JP2021165203A - Sheet holding device, image formation device, and image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sheet holding device capable of holding a sheet for a necessary time while suppressing deterioration of throughput.SOLUTION: A sheet holding device (22) comprises: a sheet holding housing (60); a plurality of sheet holding parts (61-64) which are supported by the sheet holding housing (60) at predetermined intervals and each of which can hold a conveyed sheet; holding housing moving means (65) for moving the sheet holding housing (60) so that the plurality of sheet holding parts (61-64) are made to face a first conveyance path (R4) one by one and further the plurality of sheet holding parts (61-64) are made to face a second conveyance path (R5) one by one; carrying-in means (66) for carrying-in the sheet conveyed from the first conveyance path (R4) to the sheet holding part (61) facing the first conveyance path (R4); and carrying-out means (67) for carrying-out the sheet held by the sheet holding part (63) facing the second conveyance path (R5) to the second conveyance path (R5).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet holding device, an image forming device, and an image forming system.

Conventionally, an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, a post-processing apparatus for performing post-processing on a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus, and a relay device for relaying the sheet between the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus. An image forming system including the above is known (see Patent Document 1).

The relay device has a role of drying the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming device and supplying it to the post-processing device. The relay device described in Patent Document 1 secures a drying time while suppressing a decrease in throughput by alternately using two switchback paths.

Further, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is a switch that inverts the front and back of a sheet in which an image is formed on the surface by an image forming portion and guides the image to the image forming portion again in order to form an image on both sides of the sheet. It has a back route. Then, the image forming apparatus makes the sheet wait for a predetermined time in the switchback path in order to dry the sheet on which the image is formed on the surface.

In the relay device described in Patent Document 1, since a part of the two switchback paths is merged, it is necessary to wait for the next sheet until the previous sheet is discharged. Therefore, the effect of maintaining throughput is limited. Similarly, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to wait for the next process while the sheet is dried by the switchback path, so that the throughput is lowered.

By applying the present invention to an apparatus in which a plurality of sheets are continuously conveyed on a conveying path, the present invention can hold a sheet for a required time while suppressing a decrease in throughput of the apparatus. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above technical problems, one aspect of the present invention is a sheet holding device for carrying out a sheet carried in from a first carrying path to a second carrying path, and is separated from a seat holding housing by a predetermined interval. A plurality of sheet holding portions supported by the sheet holding housing and capable of holding each of the carried-in seats, and the plurality of sheet holding portions are made to face the first transport path one by one, and the plurality of seat holding portions are faced with each other. The first is to the holding housing moving means for moving the seat holding housing so that the seat holding portions face the second transport path one by one, and to the seat holding portion facing the first transport path. It is characterized by including a carry-in means for carrying in a sheet to be carried from a transport path and a carry-out means for carrying out a sheet held by the sheet holding portion facing the second transport path to the second transport path. And.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a sheet holding device capable of holding a sheet for a required time while suppressing a decrease in throughput.

The side view which shows the whole outline of the image formation system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus (A) and the relay apparatus (B). The figure which shows the whole structure of a sheet holding device. An enlarged view of the vicinity of the first transport path of the seat holding device. An enlarged view of the area around the second transport path of the seat holding device. Flowchart of sheet holding process. The schematic block diagram of the sheet holding device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. Is an enlarged view near Hanso Michi R ₄ of the sheet holding device 22A according to Modification 1. It is an enlarged view of the periphery of the conveyance path R ₄ of the sheet holding apparatus 22B according to the second modification.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an overall outline of the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment. The image forming system 1 continuously forms an image on a plurality of sheets M. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 mainly includes an image forming device 10, a relay device 20, and a post-processing device 30.

The sheet M as a sheet-like medium can be conveyed by adhering ink to, for example, paper (paper), OHP sheet, thread, fiber, cloth, leather, metal, plastic, etc. to form an image, and then bending the sheet M. Refers to any possible medium.

The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on the sheet M. More specifically, the image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on both sides (front surface, back surface) of the sheet M. Then, the image forming apparatus 10 discharges the sheet M on which the image is formed to the relay device 20. The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image with a paper feed tray 11 as a sheet accommodating portion for accommodating a plurality of sheets M in a stacked state, a conveying portion 12 as a sheet feeding and conveying unit, and a flap 13 as a branching portion. A unit 14 and a sheet holding device 15 as a sheet holding unit are mainly provided.

The transport unit 12 feeds the sheet M housed in the paper feed tray 11 and transports the sheet M along _{the transport paths R 1} , R ₂ , and R _{3 provided inside the image forming apparatus 10.} The transport unit 12 includes a paper feed roller 12a as a paper feed means, a plurality of roller pairs 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 12g as a paper feed means, and a motor for driving each roller. Paper feed rollers 12a, by rotating in contact with the top of the sheet M of the paper feed tray 11, and supplies the sheet M to the conveyance path R _1. The roller pairs 12b to 12g convey the sheet M in the conveying direction by sandwiching and rotating the sheet M.

