JP6349778B2 - Image transfer apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image transfer apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

Regarding a laminating apparatus for attaching a film to the surface of a substrate such as an IC card, a technique described in Patent Document 1 below is known.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-28587 as Patent Document 1 discloses a laminating apparatus (30) for attaching a transparent film on which an image is formed on the surface of a thick plastic core sheet (1) such as an ID card. The configuration is described. The laminating apparatus (30) of Patent Document 1 has a pair of belts (31) stretched between a tension roll (32) and an inlet roll (38), and a film on which an image (2, 3) is formed. When the laminated body on which the core sheet (1) is stacked is sandwiched between a pair of belts (31) pressed against the heating and pressing roll (34) and conveyed downstream in the conveying direction, The film is attached to the core sheet (1) by being heated by the heating and pressing roll (34).
In the technique of Patent Document 1, when meandering occurs in the belt (31), the conveyance of the laminated body to the laminating apparatus (30) is stopped, and then the belt (31) is accompanied by the reverse rotation of the inlet roll (38). Is reversely rotated to eliminate the meandering of the belt (31).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-28587 (“0031”, “0043” to “0053”, “0069” to “0072”, FIGS. 3 to 8)

  An object of the present invention is to increase the quantity per unit time of images transferred from a recording material to a base material.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image transfer device according to claim 1 is provided.
A pair of endless belt-like rotating bodies that conveys a laminated body in which a recording material on which an image is formed on a surface and a base material on which an image on the surface of the recording material is transferred;
The pair of each of the rotating body of supporting and driving the endless belt, and the driving rotary members that rotate each of the pair of endless belt-like rotating body,
Supporting each of the pair of endless belt-like rotating body, and a stretched member you apply tension to each of said pair of endless belt-like rotating body,
With respect to the rotation direction of each of the pair of endless belt-like rotating bodies , the heat pump is disposed on the downstream side of the drive member and on the upstream side of the stretching member , and the pair of endless belt-like rotating bodies is incorporated . Heat and pressure that contact each of the rotators and are opposed to each other with the pair of endless strip-shaped rotators sandwiched therebetween, and force is applied in a direction approaching each other to transfer the image to the conveyed laminate. a transcription member Ru allowed to act,
Each of the pair of endless belt-like rotating bodies is supported at both ends of at least one of the driving member , the stretching member, and the transfer member on the outer side in the width direction, and the endless belt-like rotating body is detached from the transfer member. A fall-off prevention member to prevent,
A deviation detection member for detecting deviation in the width direction of the endless belt-like rotating body;
A deviation correction mechanism that supports one end of the transfer member so as to be movable relative to the other end of the transfer member in the transport direction of the laminate, and can tilt the transfer member. When the deviation detecting member detects a deviation of the endless belt-like rotating body, the transfer member is inclined in a direction to correct the deviation of the endless belt-like rotating body, so that the deviation of the endless belt-like rotating body is shifted. The offset correction mechanism for correcting
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 2 is the image transfer apparatus according to claim 1,
A first deviation correction unit that supports one end of the transfer member and moves the one end of the transfer member relative to the other end of the transfer member; supports the other end of the transfer member; and A deviation correction mechanism having a second deviation correction unit that moves the other end of the transfer member relative to the one end of the transfer member;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 3 is the image transfer apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A second offset correction mechanism that supports one end of the tension member so as to be movable relative to the other end of the tension member, and is capable of tilting the tension member. When the detection member detects a deviation of the endless belt-like rotating body, the tension member is inclined in a direction to correct the deviation of the endless belt-like rotating body, and the endless belt-like rotating body is offset. The second offset correction mechanism for correcting
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention provides:
An image recording unit for recording an image on a recording material;
The image transfer apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an image recorded on the recording material is transferred to a substrate.
It is provided with.

