JP3644435B2 - ROLLER CONVEYING MECHANISM AND PHOTO PROCESSING DEVICE HAVING THE SAME - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a roller transport mechanism including two sets of transport roller units each having a drive roller and a pressure roller.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, an exposure method using an optical print head as an exposure head has been adopted in a digital minilab (photo printing apparatus). When performing exposure using such an exposure method, an optical print head whose exposure range extends in the main scanning direction is fixed, and the exposure is arranged on both sides of the optical print head (upstream and downstream in the photographic paper transport direction). The first exposure transport roller unit and the second exposure transport roller unit each having a drive roller and an exposure pressure roller transport the photographic paper in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction of the optical print head, and sequentially perform line exposure. The surface exposure of the entire image is completed.
[0003]
In such a photographic paper roller transport mechanism, the photographic paper being exposed is transferred from the first exposure transport roller unit to the second exposure transport roller unit. For example, in a roller transport mechanism such as that described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-15768, before the photographic paper reaches the first exposure transport roller unit, the first exposure pressure roller is prepared to be ready to receive the photographic paper. The state of being pressed against the first exposure driving roller by the spring force is maintained, and when the photographic paper enters, the first exposure pressure roller is displaced against the spring force by the entry pressure of the photographic paper, The photographic paper is nipped and conveyed to the second exposure conveyance roller unit as it is. Similarly, before the photographic paper reaches the second exposure conveyance roller unit, the second exposure pressure roller also maintains a state in which the second exposure pressure roller is in contact with the second exposure driving roller by a spring force as a preparation for receiving the photographic paper. When the photographic paper is delivered from the first exposure transport roller unit, the second exposure pressure roller is displaced against the repelling force by the entry pressure of the photographic paper, and the photographic paper is nipped and conveyed as it is.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the roller transport mechanism as described above, depending on the distance between the exposure position and the second exposure transport roller unit, the leading edge of the photographic paper being exposed enters the second exposure transport roller unit. In this case, since the conveyance speed of the photographic paper largely fluctuates due to the impact applied to the photographic paper when the second exposure conveyance roller unit sandwiches the photographic paper, the exposure unevenness on the photographic paper occurs and the image quality deteriorates. There is a problem.
[0005]
In view of the above situation, a main object of the present invention is to provide a roller transport mechanism capable of suppressing deterioration of image quality caused by a second transport roller unit sandwiching an image holding medium during exposure.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the roller transport mechanism according to claim 1 includes a first driving roller, a pressure-bonding position capable of being driven and rotated by sandwiching an image holding medium between the first driving roller and the first driving roller. An image processing position includes a first pressure roller that is displaceable between a pressure release position separated from the first drive roller, and a first pressure roller support shaft that supports the first pressure roller. A pressure-bonding position capable of being driven and rotated by sandwiching the image holding medium between a first conveying roller unit disposed upstream of the second driving roller, a second driving roller, and the second driving roller. A second pressure roller that is displaceable between a pressure release position spaced apart from the two drive rollers, and a second pressure roller support shaft that supports the second pressure roller, and is provided at an image processing position. Downstream Even when only one of the second conveying roller unit arranged and the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller is in the pressure-bonding position, both the pressure rollers rotate in the same direction. Shaft coupling means for coupling the first pressure roller support shaft and the second pressure roller support shaft.
[0007]
According to the first aspect, since the second pressure roller can be displaced between the pressure bonding position and the pressure release position, the leading edge of the image holding medium passes between the second pressure roller and the second driving roller. Then, by displacing the second pressure roller from the pressure release position to the pressure position, the impact applied to the image holding medium is reduced, and the fluctuation in the conveyance speed of the image holding medium is relatively reduced.
[0008]
In addition, since the first pressure roller support shaft and the second pressure roller support shaft are coupled by the shaft coupling means, the first pressure roller is placed at the pressure position to hold the second pressure roller. It can be rotated in the medium transport direction. Therefore, if the first pressure roller is set to the pressure bonding position when the second pressure roller is displaced from the pressure release position to the pressure bonding position, the image holding medium conveyed from the first conveying roller unit side is image-held. It can be made to contact with the 2nd press roller rotating in the conveyance direction of a medium. Therefore, the impact that the image holding medium receives from the second pressure roller becomes extremely small, and the conveyance speed of the image holding medium hardly varies. Therefore, problems such as uneven exposure on the image holding medium and uneven reading of the image on the image holding medium hardly occur, and the image quality is improved.
[0009]
In addition, since the first pressure roller can be displaced between the pressure bonding position and the pressure cancellation position, before the rear end of the image holding medium passes between the first pressure roller and the first drive roller. By displacing the first pressure roller from the pressure bonding position to the pressure release position, the impact applied to the image holding medium when discharged from the first conveying roller unit is reduced, and the fluctuation in the conveying speed of the image holding medium is relatively small. Get smaller.