The transport path R _{1 is a path from the paper feed tray 11 to the transport path R 4} of the relay device 20 via a position facing the image forming unit 14. The transport path R _{2 is a path that branches from the transport path R 1} to the seat holding device 15 by being switched by the flap 13 at _{the branch position P 1} on the downstream side of the image forming unit 14. The transport path R ₃ is a path from the seat holding device 15 that merges with the transport path R _{1 at the confluence position P 2} on the upstream side of the image forming unit 14.

Rollers 12b, in the conveying direction upstream side of and joining position P ₂ in the conveyance direction downstream side of the paper feed tray 11 is disposed in the conveyance path R _1. Rollers 12c are in the transport direction upstream side of the image forming section 14 and in the downstream side of the joining position P _2, are arranged in the conveyance path R _1. Rollers 12d, in the conveying direction upstream side of and branching position P ₁ in the conveying direction downstream side of the image forming unit 14 is disposed in the transport path R _1. Rollers 12e is in the transport direction upstream side of the sheet holding device 15 and in the downstream side from the branching position P _1, it is arranged in the transport path R _2. Rollers 12f is in the transport direction upstream side and the joining position P ₂ in the conveying direction downstream side of the sheet holding device 15 is disposed in the conveyance path R _3. Rollers 12g are in the transport direction downstream side of the branching position P _1, is arranged in the transport path R _1.

Flap 13 is disposed in the vicinity of the branching position P _1. The flap 13 can switch between the first state and the second state by transmitting the driving force of the motor. Flap 13 is switched to the first state, the sheet M on which an image is formed by the image forming section 14 via the conveyance path R ₂ from the branch position P ₁ leads to the sheet holding device 15. Flap 13 is switched to the second state, the sheet M on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 14, guided to the relay device 20 via the conveyance path R _1.

Sheet M, which is housed in the paper feed tray 11, the paper feed roller 12a and the roller pair 12b, by 12c, is transported to a position facing the image forming unit 14 through the conveyance path _{R 1.} In the single-sided mode in which the image is formed on only one side (front side) of the sheet M, the flap 13 is switched to the second state. As a result, the sheet M having the image formed on one side is discharged to the relay device 20 as it is. Further, in the case of the double-sided mode in which images are formed on both sides (front surface and back surface) of the sheet M, the flap 13 is switched to the first state. Thus, the sheet M on which an image is formed on one surface (back surface) by the image forming section 14, the roller pair 12d, by 12e, is carried into the sheet holding device 15 through the conveyance path _R 1, _{R 2.}

The sheet M, which is carried out from the sheet holding device 15, roller pair 12f, by 12c, facing the conveyance path R _3, image forming section 14 in a state where the front and back by way of the merging position P ₂ through R ₁ is inverted It is transported to the desired position. Flap 13 is switched from the first state to the second state, the sheet M on which an image is formed longer on one single side (front surface) by the image forming section 14, the roller pair 12d, the 12g, via the branching position P ₁ Te, and it is discharged to the relay device 20 via the conveyance path _{R 4.}

The image forming unit 14 employs an inkjet method of forming an image on the sheet M by ejecting ink onto the sheet M. The image forming unit 14 includes a plurality of head modules that eject inks of each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Then, by ejecting ink from each head module at a predetermined timing, an image is formed on the sheet M facing the image forming unit 14.

Sheet holding device 15, the sheet M which is conveyed from the conveyance path R ₂ maintained until a predetermined time has elapsed, then the unloaded to the transport path R _3. The sheet M carried into the sheet holding device 15 is after the image is formed on one side and before the image is formed on the other side. Therefore, the sheet holding device 15 holds the sheet M until the ink adhering to the sheet M dries.

The relay device 20 relays the sheet M between the image forming device 10 and the post-processing device 30. In other words, the relay device 20 supplies the sheet M discharged from the image forming device 10 to the post-processing device 30. Further, the relay device 20 holds the sheet M until the ink adhering to the sheet M dries, and supplies the sheet M to the post-processing device 30 after the drying. The relay device 20 mainly includes a transport unit 21, a sheet holding device 22, and a fan (drying unit) 23.

The transport unit 21 transports the sheet M discharged from the image forming apparatus 10 along _{the transport paths R 4} and R _{5 provided inside the relay device 20.} The transport unit 21 has a plurality of roller pairs 21a and 21b as transport means, and a motor for driving each roller. By sandwiching and rotating the sheet M, the roller pairs 21a and 21b convey the sheet M in the conveying direction from the image forming apparatus 10 to the post-processing apparatus 30.

