16a with different width dimensions, a driving mechanism 56 integrally moving the suction pads 54a and 54b, a sucking mechanism 58 allowed to communicate with the suction pads 54a and 54b for sucking, and a sucking restriction mechanism 60 restricting the sucking of any suction pad 54b among the suction pads 54a and 54b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet body adsorbing and transferring device that can adsorb and take out a sheet body.

  An X-ray photographic film is known as an image recording medium for recording a radiation image of a human body or the like. Also, instead of an X-ray photographic film, irradiation with radiation (X-rays, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.) accumulates part of the radiation energy, and later laser light or visible light A stimulable phosphor sheet having a stimulable phosphor layer that exhibits stimulated light emission according to accumulated energy by irradiating excitation light such as the like is also frequently used.

  These image recording media (sheet bodies) are usually handled in a state of being stored in a light-shielding cassette or magazine. The cassette is configured to store sheet-like image recording media one by one. In a system in which this cassette is used, for example, a cassette loading unit for loading a cassette in which an image record carrier in which radiation image information is recorded in advance is loaded, and a radiographic image carried on the image record carrier taken out from the cassette A cassette type image information reading apparatus is adopted which incorporates a reading unit for reading information and an erasing unit for erasing radiation image information remaining on the image record carrier.

  This type of image information reading apparatus is provided with a sheet-fed mechanism for taking out the image record carrier from the cassette and returning the image record carrier after the reading and erasing processing into the cassette.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the single-wafer mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a tubular body 3 constituting the suction device 2 attached to the tip of the rotating arm 1 and is flexible at one end of the tubular body 3. The suction plate 4 is mounted. A through hole 5 is formed in the tubular body 3, and the through hole 5 communicates with the internal space 4 a of the suction cup 4 through the hole 6. A lid 7 capable of sealing the through hole 5 is provided at the other end of the tubular body 3. The lid 7 is attached to the tip of an arm 9 that is rotated by a rotary solenoid 8.

  In such a configuration, when the suction device 2 is brought close to a sheet-like object (not shown) with the lid 7 being swung to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line, the suction disk 4 is brought into contact with the sheet-like object and deformed. To do. Here, the arm 7 is rotated to close the lid 7. For this reason, the inside of the suction device 2 is hermetically sealed, and the sheet-like material is sucked through the suction disk 4.

  Further, under the rotating action of the rotating arm 1, the suction device 2 is displaced in a state where the sheet-like object is adsorbed, and the sheet-like object is taken out. Next, when the lid 7 is opened, the sheet-like material is detached from the suction disk 4.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 63-112336 (FIG. 2)

  By the way, when the above-described single wafer mechanism is used for taking out various sheet-like materials having different width dimensions, a configuration in which a plurality of suction devices 2 are arranged according to the width dimensions of the sheet-like materials is employed. . At that time, in order to reduce the manufacturing cost, a single wafer mechanism with a further simplified structure is desired.

  The present invention relates to this type of single-wafer mechanism, and provides an economical sheet body adsorbing and transporting apparatus that can reliably take out a plurality of sheet bodies having different width dimensions and that can effectively simplify the configuration. For the purpose.

  The present invention is a sheet body adsorption transfer device that can adsorb and take out a sheet body. The sheet body suction transfer device includes a plurality of suction plates arranged along a width direction of the sheet body according to a plurality of sheet bodies having different width dimensions, and the plurality of suction plates along a desired locus. A drive mechanism that moves integrally, a suction mechanism that communicates with the plurality of suction disks, and suction of an arbitrary suction disk among the plurality of suction disks according to the width dimension of the sheet body A suction regulating mechanism.

  The suction mechanism includes a suction tube connected to each suction plate, and the suction restriction mechanism presses a flexible suction tube connected to a suction plate that is not used for suction of a sheet body having a small width dimension. A closing member that can be closed is provided, and the closing member is urged according to the width dimension of the sheet body, and when the sheet body having a large width dimension is adsorbed, the suction pipe is opened, while the width dimension is small. The suction pipe is closed when the sheet body is adsorbed. Thereby, the adsorption | suction defect of the sheet | seat body by an air leak can be prevented.