[0010]
The roller conveying mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the shaft coupling means includes a first pulley supported by the first pressure roller support shaft, and a second pulley supported by the second pressure roller support shaft. , And a belt stretched between the first pulley and the second pulley.
[0011]
According to the second aspect, since the first and second pressure rollers are connected using a belt, the two pressure rollers are compared with the case where the first and second pressure rollers are simply connected by contact between the rollers. It is possible to reliably transmit the rotation.
[0012]
The roller conveyance mechanism according to claim 3 is disposed in a transmission system between the belt and the second pressure roller, and the second pressure roller is moved with respect to the belt in the conveyance direction of the image holding medium. A first one-way clutch that idles is further provided, and the surface speed of the second pressure roller that is rotationally driven through the belt when only the first pressure roller is in the pressure-bonding position is the first one-way clutch. It is characterized by being set to be smaller than the surface speed of the pressure roller.
[0013]
In the configuration of claim 2, since the two pressure rollers are connected by a belt, the conveyance speed between the first conveyance roller unit and the second conveyance roller unit is exactly the same due to variations in processing accuracy of the members. If not, an unnecessary force is applied to each member and the image holding medium due to the difference in conveying speed between the two, leading to a deterioration in image quality. Accordingly, in claim 3, a first one-way clutch is provided that absorbs the difference in the conveyance speed between the two conveyance roller units due to variations in the processing accuracy of the members, and the first one-way clutch functions reliably. The surface speed of the second pressure roller that is rotationally driven via the belt when only the first pressure roller is in the pressure-bonding position is made smaller than the surface speed of the first pressure roller. That is, according to the third aspect, when both the first and second pressure rollers are in the pressure-bonding position, even if the conveyance speed of the first conveyance roller unit is larger than the conveyance speed of the second conveyance roller unit, Since the one-way clutch of 1 absorbs the difference in the conveying speed between the two, unnecessary force is hardly applied to each member.
[0014]
Further, when the image holding medium conveyed from the first conveying roller unit to the second conveying roller unit with the first and second pressure rollers being in the pressure-bonding position comes into contact with the second pressure roller. Since the first one-way clutch functions, the second pressure roller can idle with respect to the belt, so that a large impact is applied to the image holding medium for contact with the second pressure roller. Absent. Therefore, problems such as uneven exposure on the image holding medium and uneven reading of the image on the image holding medium hardly occur, and the image quality is further improved.
[0015]
The roller conveyance mechanism according to claim 4 is disposed in a transmission system between the belt and the first pressure roller, and the first pressure roller is moved in a direction opposite to a conveyance direction of the image holding medium. A second one-way clutch that idles with respect to the belt is further provided.
[0016]
When the configuration as described in claim 3 is adopted, when the first and second pressure rollers are both in the pressure bonding position and only the second pressure roller is in the pressure bonding position, the first pressure bonding is performed. The angular velocity of the roller is faster than the angular velocity of the second pressure roller. For this reason, when the vicinity of the rear end of the image holding medium comes into contact with the first pressure roller, the image holding medium is pushed downstream, and the conveyance speed of the image holding medium may fluctuate. According to claim 4, even if the first and second pressure-bonding rollers are both in the pressure-bonding position and only the second pressure-bonding roller is in the pressure-bonding position, the second one-way clutch functions. The angular velocity of the first pressure roller does not become higher than the angular velocity of the second pressure roller. Therefore, even if the vicinity of the rear end of the image holding medium comes into contact with the first pressure roller, the image holding medium is not pushed downstream, so that the conveyance speed of the image holding medium does not fluctuate. Therefore, problems such as uneven exposure on the image holding medium and uneven reading of the image on the image holding medium hardly occur, and the image quality is further improved.
[0017]
The roller transport mechanism according to claim 5 is characterized in that the diameter of the second pulley is larger than the diameter of the first pulley. According to claim 5, the surface speed of the second pressure roller that is rotationally driven through the belt when only the first pressure roller is in the pressure-bonding position is smaller than the surface speed of the first pressure roller. This can be easily realized by adjusting the diameters of the first and second pulleys.
[0018]
A sixth aspect of the present invention is a photographic processing apparatus provided with the roller transport mechanism according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. According to the sixth aspect, the uneven exposure on the photographic paper as the image holding medium is almost eliminated, so that a high-quality print can be output.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a printer processor which is a photographic processing apparatus equipped with a roller transport mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. This digital minilab employs a digital exposure system in an exposure section, and is taken from an image frame of a photographic film (hereinafter simply referred to as film) 1 developed by a film developing machine not shown here. , A controller 7 that processes digital image data read through the film scanner 3 to create print data, and an exposure that exposes an image corresponding to the frame image on the photographic paper 2 based on the print data A digital print unit 5 having a head 5a and a development processing unit 6 for developing the exposed photographic paper 2 are provided. The photographic paper 2 developed by the development processing unit 6 is discharged as a finished print through a drying process.