The transport path R _{4 is a path from the transport path R 1} of the image forming apparatus 10 to the sheet holding device 22. The transport path R ₅ is a path from the seat holding device 22 to the transport path R ₆ of the aftertreatment device 30. Rollers 21a, in the conveying direction upstream side of the sheet holding device 22 is disposed in the conveyance path R _4. Rollers 21b, in the transport direction downstream side of the sheet holding device 22 is disposed in the conveyance path R _5. Then, the sheet M which is discharged from the image forming apparatus 10 is conveyed to the sheet holding device 22 through the conveyance path R ₄ by the roller pair 21a. Sheet M conveyed out from the sheet holding device 22 is conveyed to the post-processing apparatus 30 through the conveyance path R ₅ by the roller pair 21b.

Sheet holding device 22, the sheet M conveyed from the conveyance path R ₄ and held until a predetermined time has elapsed, then the unloaded to the transport path R _5. The sheet M conveyed to the sheet holding device 15 is after the image is formed by the image forming device 10. Therefore, the fan 23 as a drying means of the drying portion supplies (sprays) air (warm air) to the sheet M held in the sheet holding device 22 to dry the ink adhering to the sheet M more quickly. .. However, the specific example of the drying portion is not limited to the fan 23, and may be a heater or the like that heats the entire inside of the sheet holding device 22 or the held sheet M. Further, the drying means may be provided inside the sheet holding housing 60 (see FIG. 3) described later, or may be provided outside the seat holding housing 60 (see FIG. 3) to provide the seat holding housing 60. The sheet M may be dried via the above.

In the post-processing device 30, an image is formed by the image forming device 10, and the sheet M whose ink has been dried by the relay device 20 is post-processed by the post-processing means. The post-processing includes, for example, a hole-drilling process for making punch holes in the sheet M, an edge-stitching process for bundling a plurality of sheets M and binding the edge of the sheet, a saddle-stitching process for bundling a plurality of sheets M and binding the center of the sheet. Refers to the folding process of folding sheets, the sorting process of sorting sheets by job (department), and so on. As shown in FIG. 1, the post-processing device 30 mainly includes a transport unit 31, a post-processing unit 32, and a paper ejection tray 33.

The transport unit 31 transports the sheet M discharged from the relay device 20 along _{the transport paths R 6} and R _{7 provided inside the post-processing device 30.} The transport unit 31 is composed of a plurality of roller pairs 31a and 31b as transport means and a motor for driving each roller. The roller pairs 31a and 31b rotate the sheet M while sandwiching the sheet M, so that the sheet M is conveyed in the conveying direction from the relay device 20 toward the output tray 33.

The transport path R _{6 is a path from the transport path R 5} of the relay device 20 to the post-processing unit 32. The transport path R ₇ is a path from the post-processing unit 32 to the output tray 33. Rollers 31a, in the conveying direction upstream side of the post-processing unit 32, are arranged in the conveyance path R _6. Rollers 31b, in the transport direction downstream side of the post-processing unit 32, are arranged in the conveyance path R _7. Then, the sheet M which is discharged from the relay device 20 is conveyed to the post-processing unit 32 through the conveyance path R ₆ by the roller pair 31a. The sheet M that has been post-processed by the post-processing unit 32 is discharged to the paper _{output tray 33 through the transport path R 7 by the roller pair 31b.}

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41 as a control means, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 42 as a storage means, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 43 as a storage means, and an HDD (Hard Disk) as a storage means. The drive) 44 and the I / F 45 as an interface are connected via a common bus 46 as a communication means. The CPU 41, RAM 42, ROM 43, and HDD 44 are examples of the controller 40.

The CPU 41 is a calculation means and controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 10. The RAM 42 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 41 processes information. The ROM 43 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium, and stores programs such as firmware. The HDD 44 is a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information and having a large storage capacity, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

The image forming apparatus 10 processes a control program stored in the ROM 43, an information processing program (application program) loaded into the RAM 42 from a storage medium such as the HDD 44, and the like by a calculation function provided in the CPU 41. The process constitutes a software control unit that includes various functional modules of the image forming apparatus 10. The combination of the software control unit configured in this way and the hardware resources mounted on the image forming apparatus 10 constitutes a functional block that realizes the functions of the image forming apparatus 10.

The I / F 45 is an interface for connecting the transport unit 12, the flap 13, the image forming unit 14, and the sheet holding device 15 to the common bus 46. That is, the controller 40 drives the motors of the transport unit 12, the flap 13, and the seat holding device 15 through the I / F 45, and ejects ink to the head module of the image forming unit 14.