According to the first and fourth aspects of the present invention, the number of images transferred from the recording material to the base material per unit time can be increased as compared with the case without the configuration of the present invention.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the deviation correction capability compared to the case where the first deviation correction unit and the second deviation correction unit are not provided at both ends of the rotating member. it can.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the deviation correction capability as compared with the case where the second deviation correction mechanism is not provided on the rotating member.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the recording material of Example 1, FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of the recording material of Example 1, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the recording material. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of the main body of the image transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the main part of the main body of the image transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment as viewed from above. FIG. 6 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part when the main body of the image transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment is viewed from the front. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an endless belt-like rotating body according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the endless belt-like rotating body is positioned between two offset detection members. FIG. 8B is an endless belt-like rotating body. FIG. 8C is an explanatory diagram of a state where the rotating body is offset forward, and FIG. 8C is an explanatory view of a state where the endless strip-shaped rotating body is offset backward. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the state of the front eccentric member according to the first embodiment, FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating the state when the front eccentric member is moved to the initial position, and FIG. 9B is the first correction position of the front eccentric member. FIG. 9C is a state explanatory diagram when the front eccentric member is moved to the second correction position. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of the rotating shaft of the first embodiment, FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram of the rotating shaft in a state where the rotating shaft is moved to the reference position, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram of the rotating shaft which is moved to the first offset correction position. FIG. 10C is an explanatory diagram of the rotating shaft in a state where it has been moved to the second offset correction position. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of the shift correction process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram when images are printed on both surfaces of the base material of Example 1, and FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the recording material on which the image on the first surface is transferred is stacked on the stacking unit. 12B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a base material is stacked from the state shown in FIG. 12A, and FIG. 12C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a recording material on which an image on the second side is further recorded from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the base material onto which the image of Example 1 has been transferred. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the deviation correction of the endless belt-like rotating body of the first embodiment, FIG. 14A is an explanatory view of the main part of the rotating member in a state of being moved to the reference position, and FIG. 14B is a first deviation correction position It is principal part explanatory drawing of the contact part of the state which the rotation member moved to. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the rotating shaft of the second embodiment, FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram of the rotating shaft in a state of being moved to the reference position, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10A of the first embodiment, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the rotating shaft of the state which moved to the correction position, Comprising: FIG. 15C is a figure corresponding to FIG. 10B of Example 1, FIG. 15C is explanatory drawing of the rotating shaft of the state moved to the offset correction position, It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 10C of 1. FIG. FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 according to the first embodiment.

Next, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as examples) will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.
In FIG. 1, a printer U as an example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a printer main body U1 as an example of an apparatus main body. The printer U is electrically connected to a personal computer PC as an example of an image information transmission device. The control unit C of the printer U is configured to be able to input image information transmitted from the personal computer PC.
The control unit C converts the image information input from the personal computer PC into yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K image information for forming a latent image. The control unit C outputs the converted image information to the writing circuit DL at a preset time.
Note that the control unit C outputs image information of only black K to the writing circuit DL when the image is a single color image, so-called monochrome.

  The writing circuit DL outputs a signal corresponding to the input image information to LED heads LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk as an example of an exposure apparatus arranged for each color at a preset time. In Example 1, each of the LED heads LHy to LHk is configured by an LED array in which LEDs as an example of light emitting elements are linearly arranged along the width direction of an image. In the LED heads LHy to LHk, the LEDs emit light according to the input signals. Therefore, the LED heads LHy to LHk output write light according to the input signal.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, photoconductors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk, which are examples of image carriers, are disposed above the LED heads LHy to LHk.
On the upstream side of the LED heads LHy to LHk with respect to the rotation direction of each of the photoconductors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk, charging rolls CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk as examples of chargers are arranged on the photoconductors PRy to PRk. It is arranged in contact with. Developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk are disposed on the downstream side of the LED heads LHy to LHk with respect to the rotation direction of the photoconductors PRy to PRk. Primary transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k as an example of a primary transfer unit are disposed on the downstream side of the developing devices Gy to Gk with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive members PRy to PRk. Photoreceptor cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, and CLk as an example of an image carrier cleaner are disposed downstream of the primary transfer rolls T1y to T1k with respect to the rotation direction of the photoreceptors PRy to PRk. .

  The Y color of Example 1 in which a toner image as an example of a visible image is formed by the Y color photoreceptor PRy, the charging roll CRy, the LED head LHy, the developing device Gy, the primary transfer roll T1y, and the photoreceptor cleaner CLy. A Y-color image forming unit Uy as an example of the visible image forming apparatus is configured. Similarly, each photoconductor PRm, PRc, PRk, charging roll CRm, CRc, CRk, LED head LHm, LHc, LHk, developing device Gm, Gc, Gk, primary transfer roll T1m, T1c, T1k, photoconductor cleaner CLm. , CLc, CLk constitute the image forming portions Um, Uc, Uk of the M, C, K colors.

  Above the photoconductors PRy to PRk, a belt module BM as an example of an intermediate transfer device is disposed. The belt module BM has an endless belt-like intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member. The intermediate transfer belt B includes a belt driving roll Rd as an example of a driving member, a tension roll Rt as an example of a stretching member, a walking roll Rw as an example of a member for correcting deviation, and an example of a driven member. The idler roll Rf, a backup roll T2a as an example of a member facing the secondary transfer region, and primary transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k are rotatably supported.

A secondary transfer roll T2b as an example of a secondary transfer member is disposed at a position facing the backup roll T2a across the intermediate transfer belt B. In the first embodiment, the backup roll T2a is grounded, and a secondary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity is applied from the power supply circuit E to the secondary transfer roll T2b. The backup roll T2a and the secondary transfer roll T2b constitute the secondary transfer device T2 of the first embodiment. A secondary transfer region Q4 is formed by the region where the secondary transfer roll T2b and the intermediate transfer belt B are in contact with each other.
A belt cleaner CLb is disposed on the downstream side of the secondary transfer region Q4 with respect to the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member cleaner.
The primary transfer rolls T1y to T1k, the intermediate transfer belt B, the secondary transfer unit T2, and the like constitute a transfer device T1 + T2 + B of the first embodiment. The image recording units Uy to Uk + T1 + T2 + B of the first embodiment are configured by the image forming units Uy to Uk and the transfer device T1 + T2 + B.

