JP3551585B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to the technical field of a recording apparatus that records an image such as a printer, a facsimile, and a copy on a recording medium, and particularly to the technical field of a recording apparatus that forms an image on an intermediate transfer body and then transfers the image to a recording medium. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a mechanism for outputting an image in this type of printing apparatus, an ink jet output mechanism, an electrophotographic output mechanism, and the like are known. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation of a recording apparatus using such an ink jet type output mechanism.
[0003]
In FIG. 5, the recording apparatus is configured such that a recording medium 102 is conveyed by conveyance rollers 103 in the vicinity of an output apparatus 101 as an output mechanism of an inkjet system, and outputs to the recording medium 102 from the output apparatus 101. In such a configuration, the distance between the output device 101 and the recording medium 102 is kept constant in order to expect low-noise, high-resolution output and high-speed output.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
With the diversification of print output and graphic output objects in recent years, there has been a remarkable demand for outputting a recording medium other than a flat sheet. For example, sheet-shaped recording media with low smoothness, such as corrugated cardboard, plate-shaped recording media with one or both surfaces being corrugated, corrugated galvanized paper, recording media with a recording surface that is positively irregularly shaped, etc. There is a case where it is desired to output a print or a graphic even on a recording medium having a shape.
[0005]
However, the above-described conventional inkjet-type output device 101 and the electrophotographic output mechanism are designed to output a recording to a highly smooth sheet-like recording medium such as PPC (Plain Paper Copy) paper with high accuracy. The distance between the medium and the output device (the nozzle portion of the inkjet head, the photosensitive drum, etc.) is fixed. For this reason, when recording is performed on the recording medium having the above-described special shape by a recording apparatus having a conventional output mechanism, even if a transport unit capable of transporting a recording medium having irregularities to the output apparatus is used, A problem arises in that the distance between the output device and the recording surface of the recording medium (the surface to be printed) changes with the relative feeding, and good image formation cannot be performed.
[0006]
That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the output device 101 is located at the position indicated by the solid line, the distance L between the recording medium and the output device falls within the range in which the output device 101 normally functions. Even if the output device 101 is satisfactorily performed, when the recording medium 102 is fed and the output device 101 is positioned at the position indicated by the two-dot chain line, the distance L exceeds the limit in which the output device 101 can function normally. In addition, there is a large problem that the ink droplet (output dot diameter) becomes large and the resolution is deteriorated.
[0007]
In FIG. 6, the recording medium 102 is formed of a single-sided corrugated plate. Further, the recording medium 102 is fixed and held by a well-known clamp device 106 provided on a feed base 105. The feed stand 105 is configured to be moved in the direction F in the drawing by a feed screw 107 rotated forward and reverse by a motor, and the recording medium 102 is also moved integrally with the feed stand 105. Here, the same problem occurs even when the output device 101 is moved without moving the feed base 105. Further, when recording on a galvanized sheet or corrugated cardboard having low smoothness on both sides, the same problem occurs because the distance L is large in the concave portion.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has a relatively simple structure that can reduce the resolution even on a specially shaped recording medium having irregularities on a recording surface or a recording medium with low smoothness. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording device capable of performing recording without any problem.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0010]
[0011]
[0012]
[0013]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate transfer body and image forming means for forming an image on the intermediate transfer body, wherein the intermediate transfer body and the recording medium are formed by pressing each other. In the recording apparatus configured to transfer the image to the recording surface of the recording medium, the intermediate transfer body is configured by a cylindrical or cylindrical member formed of an elastic material, and the outer radius of the cylindrical or cylindrical member is The recording medium is set to be smaller than the minimum radius of the concave portion.
[0014]
According to the recording apparatus of the first aspect , the intermediate transfer member including the cylindrical or cylindrical member having the outer radius set to be smaller than the minimum radius of curvature of the concave portion of the recording medium is used to perform intermediate transfer to all corners of the concave portion. Transfer from the body to the recording medium is performed favorably.
[0015]
[0016]
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
[0020]
[0021]
[0022]
[0023]
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a recording apparatus for a corrugated plate having an ink jet printing mechanism as an output mechanism will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0025]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of the recording apparatus.