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the relay device 20. The relay device 20 includes a controller 50 composed of a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, and an HDD 54, an I / F 55 to which a transport unit 21, a seat holding device 22, and a fan 23 are connected, and a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, and an HDD 54. And a common bus 56 for connecting the I / F 55. The configurations of the CPU 51, the RAM 52, the ROM 53, the HDD 54, the I / F 55, and the common bus 56 are common to the configurations of the image forming apparatus 10.

Although not shown, the post-processing device 30 also has a similar configuration. Then, the image forming apparatus 10, the relay apparatus 20, and the post-processing apparatus 30 each mount an independent controller and operate in cooperation with each other. However, the image forming system 1 may include a controller that collectively controls the operations of the image forming device 10, the relay device 20, and the post-processing device 30.

The details of the sheet holding device 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the seat holding device 22. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the transfer path R ₄ near the sheet holding device 22. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the conveyance path R ₅ of the sheet holding device 22. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the seat holding device 22 includes a seat holding housing 60, a plurality of holding roller pairs (seat holding portions) 61, 62, 63, 64, and a housing as a holding housing moving means. It mainly includes a body motor 65, a carry-in motor 66 as a carry-in means, a carry-out motor 67 as a carry-out means, a carry-in sensor 68, and a carry-out sensor 69.

The seat holding housing 60 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape. However, the outer shape is not limited to a circular shape, and may be a positive direction or a polygonal tubular shape. The seat holding housing 60 is rotatably supported by the frame of the relay device 20 about a rotation axis. A plurality of slits 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d penetrating in the thickness direction for carrying in and out the seat M are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seat holding housing 60. The slits 60a to 60d are provided at equal intervals (90 ° intervals in the first embodiment) in the circumferential direction of the seat holding housing 60. The slits 60a to 60d have a size and shape through which the sheet M having the maximum width and the maximum thickness that can be conveyed can pass. The seat holding housing 60 is in a state of being substantially closed (closed) from the outside except for the slits 60a to 60d.

A plurality of holding roller pairs 61, 62, 63, 64 as the seat holding portion are rotatably supported by the seat holding housing 60 at predetermined intervals. More specifically, the holding roller pairs 61 to 64 are arranged at equal intervals (90 ° intervals in the first embodiment) on the outer peripheral portion (inside the outer peripheral surface) of the seat holding housing 60. Further, the holding rollers pairs 61 to 64 are provided with their nip portions adjacent to the slits 60a to 60d so as to face each other. Then, the holding roller pairs 61 to 64 carry the sheet M conveyed through the facing slits 60a to 60d into the seat holding housing 60, and hold the rear end portion of the sheet M in the carrying-in direction. Further, the holding roller pairs 61 to 64 carry out the holding sheet M through the slits 60a to 60d facing each other. The seat holding housing 60 is provided with a partition member (not shown) on the downstream side of the plurality of holding roller pairs 61, 62, 63, 64 in the carrying-in direction so that the carried-in sheet M does not come into contact with other seats M. Has been done.

The holding roller pair 61 has a driving roller 61a and a driven roller 61b. Drive roller 61a, when moved to a position facing the conveyance path R _4, driven loading motor 66 is connected. The driving roller 61a is, when it is moved to the position facing the conveyance path R _5, the drive is connected to the unloading motor 67. Then, the drive roller 61a rotates by transmitting the driving force of the carry-in motor 66 or the carry-out motor 67. The driven roller 61b is driven as the drive roller 61a rotates. Then, the driving roller 61a and the driven roller 61b carry in and out the seat M by sandwiching and rotating the seat M. Further, the holding roller pair 61 holds the seat M in a non-rotating state. The holding roller pairs 62 to 64 have driving rollers 62a, 63a, 64a and driven rollers 62b, 63b, 64b, similarly to the holding roller pair 61.

The housing motor 65 rotates (rotates) the seat holding housing 60 around a rotation axis. More specifically, the housing motor 65 rotates the seat holding housing 60 in only one direction (in the first embodiment, the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 3). Further, the holding roller pairs 61 to 64 supported by the seat holding housing 60 rotate together with the seat holding housing 60.

Further, the controller 50 controls the housing motor 65 so that the seat holding housing 60 rotates intermittently at 90 ° intervals (that is, the installation intervals of the holding rollers vs. 61 to 64). The controller 50 determines the rotation angle of the seat holding housing 60 based on, for example, the number of pulse signals of the rotary encoder attached to the housing motor 65 or the detection result of the angle sensor attached to the seat holding housing 60. Can be identified.

