JP2009285871A - Image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording apparatus capable of sucking and holding a recording medium on the surface of moving table and easily changing a sucking and holding area with a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: When printing paper is sucked by all sucking holes on a surface plate, a bearing 225 of a moving plate moving mechanism 206 is lowered in advance. Thereby, the bearing 225 is successively brought into contact with a taper part 214R on a moving plate 211, a taper part 215R on a moving plate 212, and a taper part 216R on a moving plate 213, and moves three pieces of the moving plates 211, 212, and 213 to a communicating position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium that moves while being attracted and held by a table.

  For example, in a general ink jet type image recording apparatus, an image is recorded by reciprocating a recording head having an ink jet nozzle with respect to a recording medium such as a printing paper placed on a table. . At this time, the recording medium is sucked and held on the table (see Patent Document 1).

  However, in an image recording apparatus having such a configuration, the time for recording an image on a single recording medium becomes long, so that high-speed and large-volume printing such as printing using a general printing machine is required. Printing cannot be performed.

On the other hand, the recording medium is conveyed using conveying means such as a roller and a belt, and ink is transferred onto the moving recording medium from a large number of inkjet nozzles arranged in a direction intersecting with the conveying direction of the recording medium. An image recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium by ejecting a liquid has been proposed (see Patent Documents 2 to 6).
JP 2007-144848 A JP-A-2-80269 JP-A-2-187355 JP-A-4-219264 JP 2005-131929 A JP 2004-314605 A

  When a method of conveying the recording medium using a conveying unit such as a roller or a belt is employed, it is difficult to accurately hold the recording medium on the conveying unit. Therefore, when such a method is adopted, it is impossible to execute high-precision printing. For this reason, it is conceivable to record an image with a recording head on a recording medium that moves together with the table by holding the recording medium with a recording medium holding means such as a table and moving the table.

  In the case of adopting such a configuration, it is necessary to provide a suction holding function for sucking and holding the recording medium to the moving table, which makes the configuration complicated. In particular, in the case of adopting a configuration in which the table is moved along the circular path, the pipe for exhaust is twisted, so that it is difficult to exhaust the table from the outside. Furthermore, it is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the suction holding area can be changed according to the size of the recording medium.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. Although the configuration is simple, the recording medium can be sucked and held on the surface of the moving table, and the suction holding area can be easily changed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of performing the above.

  The invention according to claim 1 is formed between a front plate having a plurality of suction holes for holding a recording medium by suction, a back plate having a plurality of communication holes, and between the front plate and the back plate. A main body composed of a plurality of chambers each communicating with the suction hole and the communication hole, and an opening corresponding to the communication hole formed in the back plate is formed, with respect to the surface of the back plate A table provided with a movable plate that is slidable between a communicating position where the communicating hole and the opening face each other by sliding and a closed position where the communicating hole and the opening do not face; A moving mechanism for moving the table; a recording medium supply mechanism for supplying a recording medium to the table while the table is moving; and a moving path of the table, which is sucked and held by the table On recording media A recording head for recording an image; and the table is disposed at a position facing the moving plate when the table is moved to a position facing the recording head, and is disposed in the plurality of chambers via the communication hole and the opening. An exhaust unit that exhausts air from the table, a recording medium discharge mechanism that discharges the recording medium on which the image is recorded by the recording head, and the moving plate, thereby contacting the moving plate with the communication position. And a moving plate moving mechanism for moving between the closed position and the closed position.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the moving plate moving mechanism includes a moving position that contacts the moving plate in a moving path of the table, and a retreat that does not contact the moving plate. A contact member that moves between positions;

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the moving plates are provided, and the moving plate moving mechanism moves a part or all of the plurality of moving plates. .

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the table includes a pair of roller members, a drive mechanism that rotationally drives the pair of roller members, and the pair of roller members. The moving plate moving mechanism is disposed on the circular track while moving along a circular track using an endless transport mechanism having an endless cord wound around the track.

  The invention according to claim 5 is an endless transport mechanism having a pair of roller members, a drive mechanism that rotationally drives the pair of roller members, and an endless cord wound around the pair of roller members. And a front plate having a plurality of suction holes for holding the recording medium by suction, a back plate having a plurality of communication holes, and formed between the front plate and the back plate. And a body composed of a plurality of chambers capable of communicating with the communication hole, and an opening corresponding to the communication hole formed in the back plate is formed, and sliding with respect to the surface of the back plate, A movable plate that is slidable between a communication position where the communication hole and the opening are opposed to each other and a closed position where the communication hole and the opening are not opposed to each other, and is connected to the endless conveyance mechanism A plurality of tables and the plurality of tables; A guide mechanism movably guided along a trajectory corresponding to the endless cord, a recording medium supply mechanism for supplying a recording medium to the table while the table is moving, and movement of the table Ink is ejected from a large number of inkjet nozzles arranged above the path and arranged in a direction crossing the moving direction of the table onto a recording medium coated with the pretreatment agent by the pretreatment agent application head. A recording head for recording an image; and the table is disposed at a position facing the moving plate when the table is moved to a position facing the recording head, and is disposed in the plurality of chambers via the communication hole and the opening. An exhaust unit that exhausts air from the table, a recording medium discharge mechanism that discharges a recording medium on which an image is recorded by the recording head, from the table, and the moving plate And by, characterized in that said moving plate and a moving plate moving mechanism that moves between the closed position and the communication position.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the moving plate moving mechanism has a moving position that contacts the moving plate in the moving path of the table, and a retreat that does not contact the moving plate. A contact member that moves between positions;

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, a plurality of the moving plates are provided, and the moving plate moving mechanism moves a part or all of the plurality of moving plates. .

  According to the first aspect of the invention, the recording medium can be sucked and held on the surface of the moving table with a simple configuration, and the suction holding area can be easily changed. .

  According to the second and sixth aspects of the invention, the moving plate can be easily moved by the contact member.

  According to the third and seventh aspects of the invention, the suction area of the recording medium can be changed in a plurality of stages.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, high-speed image recording can be performed with high accuracy, and the table can be efficiently exhausted from the table moving along the circular orbit. .

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the recording medium can be sucked and held on the surface of the moving table with a simple configuration, and the suction holding area can be easily changed. . In addition, high-speed image recording can be performed with high accuracy, and the table can be efficiently exhausted from the table moving along the orbit.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image recording apparatus 3 according to the present invention with the image recording unit 3 removed.

  This image recording apparatus records an image on a printing sheet as a recording medium sucked and held on a table 1 using suction holes 11 (see FIG. 6). An image recording unit that records an image on a printing sheet on the table 1 that is moved by the table moving mechanism 5 and the table moving mechanism 5 that moves the table 4 and the ten tables 1 arranged at regular intervals along the circular path. Unit 3, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) 6 having a touch panel type input / output unit, and a temperature sensor 10 that measures the surface temperature of the moving table 1.

  The image recording apparatus includes a suction holding area switching mechanism for switching a suction holding area for sucking and holding a recording medium on the surface of the table 1. Hereinafter, after describing the configuration of the image recording unit 3, the table moving mechanism 5, the paper feeding unit 2, and the paper discharging unit 4, the suction holding area switching mechanism according to the present invention will be described.

  The image recording unit 3 records an image by an ink jet method on a printing paper that is sucked and held on the upper surface of the table 1 traveling in one direction by the table moving mechanism 5. The image recording unit 3 includes a pretreatment agent application head 21, four recording heads 22, 23, 24, 25, five heaters 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, and a scanner 32.

  The pretreatment agent application head 21 applies a transparent pretreatment agent to printing paper before recording images with the four recording heads 22, 23, 24, and 25. As this pretreatment agent, for example, an anchor coat for improving the adhesion of ink to the printing paper is used when gloss printing paper or glossy printing paper is used.