[0021]
The film scanner 3 determines an illumination optical system 30, an imaging optical system 40, a photoelectric conversion unit 50 using a line CCD sensor 51 as a photoelectric conversion element, a light irradiation range on the film 1 as main components, and the film 1. Is provided with an auto film mask 10 for transporting in the sub-scanning direction for scanning by a line CCD sensor.
[0022]
The illumination optical system 30 includes a halogen lamp 31 as a white light source, a light control filter 32, a mirror tunnel 33, and the like, and irradiates the film 1 with a light beam from the light source with its color distribution and intensity distribution adjusted. The imaging optical system 40 that processes the transmitted light beam of the film 2 includes a lens unit 41 and a mirror 42 that changes the direction of light.
[0023]
The photoelectric conversion unit 50 that photoelectrically converts the light beam guided by the imaging optical system 40 includes three CCD sensors 51a, 51b, and 51c assigned to detect each color of RGB as the line CCD sensor 51. Each CCD sensor has a large number (for example, 5000) of CCD elements arranged in the main scanning direction, that is, in the width direction of the film 1. A color filter that passes only the red component of the light transmitted through the film 1 passes through the imaging surface of the red CCD sensor 51a, and only a green component of the light transmitted through the film 1 passes through the imaging surface of the green CCD sensor 51b. The color filter is provided with a color filter that passes only the blue component of the light transmitted through the film 1 on the imaging surface of the blue CCD sensor 51c, and photoelectrically converts only the blue component, the red component, and the green component, respectively. .
[0024]
When the frame image of the film 1 is positioned at the scan position set in the auto film mask 10, the frame image reading process is started, and the transmitted light of the frame image is sent by the film 1 by the film transport mechanism 9. The images are sequentially read by the three CCD sensors 51a, 51b, and 51c. Since the CCD sensors are arranged at intervals of several pixels along the conveyance direction of the film 1, R, G, and B in the same pixel are arranged. There is a time difference in the detection timing of each of the component colors. This is because the R (red), G (green), and B (blue) image signals of the same pixel are associated by signal processing at the subsequent stage of the photoelectric conversion unit 50. And stored in a predetermined memory of the controller 7. Such control of the illumination optical system 30, the imaging optical system 40, and the photoelectric conversion unit 50 of the film scanner 3 is performed by the controller 7.
[0025]
In the present embodiment, the digital print unit 5 employs a PLZT shutter system. That is, the exposure head 5a employs a shutter array composed of PLZT elements. This shutter array consisting of PLZT elements is composed of a transparent ferroelectric ceramic material obtained by adding lanthanum to lead zirconate titanate and uses the electro-optic effect of the material. Light of each color of R, G, and B is introduced from the light source 5b through many optical fibers. This shutter array extends along the width direction of the photographic paper 2, that is, the transverse direction of the transport direction. When a predetermined level of voltage is applied to each shutter, a light transmission state is established, and when application of the voltage is stopped, a light blocking state is established. Accordingly, when a driving voltage is applied from the controller 7 to the shutter corresponding to each pixel based on the print data, the shutter is opened and light of the color introduced from the light source is irradiated onto the photographic paper 2. The light source 5b is provided with a rotation filter composed of optical filters of three colors of R, G, and B. By controlling the rotation phase of this rotation filter, one of the R, G, and B optical filters is selectively used. The light of the selected color is sent to the shutter through the optical fiber through the color filter. In addition to the PLZT shutter method, the digital print unit method is known to include a liquid crystal shutter method, a fluorescent beam method, a FOCRT method, a DMD (digital micromirror device) method, and a laser beam method. Can be selected.
[0026]
Since the digital printing unit 5 can simultaneously expose the cut photographic papers 2 arranged in two rows, the photographic paper transport line 8 includes a photographic paper supply line 8A for transporting the cut photographic paper 2 in a single row, and a cut print. The paper 2 is divided into an exposure conveyance line 8B capable of conveying the paper 2 in two rows and a development conveyance line 8C, and is sequentially sent from the photographic paper supply line 8A between the photographic paper supply line 8A and the exposure conveyance line 8B. A sorting device 4 is provided for sorting the photographic paper 2 into each row of the exposure transport line 8B.
[0027]
The photographic paper supply line 8A is composed of a drawing roller group for selectively pulling out the photographic paper 2 from either one of the two photographic paper magazines 2A and 2B in which the photographic paper 2 is stored in a roll shape with the emulsion surface facing outward. The drawer transport unit and a pre-sorting transport unit that delivers the photographic paper 2 to the sorting device 4 are configured.