More specifically, housing the motor 65, one of the slits 60 a to 60 d (FIG. 3, a slit 60a) communicates with the conveying path _{R 4,} one of the other (in FIG. 3, a slit 60c) is a position communicating with the transport path R _5, moves the sheet holding housing 60. Holding roller pair 61, facing the conveyance path _{R 4} (first transport path) through the slits 60a. The holding roller pair 63, facing the conveyance path _{R 5} (second transport path) through the slit 60c. The housing motor 65, a plurality of holding rollers 61-64 together to face the conveyance path R ₄ one by one, so as to face the plurality of holding rollers 61 to 64 in the conveyance path R ₅ one , The seat holding housing 60 is intermittently rotated.

Driving roller 61a of the holding roller pair 61 facing the conveying path R ₄ are connected via a drive coupling mechanism (not shown) to be rotated by the carrying motor 66. On the other hand, the driving roller 62a~64a holding rollers 62 to 64 that does not face the conveyance path _{R 4} are connected to the carry-motor 66 is released. Then, the holding roller pair 61, by the driving force of the loading motor 66 is transmitted, by holding a sheet M conveyed from the conveyance path R ₄ through slits 60a, drawn into the inside of the sheet holding housing 60. At this time, the seat M on the _{transport path R 4} is carried in by the holding roller pair 61 with _{the first end portion M 1 (the tip end portion in the carry-in direction) at the head.}

The driving roller 63a of the holding roller pair 63 facing the conveying path R ₅ is connected via a drive coupling mechanism (not shown) to be rotated by a discharge motor 67. On the other hand, the driving roller 61a, 62a, 64a of the support roller pair 61, 62, 64 which is not facing the conveyance path _{R 5} is the connection between the discharge motor 67 is released. Then, the holding roller pair 63, by the driving force of the unloading motor 67 is transmitted, a sheet M held unloaded to the transport path R ₅ through the slits 60c. At this time, the sheet M held by the holding roller pair 63 _{has the transport path R with the second end portion M 2} (rear end portion in the carry-in direction) opposite to (opposing) the _{first end portion M 1 as the head. It} is carried out to 5.

That is, the sheet M is carried into the sheet holding device 22 with _{the first end portion M 1} as the front end and the second end portion M _{2 as the rear end.} Further, the sheet M is carried out from the sheet holding device 22 with _{the second end portion M 2} as the front end and the first end portion M _{1 as the rear end.} In other words, the sheet holding device 22, the sheet M which has been carried in from the conveyance path R ₄ switched back, is unloaded to the transport path R _5. Further, the sheet holding device 22 inverts the front and back of the conveyed from the conveyance path R ₄ sheet M, and out to the conveying path R _5.

As shown in FIG. 4, carrying sensor 68, in the vicinity of the sheet holding device 22, it is installed in the downstream side of the conveying path R ₄ (near the outlet). More specifically, carrying sensor 68 is arranged from the pair of rollers 21a in the conveying direction downstream side of the conveying path R _4. The carry-in sensor 68 detects the seat M passing through the installation position, and outputs a detection signal indicating the detection result to the controller 50. More specifically, the carry-in sensor 68 starts outputting the detection signal when the front end of the seat M passes the installation position, and stops the output of the detection signal when the rear end of the seat M passes the installation position. .. Based on the detection result of the carry-in sensor 68, the controller 50 controls the drive of the carry-in motor 66 to stop and hold the carry-in of the seat M at a predetermined position.

As shown in FIG. 5, out sensor 69, in the vicinity of the sheet holding device 22 is installed in the upstream side of the conveyance path R ₅ (near the inlet). More specifically, out sensor 69 is arranged from the pair of rollers 21b at the conveying direction downstream side of the conveying path R _5. The carry-out sensor 69 detects the seat M passing through the installation position, and outputs a detection signal indicating the detection result to the controller 50. More specifically, the carry-out sensor 69 starts outputting the detection signal when the front end of the seat M passes the installation position, and stops the output of the detection signal when the rear end of the seat M passes the installation position. .. The controller 50 controls the drive of the unloading motor 67 based on the detection result of the unloading sensor 69, and stops the unloading motor 67.

Next, the operation of the seat holding device 22 controlled by the controller 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the sheet holding process. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 3, the holding roller pair 61 faces the conveyance path R _4, support roller pair 63 faces the conveyance path R _5, support roller pair 62 and 63 hold the sheet M, the holding roller The sheet holding process will be described from the state where the pair 61 and 64 do not hold the sheet M.

First, the controller 50 executes the carry-in process (S601 to S604) and the carry-out process (S605 to S607) in parallel. Introducing process is a process of carrying the sheet M from the conveyance path R _4. Unloading process is a process for unloading a sheet M in the conveyance path R _5. However, the controller 50 may execute the carry-in process and the carry-out process in order. In this case, either the carry-in process or the carry-out process may be executed first. Alternatively, if there is no sheet M to be carried in and there is only a sheet M to be carried out, only the carry-out process is performed. If there is no sheet M to be carried out and there is only a sheet M to be carried in, only the carry-in process is performed. May be good.