  The four recording heads are a black ink recording head 22, a cyan ink recording head 23, a magenta ink recording head 24, and a yellow ink recording head 25. These recording heads 22, 23, 24, 25 are arranged above the table 1 that moves in one direction. These recording heads 22, 23, 24, and 25 include a large number of ink jet nozzles arranged in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the table 1, and eject ink from these ink jet nozzles onto the printing paper. Record an image. The pretreatment agent application head 21, the recording heads 22, 23, 24, 25, the heaters 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, and the scanner 32 are in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the printing paper by a drive mechanism (not shown). (A direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1) is movable. As a result, the pretreatment agent application head 21, the recording heads 22, 23, 24, 25, the heaters 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, and the scanner 32 and the image recording position facing the printing paper conveyance path, and printing It can be reciprocated between a maintenance position that does not face the paper conveyance path. By moving the pretreatment agent application head 21, the recording heads 22, 23, 24, 25, the heaters 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, and the scanner 32 to the maintenance position, an obstacle is placed on the printing paper conveyance path. Therefore, a working space for the table 1 and the like can be secured.

  The five heaters are a preheating heater 26, intermediate heating heaters 28, 29, and 30, and a main heating heater 31. These heaters 26, 28, 29, 30, and 31 are configured to blow hot air onto the printing paper. The scanner 32 includes a line-shaped CCD camera and measures the entire recorded image and the density of the patch.

  The table moving mechanism 5 moves the ten tables 1 at a high speed along the circular trajectory by the endless transport mechanism, and separates the tables 1 from the endless transport mechanism when recording an image, and the linear motor mechanism is used for accuracy. It is often configured to move in one direction. At this time, the table 1 is guided by the rail 42 of the linear guide. In order to switch the movement of the table 1 between the endless transport mechanism and the linear motor mechanism, the first and second coupling mechanisms are used.

  FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of the table moving mechanism 5. FIG. 4 is a partial side view showing a connection relationship between the rail 42 and the chain 44 of the linear guide and the table 1. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing a connection relationship between the rail 42 and the chain 44 of the linear guide and the table 1. FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing the connection relationship between the rail 42 and the chain 44 of the linear guide and the table 1.

  At the four corners of each table 1, linear guide receiving portions 43 are arranged via connecting portions 45. The receiving portion 43 is engaged with a rail 42 of a pair of left and right linear guides disposed on the side plate 41. The rail 42 has an endless shape. For this reason, each table 1 is guided by an endless linear guide including the rails 42 and the receiving portions 43, and can move along the circular path.

  On one side plate 41, a pair of sprockets 46 are rotatably arranged. A chain 44 is wound around the sprocket 46. The chain 44 wound around the pair of sprockets 46 and the endless linear guide including the rail 42 and the receiving portion 43 have shapes corresponding to each other. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sprocket 47 is attached to the side of one sprocket 46. This sprocket 47 is driven by a motor driven sprocket 48 and a driven sprocket 49, and a chain. 51 are connected. For this reason, the chain 44 is rotated while being wound around the pair of sprockets 46 by the drive of the drive sprocket 48.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the height of the chain 44 is changed midway by the action of two pairs of sprockets 52 and 53.

  The pair of sprockets 46 constitutes a roller member in the endless conveyance mechanism of the present invention, and the chain 44 constitutes a cable body in the endless conveyance mechanism of the present invention. A synchronous belt or the like may be used instead of the chain 44, and a synchronous pulley or the like may be used instead of the sprocket 46.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 3, four linear motor mechanisms 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d (referred to collectively as “linear motor mechanism 61”) are arranged at the lower part of the apparatus main body. ing. Each linear motor mechanism 61 connects a support plate 62 erected on the main body, a movement base 63 disposed opposite to the support plate 62, the movement base 63 and the support plate 62, and the movement base 63. And a pair of linear guides 64 for guiding the support plate 62 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction. A linear motor stator 65 is fixed to the support plate 62, and a linear motor movable element 66 is fixed to the moving base 63.

  In the linear motor mechanism 61, by changing the magnetic pole of the stator 65 arranged in the moving method of the table 1, the mover 66 can be moved at a desired speed in the moving direction of the table 1 and in the opposite direction. It is like that.

  For this reason, the moving base 63 reciprocates in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3, that is, the moving direction of the table 1 by the driving of the linear motor composed of the stator 65 and the movable element 66. And the movement base 63 and the table 1 are switched to a connection state and an open state by the 2nd connection mechanism mentioned later.

  As described above, the table 1 is transported by the linear motor mechanism 61 during image recording, and the table 1 is transported by the endless transport mechanism using the chain 44 described above at other times. That is, the chain 44 and the table 1 are disconnected before the image is recorded, that is, before the table 1 is opposed to the pretreatment agent application head 21, and after the image is recorded, that is, the table 1 is the last recording head 25. It is connected after facing and further facing the main heat heater 31. The switching of the connection is executed by a first connection mechanism described later.

  The mover 66 of the linear motor mechanism 61 and the table 1 are connected before image recording, that is, before the table 1 faces the first recording head 22, and after image recording, that is, the table 1 is the last recording. The connection is released after facing the head 25 and further facing the scanner 32. This switching of connection is executed by a second connection mechanism described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an exhaust fan 55 is disposed below the travel route of the table 1. The table 1 has a hollow structure. As shown in FIG. 6, suction holes 11 communicating with the hollow portions of the table 1 are formed on the surface of the table 1. For this reason, by exhausting from the exhaust fan 55, it is possible to suck and hold the printing paper supplied to the surface of the table 1 on the table 1 through the suction holes 11. This configuration will be described in detail later.

  Next, the structure of the 1st connection mechanism which switches the chain 44 and the table 1 to a connection state and an open state is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the chain 44 is provided with a connecting pin 27 that functions as a first connecting portion. On the other hand, a connecting plate 54 functioning as a second connecting portion is attached to the tip of the table 1 in the moving direction. The connecting plate 54 is formed with a substantially triangular hole facing upward. The connecting pin 27 is inserted into the hole in the connecting plate 54.

  As described above, the height of the chain 44 is changed midway by the action of the two pairs of sprockets 52 and 53. That is, the position of the chain 44 is low at the position where the table 1 faces the image recording unit 3, and the position is high at both ends. When the position of the chain 44 is high, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 5, the connecting pin 27 comes into contact with the corner portion of the substantially triangular hole in the connecting plate 54, so that the connecting pin 27 and the connecting plate 54 are connected. Connected to each other. On the other hand, when the position of the chain 44 is low, the connecting pin 27 is separated from the corner portion of the substantially triangular hole in the connecting plate 54 as shown by a virtual line in FIG. 5 and a solid line in FIG. It moves downward and the connection between the connecting pin 27 and the connecting plate 54 is released.

  In the area A shown in FIG. 5, the table 1 that moves by driving the chain 44 has the connecting pin 27 and the connecting plate 54 connected to each other, and in the area B shown in FIG. 5, the connecting pin 27 and the connecting plate. The connection with 54 is released. 5, the driving source of the table 1 is switched from the chain 44 to the movable element 66 of the linear motor mechanism 61.