  Further, the plurality of sheet bodies having different width dimensions are image recording carriers accommodated in the plurality of cassettes having different width dimensions, and the closing member is engaged only with the cassette having a large width dimension from the closing position of the suction pipe. Displace to open position. For this reason, it becomes possible to prevent the adsorption | suction defect of a sheet | seat body with a small width dimension.

  In the present invention, when a sheet body having a large width is adsorbed, the plurality of adsorbing disks integrally suck the sheet body under the action of the suction mechanism, so that the sheet body can be firmly adsorbed. The sheet member can be reliably taken out via the drive mechanism.

  On the other hand, when sucking a sheet body having a small width dimension, suction of an arbitrary suction disk is restricted under the action of the suction restriction mechanism. As a result, negative pressure breakage is not caused in the suction disk that is not used for suction of the sheet body, and it is possible to efficiently perform the operation of taking out various sheet bodies having different width dimensions with a simple and economical configuration. Become.

  FIG. 1 is an internal configuration diagram of an image reading apparatus 10 to which a sheet body adsorption / transfer apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  The image reading apparatus 10 includes a cassette loading unit 14 in an upper portion of a casing 12, and an image recording medium in which radiation image information is accumulated and recorded in a loading port 15 formed in the cassette loading unit 14, for example, accumulation property. A cassette 18 (18a) containing a phosphor sheet (sheet body) 16 (16a) is loaded. The cassette 18a is smaller in width than the cassette 18, and the stimulable phosphor sheet 16a accommodated in the cassette 18a is wider than the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) accommodated in the cassette 18. Is small. The cassette 18 (18a) includes a main body 20 that houses the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a), and a lid member 24 that forms an opening 22 for allowing the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) to be taken in and out. ing.

  An unlocking mechanism 28 for unlocking the lid member 24 of the cassette 18 (18a) and a cassette 18 (18a) with the lid member 24 opened are provided at a position close to the loading port 15 inside the image reading apparatus 10. The adsorbing and transferring phosphor sheet 16 (16a) from the adsorbing and transferring device 30 (sheet member adsorbing and transferring device) 30 and the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) taken out by the adsorbing and transferring device 30 are sandwiched. A nip roller 32 for conveyance is disposed. The lock release mechanism 28 has a lock release pin 29 that is inserted into the cassette 18 (18a) to release a cassette lock means (not shown).

  A plurality of transport rollers 34 a to 34 h and a plurality of guide plates 36 a to 36 i are arranged in series with the nip roller 32, and a curved transport path 38 is configured by these. Between the nip roller 32 and the conveyance roller 34a, an erasing unit 39 for erasing radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) after the reading process is disposed. The erasing unit 39 has an erasing light source 41 such as a cold cathode tube that outputs erasing light.

  Near the center of the image reading apparatus 10, a scanning unit 40 is provided that scans the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16 a) by deriving a laser beam L that is excitation light. The scanning unit 40 includes a laser oscillator 42 that outputs a laser beam L, a polygon mirror 44 that is a rotating polygon mirror that deflects the laser beam L in the main scanning direction of the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a), and a laser beam L. And a reflection mirror 46 that reflects the light to the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 that passes through the guide plate 36e.

  A reading unit 48 is disposed between the transport roller 34e and the scanning unit 40. The reading unit 48 has one end connected to the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) on the guide plate 36e and the other end of the light collecting guide 50, and is connected to the stimulable fluorescence. A photomultiplier 52 that converts the stimulated emission light obtained from the body sheet 16 into an electrical signal.

  Next, the structure of the adsorption transfer device 30 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The suction transfer device 30 includes a plurality of, for example, two suction disks 54a and 54b arranged in accordance with a plurality of different types of storage phosphor sheets 16 (16a), for example, two suction disks 54a and 54b, and the suction disk 54a. , 54b integrally moving along a desired locus, a suction mechanism 58 communicating with the suction disks 54a, 54b, and a width dimension of the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a). Accordingly, a suction restricting mechanism 60 for restricting the suction of an arbitrary suction disk 54b among the suction disks 54a and 54b is provided.