In the carry-in process, the controller 50 takes steps S602 and subsequent steps until the tip of the sheet M (first end portion M _{1 ) carried on the transport path R 4} by the roller pair 21a reaches the carry-in sensor 68 (S601: No). Wait for processing.

Next, the controller 50 starts driving the carry-in motor 66 at the timing when the tip of the seat M reaches the carry-in sensor 68 (S601: Yes) (S602). As a result, the seat M conveyed by the roller pair 21a is sandwiched between the holding roller pairs 61 and pulled into the seat holding housing 60. Then, at the timing when the rear end (second end portion M ₂ ) of the seat M passes through the slit 60a (the predetermined position of the rear end portion in the carry-in direction of the seat M is held), the controller 50 (S603: Yes). The drive of the carry-in motor 66 is stopped (S604).

In the controller 50, for example, after the output of the detection signal by the carry-in sensor 68 is stopped, the number of pulse signals of the rotary encoder attached to the carry-in motor 66 reaches the first threshold value, so that the rear end of the seat M is moved. It can be determined that the slit 60a has passed. The first threshold value is a predetermined number corresponding to the distance from the installation position of the carry-in sensor 68 to the slit 60a.

The controller 50, in unloading process, the holding roller pair 63 by the housing motor 65 at a predetermined timing after being moved to a position facing the conveyance path R _5, starts driving of the carry-out motor 67 (S605). Thus, the sheet M which has been held by the holding roller pair 63 is sent out to the conveyance path R ₅ from the slit 60c and the second end M ₂ to the head. Then, the controller 50 stops driving the unloading motor 67 after the rear end (first end portion M ₁ ) of the seat M is removed from the holding roller pair 63 (S606: Yes). The controller 50 determines that, for example, the detection signal from the carry-out sensor 69 has stopped (that is, the rear end of the seat M has passed the installation position of the carry-out sensor 69), so that the rear end of the seat M has come out of the holding roller pair 63. can.

Further, when the controller 50 has only the processing of both or one of the loading process of the conveyed sheet M and the unloading processing of the imported sheet M, the controller 50 steps until the processing of the sheet M is completed. Wait for the execution of S608. Then, when both or one of the carry-in process and the carry-out process is completed, the controller 50 drives the housing motor 65 to rotate the seat holding housing 60 by 90 ° in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 3 ( S608).

Thus, the holding roller pair 61, 62 holding the sheet M is closer to the conveyance path R _5, as the holding roller pair 63, 64 do not hold the sheet M approaches the conveyance path R _4, sheet retaining housing The body 60 rotates. In other words, housing the motor 65 moves the holding roller pair 61, 62 holding the sheet M in a direction facing the conveyance path R _5, support roller pair does not hold the sheet M 63, 64 the moving in a direction facing the conveyance path R _4. Then, the controller 50, the holding roller pair 64 through the slits 60d are facing to the conveyance path _{R 4,} support roller pair 62 through the slit 60b is in a position facing the conveyance path _{R 5,} and stops the casing motor 65. Then, the controller 50 executes the processes after step S601 again.

According to the first embodiment, for example, the following effects are exhibited.

The seat holding device 22 according to the first embodiment can carry out the loading and unloading of the seat M with respect to the holding roller pairs 61 and 63 while the seat M is held by the holding roller pair 62. As a result, the sheet holding device 22 can hold the sheet M for a required time while suppressing a decrease in the throughput of the relay device 20. As a result, the relay device 20 can supply the appropriately dried sheet M to the post-processing device 30.

Further, the seat holding device 22 according to the first embodiment carries in the sheet M by rotating the holding rollers pairs 61 to 64 to one side, and carries out the seat M by rotating the holding rollers pair 61 to 64 to the other side. As a result, the seat holding device 22 can switch back the seat M. Further, according to the first embodiment, since the seat holding housing 60 is rotated in only one direction, the control of the housing motor 65 by the controller 50 is simplified.

The number of holding roller pairs 61 to 64 (that is, the sheet holding portion) is not limited to four. However, it is desirable that the number of sheet holding portions is 3 or more. Further, it is desirable that the number of seat holding portions is an even number and the seat holding portions are arranged at equal intervals in the seat holding housing 60.