  Next, the structure of the 2nd connection mechanism which switches the needle | mover 66 and the table 1 of the linear motor mechanism 61 to a connection state and an open state is demonstrated. 7 and 8 are side views showing the second coupling mechanism. FIG. 7 shows a second coupling mechanism on the paper feed unit 2 side, and FIG. 8 shows a second coupling mechanism on the paper discharge unit 4 side. Moreover, FIG. 9 thru | or FIG. 12 is explanatory drawing which shows the connection and open | release operation | movement by a 2nd connection mechanism.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, a V block 60 functioning as a fourth connecting portion is attached to the lower surface of the table 1. Two V blocks 60 are arranged as shown by reference numerals 60b and 60p in FIG. A latch lever 68 that can swing around a shaft 67 is disposed at the upper end of the moving base 63 that is connected to the above-described linear motor movable element 66. One end of the latch lever 68 is provided with a cam follower 72 that functions as a third connecting portion. This cam follower 72 has a configuration in which the concave portion of the V block 60 is brought into contact with and connected to each other. A cam follower 71 is disposed at the other end of the latch lever 68. Similarly, a lock lever 69 that swings about a shaft 273 is disposed at the upper end of the moving base 63. The cam follower 72 described above is disposed for each linear motor mechanism 61 as indicated by reference numerals 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a moving cam 80 extending in the traveling direction of the table 1 is disposed below the cam follower 71 described above. A pair of fixed cams 78 and 79 are disposed at both ends of the moving cam 80 in the moving direction of the table 1.

  The moving cam 80 is connected to the apparatus main body via a swing lever 274. One end of the moving cam 80 is connected to an air cylinder 276 via a link lever 275. Further, the other end of the moving cam 80 is connected to the apparatus main body via a tension spring 177. When the moving cam 80 is pressed rightward as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 by driving the air cylinder 276 via the link lever 275, the moving cam 80 is disposed at the lowered position as shown in FIGS. The On the other hand, when the pressing force by the air cylinder 276 is released, the moving cam 80 is pulled in the left direction as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 by the action of the tension spring 177, and the swing lever 274 swings to move the moving cam. 80 rises.

  That is, the moving cam 80 is configured so that the air cylinder 276 does not press the moving cam 80 in the right direction shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 through the link lever 275 at the time of abnormality detection or a power failure, for example. In such a case, the tension spring 177 is pulled in the left direction as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the swing lever 274 swings and the movable cam 80 is raised. That is, the air cylinder 276 is configured to press the link lever 275 in the right direction in FIG. 7 (that is, the direction opposite to the tensile force of the tension spring 177) by injecting compressed air. When a power failure occurs, the compressed air is not injected into the air cylinder 276, so that the pressing force of the air cylinder 276 on the link lever 275 disappears. As a result, the moving cam 80 moves up in response to only the pulling force of the tension spring 177. In addition, when an abnormality such as a jam of the printing paper is detected, the control unit 190 described later performs control to forcibly stop the compressed air injection into the air cylinder 276.

  When the moving base 63 is disposed at the end on the paper feed unit 2 side, the cam follower 71 rides on the fixed cam 78 and the cam follower 72 is lowered as shown in FIG. From this state, when the table 1 is moved by driving the chain 44 described above and the concave portion of the V block 60 reaches above the cam follower 72, the moving base 63 starts to move by driving the linear motor mechanism 61.

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 10, the cam follower 71 moves from the fixed cam 78 to the moving cam 80. Accordingly, the latch lever 68 swings, the cam follower 72 comes into contact with the concave portion of the V block 60, and the cam follower 72 and the V block 60 are connected. In this state, the table 1 and the mover 66 of the linear motor mechanism 61 are connected. In this state, the table 1 is moved by driving the linear motor mechanism 61. At this time, the table 1 moves in one direction by driving the linear motor mechanism 61 with higher accuracy than the endless transport mechanism using the chain 44.

  When the moving base 63 is disposed at the end on the paper discharge unit 4 side, the cam follower 71 moves from the moving cam 80 to the fixed cam 79 as shown in FIG. As a result, the latch lever 68 swings, the cam follower 72 is separated from the recess of the V block 60, and the connection between the cam follower 72 and the V block 60 is released. In this state, the connection between the table 1 and the mover 66 of the linear motor mechanism 61 is released. The table 1 continues to move by driving the chain 44 described above.

  On the other hand, the moving base 63 returns from the end on the paper discharge unit 4 side to the end on the paper feed unit 2 side by driving the linear motor mechanism 61. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the lock lever 69 is swung around the shaft 73 by driving the air cylinder 70. Accordingly, the latch lever 68 is fixed at a position where the cam follower 72 is separated from the V block 60. In this state, the moving base 63 is moved from the end on the paper discharge unit 4 side to the end on the paper feed unit 2 side by driving the linear motor mechanism 61. At this time, since the latch lever 68 is fixed at a position where the cam follower 72 is separated from the V block 60, the cam follower 72 moving in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the table 1 interferes with the V block 60 and the like. This can be prevented. In addition, the air cylinder 70 mentioned above is arrange | positioned for every linear motor mechanism 61, as shown by the code | symbols 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d in FIG.

  When the table 1 is moved by driving the linear motor mechanism 61 with the cam follower 72 and the V block 60 connected as shown in FIG. The apparatus may be damaged due to collision between the connecting pin 27 and the connecting plate 54 due to a difference in stopping speed and stopping distance between the linear motor mechanism 61 and the moving mechanism using the chain 44.

  However, as described above, the air cylinder 276 is configured not to press the moving cam 80 in the right direction shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 via the link lever 275 when an abnormality is detected or during a power failure. In such a case, the tension spring 177 is pulled leftward as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the swing lever 274 swings and the movable cam 80 is raised. Therefore, in such a case, as shown in FIG. 13, the cam follower 71 is pushed upward by the moving cam 80, so that the latch lever 68 swings. The connection between the cam follower 72 and the V block 60 is released at a distance from the recess of 60.

  This makes it possible to effectively prevent damage to the device due to the collision between the connecting pin 27 and the connecting plate 54 even when an abnormality is detected or a power failure occurs. In the moving mechanism of the moving cam 80 by the swing lever 274, the link lever 275, the air cylinder 276 and the tension spring 177 described above, the first switching mechanism is connected to the connecting pin 27 (first connecting portion) and the connecting plate 54 (second connecting portion). ) In the released state in which the connection is released, the cam follower 72 (third connection part) and the V block 60 (fourth connection part) in the second connection mechanism are in the released state in which these connections are released. It functions as a third switching mechanism. As shown in FIG. 3, at the bottom of each table 1, two V blocks 60α and 60β are connected to the main body of the table 1 via legs 200α and 200β. As described above with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13, recesses are formed at the bottoms of the V blocks 60α and 60β. With respect to the table 1 in the image recording apparatus (a position range from a position P3 to a position P4 in FIG. 14, which will be described later, that is, a position range from when the table 1 starts to face the pretreatment agent application head 21 to the heater 31) Selectively connects only one cam follower 72a to 72d of the linear motor mechanisms 61a to 61d to the concave portion of any one of the V blocks 60α and 60β. The cam followers 72a to 72d and the V blocks 60α and 60β are connected to and disconnected from each of the linear motor mechanisms 61a to 61d by an air cylinder 70, a cam follower 71, an air cylinder 276, a fixed cam 78, and a moving cam 80. Etc. (see FIGS. 9 to 13).

  FIG. 14 is a time table showing how ten tables 1 are moved by the movers 66 of the four linear motor mechanisms 61. In FIG. 14, branch numbers a to j are assigned to the plurality of tables 1 to distinguish them. Similarly, branch numbers “a” to “d” are given to the plurality of movable elements 66 to distinguish them.

