JP2012140242A - Conveyance device of material to be printed, and electrophotographic printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately convey a material to be printed, in a conveyance device of the material to be printed and an electrophotographic printer.SOLUTION: The conveyance device of the material to be printed comprises: a first conveyance mechanism 201 which can horizontally convey a printed sheet S by supporting the lower face of the printed sheet by using a circulable belt member at a first speed; a second conveyance mechanism 203 which is arranged so that a parallel traveling zone B is formed at the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the printed sheet S by using the first conveyance mechanism 201 while leaving only a prescribed distance, and can horizontally convey the printed sheet S by holding it by using a claw mechanism 202 at a second speed lower than the first speed; and a claw opening/closing mechanism 204 which closes and stops the claw mechanism 202 which is in an open state in the parallel traveling zone B at a prescribed gripping position, and opens the claw mechanism 202 in a prescribed release position of a second conveyance zone C in the second conveyance mechanism 203 in which the parallel traveling zone B is ended.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for conveying a printed material that conveys a printed material, and an electrophotographic printing apparatus that includes the conveyance device for the material to be printed.

  Conventionally, a liquid toner in which a toner composed of a thermoplastic resin and a pigment is dispersed in a carrier is developed into an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor, and is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer body. There has been proposed an electrophotographic printing apparatus that performs printing by transferring toner onto the surface of a printing material and fixing the toner in the transferred liquid toner onto the printing material.

  In such an electrophotographic printing apparatus, it is finally necessary to accurately stack printed materials on a paper discharge table. However, the conveyance device used in the electrophotographic printing apparatus is generally a roller conveyance type or a belt conveyance type, and it is difficult to convey the printing material with high accuracy with such a conveyance device. Printed printed materials cannot be accurately stacked on the paper discharge table. Therefore, for example, it is conceivable to apply a chain gripper type as a conveying device that conveys a printed material to a paper discharge tray.

  Examples of such a substrate transport apparatus include those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below. The apparatus described in Patent Document 1 arranges a normal conveyor and a supply conveyor in the horizontal direction, arranges a grip chain in the vertical direction, conveys newspaper from the normal conveyor to the supply conveyor, and operates the gripping member. The speed of the supply conveyor is increased so that the front edge of the newspaper is pushed into the gripping member that is passing. The apparatus described in Patent Document 2 has a belt conveyance device and a chain gripper conveyance device arranged horizontally, and grips the paper conveyed by the belt conveyance device by closing the opening and closing claws of the chain gripper conveyance device. To carry it.

JP-T 09-500602 JP 2003-054828 A

  In Patent Document 1 described above, the speed of the supply conveyor is increased so that the front end edge of the newspaper is pushed into a holding member in an open state and delivered. In this case, since the front edge of the newsprint advanced by the speed-up supply conveyor is in a free state without being guided by the exit roller, the front end edge of the newsprint is properly gripped particularly when the rigidity of the newsprint is low. It is difficult to squeeze it into the paper, making it difficult to transport newspaper with high accuracy. Further, in Patent Document 2, since the paper is delivered at the contact point between the downstream end of the belt conveyance device and the upstream end of the chain gripper conveyance device, when the paper conveyance by the belt conveyance device is shifted, this paper is removed. The paper cannot be properly transferred to the opening / closing claw of the chain gripper transport device, and it becomes difficult to transport the paper with high accuracy.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for conveying a printed material and an electrophotographic printing apparatus that can convey the medium to be printed with high accuracy.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a substrate transport apparatus according to the present invention includes a first transport mechanism that supports a lower surface of a printed substrate printed by a circulatorable belt member and can be transported horizontally at a first speed, and The first transport mechanism is arranged so that a parallel section is formed by a predetermined distance on the downstream side in the transport direction of the substrate, and the substrate is held by a nail mechanism and is slower than the first speed. A second transport mechanism capable of horizontal transport at two speeds, and the claw mechanism that is open in the parallel travel section are closed at a predetermined gripping position, and the transport section in the second transport mechanism in which the parallel travel section has ended is predetermined. And a claw opening / closing mechanism that opens the claw mechanism at the release position.

  Therefore, when the substrate is transferred from the first transport mechanism transported by the belt member to the second transport mechanism transported while being held by the claw mechanism, the first transport mechanism and the second transport mechanism are horizontally transported from each other. And, since the parallel section is formed by a predetermined distance and the second transport mechanism is slower than the first transport mechanism, the printed material supported by the first transport mechanism is within this parallel section, After catching up with the claw mechanism of the second transport mechanism, the claw mechanism is operated by the claw opening / closing mechanism to grip the printed material. Regardless of the type of the printed material, the transport error of the printed material by the first transport mechanism. Even if this occurs, it is possible to appropriately convey the printing material, and it is possible to convey the printing medium with high accuracy.

  In the substrate transport device of the present invention, the claw opening / closing mechanism closes the claw mechanism at a downstream end position in the parallel running section.

  Therefore, even if a conveyance delay occurs in the printed material supported by the first conveyance mechanism, the printed material catches up with the claw mechanism of the second conveyance mechanism by the downstream end position of the parallel running section at the latest, and then the claw opening / closing mechanism The nail mechanism can be operated to grip the substrate, and the substrate can be properly delivered.

  In the substrate transport apparatus of the present invention, the speed difference between the first speed and the second speed is such that the substrate supported by the first transport mechanism can be held by the claw mechanism in the parallel section. It is characterized by the difference in speed to be approached.

  Accordingly, the transport speed of the second transport mechanism is set to be lower than the transport speed of the first transport mechanism, and the speed difference is set to an appropriate speed difference so that the substrate to be printed supported by the first transport mechanism is moved in the parallel running section. Thus, it can be properly transferred to the second transport mechanism.

  In the substrate transport apparatus according to the present invention, the first transport mechanism includes a pair of front and rear members disposed at a front portion and a rear portion of the transport section of the substrate and a plurality of grooves along the circumferential direction are formed at predetermined intervals in the axial direction. And a plurality of round belts that form a circular cross section as the belt member and fit into the groove portions of the pair of front and rear support rollers.

  Therefore, by forming the first transport mechanism by fitting the round belts to the respective groove portions of the pair of front and rear support rollers, the contact area with respect to the printed material can be reduced, and the printed material can be prevented from being damaged. It is possible to reduce the slip between the support roller and the round belt and to transport the printed material with high accuracy.

  In the substrate transport apparatus of the present invention, the upper surface of the substrate having a lower surface supported by the first transport mechanism can be supported by having a guide member disposed to face the upper side of the plurality of round belts. An upper guide device is provided.

  Therefore, the substrate can be conveyed with high accuracy by being supported by the first conveying mechanism from below and supported by the upper guide device from above.

  In the substrate transport apparatus according to the present invention, the second transport mechanism includes a pair of front and rear sprockets disposed at a front portion and a rear portion of the substrate transport section, and an endless loop wound around the pair of front and rear sprockets. A positioning unit having a chain and a plurality of the claw mechanisms mounted at regular intervals in a longitudinal direction of the chain, the claw mechanism being fixed to the chain and capable of being positioned by contacting a tip of the printed material And a nail seat formed with a guide portion that guides the leading end of the printed material to the positioning portion, and a nail member that is movably attached to the chain and can grip the leading end of the printed material with the nail seat. The claw member has a biasing member that is biased in a direction in which the front end of the substrate is gripped.

  Accordingly, the printed material supported by the first transport mechanism is positioned by contacting the positioning portion while the front end is guided to the guide portion of the nail seat, and then the nail member is operated to be gripped between the nail seat. Thus, the nail mechanism can properly hold the substrate.