  The adsorption transfer device 30 is provided with side plates 62a and 62b that are separated by a predetermined distance in the direction of arrow F that intersects the direction in which the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) is taken out (direction of arrow E). A motor 64 that constitutes the drive mechanism 56 is fixed to the side plate 62a, and a drive gear 66 is attached to the drive shaft 64a of the motor 64. A gear train 68 composed of a plurality of gears meshes with the drive gear 66 and is fixed to the gear train 68 on one end side of the rotary shaft 70.

  The rotating shaft 70 extends in the direction of the arrow F and is supported at both ends by the side plates 62a and 62b. A swivel arm 74 is fixed to both ends of the rotating shaft 70, and one end of a link 76 is slidably connected to the protruding end of the swivel arm 74.

  In order to move the suction plates 54a, 54b to the side plates 62a, 62b along the desired conveyance path with respect to the suctioned surface (back surface opposite to the recording surface) of the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a), Guide grooves 78 and 80 are provided. The guide grooves 78 and 80 are respectively set in a predetermined shape, and the first support shaft 84 corresponding to the guide grooves 78 and 80 is provided at both ends of the movable arm member 82 to which the suction disks 54a and 54b are attached. And the 2nd spindle 86 is fixed. The first support shaft 84 protrudes outward from the guide groove 78 and engages with the other end of the link 76.

  One end of the flexible pipes 88a and 88b constituting the suction mechanism 58 is connected to the suction boards 54a and 54b, and the other end of the pipes 88a and 88b generates a vacuum such as a suction pump (not shown). Connected to the source. Only the conduit 88b may be made of a flexible material. The pipes 88a and 88b form a loop portion corresponding to the moving range of the suction disks 54a and 54b and are held on the receiving table 90. The cradle 90 is fixed to the side plate 62a, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the swing arm 92 constituting the suction restricting mechanism 60 is detachable to the conduit 88b. The oscillating arm 92 is engaged with a support shaft 94 at one end side and can swing about the support shaft 94 as a fulcrum. The support shaft 94 is fixed to the side plate 62a or 62b, for example. An engagement portion 96 is provided at one end of the swing arm 92, and this engagement portion 96 can be engaged only with the large-size cassette 18.

  Specifically, the swing arm 92 is engaged with the large-sized cassette 18 at a position that does not engage with the small-sized cassette 18a with respect to the arrow F direction and the arrow E direction, and has a predetermined rotation range. It is arranged at a position where it can only swing.

  The swing arm 92 is provided with a pin 98 below the support shaft 94, and a spring 100 is interposed between the pin 98 and the cradle 90. The swing arm 92 is always urged in the direction of arrow G when no external force is applied to the engaging portion 96, and the pressing portion 102 provided at the other end of the swing arm 92 is connected to the pipe line 88b. Is pressed against the cradle 90 to close the pipe 88b. When the large-size cassette 18 comes into contact with the engaging portion 96, the pressing portion 102 is separated from the conduit 88b, and the conduit 88b is opened.

  The suction transfer device 30 according to the present embodiment and the image reading device 10 incorporating the suction transfer device 30 are configured as described above. Next, the operation thereof will be described.

  First, the cassette 18 (18a) containing the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) in which the radiation image information is recorded is supplied to the image reading device 10. The cassette 18 (18a) is loaded into the loading port 15 of the cassette loading unit 14 with the lid member 24 facing downward. The lid member 24 is unlocked via the lock release mechanism 28.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, when a small-sized cassette 18 a is loaded into the loading port 15, the small-sized cassette 18 a is not engaged with the swing arm 92 constituting the suction restriction mechanism 60. Absent. For this reason, the swing arm 92 is urged in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 3 via the elastic force of the spring 100, and the pressing portion 102 closes the pipe 88b to restrict the suction by the suction disk 54b. The