  The linear motor mechanism 61 that has moved the first table 1a returns from the end on the paper discharge unit 4 side to the end on the paper feed unit 2 side, and then moves the fifth table 1e. Similarly, the linear motor mechanism 61 that has moved the second table 1b returns from the end on the paper discharge unit 4 side to the end on the paper feed unit 2 side, and then moves the sixth table 1f. Then, in a driving range other than the driving range by the linear motor shown in FIG. 14, each table 1 is moved by an endless transport mechanism having a chain 44. In addition, the code | symbol D in FIG. 14 has shown the position where the table 1 made one round along the circulation track | orbit and returned to the origin. In FIG. 14, the origin position P1, the position P2, the position P3, the position P4, and the position P5 are plotted as coordinates on the orbit.

  The origin position P1 is in the vicinity of the paper feeding unit 2, and at this time, the chain 44 and the continuous pin 27 are connected, and the table 1 moves along the circular path by the driving force of the chain 44. The position P2 corresponds to the movement start position of the mover 66 of the linear motor mechanism 61. Even at this position, the table 1 moves along the circular track by the driving force of the chain 44. The position P3 is a position where the table 1 and the movable element 66 are connected by the cam follower 72 being connected to the recess of the V block 60 as shown in FIG. Further, it is also a position where the connection between the chain 44 and the connection pin 27 is released. The mover 66 starts acceleration from the position P2 so as to coincide with the moving speed of the chain 44 at the position P3. The table 1 faces the pretreatment agent application head 21 between the position P3 and the position P4.

  The position P4 is a position where the connection between the mover 66 of the linear motor mechanism 61 and the table 1 is released. It is assumed that the connection between the connection pin 27 and the connection plate 54 is completed at a position slightly before the position P4. The table 1 faces the main heat heater 31 between the position P4 and the position P5. The position P5 corresponds to the movement end position of the mover 66 of the linear motor mechanism 61. After the engagement with the position table 1 is released, the mover 66 gradually decelerates and stops at the position P5.

  After the mover 66 stops at the position P5, it moves at a high speed to the position P2 in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the table 1. At this time, the moving cam 80 is lowered downward, and the lock lever 69 fixes the latch lever 68, so that the cam follower 72 is fixed at a position where it does not interfere with the concave portion of the V block 60 using FIG. As explained. Timings t1 to t5 are plotted on the time axis of FIG. The four movers 66a to 66d of the linear motor mechanisms 61a to 61d are in any of the following five states. That is, a state in which one movable element 66 is connected to any table 1 (state at timing t1), a state in which two movable elements 66 are connected to any table 1 (state at timing t2). ) A state where three movable elements 66 are connected to any one of the tables 1 (state at timing t3), a state where all four movable elements 66 are connected to any one of the tables 1 (at timing t4). State) or three of the four movable elements 66 are connected to any one of the tables 1 and the remaining one movable element 66 is returning to the origin (at timing t5, the movable element 66b). , C, d are connected to the table 1, and the movable element 66a is in a return-to-origin state.

  Next, the configuration of the paper feeding unit 2 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the paper feed unit 2 includes a stocker unit 40 and a supply unit 50. FIG. 15 is a side view of the stocker unit 40. FIG. 16 is a side view showing the supply unit 50 together with the table 1, and FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a main part thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the stocker unit 40 has a paper loading table 81 on which printing paper is placed and moved up and down, and a feeding paper that adsorbs the printing paper on the paper loading table 81 and conveys it in the direction of the conveyance roller 86. And a paper soccer 82. The printing paper conveyed by the paper feed soccer 82 and the conveyance roller 86 is conveyed on the conveyor 87 of the supply unit 50. It should be noted that air blow parts 83, 84, 85 for separating are provided around the printing paper placed on the paper placing table 81 to prevent two sheets from being taken out during paper feeding.

  The supply unit 50 includes the above-described conveyor 87, the horizontal needle mechanism 100, feed rollers 88 and 89, a front register unit 92, a pair of guide plates 113 and 114, an air discharge nozzle 93, and a squeegee roller 97. Here, the horizontal needle mechanism 100 performs positioning in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the printing paper conveyed by the conveyor 87. The front register 92 swings about the shaft 91 and positions the leading edge of the printing paper conveyed by the conveyor 87.

  The air discharge nozzle 93 blows air toward the front end of the printing paper when the printing paper is mounted on the table 1. Of the pair of feed rollers 88 and 89, the upper feed roller 88 is configured to be movable up and down. Further, the squeegee roller 97 is configured to be swingable about a shaft 96.

  At the front end of the table 1 in the moving direction, a table claw 95 for fixing the front end of the printing paper supplied thereto to the table 1 is disposed. The table claw 95 swings around a shaft 94 provided on the table 1. A pair of cams 98 and 99 for opening and closing the table claw 95 and the above-described exhaust fan 55 are disposed on the upstream side of the supply unit 50 with respect to the moving direction of the table 1.

  The intersection angle with respect to the table 1 when the printing paper is supplied from the supply unit 50 to the table 1, that is, the angle formed between the surface of the table 1 and the pair of guide plates 113 and 114 is preferably as small as possible. This angle is preferably 45 degrees or less, and more preferably 30 degrees or less. In order to reduce this angle, a configuration in which the front registering portion 92 is disposed above the moving region of the table 1 is employed.

  18 and 19 are perspective views of the horizontal needle mechanism 100. FIG. FIG. 18 is a view in which the lifting mechanism of the driven roller 109 is removed from FIG.

  The horizontal needle mechanism 100 includes a drive shaft 101 that rotates in synchronization with a drive sprocket 48 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) for moving the table 1, a cam 102 connected to the drive shaft 101, and a bevel gear. 106. The bevel gear 106 meshes with a bevel gear 107 connected to a drive roller 108. For this reason, when the drive shaft 101 rotates, the drive roller 108 rotates.

  The horizontal needle mechanism 100 includes a lever 105 that swings about a shaft 103. A cam follower 104 disposed at one end of the lever 105 is in contact with a cam 102 that rotates together with the drive shaft 101. The other end of the lever 105 is connected to a casing 111 that pivotally supports the driven roller 109. For this reason, when the drive shaft 101 rotates, the cam 102 rotates, and when the cam follower 104 in contact with the cam follower 104 moves up and down, the casing 111 moves up and down. Along with this, the driven roller 109 moves up and down between a rotational position where it rotates in contact with the driving roller 108 and a retracted position separated from the driving roller 108.

  In the horizontal needle mechanism 100, printing paper is supplied between the drive roller 108 and the driven roller 109 in a state where the driven roller 109 is in the retracted position. Thereafter, the driven roller 109 is lowered to the rotation position, and the printing paper is sandwiched between the driving roller 108 and the driven roller 109. Then, as the driving roller 108 rotates, the printing paper moves in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and the edge of the printing paper abuts against a contact member (not shown). Positioning in the orthogonal direction is performed. More details are as follows. That is, the printing paper is clamped by the pair of feed rollers 88 and 89 of the horizontal needle mechanism 100, and in this state, the driving roller 108 and the driven roller 109 described above move the printing paper in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Positioning in this direction is performed when the end edge abuts against a contact member (not shown). Thereafter, the feed roller 89 is raised and the nip of the printing paper by the pair of feed rollers 88 and 89 is released.

  In the supply unit 50, the printing paper sent from the stocker unit 40 is conveyed by the conveyor 87. At this time, the upper feed roller 88 of the pair of feed rollers 88 and 89 is separated from the lower feed roller 89. Then, the conveyed printing paper passes between the pair of feed rollers 88 and 89 and stops when the leading end thereof comes into contact with the front registering portion 92. In this state, positioning in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the printing paper conveyed by the conveyor 87 is executed by the action of the horizontal needle mechanism 100.