  In the substrate transport apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of the claw mechanisms are provided in the width direction of the substrate, and are shifted in the width direction of the substrate so as not to interfere with the belt member in the first transport mechanism. It is characterized by being.

  Accordingly, it is possible to prevent contact between the belt member in the first conveyance mechanism and the claw mechanism in the second conveyance mechanism, and it is possible to convey the printed material with high accuracy by each conveyance mechanism.

  In the substrate transport apparatus of the present invention, a lower guide device capable of supporting the lower surface of the substrate supported by the second transport mechanism corresponding to the transport section in the second transport mechanism in which the parallel section has ended. It is characterized by providing.

  Accordingly, the front end of the printed material is supported by the second transport mechanism and the lower surface is supported by the lower guide device, so that the printed material can be transported with high accuracy.

  In the substrate transport apparatus of the present invention, a pair of upper and lower transport rollers capable of sandwiching and transporting the substrate from the first transport mechanism in the transport direction of the substrate is provided. The distance to the parallel section is set longer than the length in the transport direction of the substrate.

  Accordingly, when the substrate is sent from the conveyance roller to the first conveyance mechanism, the substrate is released from the restriction by the conveyance roller, and the conveyance speed changes between the first conveyance mechanism and the second conveyance mechanism. Even if it exists, a to-be-printed material can be conveyed appropriately. In addition, since the distance from the conveyance roller to the parallel section is set to be longer than the length of the printing material, the leading edge of the printing material to be conveyed comes into contact with the claw of the second conveyance mechanism, and the conveyance speed of the printing material is increased. Even when the change is made, the speed difference can be absorbed by the substrate to be conveyed sliding on the belt member.

  In addition, the electrophotographic printing apparatus of the present invention includes a paper feeding device that can supply the printed materials one by one, and liquid toner that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member with respect to the printed material supplied from the paper feeding device. A printing apparatus that transfers the transferred and developed toner image, a fixing apparatus that heats and fixes the toner image transferred to the substrate, and a conveyance that conveys the substrate on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device An electrophotographic printing apparatus comprising: an apparatus; and a paper discharge device that stacks the printed material conveyed by the conveying device at a predetermined position. The conveying device covers a lower surface of the printed material printed by a circulatorable belt member. A first transport mechanism that can support and horizontally transport at a first speed, and a parallel running section that is formed at a predetermined distance downstream from the first transport mechanism in the transport direction of the substrate. A second transport mechanism that holds the substrate by a nail mechanism and can horizontally transport at a second speed that is lower than the first speed, and the nail mechanism that is open in the parallel section are closed at a predetermined gripping position. And a claw opening / closing mechanism that opens the claw mechanism at a predetermined release position of the transport section in the second transport mechanism after the parallel section has ended.

  Accordingly, the printed material after the liquid toner image is printed and fixed is stacked at a predetermined position of the paper discharge device by the transport device, and at this time, the transport device is supported by the first transport mechanism. The printed material catches up with the claw mechanism of the second transport mechanism in the parallel section, and then the claw mechanism is operated by the claw opening / closing mechanism to grip the printed material, regardless of the type of the printed material. Even if there is a deviation in the conveyance of the substrate by the one conveyance mechanism, the substrate can be conveyed properly, and the medium to be printed can be conveyed with high accuracy. As a result, the print quality can be improved. Can be possible.

  According to the substrate transport apparatus and the electrophotographic printing apparatus of the present invention, the first transport mechanism capable of horizontal transport at the first speed and the second transport mechanism capable of horizontal transport at the second speed that is lower than the first speed. Are arranged in a parallel section, and the claw mechanism can grip the substrate in this parallel section, so that the medium to be printed can be conveyed with high accuracy.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electrophotographic printing apparatus to which a substrate transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a developing unit in the electrophotographic printing apparatus of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating first and second transport mechanisms in the transport apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the first transport mechanism and the upper guide device in the transport apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the claw mechanism of the second transport mechanism in the transport apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the claw mechanism of the second transport mechanism in the transport apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the transport device of the present embodiment. 7-2 is explanatory drawing showing the action | operation of the conveying apparatus of a present Example. FIG. 7C is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the transport device of the present embodiment.

  Exemplary embodiments of an apparatus for conveying a printing material and an electrophotographic printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this Example, Moreover, when there exists multiple Example, what comprises combining each Example is also included.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electrophotographic printing apparatus to which a substrate transport apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a developing unit in the electrophotographic printing apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the first and second transport mechanisms in the transport device of the present embodiment, FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the first transport mechanism and the upper guide device in the transport device of the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the claw mechanism of the second transport mechanism in the transport apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the claw mechanism of the second transport mechanism in the transport apparatus of the present embodiment. -3 is explanatory drawing showing the action | operation of the conveying apparatus of a present Example.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an electrophotographic printing apparatus 10 is a liquid developing electrophotographic double-sided and single-sided printing machine, and includes a paper feeding device 11, a printing device 12, a fixing device 13, a conveying device ( And a paper discharge device 15.

  The sheet feeding device 11 has a pair of upper and lower sheet feeding units 11a and 11b. Each of the sheet feeding units 11a and 11b includes a sheet feeding table 21a and 21b and a separator device 22a and 22b as a sheet feeding mechanism. And have. The paper feed bases 21a and 21b are for stacking and placing print sheets (substrates) S up and down, and the separator devices 22a and 22b are a large number of print sheets S stacked on the paper feed bases 21a and 21b. Are picked up one by one in order from the top and sent forward. In this case, the paper feed bases 21a and 21b can be moved up and down in response to the supply of the print sheet S so that the separator devices 22a and 22b can maintain a substantially constant positional relationship with the print sheet S. ing.

  The printing apparatus 12 can perform process color printing of K (black), C (blue), M (red), and Y (yellow). In this case, the printing device 12 transfers the developed toner image by transferring the liquid toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member on the printing sheet S supplied from the paper feeding device 11. That is, the printing apparatus 12 includes a backup roller 31, an intermediate transfer body 32, and four developing units 33, 34, 35, and 36 corresponding to the respective colors. A cleaning unit 37 is provided adjacent to the developing unit 36.

  The backup roller 31 and the intermediate transfer member 32 are rollers having the same outer diameter (peripheral length), and can be driven synchronously in the direction of the arrow in a contact state, and a predetermined pressure is set at the contact portion. The nip (transfer position) is set. The backup roller 31 is provided with grippers 31a on the outer peripheral portion at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The gripper 31a can grip the leading end portion of the print sheet S supplied from the paper feeding device 11, and the gripped print sheet S can be guided to the nip portion by rotating the backup roller 31. On the other hand, the intermediate transfer body 32 is configured such that a blanket made of, for example, urethane conductive rubber is attached to the outer peripheral surface, and a bias voltage of about −200 to −300 V, for example, is applied.

  The backup roller 31 is arranged to apply pressure to the intermediate transfer body 32 at a predetermined pressure, for example, about 1 to 13 kg / cm, at the nip portion described above. Therefore, when the print sheet S is conveyed by the backup roller 31, a predetermined nip pressure is applied when passing through the nip portion formed between the print sheet S and the intermediate transfer body 32. The backup roller 31 is applied with a transfer bias of about −800 V, for example. Therefore, the difference between the bias voltage (about −800 V) of the backup roller 31 and the bias voltage (−200 to −300 V) of the intermediate transfer body 32 gives a force for attracting the liquid toner T described later to the backup roller 31 side. The electrostatic transfer of the liquid toner T from the intermediate transfer body 32 to the print sheet S can be promoted.