[0028]
A paper cutter 12 for cutting the photographic paper 2 drawn out from the photographic paper magazine 2A or 2B according to the print size is provided at the upstream end of the pre-sorting transport unit. A print unit 13 is provided. The back print unit 13 prints a film ID, a frame number, correction information indicating image processing performed at the time of creating print data, and the like on the back surface (non-emulsion surface) of the photographic paper 2. Is used.
[0029]
The sorting device 4 includes a chucker-type XY movement mechanism that receives the photographic paper 2 cut by the paper cutter 12 and alternately transfers it to the left and right row positions of the intermediate conveyance roller unit 80C. Of course, when handling a wide large photographic paper 2, exposure is performed in one row, so the photographic paper 2 received from the photographic paper supply line 8 </ b> A is simply delivered to the intermediate conveyance roller unit 80 </ b> C as it is.
[0030]
The exposure conveyance line 8B is arranged on the entrance side arranged so as to sandwich the intermediate conveyance roller unit 80C constituting the two carry-in areas of the exposure conveyance line 8B and the exposure head 5a of the digital printing unit 5 in the order of the conveyance direction. A first exposure transport roller unit 80A and an exit-side second exposure transport roller unit 80B are provided. In the present embodiment, the first exposure transport roller unit 80A and the second exposure transport roller unit 80B on the exit side, which have a great influence on the exposure quality, are integrated as an exposure roller transport mechanism 80, as shown in FIG. It is manufactured with high accuracy as a typical unit.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 2, the roller transport mechanism 80 of the present embodiment includes a first exposure transport roller unit 80A disposed on the upstream side of the exposure position and a second exposure transport roller disposed on the downstream side of the exposure position. Unit 80B. The first exposure transport roller unit 80A includes four first exposure drive rollers 81 that are in contact with the non-emulsion surface side of the cut photographic paper 2 and four first exposure drive rollers 81 that are displaceable to the first exposure drive roller 81. And an exposure press roller 82. On the other hand, the second exposure transport roller unit 80B includes a second exposure drive roller 83 (substantially the same diameter as the first exposure drive roller 81) in contact with the non-emulsion surface side of the cut photographic paper 2, and these second exposure drive rollers. And four second exposure pressure-bonding rollers 84 (substantially the same diameter as the first exposure pressure-bonding roller 82).
[0032]
The first and second exposure driving rollers 81 and 83 transport the photographic paper 2 downstream (upward in FIG. 2) by a belt transmission mechanism 89a driven by a single driving pulley 89 connected to a motor 88. Are driven synchronously at substantially the same angular velocity.
[0033]
The first and second exposure pressing rollers 82 and 84 are supported by shafts 91 and 92 extending in the horizontal direction, respectively. The shaft 91 is supported by a pair of swing arms 86a, so that the shaft 91 can swing around a swing shaft 87a extending below the shaft 91 in parallel therewith. On the other hand, the shaft 92 is supported by the pair of swing arms 86b, so that the shaft 92 can swing around a swing shaft 87b extending above the shaft 92 in parallel therewith. By this swinging, the first and second exposure pressure-bonding rollers 82 and 84 are displaced relative to the first and second exposure driving rollers 81 and 83, and a pressure-bonding position where the first and second exposure pressure-bonding rollers 82 and 84 are pressure-bonded to the first and second exposure pressure-bonding rollers Can be selectively taken. The swing arms 86a and 86b are urged by a spring (not shown) so that the first and second exposure pressure-bonding rollers 82 and 84 are displaced in the pressure-bonding direction.
[0034]
Disk-shaped rollers 93 and 94 are attached to one ends of the shafts 91 and 92, respectively. In the vicinity of the rollers 93 and 94, eccentric cam plates 63 and 64 supported by two cam mechanisms 61 and 62, respectively, are arranged, and the eccentric cam plates are driven as the cam mechanisms 61 and 62 are driven. 63 and 64 and rollers 93 and 94 are brought into contact with each other with a predetermined phase difference and non-contact with each other, whereby the first and second exposure pressure-bonding rollers 82 and 84 are brought into contact with the pressure-bonding position and pressure-bonded. Displace between the release position.
[0035]
Also, pulleys 96 and 97 are supported in the vicinity of the rollers 93 and 94 of the shafts 91 and 92, respectively. A round belt 98 is stretched between these two pulleys 96 and 97. Accordingly, the two shafts 91 and 92 and the first and second exposure pressure-bonding rollers 82 and 84 supported by them rotate in conjunction with each other. That is, even when only one of the first and second exposure pressure-bonding rollers 82 and 84 is in the pressure-bonding position and is rotated by the first or second exposure driving rollers 81 and 83, it is in the pressure-released position. The other pressure roller also rotates in the same direction.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, the diameter of the pulley 97 is such that the surface speed of the second exposure pressure roller 84 when only one of the first and second exposure pressure rollers 82 and 84 is in the pressure bonding position (that is, the second exposure transport roller). The conveyance speed of the photographic paper 2 in the unit 80B is 1 to 10%, preferably 1 than the surface speed of the first exposure pressure roller 82 (that is, the conveyance speed of the photographic paper 2 in the first exposure conveyance roller unit 80A). It is formed larger than the diameter of the pulley 96 so as to be smaller by ˜4.5%, more preferably by 2 to 4.5%. In the present embodiment, since the diameters of the two pulleys 96 and 97 are set to be different from each other in this way, a one-way clutch 99a described later always functions.