  Next, the feed roller 88 descends and the printing paper is sandwiched between the pair of feed rollers 88 and 89, and the front registering part 92 swings and rises. The printing paper is conveyed toward the table claw 95 in the table 1 by the action of the pair of feed rollers 88 and 89. At this time, the conveyance speed of the printing paper is slightly higher than the moving speed of the table 1. At this time, as shown in FIG. 17, as the table 1 is moved by driving the linear motor mechanism 61, the cam follower 90 disposed on the opposite side of the table claw 95 with respect to the shaft 94 is replaced with the table claw 95. The table claw 95 is in an open state by abutting with a cam 98 for opening and closing.

  When the leading edge of the printing paper reaches the table claw 95, the table claw 100 is closed. That is, as the table 1 is moved by driving the chain 44, the cam follower 90 disposed on the opposite side of the table claw 95 with respect to the shaft 94 is separated from the cam 98 for opening and closing the table claw 95. The table claw 95 is closed, and the printing paper is fixed to the table 1 by the table claw 95.

  Thus, when the printing paper is fixed to the table 1 by the table claw 95, air is blown from the air discharge nozzle 93 to the leading edge of the printing paper. For this reason, the printing paper is pressed against the surface of the table 1, and the printing paper can be reliably fixed between the table claw 95 and the table 1.

  When the table 1 is further moved by driving the linear motor mechanism 61, the printing paper on the table 1 is squeezed by the squeegee roller 97 and sucked and held on the table 1 by the action of the exhaust fan 55. Thereafter, when the cam follower 90 comes into contact with the second cam 99 for opening and closing the table claw 95, the table claw 95 performs an opening and closing operation, and the distortion of the leading edge of the printing paper is eliminated.

  Next, the configuration of the paper discharge unit 4 described above will be described. FIG. 20 is a schematic side view of the paper discharge unit 4.

  The paper discharge unit 4 includes a first release claw and a claw seat, which will be described later, and a paper discharge cylinder 77 that winds around the outer periphery of the print paper that is nipped and conveyed and separates it from the table 1. The configuration of the discharge cylinder 77 and the printing paper separating operation will be described in detail later.

  In addition, the paper discharge unit 4 includes a first conveyor 73 and a second conveyor 76 that convey the printing paper received from the paper discharge cylinder 77 to the stocker section 122 that is guided by the guide 121 and moves up and down. A third conveyor 74 and a fourth conveyor 75 that convey the received printing paper to the paper discharge table 123 and a conveyance path switching mechanism 124 are provided.

  FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the first conveyor 73.

  The first conveyor 73 includes a shaft 153 and four belts 151 wound around the shaft 154. In the first conveyor 73, the printing paper conveyed by the paper discharge cylinder 77 is placed on the belt 151 and conveyed. A fan 152 that blows air toward the printing paper conveyed by the first conveyor 73 is disposed at a position facing the inclined portion of the belt 151 in the first conveyor 73. For this reason, the printing paper can be reliably conveyed by the belt 151 of the first conveyor 73.

  FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the second conveyor 76.

  The second conveyor 76 is for sucking and holding the printing paper conveyed by the first conveyor 73 from above, and includes four belts 155 wound around the shaft 156 and the shaft 157. .

  FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are partial perspective views of the second conveyor 76 as seen from the back side. FIG. 23 shows a state in which the belt 155 is removed and viewed.

  A region sandwiched between the belts 155 in the second conveyor 76 constitutes a chamber. A large number of slits 159 are formed in the flat plate 158 constituting the lower surface of the chamber, as shown in FIG. Also, as shown in FIG. 24, the belt 155 has a large number of holes 161 formed therein. The slits 159 and the holes 161 are formed at positions corresponding to each other. Therefore, by reducing the pressure in the chamber sandwiched between the belts 155, the printing paper can be sucked through the slits 159 and the holes 161, and the printing paper is sucked and held from above by the belt 155 and conveyed. It becomes possible.

  Then, by stopping the pressure reduction in the chamber sandwiched between the belts 155 at an appropriate timing, the adsorption holding of the printing paper by the belts 155 is released.

  Alternatively, the slit 159 may be formed on the belt 155 only on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the printing paper. In this way, the suction holding of the printing paper by the belt 155 is executed on the upstream side in the transport direction of the second conveyor 76, and the suction holding of the printing paper is released on the downstream side of the transporting direction of the second conveyor 76.

  As shown in FIG. 20, a plurality of air blowing holes are continuously formed in the center of the second conveyor 76 in the direction perpendicular to the printing paper conveyance direction in the printing paper conveyance direction. A spray tube 162 is provided.

  FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the air blowing tube 162 blows air against the printing paper S.

  By stopping the decompression in the chamber sandwiched between the belts 155 at the timing when the leading edge of the printing paper reaches the downstream side in the transport direction of the second conveyor 76, the suction holding of the printing paper S is released. In this region, the printing paper S is blown with air from the air blowing tube 162 toward the vicinity of the center in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. For this reason, the printing paper is folded in two around the central portion and falls to the stocker portion 122. For this reason, the recording medium can be accurately dropped onto the stocker unit 122.

  FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the third conveyor 74.

  The third conveyor 74 includes four belts 163 wound around a shaft 164 and a shaft 165. In the third conveyor 74, the printing paper that is placed and conveyed on the belt 151 of the first conveyor 73 and is turned to the third conveyor 74 side by the conveyance path switching mechanism 124 is loaded on the belt 163. Placed and transported. A fan 166 that blows air toward the printing paper conveyed by the third conveyor 74 is disposed at a position facing the belt 163 in the third conveyor 74. For this reason, the printing paper can be reliably conveyed by the belt 163 of the third conveyor 74.

  FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the fourth conveyor 75.

  The fourth conveyor 75 includes a shaft 172 and four belts 171 wound around the shaft 173. In the fourth conveyor 75, the printing paper placed and transported on the belt 163 of the third conveyor 74 is placed and transported on the belt 171. A fan 175 that blows air toward the printing paper conveyed by the fourth conveyor 75 is disposed at a position facing the belt 171 on the fourth conveyor 75. For this reason, the printing paper can be reliably conveyed by the belt 171 of the fourth conveyor 75.

  FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the switching mechanism 124.

  The switching mechanism includes a guide plate 181 that swings about a shaft 183 when the solenoid 182 is driven. When this guide plate 181 is disposed at the position shown by the solid line in FIGS. 20 and 28, the printing paper is discharged from the paper discharge cylinder 77 and is placed on the belt 151 of the first conveyor 73 and conveyed. Is conveyed while being placed on the belt 151, and is conveyed to the second conveyor 76. On the other hand, when the guide plate 181 is disposed at the position indicated by the phantom line in FIGS. 20 and 28, the guide plate 181 is discharged from the paper discharge cylinder 77 and placed on the belt 151 of the first conveyor 73 and conveyed. The printing paper is conveyed to the third conveyor 74.

  In the configuration as described above, the printing paper on the table 1 is separated from the table 1 by the action of the paper discharge drum 77 and wound around the outer periphery of the paper discharge drum 77 to be transferred to the first conveyor 73 as will be described later. Be transported. Then, the printing paper is placed on the upper portion of the first conveyor 73 and conveyed, and then is sucked and held by the second conveyor 76 from its upper surface. The printing paper is released from being sucked and held above the stocker unit 122, and air is blown from the air blowing tube 162 toward the vicinity of the center in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. As a result, the printing paper is folded in two around the central portion, falls to the stocker unit 122, and is collected by the stocker unit 122.

  When visually confirming the printing paper that has been printed, the switching mechanism 124 disposed on the first conveyor 73 guides the printing paper conveyed by the first conveyor 73 in the direction of the third conveyor 74. To do. The printing paper is placed on the upper portions of the third conveyor 74 and the fourth conveyor 75 and conveyed, and then discharged onto the paper discharge table 123.