  The developing units 33, 34, 35, and 36 are arranged around the intermediate transfer body 32 along the rotation direction, and the configuration is the same except that the color of the liquid toner to be used is different. ing. Therefore, in the following, the developing unit 33 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the developing unit 33 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 41 based on the image data transmitted from a control device (not shown), and the liquid is placed at a position corresponding to the electrostatic latent image. The toner is supplied and the liquid toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 41 is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 32.

  Here, the liquid toner is obtained by dispersing and blending a particulate toner formed of a thermoplastic material and a pigment (pigment or dye) in a liquid carrier. A liquid toner containing a toner having an average particle size of about 1 to 2 μm in a weight ratio of about 10 to 40% in a non-polar solvent (for example, non-polar, paraffinic solvent, mineral oil, etc.) ing.

  The developing unit 33 includes a photosensitive drum (photoconductor) 41, a cleaning unit 42, a static eliminator 43, a charging device 44, an exposure device 45, and a developing device 46. The photosensitive drum 41 has a photosensitive layer formed on its peripheral surface including a photosensitive agent such as amorphous silicon (a-Si) or a photosensitive polymer. The photosensitive drum 41 is in contact with the intermediate transfer body 32 with a nip portion so that the liquid toner on the photosensitive drum 41 can be transferred to the intermediate transfer body 32 side.

  The photosensitive drum 41 has a cleaning unit 42, a static eliminator 43, a charging device 44, an exposure device 45, and a developing device 46 in order from the upstream side of the photosensitive drum 41 along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 41. The photosensitive layer is disposed to face the photosensitive layer.

  The cleaning unit 42 includes a cleaning blade 42a, and can remove the liquid toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 41 and discharge it to a toner collection path (not shown). In other words, the cleaning blade 42 a is a rectangular plate made of an elastic material, and is supported so that the tip portion is in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 41, and the liquid toner on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is removed. Can be scraped off.

  The static eliminator 43 has a function of erasing charges remaining on the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 41. The charging device 44 includes a plurality of non-contact discharge type chargers such as a corotron type or a scorotron type along the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum 41, and the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 41 is uniformly formed. For example, it has a function of charging to about 500V.

  The exposure device 45 is composed of a light emitting device (LED array) in which light emitters (for example, LEDs) are arranged in a rod shape along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 41, and is based on image data sent from a control device. Each LED is made to emit light. That is, the surface of the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 41 that is uniformly charged by the charging device 44 is irradiated with light from the exposure device 45, so that the photosensitive layer is uncharged in the light irradiation portion, and the photosensitive layer An electrostatic latent image based on the image data can be formed. The light emitting device may be configured to form an electrostatic latent image by scanning a semiconductor laser or the like based on image data instead of the LED array.

  The developing device 46 includes a toner storage unit 51, an anilox roller 52, a leveling roller 53, a developing roller 54, a toner charger 55, and toner recovery units 56 and 57. The liquid toner can be transferred to the portion where the image is formed.

  The toner storage unit 51 stores liquid toner, and the liquid toner can be supplied and discharged so that a part of the anilox roller 52 is immersed in the liquid toner. The anilox roller 52 is a metal roller, and a concave portion (cell) suitable for supplying liquid toner with a desired film thickness is formed on the entire surface of the anilox roller 52. The anilox roller 52 can be driven to rotate in the same direction as the photosensitive drum 41.

  The leveling roller 53 is made of urethane rubber, and is disposed between the anilox roller 52 and the developing roller 54, and the peripheral surface is in contact with the anilox roller 52 and the developing roller 54. Further, the leveling roller 53 is rotatable in such a direction that the peripheral surfaces thereof advance in the same direction at the contact point with the anilox roller 52.

  The developing roller 54 is made of conductive rubber, and is disposed so as to form a nip portion in contact with the photosensitive drum 41. Further, the developing roller 54 is formed with a nip portion between the developing drum 54 and the photosensitive drum 41 so that the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 41 and the circumferential surface of the developing roller 54 can be rotated in the same direction. Further, the developing roller 54 is set to have the same peripheral speed as that of the photosensitive drum 41. The toner charger 55 has a function of uniformly charging the peripheral surface of the developing roller 54.

  As described above, when the conductive developing roller 54 and the photosensitive drum 41 are in contact with each other at the nip portion, the liquid containing the charged toner from the peripheral surface of the developing roller 54 to the portion where the electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 41. The toner is transferred and developed.

  Then, the developed liquid toner on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 32 at the nip portion, and the liquid toner layer (toner image) containing the toner image on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer body 32 is transferred. ) Can be formed.

  The toner collecting unit 56 can remove and collect the liquid toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 54. The toner collecting unit 57 can remove and collect the liquid toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the leveling roller 53. The toner collecting units 56 and 57 have substantially the same configuration, and convey residual toner separated from the leveling roller 53 and the developing roller 54 to a predetermined position and collect it in a toner tank (not shown).

  Returning to FIG. 1, the cleaning unit 37 can remove and collect the liquid toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer body 32.

  The fixing device 13 can heat and fix the liquid toner layer (toner image) transferred to the upper surface of the print sheet S by heating the toner image transferred to the print sheet S.

  By the way, a first sheet conveyance path S1 for the print sheet S is provided between the paper feeding device 11 and the printing device 12 described above. The first sheet conveyance path S1 has a base end portion branched into two and connected to the paper feeding units 11a and 11b, and a front end portion connected to a nip portion between the backup roller 31 and the intermediate transfer member 32. ing. In the first sheet conveyance path S1, a plurality of drivable pair of upper and lower conveyance rollers 71 are provided at predetermined intervals between the sheet feeding device 11 and the printing device 12. In this case, the interval between the conveying rollers 71 is shorter than the length of the printing sheet S in the conveying direction, and at least two sets of conveying rollers 71 can hold the printing sheet S and convey it.

  A second sheet conveyance path S2 for the print sheet S is provided between the fixing device 13 and the paper discharge apparatus 15, and a conveyance device 14 is provided in the second sheet conveyance path S2. The second sheet conveyance path S <b> 2 is connected to the fixing device 13 on the base end side and is connected to the paper discharge device 15 via the conveyance device 14 on the front end side. In the second sheet conveyance path S2, a plurality of drivable pair of upper and lower conveyance rollers 81 are provided at a predetermined interval between the fixing device 13 and the paper discharge device 15. In this case, the intervals between the conveying rollers 81 are shorter than the length of the printing sheet S in the conveying direction, like the conveying rollers 71, and at least two sets of conveying rollers 81 can hold the printing sheet S and convey it. It has become.

  A reversing device 91 for reversing the front and back of the print sheet S is provided between the first sheet transport path S1 and the front side of the transport apparatus 14 in the second sheet transport path S2. The reversing device 91 includes a switch mechanism 92, a sheet switching path 93, a conveying roller 94, a sheet reversing path 95, a switchback roller 96, a sheet return path 97, and a conveying roller 98. The reversing device 91 is used for duplex printing.

  The switch mechanism 92 switches and conveys the print sheet S conveyed on the first sheet conveyance path S <b> 1 to the conveyance device 14 or the sheet switching path 93, and the conveyance roller 94 supplies the print sheet S supplied to the sheet switching path 93. Can be supplied to the sheet reversing path 95. The sheet reversing path 95 is for reversing the printing sheet S, and the switchback roller 96 is capable of normal rotation and reverse rotation. The printing sheet S supplied to the sheet switching path 93 is guided to the sheet reversing path 95, Thereafter, the sheet can be supplied to the sheet return path 97. The printing sheet S supplied to the sheet return path 97 is returned to the first sheet conveyance path S1 by the conveyance roller 98 and is supplied to the printing apparatus 12 again.