In FIG. 1, the main casing 1 includes an upper casing 1a and a lower casing 1b. A hollow guide wall G having a rectangular cross section in plan view is formed inside the upper casing 1a, and a holding member 3 is housed inside the hollow guide wall G so as to be slidable in the vertical direction in the figure. The holding member 3 has a rectangular main body 3a having a side surface slidably in contact with the hollow guide wall G, and a pair of lower ends in the drawing extending from both ends (ends in the depth direction in the drawing) of the main body 3a. A cylindrical intermediate transfer member 5 is rotatably supported on the pair of legs 3b via a shaft 3c. Above the intermediate transfer member 5 in the figure, an ink jet output device 4 is fixed to the main body 3a with the ink jet nozzle directed to the intermediate transfer member 5. The ink jet nozzles of the ink jet output device 4 are arranged in parallel to the rotation axis of the intermediate transfer member 5, and the distance between each ink jet nozzle and the intermediate transfer member 5 is kept constant. Further, as is well known, the ink-jet output device 4 is configured such that ink contained in an ink tank is introduced into each nozzle, and a control element provided in each nozzle is driven to selectively eject ink droplets. As the control element, an element that generates distortion by applying a voltage, such as a piezo element, or an element that generates heat by applying an electric current, such as a thermosensitive element, can be used. These control elements are selectively driven by a control circuit C described later.
[0026]
On the other hand, the holding member 3, through the hollow guide wall G is movably accommodated in the vertical direction, the moving range is restricted by a stopper G ₁ formed lower end in the drawing of the hollow guide wall G. Also, with a body portion 3a of the holding member 3, between the upper casing 1a and a compression spring 2 is interposed, the holding member 3 toward the stopper G ₁ by the biasing force of the own weight and the compression spring 2 It is being rushed. In the present embodiment, in particular, the compression spring 2 and the hollow guide wall G and the like are configured so that the moving range of the holding member 3 is increased corresponding to the corrugated plate having a large unevenness with a relatively high difference in height.
[0027]
A pin 3d protrudes from the back side (the back side in FIG. 1) of the main body 3a, and the pin 3d is formed in the back side wall of the hollow guide wall G to be a long hole that is long vertically formed in the figure. It extends through the G _2. On the other hand, a rotary operation lever (not shown) having a cam surface is provided on the back side of the hollow guide wall G, and this cam surface is provided so as to be able to abut the pin 3d. When the recording apparatus is to be put into an inoperative state, the cam surface is brought into contact with the pin 3d by rotating the rotation operation lever, and the holding member 3 is moved against the urging force of the compression spring 2. The intermediate transfer member 5 and the recording medium 6 are moved upward in the middle. As a result, the recording device can be made inoperative. When the recording apparatus is to be activated, the cam surface is separated from the pin 3d by rotating the rotary operation lever, and the holding member 3 is moved downward in the drawing by the urging force of the compression spring 2. Then, the intermediate transfer member 5 is brought into contact with the recording medium 6. Thereby, the recording device can be brought into the operating state. Thus, the switching between the operating state and the inoperative state is performed by the rotation operation lever. By disabling the recording device, it is possible to prevent the compression spring 2, the holding member 3, the inkjet output device 4, and the like of the recording device from being destroyed by vibration, impact, gravity, or the like during shipping or transportation. it can. Further, the work of attaching and detaching the recording medium 6 to and from the recording device can be facilitated.
[0028]
On the other hand, a drive motor 20 whose rotation speed and direction are controlled by a control circuit C described later is provided in the lower casing 1b, and a feed screw 21 is connected to a motor shaft of the drive motor 20. Here, the feed screw 21 extends in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the shaft 3c. An internal thread 22 is screwed into the feed screw 21, and an upper portion of the internal thread 22 is fixed to a lower surface of the feed base 23. A plurality of pairs of clamp devices 24 for pressing both side surfaces of the recording medium 6 are provided on the upper surface of the feed table 23, and the clamp devices 24 tighten and fix the recording medium 6 by rotating a screw 25. , And cancellation are performed. In addition to holding the recording medium 6 using the screw 25, a lever or the like may be rotated and held by the action of the cam surface.