  Next, the configuration of the paper discharge cylinder 77 and the printing paper separating operation will be described. FIG. 29 is a side view showing the discharge cylinder 77 and the like.

  The paper discharge cylinder 77 is formed of a part of a cylindrical shape and rotates around a shaft 139. As shown in FIG. 20, the paper discharge drum 77 is connected to the drive pulley 141 and the driven pulley 142 via the belt 143, and is rotated by the drive of the drive pulley 141.

  As shown in FIG. 29A, the paper discharge cylinder 77 includes a first release claw 131 for separating the front end of the print paper from the table 1 and a front end of the print paper between the first release claw 131. A nail roller 132 for pressing the printing paper against the outer peripheral surface of the paper discharge cylinder 77, and a first paper for peeling the print paper wound around the paper discharge cylinder 77 from the paper discharge cylinder 77. Two peeling claws 133 are attached.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 29 (b) and 29 (c), a first cam 137 and a second cam 138 are disposed on the side of the sheet discharge cylinder 77. The first cam 137 contacts the cam follower 135 for driving the second peeling claw 133. When the cam follower 135 comes into contact with the recess 184 in the first cam 137, the second peeling claw 133 A peeling operation described later is executed. The second cam 138 is in contact with a cam follower 136 for driving the nip roller 134. When the cam follower 136 is in contact with the recess 185 in the second cam 138, the nip roller 134 is in contact with the discharge cylinder 77. It abuts on the surface.

  Next, a discharge operation for discharging the printing paper S on the table 1 using the discharge cylinder 77 will be described. 30 to 32 are explanatory views showing a discharge operation for discharging the printing paper S on the table 1.

  When the table 1 is transported to the vicinity of the sheet discharge drum 77 by the table moving mechanism 5, first, the first peeling claw 131 enters the notch 129 (see FIGS. 6 and 30) formed at the tip of the table 1. To do. In this state, the table claw 95 is closed, and the printing paper is fixed to the table 1 by the table claw 95.

  When the table 1 moves from this state, as shown in FIG. 31, the cam follower 90 disposed on the opposite side of the table claw 95 with respect to the shaft 94 in the table 1 opens and closes the cam 145 for opening and closing the table claw 95. , The table claw 95 is opened. In addition, the discharge cylinder 77 rotates in synchronization with the movement of the table 1, the first peeling claw 131 moves by a link mechanism (not shown), and the printing paper S is nipped between the first peeling claw 131 and the claw seat 132. Is done.

  Note that the amount of exhaust by the exhaust fan 55 described above is set to be small when the table 1 is disposed near the paper discharge unit 4. For this reason, when the front end of the printing paper is peeled from the table 1 by the first peeling claw 131, the suction holding force of the printing paper S by the suction holes 11 is weakened.

  When the table 1 further moves from this state, as shown in FIG. 32, the paper discharge drum 77 further rotates in synchronization with the movement of the table 1 and is sandwiched between the first peeling claw 131 and the claw seat 132. The printing paper S moves in the direction of the second peeling claw 133. Further, the nip roller 134 is lowered onto the printing paper S and presses the printing paper S against the paper discharge cylinder 77.

  When the table 1 further moves from this state, the paper discharge cylinder 77 further rotates in synchronization with the movement of the table 1, the first peeling claw 131 moves by a link mechanism (not shown), and the printing paper S is released. The printing paper S is peeled from the paper discharge drum 77 by the second peeling claw 133 and is conveyed toward the first conveyor 73 described above. As described above, in the paper discharge unit 4, the printing paper on the table 1 is picked up by the first peeling claw 131 and the claw seat 132 and brought into close contact with the surface of the paper discharge drum 77, and then the second peeling claw 133 Since the printing paper is re-handled by peeling the printing paper from the surface of the discharge cylinder 77, the printing paper is accurately and reliably conveyed even if the printing paper has variations in weight, flatness, etc. can do.

  Next, the suction holding area switching mechanism according to the present invention for switching the suction holding area in the table 1 will be described. FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the table 1 as viewed from the back side, and FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view showing the main body 200 of the table 1, the moving plates 211, 212, and 213 and the pressing plate 217. FIG. 35 is a partial perspective view showing a part of the main body 200 of the table 1 in a cutaway manner. Further, FIG. 36 is a plan view of the front surface plate 201, and FIG. 37 is a plan view of the back plate 202.

  As shown in these drawings, the table 1 includes a main body 200, three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 that are slidable in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the table 1 with respect to the main body 200, and these three sheets. And a plurality of pressing plates 217 for slidably mounting the moving plates 211, 212, and 213 on the main body 200.

  As shown in FIG. 35, the main body 200 includes a front plate 201, a back plate 202, and a frame 203 for forming a chamber between the front plate 201 and the back plate 202. As shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, the surface plate 201 has the above-described numerous suction holes 11 for sucking and holding printing paper. Also, as shown in FIG. 37, a large number of communication holes 205 are formed in the back plate 202. As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the frame 203 has a chamber formed by the front plate 201, the back plate 202, and the frame 203 divided into four areas E1, E2, E3, and E4. A partition member 204 is attached for this purpose.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the moving plate 211 has a large number of circular openings 221 and seven rectangular openings 222. In addition, a large number of circular openings 221 are formed in the moving plates 212 and 213. These openings 221 and 222 are arranged at positions facing the communication holes 205 formed in the back plate 202 when the moving plates 211, 212, and 213 slide.

  Further, a taper portion 214R having a partially tapered shape is formed on the right side of the moving plate 211 in the moving direction of the table 1, and a tapered portion having a partially tapered shape is formed on the left side. 214L is formed. Similarly, a tapered portion 215R having a partially tapered shape is formed on the right side of the moving plate 212 in the moving direction of the table 1, and a tapered portion having a partially tapered shape is formed on the left side. A portion 215L is formed. Further, a taper portion 216R having a partially tapered shape is formed on the right side of the moving plate 213 in the moving direction of the table 1, and a taper portion having a partially tapered shape is formed on the left side. 216L is formed.

  38 to 41 are plan views showing the arrangement of the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 and the communication state of the openings 221 and 222 at that time. In these drawings, hatching is given to a portion where the surfaces of the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 communicate with the four areas E1, E2, E3, and E4 in the chamber.

  As shown in FIG. 38, when all the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 move to the right side (lower side in FIG. 38) in the traveling direction of the table 1 indicated by the arrows in FIG. Only the seven rectangular openings 222 in the plate 211 face the communication holes 205 formed in the back plate 202. In this state, the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 have moved to a closed position where a part or all of the communication holes 205 and the openings 221 and 222 do not face each other. For this reason, when the table 1 moves to a position facing the exhaust fan 55, the air in the area E1 in the chamber is exhausted and decompressed. For this reason, only the suction hole 11 corresponding to the area E1 in the front plate 201 sucks the printing paper.

  39, only the moving plate 211 out of the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 moves to the left (upper side in FIG. 39) in the moving direction of the table 1 indicated by the arrow in FIG. 39 and moves. When the plates 212 and 213 are moved to the right side (lower side in FIG. 39) in the traveling direction of the table 1 indicated by the arrows in FIG. 39, the seven rectangular openings 222 and a large number of circular shapes in the moving plate 211 are formed. The opening 221 faces the communication hole 205 formed in the back plate 202. In this state, the moving plate 211 has moved to the communication position, and the moving plates 212 and 213 have moved to the closed position where the communication hole 205 and the openings 221 and 222 are not opposed. For this reason, when the table 1 moves to a position facing the exhaust fan 55, the air in the areas E1 and E2 in the chamber is exhausted and decompressed. For this reason, only the suction holes 11 corresponding to the areas E1 and E2 in the front plate 201 suck the printing paper.