  The transport device 14 transports the printed print sheet S being transported through the second sheet transport path S2 to the paper discharge device 15, and supports the lower surface of the print sheet S by a belt member that can be circulated. The first transport mechanism 201 that can be transported horizontally at a speed V1 and the print sheet S are arranged such that a parallel distance is formed by a predetermined distance downstream from the first transport mechanism 201 in the transport direction of the print sheet S. Is held by the claw mechanism 202, and the second conveyance mechanism 203 capable of horizontal conveyance at the second speed V2, which is lower than the first speed V1, and the claw mechanism 202 that is open in this parallel section are closed at a predetermined gripping position. And a claw opening / closing mechanism 204 that opens the claw mechanism 202 at a predetermined release position of the conveyance section in the second conveyance mechanism 203 in which the parallel running section is completed. In this case, the conveyance speed from the paper feeding device 11 to the first conveyance mechanism 201 of the conveyance device 14 is substantially constant, and the conveyance speed of the second conveyance mechanism 203 is low.

  The paper discharge device 15 includes a paper discharge tray 101, front and rear direction position adjusting members 102 and 103, and a left and right direction position adjusting member 104. That is, when the printed print sheet S is transported along the second sheet transport path S2, the transport device 14 releases the held print sheet S above the paper discharge device 15 and discharges it. At this time, the front position adjustment member 102 operates to position the front position of the print sheet S, and the rear position adjustment member 103 positions the rear position of the print sheet S. Further, the left-right position adjusting member 104 positions the left-right position of the print sheet S.

  Here, the conveyance device 14 described above will be described in detail. As described above, the transport device 14 includes the first transport mechanism 201, the second transport mechanism 203, and the claw opening / closing mechanism 204. Accordingly, the print sheet S is transferred from the pair of upper and lower transfer rollers 81 to the first transfer mechanism 201, transferred from the first transfer mechanism 201 to the second transfer mechanism 203, and discharged from the second transfer mechanism 203 to the paper discharge device 15. It is transferred to. At this time, the printing sheet S is decelerated when it is transferred from the first conveyance mechanism 201 to the second conveyance mechanism 203 and is discharged to the paper discharge device 15 at a reduced speed.

  The claw opening / closing mechanism 204 includes a first cam 205 that closes the claw mechanism 202 in an open state at a predetermined gripping position in a parallel section in which the first transport mechanism 201 and the second transport mechanism 203 overlap each other. The second cam 206 opens the claw mechanism 202 at a predetermined release position of the transport section in the second transport mechanism 203 after the parallel travel section is completed. In this case, the claw opening / closing mechanism 204 closes the claw mechanism 202 at the downstream end position in the parallel running section. The first transport mechanism 201 can transport the held print sheet S at the first speed V1, and the second transport mechanism 203 can transport the gripped print sheet S at the second speed V2. The second speed V2 is lower than the speed V1. The speed difference between the first speed V1 and the second speed V2 is a speed difference that causes the print sheet S supported by the first transport mechanism 201 to approach the position where the claw mechanism 202 of the second transport mechanism 203 can be held in the parallel running section. It is set to about 5% to 30%. In this case, when the speed difference is 5%, there is almost no delay of the print sheet S until the first transport mechanism 201 is reached, and when the speed difference is 30%, the transported print sheet S is changed. This is when there is strong stiffness.

  In the first transport mechanism 201, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the support frame 211 includes a pair of left and right side wall portions 212 that are positioned on the left and right sides along the transport direction of the print sheet S, and the left and right side wall portions 212. And a support plate 213 having a plate shape to be connected. The support frame 211 is rotatably supported by a drive roller (front support roller) 214 along the width direction of the print sheet S on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the print sheet S, and can be driven and rotated by a drive motor 215. It has become. Further, the support frame 211 is rotatably supported by a support roller (rear support roller) 216 along the width direction of the print sheet S on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the print sheet S, and the drive roller 214 and the support roller. A pair of left and right support rollers 217 are rotatably supported at positions adjacent to the left and right side wall portions 212.

  Each of the rollers 214, 216, and 217 has a plurality of grooves along the entire circumferential direction formed at predetermined intervals in the axial direction, and a plurality of endless round belts 218 are wound around the rollers 214 and 216. Is fitted. A plurality of endless round belts 219 are wound around the rollers 214 and 217 and are fitted in the grooves. Each of the round belts 218 and 219 functions as a transport belt, is formed of an elastic body (for example, rubber) having a circular cross section, and is wound around the rollers 214, 216, and 217 with a predetermined tension. In this case, each short round belt 219 is arranged on the left and right side wall portions 212 side of the support frame 211, and each long round belt 218 is arranged between each short round belt 219. The round belts 218 and 218 are arranged at predetermined intervals, preferably at equal intervals in the width direction of the print sheet S with respect to the support plate 213 in the support frame 211, and are arranged above and below the support plate 213 in the support frame 211. It is arranged to search.

  Further, an upper guide device 221 capable of supporting the upper surface of the printing sheet S, the lower surface of which is supported by the first transport mechanism 201, is provided above the first transport mechanism 201. The upper guide device 221 is fixed to a plurality of (two in this embodiment) support rods 222 arranged along the width direction of the print sheet S and a lower portion of each support rod 222 via a connecting member 223. A plurality of guide members 224. One end of each of the plurality of guide members 224 is located on the downstream side of the conveyance roller 81, and the other end is extended to a center position of a connecting shaft 234 described later.

  In the support frame 211, a pair of left and right mounting brackets 225 are fixed to the left and right side wall portions 212 at a predetermined interval in the conveyance direction of the printed sheet S, and each support rod 222 has left and right end portions attached to the mounting bracket 225. It is fixed. The plurality of guide members 224 have a long bar shape along the conveyance direction of the print sheet S, and are fixed to the lower surface of each support rod 222 via a plurality of connecting members 223. The guide member 224 is suspended downward from the support rod 222 with a connecting member 223, and the lower surface of the guide member 224 is vertically opposed to the upper surface of each of the round belts 218 and 219 in the first transport mechanism 201 with a predetermined gap. In this case, each support rod 222 is disposed between the drive roller 214 and the support roller 217, and each guide member 224 has an end on the inlet side slightly inclined upward.

  Accordingly, when the print sheet S is conveyed by the pair of conveyance rollers 81, the print sheet S is guided between the first conveyance mechanism 201 and the upper guide device 221. At this time, the lower surface of the printing sheet S is supported by the round belts 218 and 219 in the first transport mechanism 201, and the upper surface is supported by the guide members 224 in the upper guide member 221, so that the printing sheet S is deformed. It is possible to properly convey at the first speed V1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the second transport mechanism 203 is wound around a pair of front and rear sprockets 231 and 232 disposed at the front and rear of the transport section of the print sheet S, and the pair of front and rear sprockets 231 and 232. And an endless chain 233 and a plurality (five in this embodiment) of claw mechanisms 202 mounted at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the chain 233. In this case, the sprockets 231 and 232 and the chain 233 are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the printed sheet S to be conveyed, and the left and right sprockets 231 and 232 are connected to each other by the connecting shafts 234 and 235, A drive motor (not shown) at the shaft end of the connecting shaft 234 in the sprocket 231 is connected.