[0029]
The control circuit C includes a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read only memory), a RAM (read / write memory), and stores print data supplied from the outside in the RAM. And drives the control element of the inkjet output device 4 in accordance with the print data to eject ink from the nozzles.
[0030]
The radius R of the intermediate transfer member 5 is set smaller than the minimum radius of curvature r of the concave portion of the recording medium 6. The intermediate transfer member 5 is formed of an elastic member such as silicon rubber.
[0031]
As described above, in the present embodiment, an example of the image forming unit is configured by the inkjet output device 4, and an example of the moving unit is configured by the compression spring 2 as an example of the pressing unit, the holding member 3, and the hollow guide wall G. It is configured.
[0032]
Next, the operation of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described.
In FIG. 1, first, the rotation operation lever is rotated to separate the cam surface from the pin 3 d, and the holding member 3 is moved downward in the figure by the urging force of the compression spring 2, and the intermediate transfer body 5 is transferred to the recording medium 6. The recording device is brought into contact with and brought into contact with the recording device. At this time, the intermediate transfer body 5 is pressed against the recording medium 6 by the compression spring 2. In this state, the control circuit C stores the print data supplied from the outside in the RAM, rotates the drive motor 20 based on the print start command, drives the control element of the inkjet output device 4 according to the print data, Eject ink from the. At this time, the characters to be output are output as mirror images. The ejected ink adheres to the intermediate transfer body 5. In addition, the feed screw 21 rotates with the driving of the drive motor 20, and the feed base 23 moves to the left in the drawing via the female screw part 22. The intermediate transfer member 5 rotates in response to the movement of the feed stand 23, and the ink image (mirror image) attached to the intermediate transfer member 5 is transferred to the recording medium 6 as a normal image.
[0033]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2, even when the intermediate transfer member 5 is located in the concave portion of the recording medium 6, the inkjet output device 4 moves downward in the hollow guide wall G of the holding member 3 and Since the radius R of the intermediate transfer member 5 is set smaller than the minimum radius of curvature r of the recording medium 6 (see FIG. 1), the intermediate transfer member 5 enters the concave portion of the recording medium 6, and Since the intermediate transfer member 5 is pressed toward the recording medium 6 by the urging force of the compression spring 2, it is possible to reliably transfer the image onto the recording medium 6.
[0034]
Next, a second embodiment of the recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same members as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0035]
In FIG. 3, the second embodiment is an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a recording apparatus particularly for a flat plate. A flat plate as a recording medium is a flat plate as a whole, but has a flat recording surface. It is low and has fine irregularities with relatively no difference in elevation. In the present embodiment, the compression spring 2 and the hollow guide wall G are configured so that the moving range of the holding member 3 is reduced corresponding to such a flat plate. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. In addition, as a specific example of the flat plate here, for example, a paper plate having low smoothness such as corrugated paper or a wooden plate having a rough surface is assumed.
[0036]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment configured as described above will be described.
In FIG. 3, as in the case of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recording apparatus is first set in the operating state, and the intermediate transfer member 5 is operated in accordance with print data supplied from the outside by the ink jet output device 4. Is formed, the intermediate transfer member 5 is rotated, and the ink images are sequentially transferred to the recording medium 6.
[0037]
At this time, the recording medium 6 has low smoothness and has irregularities not shown in FIG. 3, but even when the intermediate transfer member 5 is located in such a concave portion of the recording medium 6, the ink jet output In the device 4, the fixing member 3 moves downward in the hollow guide wall G and follows the concave portion. Further, since the intermediate transfer member 5 is made of an elastic material, the intermediate transfer member 5 enters into the small concave portion of the recording medium 6, and the intermediate transfer member 5 is pressed against the recording medium 6 by the urging force of the compression spring 2. Therefore, the image can be transferred to the recording medium 6 reliably.
[0038]
In the second embodiment, even for flat plates having various thicknesses, the vertical movement of the fixing member 3 in the hollow guide wall G allows other mechanisms such as the height of the feed base 23 to be provided. It is convenient because it can be handled without any modification.
[0039]
It is needless to say that the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained for the flat plate shown in FIG. 3 by the above-described first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, since the movable range of the intermediate transfer member 5 can be considerably reduced as compared with the first embodiment, the size and structure of the fixing member 3, the hollow guide wall G, and the compression spring 2 can be reduced. Is reduced, and the recording apparatus can be configured relatively easily and in a small size.