In FIG. 1, four pairs of left and right guide rails GR as an example of a guide member are provided below the image forming units Uy to Uk. Each guide rail GR supports paper feed trays TR <b> 1 to TR <b> 4 as an example of a medium storage portion so as to be able to enter and exit in the front-rear direction. The sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 accommodate recording sheets S as an example of a medium.
A pickup roll Rp as an example of a take-out member is disposed on the upper right side of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. A separating roll Rs as an example of a separating member is arranged on the downstream side of the pickup roll Rp with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S. As an example of a medium transport path, a paper feed path SH1 extending upward is formed on the downstream side of the separation roll Rs with respect to the transport direction of the recording sheet S. A plurality of transport rolls Ra as an example of a transport member is disposed in the paper feed path SH1.

In the sheet feeding path SH1, a registration roll Rr as an example of a conveyance timing adjusting member is disposed on the upstream side of the secondary transfer region Q4.
Further, a manual feed tray TR0 as an example of a manual feed unit is installed on the right side of the uppermost sheet feed tray TR1. In the manual feed tray TR0, a manual feed roll Rp0 as an example of a manual feed member is disposed.

A fixing device F is disposed on the downstream side of the secondary transfer region Q4 with respect to the conveyance direction of the sheet S. The fixing device F includes a heating roll Fh as an example of a fixing member for heating and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a fixing member for pressure. A fixing region Q5 is constituted by a contact region between the heating roll Fh and the pressure roll Fp.
Above the fixing device F, a paper discharge path SH3 as an example of a transport path is disposed. The sheet discharge path SH3 extends as an example of a medium discharge unit toward a sheet discharge tray TRh formed on the upper surface of the printer main body U1. A paper discharge roll Rh as an example of a medium transport member is disposed at a discharge port SH3a at the downstream end of the paper discharge path SH3.

(Explanation of printer functions)
In the printer U according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, when image information is input from the personal computer PC to the printer U, the control unit C converts the image information into Y, M, C, and K image information. The converted image information is output to the writing circuit DL. In the writing circuit DL, the LED heads LHy to LHk are controlled according to the input image information, and writing light is output.
Each of the photoconductors PRy to PRk is driven to rotate when image formation is started. A charging voltage is applied from the power supply circuit E to the charging rolls CRy to CRk. Therefore, the surfaces of the photoconductors PRy to PRk are charged by the charging rolls CRy to CRk. Electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the charged photoreceptors PRy to PRk by the writing light from the LED heads LHy to LHk at the writing positions Q1y, Q1m, Q1c, and Q1k. The electrostatic latent images on the photoconductors PRy to PRk are developed into toner images as an example of visible images by the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk in the development areas Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, and Q2k.

The developed toner image is conveyed to primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k that are in contact with an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member. In the primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k, the primary transfer rolls T1y to T1k disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt B are set at a preset time from the power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. A primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied. Therefore, the toner images on the photoconductors PRy to PRk are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer rolls T1y to T1k. In the case of a multi-color toner image, the downstream toner image is transferred so as to overlap the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B in the upstream primary transfer region.
Residues and deposits on the photoconductors PRy to PRk after the primary transfer are cleaned by the photoconductor cleaners CLy to CLk. The cleaned surfaces of the photoconductors PRy to PRk are recharged by the charging rolls CRy to CRk.
The single-color or multicolor toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer rolls T1y to T1k in the primary transfer areas Q3y to Q3k are conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4.

The sheet S on which the image is recorded is taken out by the pickup rolls Rp of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 to be used. The sheets S picked up by the pick-up roll Rp are separated one by one by the rolls Rs when a plurality of sheets S are picked up. The sheet S separated by the separating roll Rs is conveyed through the sheet feeding path SH1 by the conveying roll Ra. The sheet S conveyed through the sheet feeding path SH1 is sent to the registration roll Rs.
When the sheets S stored in the manual feed tray TR0 are used, the manual feed roll Rp0 sends the sheets S stacked on the manual feed tray TR0 to the registration roll Rr via the manual feed path SH0.

The registration roll Rr conveys the sheet S to the secondary transfer area Q4 at the same time when the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4. A secondary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roll T2b by the power supply circuit E. Therefore, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt B to the sheet S.
The intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer is cleaned by a belt cleaner CLb as an example of an intermediate transfer body cleaner.
The recording sheet S on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is heated and fixed when passing through the fixing region Q5.
The recording sheet S on which the image is fixed is conveyed through the paper discharge path SH3. When a later-described relay unit U2 is not installed on the paper discharge tray TRh, the sheet S conveyed on the paper discharge path SH3 is discharged to the paper discharge tray TRh by the paper discharge roll Rh.