  Each claw mechanism 202 has the same configuration, and as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, a claw that is fixed to the chain 233 and has a positioning portion that can be positioned by contacting the tip of the print sheet S. A claw member 242 that is movably attached to the seat 241 and the chain 233 and can grip the leading edge of the printing sheet S between the claw seat 241 and the claw member 242 is biased in a direction in which the leading edge of the printing sheet S is gripped And a torsion coil spring (biasing member) 243.

  That is, a pair of left and right chains 233 are routed on both sides of the conveyance path through which the printing sheet S is conveyed, and support blocks 251 and 252 are fixed to the chains 233. The left and right support blocks 251 and 252 are fixed at the ends of the connecting shaft 253 along the width direction of the print sheet S and rotate at the ends of the rotation shaft 254 along the width direction of the print sheet S. It is supported freely. In this case, the rotation shaft 254 is located on the front side in the moving direction of each chain 233, the connection shaft 253 is located on the rear side, and the connection shaft 253 and the rotation shaft 254 are in the middle part in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the support member 255 supports the two positions so as not to shift. The connecting shaft 253 and the rotating shaft 254 are arranged in parallel, and there are a plurality of units (in this embodiment, each of which includes a claw seat 241, a claw member 242, and a torsion coil spring 243 with a predetermined interval along the axial direction. 6) are installed.

  The claw seat 241 is fitted to the connecting shaft 253 at the outer periphery, and is fixed to the connecting shaft 253 by a fixing bolt 256. The nail seat 241 is formed with a first projecting portion 241a projecting toward the conveyance path side of the printing sheet S, and a positioning portion 241b that can be positioned by contacting the leading end of the printing sheet S with the first projecting portion 241a. Is formed. The claw seat 241 is formed with a second protrusion 241c that extends from the transport path of the print sheet S to the upstream side in the transport direction of the print sheet S, and guides the leading end of the print sheet S to the second protrusion 241c. A guide portion 241d that leads to the positioning portion 241b is formed.

  The claw member 242 is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the rotation shaft 254 and is fixed to the rotation shaft 254 by a fixing bolt 257. The grip plate 258 is a plate material that can be elastically deformed. A base end portion of the grip plate 258 is fixed to the rotating shaft 254 integrally with the claw member 242 by a fixing bolt 257, and a leading end portion is on the conveyance path side of the printing sheet S. It is arranged and inclined toward the upstream side in the moving direction of the chain 233. The grip plate 258 has a distal end projecting forward from the claw member 242 and is biased and supported by a spring 259 on the side where the distal end is in close contact with the claw member 242. In this case, the positioning portion 241b (first projecting portion 241a) in the nail seat 241 is provided to be shifted to a part of the width direction of the sheet S in the guide portion 241d (second projecting portion 241c). On the other hand, although the grip plate 258 in the claw member 242 is provided corresponding to the guide portion 241d, it is displaced in the width direction from the positioning portion 241b (first projecting portion 241a), and both do not interfere with each other. .

  The claw member 242 is rotatable together with the rotation shaft 254, and the tip end portion of the gripping plate 258 can come into contact with the second projecting portion 241 c of the claw seat 241. In this case, the grip plate 258 of the claw member 242 is provided so as to be shifted in the width direction of the print sheet S from the first protrusion 241a of the claw seat 241, and is the same as the width direction of the second protrusion 241c and the print sheet S. In the position. The torsion coil spring 243 is wound around and attached to the rotating shaft 254, one end is locked to the connecting shaft 253, and the other end is locked to the claw member 242. Therefore, the claw member 242 is moved in a direction in which the leading end portion of the gripping plate 258 comes into contact with the second projecting portion 241c of the claw seat 241 by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 243, that is, in a direction in which the leading end portion of the printing sheet S is gripped. Energized and supported.

  In addition, one end portion of the rotation shaft 254 passes through the support block 251, and one end portion of the support arm 260 is fixed to this end portion. The support arm 260 extends from the rotating shaft 254 toward the upstream side in the moving direction of the chain 233, and a cam roller 261 is rotatably mounted at the tip. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the first cam 205 is disposed in the vicinity of the connecting shaft 234 in the front sprocket 231 constituting the second transport mechanism 203, and in the vicinity of the connecting shaft 235 in the rear sprocket 232. A second cam 206 is disposed at the position. The first cam 205 has a claw release cam surface 205a and a claw closing cam surface 205b formed on the outer peripheral surface, and the second cam 206 has a claw release cam surface 206a and a claw closing cam surface 206b formed on the outer peripheral surface.

  The cam roller 261 mounted on the claw mechanism 202 is guided by the claw release cam surface 205a and the claw closing cam surface 205b of the first cam 205, thereby rotating the rotation shaft 254 to rotate the claw member 242. The claw mechanism 202 can be opened and closed. Further, the cam roller 261 mounted on the claw mechanism 202 is guided by the claw closing cam surface 206a and the claw release cam surface 206b of the second cam 206, thereby rotating the claw member 242 by rotating the rotation shaft 254. The claw mechanism 202 can be opened and closed.

  In this case, the first cam 205, the second cam 206, the cam roller 261, and the like constitute the claw opening / closing mechanism 204.

  Therefore, when the print sheet S is transported by the first transport mechanism 201, the print sheet S is guided between the first transport mechanism 201 and the second transport mechanism 203. At this time, the print sheet S is conveyed at the first speed V1 by the first conveyance mechanism 201, while the second conveyance mechanism 203 operates at the second speed V2 that is slower than the first speed V1. The print sheet S catches up with the claw mechanism 202 in the second transport mechanism 203. The claw mechanism 202 can grip the print sheet S and transport the print sheet S at the second speed V2.

  In this embodiment, in the transport device 14, the first transport mechanism 201 first transports the print sheet S at the first speed V1, and then the second transport mechanism 203 is a second slower than the first speed V1. Since the printing sheet S is conveyed at the speed V <b> 2, a parallel running section in which the upstream side of the second conveyance mechanism 203 overlaps is set above the downstream side of the first conveyance mechanism 201. In this case, the round belts 218 and 219 and the claw mechanism 202 are arranged in the width direction of the print sheet S so that the round belts 218 and 219 in the first transport mechanism 201 and the claw mechanism 202 in the second transport mechanism 203 do not interfere with each other. They are offset. Further, when the claw mechanism 202 grips the print sheet S and moves along the conveyance path by the movement of the chain 233 in the second conveyance mechanism 203, the claw member 242 of the claw mechanism 202 opens and closes up and down. The support plate 213 of the support frame 211 in the first transport mechanism 201 is formed with a plurality of slits 226 corresponding to the opening position of the claw member 242.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a lower guide device 271 that can support the lower surface of the print sheet S whose front end is supported by the second transport mechanism 203 is provided below the second transport mechanism 203. ing. The lower guide device 271 is a support plate, and is disposed corresponding to the transport section in the second transport mechanism 203 in which the parallel section B has ended.

  Hereinafter, a printing operation by the electrophotographic printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  In the electrophotographic printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in the paper feeding device 11, one of the two paper feeding units 11a and 11b operates to send out the printing sheets S one by one. The printing sheet S sent out from the paper feeding device 11 is conveyed to the printing device 12 by a plurality of conveying rollers 71 in the first sheet conveying path S1. In the printing apparatus 12, the backup roller 31 receives the leading end portion of the printing sheet S with the gripper 31a open, holds the leading end portion of the printing sheet S by closing the gripper 31a, and holds it by rotating. The print sheet S is conveyed.