[0037]
In the present embodiment, a one-way clutch 99a is disposed between the shaft 92 and the pulley 97 as shown in FIG. 3 which is a schematic diagram of the transmission system of the roller transport mechanism shown in FIG. . The one-way clutch 99a allows the second exposure pressure roller 84 to rotate at a larger angular velocity than the belt 98 in the conveyance direction of the photographic paper 2, while the belt 98 has a larger angular velocity than the second exposure pressure roller 84. It is prohibited to rotate. That is, by disposing the one-way clutch 99a, the second exposure press roller 84 can idle in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. As a result, as will be described later, when both the first and second exposure pressure-bonding rollers 82 and 84 are in the pressure-bonding position, extra force is exerted on members such as the belt 98 and the first and second exposure pressure-bonding rollers 82 and 84. Or the photographic paper 2 conveyed at a relatively high conveyance speed comes into contact with the second exposure pressure roller 84 rotating at a lower surface speed, and a large impact is applied to the photographic paper 2. Can be prevented.
[0038]
Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a one-way clutch 99 b is disposed between the shaft 91 and the pulley 96. The one-way clutch 99b allows the first exposure pressure roller 82 to rotate at a smaller angular velocity than the belt 98 in the conveyance direction of the photographic paper 2, while the belt 98 has a smaller angular velocity than the first exposure pressure roller 82. It is prohibited to rotate. That is, by disposing the one-way clutch 99b, the first exposure pressure-bonding roller 82 can idle in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. The actual rotation direction of the exposure pressure roller 82 is the same as the arrow A). Thus, as will be described later, when the state in which both the first and second exposure pressure-bonding rollers 82 and 84 are in the pressure-bonding position changes to the state in which only the second exposure pressure-bonding roller 84 is in the pressure-bonding position, the photographic paper 2 The vicinity of the rear end of the photographic paper 2 can be prevented from being pushed downstream by contacting the first exposure pressure roller 82.
[0039]
Next, the operation of the roller transport mechanism 80 of the present embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the operation timings of the first and second exposure press rollers 82 and 84 are controlled by the cam mechanisms 61 and 62.
[0040]
When the exposure process is started, the photographic paper 2 to be exposed is transported to the roller transport mechanism 80 by the intermediate transport roller unit 80C. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5A, the first exposure pressure roller 82 is in the pressure bonding position and the second exposure pressure roller 84 is in the pressure release position. Accordingly, not only the first exposure pressure-bonding roller 82 but also the second exposure pressure-bonding roller 84 that is linked to the first exposure pressure-bonding roller 82 via the belt 98 rotates in the conveyance direction of the photographic paper 2. At this time, since the diameter of the pulley 97 is formed larger than the diameter of the pulley 96, the surface speed of the second exposure pressure roller 84 is slower than the surface speed of the first exposure pressure roller 82. In the state shown in FIG. 5A, none of the one-way clutches 99a and 99b is functioning.
[0041]
When the leading edge of the photographic paper 2 passes through the exposure position and is conveyed upward, and further passes between the second exposure pressure roller 84 and the second exposure driving roller 83, as shown in FIG. The second exposure pressing roller 84 is displaced to the pressing position. At this time, although the photographic paper 2 is exposed by the exposure head 5a, the second exposure pressure roller 84 is driven and rotated in the same direction as the conveyance direction of the photographic paper 2 and the surface speed of the rotation is the same. Is smaller than the surface speed of the first exposure pressure roller 82 (that is, the conveyance speed of the photographic paper 2), the one-way clutch 99a functions reliably, and the second exposure pressure roller 84 moves in the photographic paper 2 conveyance direction. And rotate at an angular velocity greater than that of the belt 98 (idle with respect to the belt 98). Therefore, even when the photographic paper 2 conveyed at a conveyance speed larger than the surface speed of the second exposure pressure roller 84 collides with the second exposure pressure roller 84, the photographic paper 2 is larger than the second exposure pressure roller 84. There is no impact. For this reason, wrinkles and deflections do not occur in the photographic paper 2, and the exposure is hardly adversely affected by displacing the second exposure pressure-bonding roller 84 to the pressure-bonding position.