Further, in the first embodiment, the sheet M is _{carried into the seat holding device 22 with the first end portion M 1} at the head, and the sheet M is carried out from the seat holding device 22 with _{the second end portion M 2 at the head.} An example was explained. However, the seat holding device 22 does not necessarily have to switch back the seat M. Whether the sheet holding device 22 is switched back sheet M, the position relationship between the sheet holding device 22 and the transport path _R 4, _{R 5,} and by the positional relationship between the slit 60a~60d and the holding roller pair 61 - 64 Change.

Further, the configuration of the sheet holding device 22 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 can also be applied to the sheet holding device 15 included in the image forming device 10. In this case, the transport path R ₂ is the first transport path and the transport path R ₃ is the second transport path. That is, the seat holding device and the first transport path and the second transport path can have any layout. As a result, after the ink adhering to one side of the sheet M is surely dried, an image can be formed on the other side of the sheet M.

[Second Embodiment]
Further, the specific configurations of the sheet holding devices 15 and 22 are not limited to the examples of FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of the seat holding device 15 according to the second embodiment. The detailed description of the common points with the first embodiment will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described. The seat holding device 15 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the shape of the seat holding housing 70 and the arrangement of the holding roller pairs 71 to 74. Further, in the second embodiment, the first transport path (transport path R ₂ ) and the second transport path (transport path R ₃ ) are arranged on the same side of the seat holding device 15.

The seat holding housing 70 according to the second embodiment exhibits a box-shaped outer shape having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The side surface of the sheet holding housing 70 facing the conveying path _R 2, _{R 3} (hereinafter, referred to as "opposing surface".) The plurality of slits 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d are formed. The slits 70a to 70d are formed at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction (thickness direction of the sheet M). The predetermined interval corresponds to the interval between the first transport path and the second transport path in the vertical direction.

The holding roller pairs 71 to 74 according to the second embodiment are arranged inside (outer peripheral portion) of the seat holding housing 70 so as to face the slits 70a to 70d. That is, the holding rollers pairs 71 to 74 are supported by the seat holding housing 70 at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Further, the holding roller pairs 71 to 74 have driving rollers 71a, 72a, 73a, 74a and driven rollers 71b, 72b, 73b, 74b.

Then, the housing motor 75 according to the second embodiment reciprocates the seat holding housing 70 in the vertical direction. Thus, one of the holding rollers 71 to 74 (in FIG. 7, the holding roller pair 72) facing the conveyance path _{R 2,} the other one (in FIG. 7, the holding roller pair 71) transport path facing the R _3.

The driving roller 72a of the holding roller pair 72 facing the conveying path R _2, by the driving force of the loading motor 76 is transmitted to rotate in the direction for carrying the sheet M on the conveying path R _2. Further, the driving roller 71a of the holding roller pair 71 facing the conveying path R _3, by the driving force of the unloading motor 77 is transmitted to rotate the sheet M held in a direction out to the conveying path R ₃ .. The position in the holding roller pair 72 rather than face the opposite to the conveying path R ₂ when it is so as to face the support roller pair 71 at a position opposite to the conveying path R _3, support roller pair 73 faces May be good.

Further, the relay device 20 may have a seat holding device 15 instead of the seat holding device 22. In that case, the relay device 20 has a reversing portion _{in the transport path R 5} so that the sheet M carried out from the sheet holding device 15 _{is inverted by the transport path R 5} and guided to the post-processing device 30.

The second embodiment can also be expected to have the same effects as those of the first embodiment. However, the throughput of the sheet holding device 15 according to the second embodiment is lower than that of the sheet holding device 22 according to the first embodiment by the time required for reciprocating motion. Further, the seat holding device 15 according to the first embodiment can reduce the installation space as compared with the seat holding device 15 according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the holding roller pairs 61 to 64 according to the first embodiment are entirely arranged inside the seat holding housing 60. However, the positional relationship between the seat holding housing 60 and the holding roller pairs 61 to 64 is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

Hereinafter, a modified example of the positional relationship between the seat holding housing 60 and the holding roller pairs 61 to 64 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. The detailed description of the common points with the first embodiment will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described. Further, in the following description, the positional relationship between the seat holding housing 60 and the holding roller pair 61 will be described, but the same applies to the positional relationship between the seat holding housing 60 and the holding roller pairs 62 to 64.

[Modification 1]
Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the conveyance path R ₄ of the sheet holding device 22A according to the first modification. In the holding roller pair 61 according to the first modification, the nip portion is located inside the seat holding housing 60, and a part of the holding roller pair 61 (a part of the drive roller 61a) protrudes outside the seat holding housing 60. In that respect, it differs from the first embodiment.

[Modification 2]
Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the conveyance path R ₄ of the sheet holding apparatus 22B according to the second modification. In the holding roller pair 61 according to the second modification, the nip portion is located outside the seat holding housing 60, and a part of the holding roller pair 61 (the entire driving roller 61a and a part of the driven roller 61b) is the seat holding housing. It differs from the first embodiment in that it is outside the body 60.