  On the other hand, in the intermediate transfer body 32, K (black) corresponding to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 41 on which the electrostatic image to be transferred to the first surface of the print sheet S is formed by the developing units 33 to 36. C (blue), M (red), and Y (yellow) liquid toners are transferred, an image is developed on the photosensitive drum 41, and the liquid toner transferred onto the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is an intermediate transfer member. 32 is transferred. When the printing sheet S held by the backup roller 31 reaches the nip portion with the intermediate transfer body 32, the surface of the printing sheet S on the side in contact with the intermediate transfer body 32 (from the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer body 32 ( Liquid toner (toner image) is transferred to the first surface.

  Then, the print sheet S having the liquid toner transferred to the first surface is conveyed to the fixing device 13, and the upper surface (first surface) of the print sheet S is heated to be transferred to the first surface. The liquid toner layer (toner image) is fixed.

  The print sheet S having the liquid toner fixed on the first surface is conveyed by a plurality of conveyance rollers 81 in the second sheet conveyance path S2. Then, the front and back are reversed by the reversing device 91 and conveyed again to the printing device 12 via the first sheet conveying path S1.

  Again, the print sheet S conveyed to the printing apparatus 12 is gripped at the leading end by the gripper 31 a of the backup roller 31 and is conveyed by the backup roller 31 as described above. In the intermediate transfer body 32, K (black), C (corresponding to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 41 on which the electrostatic image to be transferred to the second surface of the print sheet S is formed by the developing units 33 to 36. Indigo), M (red), and Y (yellow) liquid toners are transferred, an image is developed on the photosensitive drum 41, and the liquid toner transferred to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 32. Transcribed. When the printing sheet S held by the backup roller 31 reaches the nip portion with the intermediate transfer body 32, the surface of the printing sheet S on the side in contact with the intermediate transfer body 32 (from the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer body 32 ( Liquid toner (toner image) is transferred to the second surface.

  Then, the printing sheet S having the liquid toner transferred to the second surface is conveyed to the fixing device 13, and the upper surface (second surface) of the printing sheet S is heated to be transferred to the second surface. The liquid toner layer (toner image) is fixed.

  The print sheet S having the liquid toner fixed on the first surface and the second surface is transported to the transport device 14 by a plurality of transport rollers 81 in the second sheet transport path S2, and the paper discharge device 15 is transported by the transport device 14. And is discharged by the paper discharge device 15.

  Here, the conveyance operation of the printing sheet S by the conveyance device 14 will be described in detail.

  The print sheet S is supplied to the first transport mechanism 201 in the transport device 14 by the transport roller 81, and is transferred from the first transport mechanism 201 to the second transport mechanism 203. In the transport device 14, the first transport mechanism 201 and the second transport mechanism 203 partially overlap, operate in synchronization, and the second transport mechanism 203 is slower than the first transport mechanism 201. That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, a first transport section A in which the print sheet S is supported by the first transport mechanism 201 and transported without contacting the claw mechanism 202 of the second transport mechanism 203, The print sheet S is supported by the first transport mechanism 201 and can be gripped by the claw mechanism 202 of the second transport mechanism 203, and the print sheet S is separated from the support by the first transport mechanism 201, and And a second transport section C that is gripped and transported by the claw mechanism 202 of the second transport mechanism 203.

  Note that when the printing sheet S is supported by the conveyance roller 81 and supplied to the first conveyance mechanism 201, the length of the first conveyance section A is set to be longer than the length of the printing sheet S in the conveyance direction. . That is, when the entire print sheet S is conveyed in the first conveyance section A by the first conveyance mechanism 201, the restriction by the conveyance roller 81 is released.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7-2 and 7-3, in the parallel section B, the claw mechanism 202 of the second transport mechanism 203 is synchronized with the movement of the plurality of round belts 218 and 219 in the first transport mechanism 201. The parallel claw opening section B1 that moves in the open state and the parallel claw closing operation in which the claw mechanism 202 of the second transport mechanism 203 moves while closing in synchronization with the movement of the plurality of round belts 218 and 219 in the first transport mechanism 201. It consists of section B2.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A, the first transport mechanism 201 transports the print sheet S supplied from the transport roller 81 while supporting the lower surface. At this time, the claw mechanism 202 of the second transport mechanism 203 circulates at a lower speed than the first transport mechanism 201. First, in the first transport section A, the printing sheet S supported by the first transport mechanism 201. The front end portion approaches the claw mechanism 202 of the second transport mechanism 203. Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the front end portion of the print sheet S supported by the first conveyance mechanism 201 in the parallel claw opening section B1 in the parallel movement section B is the claw mechanism 202 of the second conveyance mechanism 203. Can catch up with.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the print sheet S supported by the first transport mechanism 201 catches up with the pawl mechanism 202 of the second transport mechanism 203, the pawl mechanism 202 is in an open state. Therefore, the front end of the printing sheet S comes into contact with the nail seat 241 in the nail mechanism 202. Here, the printing sheet S is positioned by bringing the front end into contact with the positioning portion 241b while the front end is guided to the guide portion 241d. In this case, since the first speed V 1 of the first transport mechanism 201 is higher than the second speed V 2 of the second transport mechanism 203, the print sheet S supported by the first transport mechanism 201 is transferred to the second transport mechanism 203. The claw mechanism 202 can be caught up. Then, after the print sheet S catches up with the claw mechanism 202 of the second transport mechanism 203, the print sheet S has a front end abutting against the positioning portion 241 b of the claw seat 241 in the claw mechanism 202, so that the transport speed is high. Although the second speed V2 is reached and slip occurs between the first transport mechanism 201, printing is performed because a predetermined gap is provided between the first transport mechanism 201 and the upper guide device 221 (see FIG. 3). The sheet S is not scratched.

  Here, since the parallel claw opening section B1 is provided between the first conveyance mechanism 201 and the second conveyance mechanism 203, the print sheet S supported by the first conveyance mechanism 201 is conveyed in the conveyance direction due to conveyance delay. Even if the position is shifted, the front end portion of the print sheet S can catch up with the claw mechanism 202 of the second transport mechanism 203 at any position in the parallel claw opening section B1.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7C, in the parallel claw closing operation section B <b> 2 in the parallel section B, it catches up with the claw mechanism 202 of the second transport mechanism 203, and the front end is in contact with the claw seat 241 in the claw mechanism 202. The print sheet S is gripped when the claw member 242 in the claw mechanism 202 is operated. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7-2, when the claw mechanism 202 is located in the parallel claw release section B1, the cam roller 261 is on the claw release cam surface 205a of the first cam 205, so that the claw member 242 stops at an open position spaced from the claw seat 241 against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 243. 6 and 7-3, when the claw mechanism 202 reaches the parallel claw closing operation section B2, the cam roller 261 moves to the claw closing cam surface 205b of the first cam 205, so that the claw member 242 is moved. Is moved to the closed position by approaching the claw seat 241 by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 243. Therefore, the leading end of the print sheet S is gripped by the claw mechanism 202. After that, even when the claw mechanism 202 moves out of the parallel claw closing operation section B2 and moves to the second conveyance section C, the claw member 242 is maintained at the closed position by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 243. Is continuously gripped by the claw mechanism 202.

  Thus, the print sheet S is gripped by the claw mechanism 202 in the parallel claw closing operation section B2, and is transferred from the first transport mechanism 201 to the second transport mechanism 203 here. As shown in FIG. 1, the print sheet S supported by the second transport mechanism 203 is released from the claw mechanism 202 by the reverse operation to the above when the claw mechanism 202 moves to the second cam 206, and is discharged. It is conveyed to the device 15. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, when the cam roller 261 of the pawl mechanism 202 reaches the pawl release cam surface 206 a of the second cam 206, the pawl member 242 resists the urging force of the torsion coil spring 243. It moves to an open position separated from the seat 241. Therefore, the print sheet S is released from the gripping by the claw mechanism 202 and is conveyed to the paper discharge device 15 by the lower guide device 271.