  As shown in FIG. 40, among the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213, the moving plates 211 and 212 move to the left side (upper side in FIG. 40) in the traveling direction of the table 1 indicated by the arrow in FIG. When the moving plate 213 moves to the right side (lower side in FIG. 40) in the traveling direction of the table 1 indicated by the arrow in FIG. 40, the seven rectangular openings 222 and the many circular openings in the moving plate 211 are moved. The portion 221 and a large number of circular openings 221 in the moving plate 212 face the communication holes 205 formed in the back plate 202. In this state, the moving plates 211 and 212 are moved to the communication position, and the moving plate 213 is moved to the closed position where the communication hole 205 and the openings 221 and 222 are not opposed to each other. For this reason, when the table 1 moves to a position facing the exhaust fan 55, the air in the areas E1, E2, and E3 in the chamber is exhausted and decompressed. For this reason, only the suction holes 11 corresponding to the areas E1, E2, and E3 in the front plate 201 suck the printing paper.

  As shown in FIG. 41, when all of the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 move to the left side (upper side in FIG. 41) in the traveling direction of the table 1 indicated by the arrow in FIG. Seven rectangular openings 222, many circular openings 221, many circular openings 221 in the moving plate 212, and many circular openings 221 in the moving plate 213 are formed in the back plate 202. It faces the communicating hole 205 made. In this state, the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 have moved to the communication position. For this reason, when the table 1 moves to a position facing the exhaust fan 55, the air in the areas E1, E2, E3, E4 in the chamber is exhausted and decompressed. For this reason, the suction holes 11 (that is, all the suction holes 11) corresponding to the areas E1, E2, E3, and E4 on the surface plate 201 suck the printing paper.

  Next, a moving plate moving mechanism for moving the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 will be described. FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing the moving plate moving mechanisms 206 and 207 together with the table 1 and the side plate 41. FIG. 43 is a perspective view showing the moving plate moving mechanism 206 together with the table 1.

  As shown in FIG. 42, one moving plate moving mechanism 207 is connected to the side plate 41. On the other hand, the other moving plate moving mechanism 206 is connected to the other side plate (not shown). The moving plate moving mechanism 207 is for moving the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 to the closed position, and the moving plate moving mechanism 206 is for moving the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 to the communication position. It is for moving. These moving plate moving mechanisms 206 and 207 have a line-symmetric structure. Further, these moving plate moving mechanisms 206 and 207 are mutually connected by a distance larger than the dimension of the taper portions 214R, 215R, and 216R or the taper portions 214L, 215L, and 216L in which the length in the moving direction of the table 1 is the maximum. Separated.

  These moving plate moving mechanisms 206 and 207 include a lever 227 that can swing around a shaft 226. One end of the lever 227 is connected to the air cylinder 223. The other end of the lever 227 is connected to a bearing 225 as a contact member via a bush 224. By swinging the lever 227 by driving the air cylinder 223, the bearing 225 is brought into contact with the taper portions 214R, 215R, 216R or the taper portions 214L, 215L, 216L, and the moving position indicated by the solid line in FIG. It moves between the retracted positions indicated by phantom lines in FIG.

  FIG. 44 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the above-described image recording apparatus.

  The image recording apparatus includes a control unit 190 including a RAM 191 in which data and the like are temporarily stored during control, a ROM 192 in which an operation program necessary for controlling the apparatus is stored, and a CPU 193 that executes a logical operation. The control unit 190 is connected to the above-described GUI 6 via the interface 195. The controller 190 is connected to a drive unit 196 that drives a motor, a linear motor, an air cylinder 223, or the like for performing the above-described operation. The control unit 190 controls various operations of the image recording apparatus.

  In the image recording apparatus having the above-described configuration, first, the suction area in the table 1 is switched. At this time, first, the size of the printing paper to be used next is input by the GUI 6. According to this input value, the moving plate moving mechanisms 206 and 207 move the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 to the closed position or the communication position.

  That is, first, the air cylinder 223 in the moving plate moving mechanism 207 is driven to move the bearing 225 of the moving plate moving mechanism 207 to the moving position, and then the table 1 is moved along the orbit by the table moving mechanism 5. Let As a result, the bearing 225 comes into contact with the tapered portions 214L, 215L, and 216L of the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213, and the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 move to the closed position.

  At the same time, by driving the air cylinder 223 in the moving plate moving mechanism 206, the bearing 225 of the moving plate moving mechanism 206 is moved to the moving position at the timing described below.

  That is, when the size of the printing paper is minimum and the printing paper is sucked only by the suction holes 11 corresponding to the area E1 on the front plate 201 as shown in FIG. 38, the bearing 225 of the moving plate moving mechanism 206 is set to the retracted position. Keep it fixed. As a result, the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 remain arranged at the closed position.

  Further, when the size of the printing paper is slightly small and the printing paper is sucked only by the suction holes 11 corresponding to the areas E1 and E2 in the front plate 201 as shown in FIG. 39, the bearing 225 of the moving plate moving mechanism 206 is set in advance. Leave it down. And this bearing 225 is contact | abutted with the taper part 214R in the moving plate 211, and the moving plate 211 is moved to a communicating position. Thereafter, immediately before the bearing 225 of the moving plate moving mechanism 206 comes into contact with the tapered portion 215R of the moving plate 212, the bearing 225 is raised to the retracted position. As a result, the moving plates 212 and 213 remain arranged at the closed position.

  Further, when the size of the printing paper is relatively large and the printing paper is sucked only by the suction holes 11 corresponding to the areas E1, E2, and E3 in the front plate 201 as shown in FIG. 40, the bearing of the moving plate moving mechanism 206 is used. 225 is lowered in advance. And this bearing 225 is contact | abutted with the taper part 214R in the moving plate 211, and the taper part 215R in the moving plate 212, and the moving plates 211 and 212 are moved to a communicating position. Thereafter, immediately before the bearing 225 of the moving plate moving mechanism 206 comes into contact with the tapered portion 216R of the moving plate 213, the bearing 225 is raised to the retracted position. As a result, the movable plate 213 remains disposed at the closed position.

  Furthermore, when the size of the printing paper is maximum and the printing paper is sucked by all the suction holes 11 corresponding to the areas E1, E2, E3, and E4 in the front plate 201 as shown in FIG. The bearing 225 is kept lowered in advance. As a result, the bearing 225 is sequentially brought into contact with the tapered portion 214R of the moving plate 211, the tapered portion 215R of the moving plate 212, and the tapered portion 216R of the moving plate 213, thereby bringing the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 into communication positions. Move.

  When the above steps are completed, image recording is started. First, the printing paper S delivered from the paper supply unit 2 is supplied onto the table 1 that is moved by the endless conveyance mechanism in the table moving mechanism 5 and is sucked and held there. At this time, the suction area is switched to a size corresponding to the printing paper S. Then, after the table 1 is transferred from the endless transport mechanism to the linear motor mechanism 61 in the table moving mechanism 5, image recording is executed. Thereafter, the table 1 is transferred from the linear motor mechanism 61 to the endless transport mechanism, and then the printing paper on the table 1 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 4. Therefore, high-speed image recording can be executed with high accuracy.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case of recording an image on printing paper has been described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to an image recording apparatus that records an image on another recording medium. Is possible.