(Description of relay unit U2)
In FIG. 1, a relay unit U2 as an example of a medium transport device is detachably supported on the paper discharge tray TRh of the printer U according to the first embodiment.
Inside the relay unit U2, a relay path SH5 as an example of a medium transport path is formed. The relay path SH5 has a carry-in port 1 through which the recording sheet S discharged from the paper discharge roll Rh is carried on one end side connected to the sheet discharge port SH3a of the printer main body U1. A relay roll Ra2 as an example of a medium transport member is disposed on the relay path SH5. In the relay path SH5, a discharge port 2 for the post-processing apparatus is formed at the downstream end of the sheet S in the conveyance direction.

(Description of collating device of image transfer device)
In FIG. 1, an image transfer device U3 is arranged on the left side of the printer U. The image transfer apparatus U3 according to the first embodiment includes a collation apparatus U3a that is disposed adjacent to the relay unit U2 as an example of a stacking unit.
A card tray 6 as an example of a second medium storage unit is supported on the lower right side of the collating apparatus U3a. The card tray 6 is an example of a base material, and a card base material 7 as an example of a second medium is loaded thereon. The card substrate 7 contains an IC chip (not shown) as an example of an information storage medium. The IC chip of Example 1 is configured by a chip capable of wireless communication, a so-called IC tag. Therefore, information can be transmitted and received in a non-contact manner via the IC chip. In the IC chip of the first embodiment, medium information such as the type of the constituent material of the card base 7 and the size of the card base 7 is stored in advance.

In the collating apparatus U3a, a second paper discharge tray 8 as an example of a second medium discharge unit is formed at the top.
Also, a compile tray 9 as an example of a main body of the stacking unit is supported inside the collating apparatus U3a at a position corresponding to the left side of the card tray. On the compile tray 9 according to the first embodiment, a card base 7 and a sheet S on which a toner image is formed by the printer main body U1 can be stacked.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the recording material of Example 1, FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of the recording material of Example 1, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of a modification of the recording material.
Here, in Example 1, as the sheet S, a transfer film, which is an example of a medium and an example of a recording material, and an MOE film: Marking on Everything film can be used. 3A, the transfer film 10 of Example 1 has a film-like base material layer 10a. An image receiving layer 10b is supported on the surface of the base material layer 10a. The surface of the image receiving layer 10b is a recording surface on which an image is recorded. In addition, the base material layer 10a can be comprised with a PET film whose thickness is 80 micrometers, for example. Further, the image receiving layer 10b can be constituted by, for example, a conventionally known toner image receiving layer having a thickness of several μm. For the toner image receiving layer, for example, a conventionally known configuration described in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 4013658 and Japanese Patent No. 4019921 can be used, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 3B, it is also possible to use a transfer film 10 ′ having a protective layer 10c between the base material layer 10a and the image receiving layer 10b.

Further, the collating device U3a is formed with a colling entrance 11 connected to the discharge port 2 of the relay path SH5 on the relay unit U2 side. Inside the collation apparatus U3a, a conveyance path 12 extending leftward from the collation entrance 11 is formed. The conveyance path 12 is an example of a discharge conveyance path, and includes a discharge path 12 a that extends toward the upper second paper discharge tray 8 as an example of a reversal conveyance path. At the downstream end of the discharge path 12a, a discharge roll Rh2 as an example of a discharge member is disposed corresponding to the second discharge tray 8. The conveyance path 12 includes a loading path 12 b that branches from the discharge path 12 a and extends toward the compilation tray 9 as an example of a medium conveyance path. At a position where the discharge path 12a and the loading path 12b branch, a gate 13 as an example of a member for switching the medium transport direction is disposed. Further, the conveyance path 12 includes, as an example of a medium conveyance path, a base material feed path 12c that extends from the card tray 6 toward the compilation tray 9 and joins the stacking path 12b.
On the conveyance path 12, a plurality of conveyance rolls Ra3 as an example of a medium conveyance member are arranged. Further, on the upper left side of the card tray 6, a pickup roll Rp and a separation roll Rs configured in the same manner as the pickup roll Rp and the separation roll Rs provided in each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are arranged.

The compile tray 9 of the first embodiment is inclined upward as it goes to the left, which is the downstream side in the medium conveyance direction.
A stopper 16 that extends upward is supported at the right end of the compile tray 9 as an example of a stop member. The stopper 16 according to the first exemplary embodiment is supported so as to be movable along the conveyance direction according to the length of the sheet S stacked on the compilation tray 9 in the conveyance direction. The stopper 16 is configured such that its position along the conveyance direction can be controlled by a driving mechanism such as a motor or a gear (not shown). The stopper 16 contacts the rear end in the transport direction of the sheets S stacked on the compilation tray 9 and aligns the rear ends of the sheets S. The stopper 16 according to the first exemplary embodiment also has a function of transporting the sheet S to the downstream side by moving toward the downstream side in the transport direction in a state where the sheets S are stacked.