  On the other hand, the claw mechanism 202 maintains the open state of the claw member 242 because the cam roller 261 moves to the claw closing cam surface 206b of the second cam 206. The claw mechanism 202 enters a closed state when detached from the second cam 206, but is released when it reaches the claw release cam surface 205a of the first cam 205 again.

  As described above, in the substrate transport apparatus of the present embodiment, the first transport mechanism 201 that supports the lower surface of the print sheet S by a circulatable belt member and can be transported horizontally at the first speed V1, and the first transport mechanism 201. 1 is arranged so that a parallel section B is formed by a predetermined distance on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the print sheet S, and the print sheet S is held by the claw mechanism 202 at a lower speed than the first speed V1. The second transport mechanism 203 capable of horizontal transport at a certain second speed V2 and the second transport mechanism 203 in which the claw mechanism 202 that is open in the parallel section B is closed at a predetermined gripping position and the parallel section B has ended. 2 A claw opening / closing mechanism 204 that opens the claw mechanism 202 at a predetermined release position in the conveyance section C is provided.

  Therefore, when the print sheet S is delivered from the first transport mechanism 201 to the second transport mechanism 203, the first transport mechanism 201 and the second transport mechanism 203 are transported horizontally and overlap each other by a predetermined distance. Since the parallel section B is formed and the second transport mechanism 203 is slower than the first transport mechanism 201, the print sheet S supported by the first transport mechanism 201 is within the parallel section B. 2 catches up with the claw mechanism 202 of the transport mechanism 203, and then the claw mechanism 202 is operated by the claw opening / closing mechanism 204 to grip the print sheet S. Therefore, regardless of the type (rigidity, etc.) of the printing sheet S, even if the printing sheet S is misaligned by the first conveying mechanism 201, the printing sheet S can be properly conveyed. Can be conveyed with high accuracy.

  Further, in the transport apparatus for a substrate of this embodiment, the claw opening / closing mechanism 204 closes the claw mechanism 202 at the downstream end position in the parallel section B. Therefore, even if a conveyance delay occurs in the print sheet S supported by the first conveyance mechanism 201, the print sheet S catches up with the claw mechanism 202 of the second conveyance mechanism 203 by the downstream end position of the parallel running section B at the latest. Thereafter, the claw mechanism 202 is operated by the claw opening / closing mechanism 204 to grip the print sheet S, and the print sheet S can be properly delivered.

  Further, in the substrate transport apparatus of the present embodiment, the claw mechanism 202 can hold the speed difference between the first speed V1 and the second speed V2 and the printing sheet S supported by the first transport mechanism 201 in the parallel section B. The speed difference is approached to the correct position. The printing sheet S supported by the first conveyance mechanism 201 is such that the conveyance speed of the second conveyance mechanism 203 is lower than the conveyance speed of the first conveyance mechanism 201 and the difference in speed is an appropriate speed difference. Can be properly transferred to the second transport mechanism 203 in the parallel section B.

  Moreover, in the conveyance apparatus of the to-be-printed material of a present Example, the 1st conveyance mechanism 201 is arrange | positioned at the front part and the rear part of the 1st conveyance area A of the printing sheet S, and the groove part along the circumferential direction is an axial direction with a predetermined space | interval. A plurality of front and rear support rollers 214, 216, and 217 formed in a plurality, and a plurality of round belts 218 and 219 that form a circular cross section and fit into the groove portions of the front and rear support rollers 214, 216, and 217, respectively. Yes. Accordingly, by forming the first transport mechanism 201 by fitting the round belts 218 and 219 in the respective groove portions of the pair of front and rear support rollers 214, 216, and 217, the contact area with respect to the print sheet S can be reduced. S can be prevented from being damaged, and the round belts 218 and 219 can be fitted into the grooves of the support rollers 214, 216, and 217, so that displacement in the width direction can be prevented and the support rollers 214 and 216 can be prevented. , 217 and the round belts 218, 219 are increased to prevent longitudinal slippage, so that the printing sheet S can be conveyed with high accuracy.

  Further, in the conveyance apparatus for a printed material according to the present exemplary embodiment, the printing sheet S having the guide member 224 disposed to face the upper side of the plurality of round belts 218 and 219 and having the lower surface supported by the first conveyance mechanism 201. An upper guide device 221 capable of supporting the upper surface of the upper side is provided. Therefore, the print sheet S can be conveyed with high accuracy by being supported by the first conveyance mechanism 201 from below and supported by the upper guide device 221 from above.

  Further, in the substrate transport apparatus of the present embodiment, the second transport mechanism 203 includes a pair of front and rear sprockets 231 and 232 and a pair of front and rear sprockets 231 and 231 disposed at the front and rear of the transport section of the print sheet S. The chain 233 has an endless chain 233 and a plurality of claw mechanisms 202 mounted at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the chain 233, and the claw mechanism 202 is fixed to the chain 233 and the leading end of the print sheet S. The claw seat 241 formed with a positioning part 241b that can be positioned by contact and a guide part 241d that guides the leading end of the printing sheet S to the positioning part 241b, and the chain 233 are movably mounted so that the leading end of the printing sheet S is clawed. A claw member 242 that can be gripped with the seat 241 and a torsion coil spring 24 that urges the claw member 242 in a direction to grip the leading edge of the printed sheet S. And it has a door. Accordingly, the print sheet S supported by the first transport mechanism 201 is positioned by contacting the positioning portion 241b while the front end thereof is guided by the guide portion 241d of the nail seat 241, and then the nail member 242 is operated to start the nail seat. Thus, the claw mechanism 202 can properly hold the print sheet S.

  Further, in the transport apparatus for a printed material according to the present embodiment, a plurality of claw mechanisms 202 are provided in the width direction of the print sheet S, and are shifted in the width direction of the print sheet S so as not to interfere with the belt member in the first transport mechanism 201. Are arranged. Accordingly, contact between the belt member in the first transport mechanism 201 and the claw mechanism 202 in the second transport mechanism 203 can be prevented, and the transport mechanism 201 and 203 can transport the print sheet S with high accuracy. be able to.

  Further, in the substrate transport apparatus of the present embodiment, the lower surface of the printing sheet S supported by the second transport mechanism 203 is supported corresponding to the second transport section C in the second transport mechanism 203 in which the parallel section B has ended. A possible lower guide device 271 is provided. Accordingly, the front end of the print sheet S is supported by the second transport mechanism 203 and the lower surface is supported by the lower guide device 271, so that the print sheet S can be transported with high accuracy.

  Further, in the substrate transport apparatus of the present embodiment, a pair of upper and lower transport rollers 81 capable of sandwiching and transporting the printing sheet S is provided upstream of the first transport mechanism 201 in the transport direction of the printing sheet S. The distance from the roller 81 to the parallel section B, that is, the first transport section A is set to be longer than the length of the print sheet S in the transport direction. Accordingly, when the print sheet S is sent from the transport roller 81 to the first transport mechanism 201, the restraint by the transport roller 81 is released from the print sheet S, and the first transport mechanism 201 and the second transport mechanism 203 Even if there is a change in the conveyance speed between them, the printing sheet S can be conveyed properly. Further, since the distance from the conveyance roller 81 to the parallel section is set to be longer than the length of the print sheet S, the leading end of the print sheet S to be conveyed contacts the claw member 242 of the second conveyance mechanism 203. Even when the transport speed of the print sheet S is changed, the transport sheet S to be transported slides on the round belts 218 and 219 to absorb the speed difference.