[0040]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the recording apparatus according to the present invention. The same members as those in the above-described first or second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0041]
In this embodiment, a pulley 7 and an elastic roller 8 are rotatably provided on the holding member 3, and an endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer member 9 made of silicone rubber is provided between the pulley 7 and the elastic roller 8. It consists of. Other configurations are the same as those of the first and second embodiments. In the present embodiment, the radius R of the elastic roller 8 is set to be smaller than the minimum radius of curvature r of the recording medium 6. According to the present embodiment, in particular, the intermediate transfer member can be elongated in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium, so that it can be applied to a recording medium having deep irregularities. Further, in the present embodiment, by forming the elastic roller 8 smaller than the pulley 7, image formation can be stably performed on the relatively large pulley 7, and the recording medium is confronted by the relatively small elastic roller 8. Since the front end portion on the side can be made thinner, the front end portion of the intermediate transfer body 9 can enter the smaller concave portion.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, the case where the recording medium 6 is driven has been described. However, the recording medium 6 may be moved by rotating the intermediate transfer body 5. Further, a drive device may be provided for each of the intermediate transfer member 5 and the recording medium 6 independently. In particular, when an independent driving device is provided for the intermediate transfer body 5 and the recording medium 6, and the speed at the contact surface between the intermediate transfer body 5 and the recording medium 6 is varied (within about 2-3%), The ink on the intermediate transfer member 5 is scraped off by the recording medium 6, and good transfer characteristics can be expected.
[0043]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the intermediate transfer body 5 and the elastic roller 8 have a cylindrical shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this shape, and may have any shape. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the output format is the inkjet output has been described, but the output format is not limited to this, and a thermal transfer system or an electrophotographic output system may be used. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the intermediate transfer members 5 and 9 are made of silicon rubber has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink placement and transfer to the recording medium are not limited to this. Any material can be used as long as it is a good material. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the compression spring 2 is provided so as to press the intermediate transfer members 5 and 9 against the recording medium 6 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The configuration may be such that the transfer members 5 and 9 are pressed against each other, and further, the intermediate transfer members 5 and 9 and the recording medium 6 are pressed against each other.
[0044]
Further, in the above embodiment, if the width of the intermediate transfer member 5 is made equal to the width of the recording medium 6 and one line image is sequentially formed on the intermediate transfer member 5 by the inkjet output device 4, The image can be recorded by one intermediate transfer member 5. This case is advantageous in that the structure is simplified. Also, a plurality of intermediate transfer members 5 having a width smaller than the width of the recording medium 6 are arranged in the width direction, and line images are sequentially formed on the respective intermediate transfer members 5 by an ink jet output device provided for each of the intermediate transfer members 5. With this configuration, one image can be recorded using the plurality of intermediate transfer members 5. In this case, there is an advantage in that it is possible to enter each intermediate transfer body even into a concave portion that is not too long in the width direction of the recording medium.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
[0046]
[0047]
According to the recording apparatus of the first aspect , the transfer from the intermediate transfer body to the recording medium from the intermediate transfer body to the corners of the concave portion is performed favorably by the intermediate transfer body formed of a column or a cylindrical member having a small outer radius. Images can be recorded with high image quality.
[0048]
[0049]
[0050]
[0051]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram showing a state in an operation state of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a main part configuration diagram showing a state in another operation state of the recording apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a main part configuration diagram of a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a main part configuration diagram of a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional recording apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a conventional recording apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
2. Compression spring (pressing means)
4. Inkjet output device (image forming means)
5 intermediate transfer member 6 recording medium 7 pulley (rotary member)
8. Elastic roller (rotary body)
9 Intermediate transfer member

Claims (1)

Having an intermediate transfer member and image forming means for forming an image on the intermediate transfer member,
  In a recording apparatus configured to transfer the formed image to a recording surface of the recording medium by pressing the intermediate transfer body and the recording medium together,
  The intermediate transfer member is formed of a column or a cylindrical member formed of an elastic material, and an outer radius of the column or the cylindrical member is set to be smaller than a minimum radius of a concave portion of the recording medium. Recording device.

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