  On the other hand, when the large-size cassette 18 is loaded into the loading port 15, the large-size cassette 18 comes into contact with the engaging portion 96 of the swing arm 92 as shown in FIGS. The portion 96 swings within a predetermined angle range with the support shaft 94 as a fulcrum. Accordingly, the pressing portion 102 of the swing arm 92 swings in the direction of arrow H (see FIG. 3), the pressing force to the pipe line 88b is released, and the pipe line 88b is opened. Thereby, the suction disks 54a and 54b can be sucked.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, in the drive mechanism 56, the rotary shaft 70 rotates in a predetermined direction via the drive gear 66 and the gear train 68 under the drive action of the motor 64. Therefore, the swivel arms 74 fixed to both ends of the rotating shaft 70 swivel, and the movable arm member 82 connected to each swivel arm 74 via the link 76 is moved under the guide action of the guide grooves 78, 80. 18 (18a) side.

  The movable arm member 82 is provided with suction plates 54a and 54b. The suction plates 54a and 54b are desired with respect to the suction surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) in the cassette 18 (18a). It moves along the transport trajectory. Next, in a state where the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 is sucked and held by the suction plates 54a and 54b or only by the suction plate 54a, the motor 64 constituting the drive mechanism 56 is reversed. Driven.

  For this reason, the movable arm member 82 and the suction plates 54a and 54b integrally move outward from the cassette 18 (18a), and the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) in the cassette 18 (18a) , Taken out from the cassette 18 (18a). At substantially the same time as the tip of the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) taken out from the cassette 18 (18a) is sandwiched between the nip rollers 32, the stimulable phosphor by the suction plates 54a and 54b (or only the suction plate 54a). The suction holding of the sheet 16 (16a) is released.

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1, the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16 a) is transported vertically downward under the rotating action of the nip roller 32. The stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) is conveyed by a curved conveyance path 38 including conveyance rollers 34a to 34h and guide plates 36a to 36i.

  The stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) is sub-scanned and conveyed between the conveyance rollers 34d and 34e, and the stimulable phosphor is emitted in the main scanning direction in which the laser beam L emitted from the scanning unit 40 is orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction. The sheet 16 (16a) is scanned. That is, the laser beam L output from the laser oscillator 42 is reflected and deflected by the polygon mirror 44 that rotates at a high speed, and then guided to the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16 a) through the reflection mirror 46.

  On the other hand, the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) irradiated with the laser beam L outputs stimulated emission light according to the radiation image information stored and recorded. The stimulated emission light is guided to a photomultiplier 52 that constitutes the reading unit 48 via a light collecting guide 50 that is disposed close to the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) in the main scanning direction.

  Thus, the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) from which the radiation image information has been read is conveyed to the conveying roller 34h side, and then conveyed in the reverse direction by the curved conveying path 38, and is disposed between the conveying roller 34a and the nip roller 32. Is accommodated in the cassette 18 (18a) through the erase unit 39.

  At this time, the erasing light source 41 constituting the erasing unit 39 is turned on, and the erasing light to be output is irradiated onto the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a), whereby the remaining radiation energy is removed. The cassette 18 (18a) containing the stimulable phosphor sheet 16 (16a) from which the radiation energy has been removed is taken out of the image reading apparatus 10 and then used for photographing the next radiation image information.

  In this case, in the present embodiment, a plurality of, for example, two suction disks 54a and 54b that are separated by a predetermined distance in the direction of the arrow F are provided corresponding to the stimulable phosphor sheets 16 and 16a having different width dimensions. Yes. A suction regulating mechanism 60 is provided for adsorbing the large-sized stimulable phosphor sheet 16 by the suction disks 54a and 54b, and adsorbing the small-sized stimulable phosphor sheet 16a only by the suction disk 54a. Yes.

  Therefore, negative pressure breakage is not caused in the suction disk 54b that is not used for suction of the small-sized stimulable phosphor sheet 16a, and the work of taking out the stimulable phosphor sheets 16, 16a having different width dimensions is performed. The effect of being able to perform efficiently through 54a and 54b is acquired.