  Further, in the electrophotographic printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the paper feeding device 11, the printing device 12, the fixing device 13, the transport device 14 for transporting the print sheet S on which the toner image is fixed, and the discharge device. A first transport mechanism 201 that is configured to include a paper device 15 and supports the lower surface of the print sheet S by a belt member that can be circulated and can be transported horizontally at a first speed V1, and the first transport. The mechanism 201 is arranged so that a parallel section B is formed by a predetermined distance on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the print sheet S, and the print sheet S is held by the claw mechanism 202 and is lower than the first speed V1. In the second transport mechanism 203 capable of horizontal transport at the two speeds V2 and the second transport mechanism 203 in which the claw mechanism 202 opened in the parallel section B is closed at a predetermined gripping position and the parallel section B is ended. It is provided with claw opening and closing mechanism 204 for opening the pawl mechanism 202 at a predetermined release position of the second conveying section C.

  Therefore, the printed printing sheet S is supported by the first transport mechanism 201 in the first transport section A in the transport device 14 and catches up with the claw mechanism 202 of the second transport mechanism 203 in the parallel section B. The claw mechanism 202 is operated by the claw opening / closing mechanism 204 to grip the print sheet S. Therefore, regardless of the type (rigidity, etc.) of the printing sheet S, even if the printing sheet S is misaligned by the first conveying mechanism 201, the printing sheet S can be properly conveyed. Can be conveyed with high accuracy. As a result, it is possible to improve the printing quality by the electrophotographic printing apparatus 10.

  In the above-described embodiment, in order to make the second transport mechanism 203 slower than the first transport mechanism 201, the transport speed from the paper feeding device 11 to the first transport mechanism 201 of the transport device 14 is substantially constant, Although the transport speed of the second transport mechanism 203 is low, the transport speed from the paper feeding device 11 to the paper discharge device 15 may be substantially constant, and only the transport speed of the first transport mechanism 201 may be high.

  In the present embodiment, the transport apparatus for a substrate according to the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic printing apparatus, but is not limited thereto, and may be applied to a printing machine such as a sheet-fed printing machine. Further, although the printing material is the printing sheet S, it may be a paper or a resin sheet having a predetermined size.

  A substrate transport apparatus and an electrophotographic printing apparatus according to the present invention include a first transport mechanism that can horizontally transport at a first speed and a second transport mechanism that can horizontally transport at a second speed that is lower than the first speed. It is arranged with a parallel section, and the claw mechanism can grip the printed material in this parallel section, which enables highly accurate transport of the print medium. It can also be applied to a photo printing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electrophotographic printing apparatus 11 Paper feed apparatus 12 Printing apparatus 13 Fixing apparatus 14 Conveyance apparatus (conveyance apparatus of to-be-printed material)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Paper discharge apparatus 31 Backup roller 32 Intermediate transfer body 33, 34, 35, 36 Development unit 201 1st conveyance mechanism 202 Claw mechanism 203 2nd conveyance mechanism 204 Claw opening / closing mechanism 205 1st cam 206 2nd cam 214 Drive roller (front Part support roller)
216 Support roller (rear support roller)
217 Support rollers 218, 219 Round belt (conveyor belt)
221 Upper guide device 224 Guide member 226 Slit 231, 232 Sprocket 233 Chain 241 Nail seat 241a First protrusion 241b Positioning part 241c Second protrusion 241d Guide part 242 Claw member 243 Torsion coil spring (biasing member)
258 Holding plate 261 Cam roller 271 Lower guide device S Print sheet (printed material)

Claims (10)

A first transport mechanism that supports the lower surface of the printed substrate with a circulatorable belt member and can be transported horizontally at a first speed;
A parallel section is formed at a predetermined distance downstream from the first transport mechanism in the transport direction of the substrate, and the substrate is held by a claw mechanism and is slower than the first speed. A second transport mechanism capable of horizontal transport at a second speed;
A claw opening / closing mechanism for closing the claw mechanism in an open state in the parallel running section at a predetermined gripping position and opening the claw mechanism at a predetermined release position of the transport section in the second transport mechanism after the parallel running section is completed; ,
An apparatus for transporting a substrate to be printed.   The said nail | claw opening / closing mechanism closes the said nail | claw mechanism in the downstream end position in the said parallel running area, The conveying apparatus of the to-be-printed object of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The speed difference between the first speed and the second speed is a speed difference that causes the substrate supported by the first transport mechanism to approach the position where the claw mechanism can be held in the parallel section. The conveyance apparatus of the to-be-printed object of Claim 1 or 2 to do.   The first transport mechanism includes a pair of front and rear support rollers disposed at a front portion and a rear portion of the transport section of the substrate to be printed, and a plurality of grooves along the circumferential direction formed at predetermined intervals in the axial direction, and a circular shape as the belt member. The apparatus for conveying a printing material according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a plurality of round belts that form a cross section and are fitted into the groove portions of the pair of front and rear support rollers.   An upper guide device is provided that has a guide member that is disposed above the plurality of round belts and that can support the upper surface of the printed material whose lower surface is supported by the first transport mechanism. The apparatus for conveying a printing material according to claim 4.   The second transport mechanism includes a pair of front and rear sprockets disposed at a front portion and a rear portion of the transport section of the printing material, an endless chain wound around the pair of front and rear sprockets, and a constant length in the longitudinal direction of the chain. A plurality of the claw mechanisms mounted at intervals, the claw mechanism being fixed to the chain and capable of positioning by contacting the front end of the printed material and the front end of the printed material being positioned by the positioning unit A claw seat formed with a guide portion that leads to the claw, a claw member that is movably attached to the chain and that can grip the front end of the printed material with the claw seat, and the claw member is a front end of the printed material An apparatus for conveying a printing material according to claim 1, further comprising an urging member that is urged in a direction of gripping the sheet.   7. The claw mechanism is provided in a plurality in the width direction of the printed material, and is arranged so as to be shifted in the width direction of the printed material so as not to interfere with the belt member in the first transport mechanism. The substrate for conveying a printing material described in 1.   The lower guide device capable of supporting the lower surface of the printing material supported by the second transport mechanism corresponding to the transport section in the second transport mechanism in which the parallel running section is completed is provided. 8. A substrate transport apparatus according to any one of items 7 to 9.   A pair of upper and lower transport rollers capable of sandwiching and transporting the substrate to be printed is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction of the substrate from the first transport mechanism. The apparatus for transporting a printing material according to claim 1, wherein the transport apparatus is set to be longer than a length in the transport direction. A paper feeding device capable of supplying one substrate at a time;
A printing apparatus for transferring a developed toner image by transferring a liquid toner to an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor on the substrate supplied from the paper feeding apparatus;
A fixing device for heating and fixing the toner image transferred to the substrate;
A transporting device for transporting the substrate on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device;
A paper discharge device for stacking the printed material conveyed by the conveyance device at a predetermined position;
In an electrophotographic printing apparatus comprising:
The transfer device
A first transport mechanism that supports the lower surface of the printed substrate with a circulatorable belt member and can be transported horizontally at a first speed;
A parallel section is formed at a predetermined distance downstream from the first transport mechanism in the transport direction of the substrate, and the substrate is held by a claw mechanism and is slower than the first speed. A second transport mechanism capable of horizontal transport at a second speed;
A claw opening / closing mechanism for closing the claw mechanism in an open state in the parallel running section at a predetermined gripping position and opening the claw mechanism at a predetermined release position of the transport section in the second transport mechanism after the parallel running section is completed; ,
An electrophotographic printing apparatus comprising:

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