A tamper 17 as an example of an alignment member is supported at the center of the compile tray 9 in the left-right direction. The tamper 17 is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, the tamper 17 contacts and separates the front and rear ends of the sheets S stacked on the compilation tray 9 to align the front and rear ends of the sheets S.
A temporary fixing device 18 is supported at the left end of the compile tray 9. In the temporary fixing device 18, an arm 18a as an example of a movable portion is supported above and below the compile tray 9 so as to be rotatable about a rotation center 18b. A heating unit 18c is supported at the tip of the arm 18a. The temporary fixing device 18 according to the first embodiment is disposed at two positions with a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction.
Accordingly, when temporarily fixing the sheets S stacked on the compile tray 9, the temporary fixing device 18 moves from the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 to the state indicated by the broken line, and each heating unit 18c heats the sheet S. Add. Therefore, the sheet S is fused at two places before and after the heat is applied. Therefore, in the temporary fixing device 18 of Example 1, it is possible to form a laminated body 19 in which the two places before and after the laminated card base material 7 and transfer film 10 are temporarily fixed.

  An encoding unit 20 as an example of a reading unit is arranged on the left side of the compile tray 9. The encoding unit 20 according to the first embodiment includes an endless belt-shaped transport belt 20a as an example of a transport member. A card reader 20b as an example of a reading member is disposed above the conveyor belt 20a. The card reader 20b transmits and receives information of the IC chip built in the card base 7 by non-contact wireless communication. Therefore, the card reader 20b can read information stored in the IC chip by wireless communication.

(Description of Transfer Section of Example 1)
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of the main body of the image transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the main part of the main body of the image transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment as viewed from above.
In FIG. 1, a main body U3b of the transfer device is supported on the left side of the collating device U3a. In the main body U3b of the transfer device, a cleaning roll 21 as an example of a cleaning member is disposed at the upstream end in the conveyance direction of the medium on which the stacked body 19 is also conveyed.

4 and 5, a transfer unit 31 is disposed downstream of the cleaning roll 21 in the medium transport direction. The transfer unit 31 according to the first embodiment includes a pair of upper and lower transfer belts 32 and 32 as an example of an endless belt-like rotating body. In addition, the transfer belts 32 and 32 of Example 1 are comprised with the metal.
On the inner periphery of each transfer belt 32, a pair of upper and lower drive rolls 33 as an example of a drive member are disposed at the most upstream position with respect to the medium transport direction. The driving rolls 33 according to the first exemplary embodiment are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, and are configured so that the transfer belts 32 do not contact each other at the position of the driving roll 33. In the first embodiment, a conveyance motor M2 as an example of a drive source is disposed behind the drive roll 33. The rotation of the transport motor M2 is configured so that the rotation of the transport motor M2 can be transmitted to the drive roll 33 via a gear train (not shown).

A pair of upper and lower heat rolls 34, which is an example of a rotating member and is an example of a transfer member, is disposed on the downstream side of the drive roll 33 with respect to the medium transport direction. The heat roll 34 according to the first embodiment is pressed with a preset pressure with the transfer belt 32 interposed therebetween. Therefore, the transfer belts 32 are in contact with each other at the position of the heat roll 34. Further, inside each heat roll 34, a heater 34a as an example of a heating member and an example of a first heat source is supported.
In Example 1, when the laminate 19 passes through the position facing the heat roll 34, the heater 34 a is arranged so that the toner image formed on the transfer film 10 is transferred to the surface of the card substrate 7. The temperature is set.

In Example 1, a toner that melts at about 90 ° C. and is transferred from the transfer film 10 to the card substrate 7 is used. Therefore, in the configuration of Example 1, as an example, the temperature of the laminated body 19 is set to be around 110 ° C. with a sufficient margin, that is, a so-called margin, with respect to 90 ° C. that is the temperature at which the toner melts. ing. In Example 1, the temperature of the heater 34a is set to 130 ° C. corresponding to the temperature of the laminated body 19 being lowered by about 20 ° C. by experiments or the like with respect to the temperature of the heater 34a.
A pair of upper and lower support rolls 36 as an example of a support member is disposed on the downstream side of the heat roll 34 with respect to the medium transport direction. The support roll 36 according to the first exemplary embodiment is pressed with a preset pressure across the transfer belt 32. Accordingly, the transfer belts 32 are in contact with each other between the position of the heat roll 34 and the position of the support roll 36.

A pair of upper and lower tension rolls 37 as an example of a rotating member is disposed on the downstream side of the support roll 36 with respect to the medium transport direction. The tension rolls 37 according to the first exemplary embodiment are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, and are configured so that the transfer belts 32 do not contact each other at the position of the tension rolls 37. The tension roll 37 according to the first exemplary embodiment is pressed in a direction in which a tension acts on the transfer belt 32 by a spring 37a as an example of an elastic body.
In Example 1, the force with which the tension roll 37 pushes the transfer belt 32 is set smaller than the force with which the heat roll 34 pushes the transfer belt 32. In the first embodiment, for example, the heat roll 34 is set to 500 kgf, the tension roll 37 is set to 40 kgf, and the spring force is preset.