[0042]
When the second exposure pressure roller 84 is displaced to the pressure bonding position and the photographic paper 2 is sandwiched between the second exposure pressure roller 84 and the second exposure pressure roller 84, the surface speed of rotation of the second exposure pressure roller 84 is the second exposure drive roller 83. It rapidly increases to a speed substantially equal to the surface speed of. At this time, the one-way clutch 99a also functions, so that the surface speed of the first exposure pressure roller 82 (that is, the conveyance speed of the first exposure conveyance roller unit 80A) and the surface speed of the second exposure pressure roller 84 (that is, the first exposure pressure roller 84). The one-way clutch 99a rotates idly with respect to the belt 98 so that the difference with the conveyance speed of the two exposure conveyance roller unit 80B is absorbed. Accordingly, unnecessary force is not applied to the members such as the belt 98 and the second exposure press roller 84.
[0043]
Next, after the second exposure pressure-bonding roller 84 reaches the pressure-bonding position, as shown in FIG. 5C, the first exposure pressure-bonding roller 82 is set to the pressure-release release position. If the photographic paper 2 is left in the pressure-bonding position when the photographic paper 2 is separated from the first exposure pressure roller 82, the rear end of the photographic paper 2 is moved upward by the first exposure pressure roller 82 and the first exposure driving roller 81. This is because the conveyance speed of the photographic paper 2 may be suddenly changed by being pushed out, and this is to prevent this by previously setting the first exposure pressure-bonding roller 82 as the pressure-release release position.
[0044]
Thus, when the first exposure pressure roller 82 is displaced to the pressure release position, the first exposure pressure roller 82 is interlocked with the second exposure pressure roller 84 via the belt 98, so the first exposure pressure roller The angular velocity of 82 becomes larger than the angular velocity of the second exposure press roller 84 (at this time, the one-way clutch 99a is not already functioning). Therefore, when the one-way clutch 99b is not provided, assuming that the vicinity of the rear end of the photographic paper 2 is in contact with the first exposure pressure roller 82, the photographic paper 2 is at a speed higher than the surface speed of the second exposure pressure roller 84. The conveyance speed of the photographic paper 2 fluctuates despite being pushed downstream and being exposed by the exposure head 5a. However, in the present embodiment, since the one-way clutch 99b is disposed at the position as described above, the first exposure pressure roller 82 idles with respect to the belt 98 and has almost the same angular velocity as the second exposure pressure roller 84. The angular velocity of the first exposure pressure roller 82 does not become higher than the angular velocity of the second exposure pressure roller 84. Therefore, even if the portion near the rear end of the photographic paper 2 comes into contact with the first exposure pressure roller 82, the photographic paper 2 is not pushed downstream, so the conveyance speed of the photographic paper 2 does not vary.
[0045]
Then, after the trailing edge of the photographic paper 2 has completely passed between the first exposure pressure roller 82 and the second exposure pressure roller 84, as shown in FIG. In order to sandwich the next photographic paper 2, it is returned to the crimping position again.
[0046]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, the first exposure pressure-bonding roller 82 and the second exposure pressure-bonding roller 84 can be displaced between the pressure-bonding position and the pressure-release release position. By switching the crimp release position at an appropriate timing, the impact applied to the photographic paper 2 is reduced, and the fluctuation in the conveyance speed of the photographic paper 2 is relatively reduced.
[0047]
In the present embodiment, since the first exposure pressure roller 82 and the second exposure pressure roller 84 are connected by the belt 98, even when only one pressure roller is in the pressure bonding position, the other rotates in conjunction with each other. To do. Therefore, if the first exposure pressure roller 82 is set to the pressure bonding position when the second exposure pressure roller 84 is displaced from the pressure release position to the pressure bonding position, the photographic paper 2 conveyed from the first exposure conveyance roller unit 80A side is removed. It can be brought into contact with the second exposure pressure roller 84 rotating in the conveying direction. Accordingly, the impact that the photographic paper 2 receives from the second exposure pressure roller 84 becomes extremely small, and the conveyance speed of the photographic paper 2 hardly fluctuates. Thus, according to the present embodiment, uneven exposure on the photographic paper 2 hardly occurs, and the quality of the print image formed on the photographic paper 2 can be greatly improved.
[0048]
Further, according to the present embodiment, since the first exposure pressure roller 82 and the second exposure pressure roller 84 are connected by the belt 98, the two pressure rollers 82 and 84 are simply connected by contact between the rollers. Compared with the case where it is, the rotation between the pressure-bonding rollers 82 and 84 can be reliably transmitted.