  Further, the suction restricting mechanism 60 includes, for example, a swing arm 92 as a closing member that always closes the conduit 88b. The swing arm 92 is loaded with a small-size cassette 18a in the loading port 15. When being done, the cassette 18a is not engaged. For this reason, in a state where the small-size cassette 18 a is loaded in the loading port 15, the pipe line 88 b connected to the suction plate 54 b is pressed by the elastic force of the spring 100 engaged with the swing arm 92. It is blocked by 102. Thereby, even if the adsorption board 54b is separated from the stimulable phosphor sheet 16, the stimulable phosphor sheet 16a can be reliably adsorbed and held via the adsorption board 54a.

  On the other hand, when the large-size cassette 18 is loaded into the loading port 15, the cassette 18 abuts on the engaging portion 96 of the swing arm 92, and the swing arm 92 is swung in the direction of arrow H in FIG. Move. Accordingly, the pressing portion 102 is separated from the pipe line 88b and the pipe line 88b is opened, and suction by the suction disk 54b becomes possible.

  As a result, a swing arm 92 that engages only with the large-sized cassette 18 is provided, and the suction of the suction plate 54b is restricted only by mechanically closing and opening the conduit 88b with the swing arm 92. be able to. Therefore, in this embodiment, the suction restriction mechanism 60 can be configured easily and economically.

  In the present embodiment, the suction restriction mechanism 60 including the swing arm 92 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an open / close valve is provided in each of the pipes 88a and 88b, and when a small cassette 18a is loaded, it is detected via a sensor (a variety of known sensors are used), and the pipe is based on the detection signal. You may comprise so that the on-off valve by the side of the path 88b may be closed.

1 is an internal configuration diagram of an image reading apparatus to which a sheet body suction transfer device of the present invention is applied. It is principal part perspective explanatory drawing of the said sheet | seat body adsorption | suction transfer apparatus. It is a side view of the attraction | suction control mechanism which comprises the said sheet | seat adsorption | suction transfer apparatus. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the said suction control mechanism. It is explanatory drawing of the single wafer mechanism of patent document 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image reading device 14 ... Cassette loading part 16, 16a ... Stimulable phosphor sheet 18, 18a ... Cassette 30 ... Adsorption transfer device 34a-34h ... Conveyance rollers 36a-36i ... Guide plate 39 ... Erase unit 40 ... Scanning unit 48 ... Reading units 54a, 54b ... Suction plate 56 ... Driving mechanism 58 ... Suction mechanism 60 ... Suction regulating mechanism 64 ... Motor 88a, 88b ... Pipe 92 ... Oscillating arm 96 ... engaging part 100 ... spring 102 ... pressing part

Claims (3)

A sheet body adsorption transfer device that can adsorb and take out a sheet body,
A plurality of suction disks disposed along the width direction of the sheet body according to a plurality of sheet bodies having different width dimensions;
A drive mechanism for integrally moving the plurality of suction disks along a desired locus;
A suction mechanism that communicates with the plurality of suction plates and performs suction;
Among the plurality of suction disks according to the width dimension of the sheet body, a suction restriction mechanism that regulates the suction of an arbitrary suction disk,
A sheet body adsorption transfer device comprising: The sheet body adsorption transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the suction mechanism includes a suction pipe connected to each suction disk,
The suction regulating mechanism is provided with a closing member that can be closed by pressing a flexible suction tube connected to a suction disk that is not used for suction of a sheet body having a small width dimension,
The closing member is urged according to the width dimension of the sheet body, and when the sheet body having a large width dimension is adsorbed, the suction pipe is opened, while the sheet body having a small width dimension is adsorbed. A sheet adsorbing and transferring device, wherein a suction tube is closed. The sheet body adsorption / transfer apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of sheet bodies having different width dimensions are image record carriers accommodated in a plurality of cassettes having different width dimensions,
The closing member is engaged only with a cassette having a large width and is displaced from a closing position of the suction tube to an open position.

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