A cooling device 41 as an example of a cooling unit is disposed between the heat roll 34 and the support roll 36 with respect to the medium transport direction. The cooling device 41 according to the first embodiment includes a contact portion 41 a that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt 32.
The contact portion 41a is formed with a heat sink 41b as an example of a heat radiating portion. Moreover, the cooling device 41 has a fan 41c as an example of a blowing member. The fan 41c blows cooling air toward the heat sink 41b during the transfer operation.

  In Example 1, the transfer belt 32 is stretched around the drive roll 33, the heat roll 34, the support roll 36, and the tension roll 37. Further, in FIG. 5, flanges 43 as an example of drop-off prevention members are provided on the front and rear ends of each roll 33, 34, 36, 37 at positions outside the stretched transfer belt 32 in the front-rear direction. ing. The flange 43 of Example 1 is formed in a disk shape. In addition, the diameter of the flange 43 of Example 1 is formed larger than the diameter of each roll 33,34,36,37.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part when the main body of the image transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment is viewed from the front.
5 and 6, a pair of front and rear movable plates 51 and 51 ′ are arranged outside the heat roll 34 in the front-rear direction as an example of a shaft support member. Each movable plate 51, 51 'is formed in a plate shape extending in the left-right direction.
A rotating shaft 34b of the heat roll 34 is rotatably supported at the left end portion of the front movable plate 51. A pair of upper and lower guided support holes 52 are formed at the upper right end and the lower right end of the front movable plate 51. The guided support hole 52 of the first embodiment is formed in a long hole shape extending in the left-right direction. In addition, a contact opening 53 is formed in the right portion of the front movable plate 51 at the center in the vertical direction between the guided support holes 52. The contacted opening 53 of the first embodiment is formed in a square shape.
The rear movable plate 51 ′ is configured to be a front and rear object with the front movable plate 51. That is, the rear movable plate 51 'has a guided support hole 52' and a contact opening 53 '.

  In FIG. 5, a pair of front and rear urging plates 61 and 61 ′ are arranged as an example of a guide support member outside the movable plates 51 and 51 ′ in the front and rear direction. Each biasing plate 61, 61 'is formed in a plate shape extending in the left-right direction. A pair of upper and lower guide pins 62 are supported at positions corresponding to the guided support holes 52 at the upper right end and lower right end of the front biasing plate 61. The guide pin 62 of the first embodiment is formed in a rod shape that extends rearward. In the configuration of the first embodiment, the front movable plate 51 is supported with the guide pin 62 penetrating the guided support hole 52. Therefore, the front movable plate 51 is supported so as to be movable in the left-right direction with respect to the front biasing plate 61.

A front cam motor M3 is supported on the front surface of the front biasing plate 61 at a position facing the contacted opening 53 as an example of a bias correction drive source. The front cam motor M3 has a front cam shaft 67 as an example of a rotation shaft of a drive source. The front camshaft 67 is formed in a rod shape that penetrates the front biasing plate 61 and extends rearward. A front cam 68 as an example of an eccentric member is supported at the rear end of the front cam shaft 67 at a position inside the contacted opening 53.
The front cam 68 of the first embodiment is formed in a circular shape. The front cam 68 is supported by the front cam shaft 67 at a position shifted from the center of the circle of the front cam 68. In the first embodiment, the front cam 68 is accommodated in the contacted opening 53. The diameter of the front cam 68 is set to a length corresponding to the distance between the right inner edge 53a and the left inner edge 53b of the contacted opening 53.

Further, the left end of the front biasing plate 61 is supported by one end of a biasing spring 71 as an example of a biasing member. The other end of the urging spring 71 is supported by the inner frame U3c of the transfer device of the main body U3b of the transfer device. In the first embodiment, the urging spring 71 is an elastic spring. Therefore, the urging spring 71 urges the front urging plate 61 to the left side.
The rear urging plate 61 'is configured to be a front and rear urging plate 61 and a front and rear object. That is, the rear urging plate 61 'includes a guide pin 62', a cam motor M3 ', a rear cam shaft 67', a rear cam 68 ', and a urging spring 71'.
In the first embodiment, the first deviation correction unit KH1 is configured by the members and the like having the reference numerals 51 to 71 and M3, and the members and the like having the 51 'to 71' and M3 'are included. The second offset correction unit KH2 is configured. Further, the first deviation correction unit KH1 and the second deviation correction unit KH2 constitute a deviation correction mechanism KH3.