[0049]
Further, in the present embodiment, the surface speed of the second exposure pressure roller 84 when only the first exposure pressure roller 82 is in the pressure bonding position is set to be smaller than the surface speed of the first exposure pressure roller 82. In addition, a one-way clutch 99a that idles the second exposure pressure roller 84 in the conveying direction of the photographic paper 2 with respect to the belt 98 is disposed, so that the one-way clutch 99a is connected to the first exposure pressure roller 82 and the second exposure pressure roller. Since the difference in conveyance speed with respect to 84 is absorbed, unnecessary force is hardly applied to each member. Further, the photographic paper 2 conveyed from the first exposure conveyance roller unit 80A to the second exposure conveyance roller unit 80B in a state where the two pressure rollers 82 and 84 are both in the pressure bonding position is in contact with the second exposure pressure roller 84. When the one-way clutch 99a functions, the second exposure pressure roller 84 can idle with respect to the belt 98, so that a large impact is applied to the photographic paper 2 for contact with the second exposure pressure roller 84. It is never done. Therefore, the uneven exposure on the photographic paper 2 hardly occurs, and the quality of the print image formed on the photographic paper 2 is further improved.
[0050]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, even if the state where the two pressure-bonding rollers 82 and 84 are both in the pressure-bonding position is changed to the state where only the second exposure pressure-bonding roller 84 is in the pressure-bonding position, the one-way clutch 99b functions. The angular velocity of the first exposure pressure roller 82 will not be higher than the angular velocity of the second exposure pressure roller 84. For this reason, even if the vicinity of the rear end of the photographic paper 2 comes into contact with the first exposure pressure roller 82, the photographic paper 2 is not pushed downstream, so that the conveyance speed of the photographic paper 2 does not fluctuate. Therefore, the uneven exposure on the photographic paper 2 hardly occurs, and the quality of the print image formed on the photographic paper 2 is further improved.
[0051]
In addition, in the present embodiment, the configuration is such that the surface speed of the second exposure pressure roller 84 is smaller than the surface speed of the first exposure pressure roller 82 when only the first exposure pressure roller 82 is in the pressure bonding position. This is easily realized by adjusting the diameters of the two pulleys 96 and 97.
[0052]
The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims. Is something. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a pulley 96 supported by the shaft 91, a pulley 97 supported by the shaft 92, and 2 as shaft coupling means for coupling the two shafts (compression roller support shafts) 91 and 92. A round belt 98 spanned between two pulleys 96 and 97 is used. However, as the shaft coupling means, the first pressure roller is such that both the pressure rollers rotate in the same direction even when only one of the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller is in the pressure bonding position. Any structure may be used as long as it connects the support shaft and the second pressure roller support shaft. Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the pulley and the pressure roller are provided separately, but they may be configured by the same member. Further, the shaft may be formed as a separate body from the pressure roller as in the above-described embodiment, or may be formed integrally with the pressure roller.
[0053]
The first one-way clutch may be disposed between the second pressure roller support shaft and the second pulley as in the above-described embodiment, or the second pressure roller support shaft. And the second pressure roller.
[0054]
The second one-way clutch may be arranged between the first pressure roller support shaft and the first pulley as in the above-described embodiment, or the first pressure roller support shaft. And the first pressure roller.
[0055]
In the above embodiment, the roller transport mechanism for exposing the photographic paper in two rows is taken as an example. However, the roller transport mechanism according to the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be configured as a roller transport mechanism for exposing a row or as a roller transport mechanism for exposing three or more rows of photographic paper.
[0056]
In the above-described embodiment, the roller transport mechanism provided in the photo processing apparatus is shown. However, the roller transport mechanism of the present invention is not limited to the photo processing apparatus, and an image on which printing or reading of an image has been performed. The present invention can be applied to any device as long as the holding medium is a roller-conveyed device (for example, a scanner or an inkjet printer).
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, after the leading edge of the image holding medium passes between the second pressure roller and the second driving roller, the second pressure roller is displaced from the pressure release position to the pressure position, thereby causing the image to move. The impact applied to the holding medium is reduced, and the fluctuation in the conveyance speed of the image holding medium is relatively reduced. In addition, the first conveyance roller is displaced from the pressure bonding position to the pressure release position before the rear end of the image holding medium passes between the first pressure roller and the first driving roller. The impact applied to the image holding medium during ejection from the roller unit is reduced, and the fluctuation in the conveyance speed of the image holding medium is relatively reduced.
[0058]
In addition, since the second pressure roller can be rotated in the conveying direction of the image holding medium by setting the first pressure roller as the pressure bonding position, when the second pressure roller is displaced from the pressure release position to the pressure bonding position. If the first pressure roller is set as the pressure bonding position, the image holding medium conveyed from the first conveying roller unit side is brought into contact with the second pressure roller rotating in the conveying direction of the image holding medium. Can do. Therefore, the impact that the image holding medium receives from the second pressure roller becomes extremely small, and the conveying speed of the image holding medium hardly fluctuates. Therefore, problems such as uneven exposure on the image holding medium and uneven reading of the image on the image holding medium hardly occur, and the image quality is improved.
[0059]
According to the second aspect, since the first and second pressure rollers are connected using a belt, the two pressure rollers are compared with the case where the first and second pressure rollers are simply connected by contact between the rollers. It is possible to reliably transmit the rotation.