In the seat holding device 22B according to the second modification, the slits 60a to 60d are omitted because the seat M sandwiched between the holding roller pairs 61 to 64 is held near the outer surface of the seat holding housing 60 and rotates. Can be done. On the other hand, between the transport path R _4, R ₅ and the sheet holding housing 60 outer surface of, it is necessary to provide a clearance to enter the sheet M to the holding roller pair 61 to 64.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical gist thereof, and technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims. All of which are the subject of the present invention. Although the above embodiment shows a suitable example, those skilled in the art can realize various modified examples from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

1 Image formation system 10 Image formation device 20 Relay device 30 Post-processing device 11 Paper feed tray 12, 21, 31 Conveyor unit 12a Paper feed roller 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 12g, 21a, 21b, 31a, 31b Roller Against 13 flaps 14 Image forming part 15, 22 Sheet holding device 23 Fan (drying part)
32 Post-processing unit 33 Output tray 40, 50 Controller 41, 51 CPU
42,52 RAM
43,53 ROM
44,54 HDD
45,55 I / F
46, 56 Common bus 60, 70 Seat holding housing 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d Slit 61, 62, 63, 64, 71, 72, 73, 74 Holding roller pair (seat holding part) )
65,75 Housing motor (holding housing moving means)
66,76 Carry-in motor (carry-in means)
67,77 Carry-out motor (carry-out means)
68 Carry-in sensor 69 Carry-out sensor

JP-A-2018-188241

Claims (12)

It is a sheet holding device that carries out the sheet carried in from the first transport path to the second transport path.
Seat holding housing and
A plurality of seat holding portions supported by the seat holding housing at predetermined intervals and capable of holding each of the carried-in seats.
A holding that moves the sheet holding housing so that the plurality of sheet holding portions face the first transport path one by one and the plurality of sheet holding portions face the second transport path one by one. Housing transportation means and
A carry-in means for carrying a sheet to be conveyed from the first transfer path into the sheet holding portion facing the first transfer path, and a carry-in means.
A sheet holding device including a carrying-out means for carrying out a sheet held by the seat holding portion facing the second carrying path to the second carrying path. The carry-in means carries the sheet transported from the first transport path into the sheet holding portion with the first end portion at the head.
The first aspect of the present invention, wherein the unloading means carries out the sheet held by the sheet holding portion to the second transport path with the second end portion facing the first end portion at the head. Sheet holding device. The holding housing moving means moves the sheet holding portion holding the sheet carried in by the carrying-in means in a direction facing the second transport path, and holds the sheet carried out by the carrying-out means. The sheet holding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet holding portion has been moved in a direction facing the first transport path. When the seat holding housing is moved by the holding housing moving means and one of the plurality of seat holding portions is moved to a position facing the first transport path, the plurality of seat holding portions The sheet holding device according to claim 3, wherein the other one is moved to a position facing the second transport path. The plurality of seat holding portions are supported by the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical seat holding housing at intervals in the circumferential direction.
The seat holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the holding housing moving means rotates the seat holding housing in one direction in the circumferential direction to move the seat holding housing. The plurality of seat holding portions are supported by the seat holding housing at predetermined intervals in the thickness direction of the seat.
The seat holding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding housing moving means reciprocates the seat holding housing along the thickness direction. The seat holding device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the seat holding housing supports an even number of the seat holding portions at equidistant positions. The sheet holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sheet holding portion is a pair of rollers that can hold a sheet and can rotate on one side and the other side. .. The pair of rollers
When it is moved to a position facing the first transport path, it is driven and connected to the carry-in means.
The sheet holding device according to claim 8, wherein when it is moved to a position facing the second transport path, it is driven and connected to the carry-out means. The sheet holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The sheet is provided with an image forming portion for forming an image, and is provided with an image forming portion.
The first transport path is a path for carrying a sheet having an image formed on the surface of the image forming portion into the sheet holding device.
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the second transport path is a path for guiding the sheet to the image forming portion again so that an image is formed on the back surface of the sheet carried out from the sheet holding device. An image forming device that forms an image on a sheet,
A post-processing device that performs post-processing on the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming device, and a post-processing device.
An image forming system including a relay device for relaying a sheet between the image forming device and the post-processing device.
The relay device is
The sheet holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is provided.
The first transport path is a path for transporting a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus to the sheet holding device.
The image forming system is characterized in that the second transport path is a path for guiding the sheet carried out from the sheet holding device to the post-processing device. The image forming system according to claim 11, wherein the relay device includes a drying portion for drying a sheet held by the sheet holding device.

Images