In FIG. 5, a front belt sensor SN <b> 1 and a rear belt sensor SN <b> 2 are arranged on the downstream side of the tension roll 37 with respect to the medium transport direction as an example of a deviation detection member. In Example 1, the width L ₁ front-rear direction of the transfer belt 32, in the longitudinal direction of the outer position, longer towards the distance L ₂ between the belt sensor SN2 of the front belt sensor SN1 and the rear Is set.
A discharge roll 76 as an example of a discharge member is disposed downstream of the transfer belt 32 with respect to the medium transport direction.
A third discharge tray 77 as an example of a medium storage unit is supported on the left side surface of the main body U3b of the transfer device. The stacked body 19 conveyed by the discharge roll 76 is discharged to the third discharge tray 77.

(Description of the control part C of Example 1)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 7, the control unit C of the printer U has an input / output interface I / O for inputting / outputting signals to / from the outside. In addition, the control unit C includes a ROM (read only memory) in which a program for performing necessary processing, information, and the like are stored. In addition, the control unit C includes a random access memory (RAM) for temporarily storing necessary data. The control unit C includes a central processing unit (CPU) that performs processing according to a program stored in a ROM or the like. Therefore, the control part C of Example 1 is comprised by the small information processing apparatus, what is called a microcomputer. Therefore, the control part C can implement | achieve various functions by running the program memorize | stored in ROM etc.

(Signal output element connected to the control unit C of the printer body U1)
The control unit C of the printer body U1 receives output signals from the operation unit UI and signal output elements such as the belt sensors SN1 and SN2.
The operation unit UI includes a power button UI1 as an example of a power-on unit, a display panel UI2 as an example of a display unit, a numeric input unit UI3, an arrow input unit UI4, and the like.
The front belt sensor SN1 and the rear belt sensor SN2 detect the front end and the rear end of the transfer belt 32.

(Controlled elements connected to the control unit C of the printer body U1)
The control unit C of the printer main body U1 is connected to a drive circuit D1 of a drive source, a drive circuit D2 of a conveying member, a drive circuit D3 for deviation correction, a power supply circuit E, and other control elements (not shown). The control unit C outputs those control signals to the circuits D1 to D3, E and the like.
D1: Driving circuit for driving source The driving circuit D1 for driving source drives the photoreceptors PRy to PRk, the intermediate transfer belt B, and the like through a main motor M1 as an example of a driving source.
D2: Drive Circuit for Transport Member The transport circuit D2 for the transport member drives the drive roll 33 and the transfer belt 32 via the transport motor M2.
D3: Drive circuit for deviation correction The drive circuit D3 for deviation correction drives the cams 68, 68 'via cam motors M3, M3'.

E: Power supply circuit The power supply circuit E includes a charging power supply circuit Ea, a developing power supply circuit Eb, a transfer power supply circuit Ec, a fixing power supply circuit Ed, a power supply circuit Ee for an image transfer apparatus, and the like. ing.
Ea: Charging power supply circuit The charging power supply circuit Ea applies a charging voltage for charging the surfaces of the photoconductors PRy to PRk to the charging rolls CRy to CRk.
Eb: Development Power Supply Circuit The development power supply circuit Eb applies a development voltage to the development rolls of the development devices Gy to Gk.
Ec: Power supply circuit for transfer The power supply circuit Ec for transfer applies a transfer voltage to the primary transfer rolls T1y to T1k and the secondary transfer roll T2b.
Ed: Power circuit for fixing The power circuit Ed for fixing supplies heater heating power to the heating roll Fh of the fixing device F.
Ee: Power supply circuit for the image transfer apparatus The power supply circuit Ee for the image transfer apparatus supplies power to the heat roll 34 of the image transfer apparatus U3.

(Function of control unit C)
The control unit C has the following function realizing means by a program for controlling the operation of each controlled element according to the output signal of the signal input element.
C1: Job Control Unit Job control unit C1 as an example of an image forming operation control unit is configured to charge rollers CRy to CRk, primary transfer rolls T1y to T1k, according to print information transmitted from the personal computer PC or the like. A job as an example of an image forming operation is executed by controlling the operations of the secondary transfer roll T2b, the fixing device F, and the like.