1 is a schematic side view of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention. It is a perspective view which removes and shows the image recording part 3 of the image recording device based on this invention. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of the table moving mechanism 5. FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial side view showing a connection relationship between the rail 42 and the chain 44 of the linear guide and the table 1. It is the elements on larger scale which show the connection relation of the rail of the linear guide and the chain, and the table. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a connection relationship between a linear guide rail 42 and a chain 44 and the table 1. It is a side view which shows a 2nd connection mechanism. It is a side view which shows a 2nd connection mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection and open | release operation | movement by a 2nd connection mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection and open | release operation | movement by a 2nd connection mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection and open | release operation | movement by a 2nd connection mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection and open | release operation | movement by a 2nd connection mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection and open | release operation | movement by a 2nd connection mechanism. It is a time table which shows a mode that 10 tables 1 are moved by the four linear motor mechanisms 61. FIG. 4 is a side view of a stocker unit 40. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a supply unit 50 together with a table 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a supply unit 50 together with a table 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a horizontal needle mechanism 100. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a horizontal needle mechanism 100. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a paper discharge unit 4. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first conveyor 73. FIG. It is a perspective view of the 2nd conveyor. It is the fragmentary perspective view which looked at the 2nd conveyor 76 from the back surface. It is the fragmentary perspective view which looked at the 2nd conveyor 76 from the back surface. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the air blowing tube 162 blows air against the printing paper S. 7 is a perspective view of a third conveyor 74. FIG. It is a perspective view of the 4th conveyor 75. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a switching mechanism 124. FIG. It is a side view showing a discharge cylinder 77 and the like. It is a side view showing a discharge cylinder 77 and the like. It is a side view showing a discharge cylinder 77 and the like. It is a side view showing a discharge cylinder 77 and the like. It is the perspective view which looked at the table 1 from the back surface side. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a main body 200, moving plates 211, 212, 213 and a pressing plate 217 of the table 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing a part of the main body 200 of the table 1 by breaking it. 2 is a plan view of a surface plate 201. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a back plate 202. FIG. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 and the communication state of the opening parts 221 and 222 at that time. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 and the communication state of the opening parts 221 and 222 at that time. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 and the communication state of the opening parts 221 and 222 at that time. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the three moving plates 211, 212, and 213 and the communication state of the opening parts 221 and 222 at that time. 2 is a perspective view showing moving plate moving mechanisms 206 and 207 together with the table 1 and the side plate 41. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a moving plate moving mechanism 206 together with a table 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the main electrical structures of an image recording device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Table 2 Paper feed part 3 Image recording part 4 Paper discharge part 5 Table moving mechanism 6 GUI
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Temperature sensor 11 Adsorption hole 21 Pretreatment agent application head 22 Recording head 23 Recording head 24 Recording head 25 Recording head 27 Connecting pin 40 Stocker part 41 Side plate 42 Rail 43 Receiving part 44 Chain 46 Sprocket 47 Sprocket 48 Drive sprocket 50 Supply part 51 Chain 52 Sprocket 53 Sprocket 54 Connecting plate 55 Exhaust fan 60 V block 61 Linear motor mechanism 63 Moving base 64 Linear guide 65 Stator 66 Movable element 67 Shaft 68 Latch lever 69 Lock lever 71 Cam follower 72 Cam follower 73 First conveyor 74 First conveyor 74 3 conveyor 75 4th conveyor 76 2nd conveyor 77 paper discharge cylinder 78 fixed cam 79 fixed cam 80 moving cam 81 paper platform 82 paper feed soccer 87 conveyor 88 Feed roller 89 Feed roller 90 Cam follower 92 Front register 93 Air discharge nozzle 94 Shaft 95 Table claw 97 Squeeze roller 98 Cam 99 Cam 100 Horizontal needle mechanism 122 Stocker part 124 Switching mechanism 129 Notch 131 First peeling claw 132 Claw seat 133 First 2 peeling claw 134 nip roller 135 cam follower 136 cam follower 137 first cam 138 second cam 145 cam 151 belt 152 fan 155 belt 159 slit 161 hole 162 air blowing tube 163 belt 166 fan 171 belt 175 fan 181 guide plate 190 196 Drive unit 200 Main body 201 Front plate 202 Back plate 203 Frame body 204 Partition member 205 Communication hole 206 Moving plate moving mechanism 207 Moving plate moving mechanism 211 moving plate 212 moving plate 213 moving plate 214R tapered portion 214L tapered portion 215R tapered portion 215L tapered portion 216R tapered portion 216L tapered portion 217 presser plate 221 opening portion 222 opening portion 223 air cylinder 224 bushing 225 bearing 226 shaft 227 lever S printing

Claims (7)

A front plate having a plurality of suction holes for sucking and holding the recording medium, a back plate having a plurality of communication holes, and formed between the front plate and the back plate, each communicating with the suction holes. A main body comprising a plurality of chambers capable of communicating with the hole, and an opening corresponding to the communication hole formed in the back plate is formed, and the communication hole is slid with respect to the surface of the back plate. And a movable plate that is slidable between a communication position where the opening and the opening are opposed to each other and a closed position where the communication hole and the opening are not opposed to each other;
A moving mechanism for moving the table;
A recording medium supply mechanism for supplying a recording medium to the table while the table is moving;
A recording head that is arranged in a movement path of the table and records an image on a recording medium held by suction on the table;
An exhaust unit disposed at a position facing the moving plate when the table moves to a position facing the recording head, and exhausting from the plurality of chambers via the communication hole and the opening;
A recording medium discharge mechanism for discharging a recording medium on which an image is recorded by the recording head from the table;
A moving plate moving mechanism that moves the moving plate between the communication position and the closed position by contacting the moving plate;
An image recording apparatus comprising: The image recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The moving plate moving mechanism includes an abutting member that moves between a moving position that contacts the moving plate in a moving path of the table and a retracted position that does not contact the moving plate. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2,
A plurality of the moving plates are arranged, and the moving plate moving mechanism is an image recording apparatus that moves part or all of the plurality of moving plates. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3.
The table utilizes an endless transport mechanism having a pair of roller members, a drive mechanism that rotationally drives the pair of roller members, and an endless cord wound around the pair of roller members, While moving along the orbit,
The moving plate moving mechanism is an image recording apparatus disposed on the orbit. An endless transport mechanism having a pair of roller members, a drive mechanism for rotationally driving the pair of roller members, and an endless cord wound around the pair of roller members;
A front plate having a plurality of suction holes for sucking and holding the recording medium, a back plate having a plurality of communication holes, and formed between the front plate and the back plate, each communicating with the suction holes. A main body comprising a plurality of chambers capable of communicating with the hole, and an opening corresponding to the communication hole formed in the back plate is formed, and the communication hole is slid with respect to the surface of the back plate. And a movable plate that is slidable between a communication position where the opening and the opening are opposed to each other and a closed position where the communication hole and the opening are not opposed to each other, and is connected to the endless conveyance mechanism. Table,
A guide mechanism for movably guiding the plurality of tables along a trajectory corresponding to the endless cord;
A recording medium supply mechanism for supplying a recording medium to the table while the table is moving;
Ink is applied to a recording medium on which a pretreatment agent is applied by a pretreatment agent application head from a number of inkjet nozzles arranged above the table movement path and arranged in a direction intersecting with the movement direction of the table. A recording head for recording an image by discharging
An exhaust unit disposed at a position facing the moving plate when the table moves to a position facing the recording head, and exhausting from the plurality of chambers via the communication hole and the opening;
A recording medium discharge mechanism for discharging a recording medium on which an image is recorded by the recording head from the table;
A moving plate moving mechanism that moves the moving plate between the communication position and the closed position by contacting the moving plate;
An image recording apparatus comprising: The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The moving plate moving mechanism includes an abutting member that moves between a moving position that contacts the moving plate in a moving path of the table and a retracted position that does not contact the moving plate. The image recording apparatus according to claim 6.
A plurality of the moving plates are arranged, and the moving plate moving mechanism is an image recording apparatus that moves part or all of the plurality of moving plates.

Images