[0060]
According to claim 3, even when the first and second pressure rollers are both in the pressure-bonding position, even if the conveyance speed of the first conveyance roller unit is larger than the conveyance speed of the second conveyance roller unit, the first Since the one-way clutch absorbs the difference in transport speed between the two, unnecessary force is hardly applied to each member.
[0061]
Further, when the image holding medium conveyed from the first conveying roller unit to the second conveying roller unit with the first and second pressure rollers being in the pressure-bonding position comes into contact with the second pressure roller. Since the first one-way clutch functions, the second pressure roller can idle with respect to the belt, so that a large impact is applied to the image holding medium for contact with the second pressure roller. Absent. Therefore, problems such as uneven exposure on the image holding medium and uneven reading of the image on the image holding medium hardly occur, and the image quality is further improved.
[0062]
According to claim 4, even if the first and second pressure-bonding rollers are both in the pressure-bonding position and only the second pressure-bonding roller is in the pressure-bonding position, the second one-way clutch functions. The angular velocity of the first pressure roller does not become higher than the angular velocity of the second pressure roller. Therefore, even if the vicinity of the rear end of the image holding medium comes into contact with the first pressure roller, the image holding medium is not pushed downstream, so that the conveyance speed of the image holding medium does not fluctuate. Therefore, problems such as uneven exposure on the image holding medium and uneven reading of the image on the image holding medium hardly occur, and the image quality is further improved.
[0063]
According to claim 5, the surface speed of the second pressure roller that is rotationally driven through the belt when only the first pressure roller is in the pressure-bonding position is smaller than the surface speed of the first pressure roller. This can be easily realized by adjusting the diameters of the first and second pulleys.
[0064]
According to the sixth aspect, the uneven exposure on the photographic paper as the image holding medium is almost eliminated, so that a high-quality print can be output.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a printer processor equipped with a roller transport mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the roller conveyance mechanism shown in FIG.
3 is a schematic diagram of a transmission system of the roller transport mechanism shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the action directions of two one-way clutches used in the roller transport mechanism shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the roller conveyance mechanism shown in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
2 photographic paper
5 Digital Print Department
5a Exposure head
6 Development processing section
8 photographic paper transport device
8A photographic paper supply line
8B Exposure transport line
8C Development transport line
61, 62 Cam mechanism
63, 64 Eccentric cam plate
80A First exposure transport roller unit (first transport roller unit)
80B Second exposure transport roller unit (second transport roller unit)
81 First exposure driving roller (first driving roller)
82 First exposure pressure roller (first pressure roller)
83 Second exposure driving roller (second driving roller)
84 Second exposure pressure roller (second pressure roller)
86a, 86b Swing arm
87a, 87b Oscillating shaft
91, 92 shaft (first and second pressure roller support shafts)
93, 94 roller
96, 97 pulley (first and second pulley)
98 round belt
99a, 99b one-way clutch

Claims (6)

Displaceable between a pressure-bonding position where the image holding medium can be sandwiched between the first driving roller and the first driving roller, and a pressure-releasing position separated from the first driving roller. A first pressure roller, and a first pressure roller support shaft that supports the first pressure roller, and a first conveying roller unit disposed upstream of the image processing position;
Displacement between a pressure-bonding position where the image holding medium can be sandwiched between the second driving roller and the second driving roller, and a pressure-releasing position separated from the second driving roller A second pressure roller that is possible, and a second pressure roller support shaft that supports the second pressure roller, and a second conveying roller unit disposed downstream of the image processing position;
Even when only one of the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller is in the pressure bonding position, the first pressure roller support shaft and the first pressure roller are rotated so that both pressure rollers rotate in the same direction. A roller transport mechanism comprising: a shaft coupling means for coupling the two pressure roller support shafts. The shaft coupling means comprises:
A first pulley supported by the first pressure roller support shaft;
A second pulley supported by the second pressure roller support shaft;
The roller conveyance mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a belt that is stretched between the first pulley and the second pulley. A first one-way clutch that is disposed in a transmission system between the belt and the second pressure roller, and that idles the second pressure roller relative to the belt in a conveyance direction of the image holding medium; As well as
The surface speed of the second pressure roller that is rotationally driven via the belt is set to be smaller than the surface speed of the first pressure roller when only the first pressure roller is in the pressure position. The roller transport mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: The second pressure roller is disposed in a transmission system between the belt and the first pressure roller, and causes the first pressure roller to idle with respect to the belt in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the image holding medium. The roller transport mechanism according to claim 3, further comprising a one-way clutch. The roller conveyance mechanism according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a diameter of the second pulley is larger than a diameter of the first pulley. A photographic processing apparatus comprising the roller conveyance mechanism according to claim 1.

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