C2: Deviation Correction Unit The deviation correction unit C2 includes a deviation determination unit C2A and a cam rotation control unit C2B as an example of an eccentric member rotation control unit. In the offset correcting means C2 of the first embodiment, when the transfer belt 32 stretched around the heat roll 34 is offset, the direction of correcting the offset according to the direction in which the transfer belt 32 is offset. Then, the heat roll 34 is inclined to correct the deviation of the transfer belt 32.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an endless belt-like rotating body according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the endless belt-like rotating body is positioned between two offset detection members. FIG. 8B is an endless belt-like rotating body. FIG. 8C is an explanatory diagram of a state where the rotating body is offset forward, and FIG. 8C is an explanatory view of a state where the endless strip-shaped rotating body is offset backward.
C2A: Misalignment discriminating means The misalignment discrimination means C2A detects whether the transfer belt 32 is offset forward or backward, or not offset, based on the detection results of the belt sensors SN1 and SN2.
As shown in FIG. 8A, the deviation determining unit C2A according to the first embodiment determines that the transfer belt 32 is not offset when the belt sensors SN1 and SN2 do not detect the transfer belt 32. That is, it is determined that the transfer belt 32 is located between the belt sensors SN1 and SN2. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the transfer belt 32 is detected by the front belt sensor SN1, it is determined that the transfer belt 32 is shifted forward. Further, as shown in FIG. 8C, when the transfer belt 32 is detected by the rear belt sensor SN2, it is determined that the transfer belt 32 is shifted rearward.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the state of the front eccentric member according to the first embodiment, FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating the state when the front eccentric member is moved to the initial position, and FIG. 9B is the first correction position of the front eccentric member. FIG. 9C is a state explanatory diagram when the front eccentric member is moved to the second correction position.
10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of the rotating shaft of the first embodiment. FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram of the rotating shaft in a state where the rotating shaft is moved to the reference position. FIG. FIG. 10C is an explanatory diagram of the rotating shaft in a state where it has been moved to the second offset correction position.
C2B: Cam Rotation Control Unit The cam rotation control unit C2B controls the rotation of the cams 68 and 68 ′ by controlling the rotation of the cam motors M3 and M3 ′.

In the cam rotation control means C2B according to the first embodiment, when it is determined that the transfer belt 32 has shifted forward based on the deviation determination means C2A, the front cam motor M3 is rotated forward to obtain the result shown in FIG. 9B. As shown, the front cam 68 is rotated forward, and the rear cam motor M3 ′ is rotated reversely to reversely rotate the rear cam 68 ′. Accordingly, the front cam 68 pushes the left inner edge 53b of the front plate 51, the front plate 51 moves to the first correction position on the downstream side in the medium transport direction, and the rear cam 68 ′ moves to the rear side. By pushing the right inner edge 53a ′ of the plate 51 ′, the rear plate 51 ′ moves to the second correction position on the upstream side in the medium transport direction.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10B, the heat roll 34 supported by the plates 51 and 51 ′ moves to the first offset correction position inclined toward the downstream side in the medium transport direction as it goes forward. . Therefore, the heat roll 34 moved to the first offset correction position moves the transfer belt 32 offset forward to the rear.

  Further, when it is determined that the transfer belt 32 has shifted rearward, the cam rotation control means C2B of the first embodiment rotates the front cam motor M3 in the reverse direction to move the front cam 68 as shown in FIG. 9C. While moving to the second correction position, the rear cam motor M3 ′ is rotated forward to move the rear cam 68 ′ to the first correction position. Therefore, the cam rotation control means C2B according to the first embodiment moves the front plate 51 to the upstream side and the rear plate 51 'to the downstream side in the medium transport direction. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10C, the heat roll 34 supported by the plates 51 and 51 'moves to the second offset correction position inclined toward the upstream side in the medium transport direction as it goes forward. . Therefore, the heat roll 34 moved to the second offset correction position moves the transfer belt 32 offset rearward to the front.

  Further, when it is determined that the transfer belt 32 is not offset, the cam motors M3 and M3 ′ are rotated to obtain a position between the first correction position and the second correction position as shown in FIG. 9A. The cams 68 and 68 'are moved to their initial positions. Therefore, when the transfer belt 32 is located between the belt sensors SN1 and SN2, as shown in FIG. 10A, the heat roll 34 moves to a reference position where the heat roll 34 is not inclined with respect to the front-rear direction.

(Explanation of flowchart of offset correction processing)
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of the shift correction process according to the first embodiment.
The processing of each step ST in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is performed according to a program stored in the control unit C of the printer U. This process is executed in parallel with other various processes of the printer U.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 11 is started when the printer U is powered on.
In ST1 of FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not the job has been started. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST2. If no (N), ST1 is repeated.
In ST2, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST3.
(1) The front cam 68 is moved to the initial position.
(2) The rear cam 68 'is moved to the initial position.

In ST3, the front belt sensor SN1 determines whether or not the front end of the transfer belt 32 has been detected. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST4. If no (N), the process proceeds to ST5.
In ST4, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST7.
(1) The front cam 68 is moved to the first correction position.
(2) The rear cam 68 ′ is moved to the second correction position.
In ST5, the rear belt sensor SN2 determines whether or not the rear end of the transfer belt 32 has been detected. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST6. If no (N), the process proceeds to ST7.
In ST6, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST7.
(1) The front cam 68 is moved to the second correction position.
(2) The rear cam 68 'is moved to the first correction position.
In ST7, it is determined whether or not the job is finished. If no (N), the process returns to ST3, and if yes (Y), the process returns to ST1.

(Operation of Example 1)
In the printer U according to the first exemplary embodiment, when the relay unit U2 and the image transfer device U3 are mounted, when an image is printed and discharged on a sheet S such as plain paper, the image is printed by the printer body U1 and relayed. The sheet S carried into the unit U2 is discharged to the second paper discharge tray 8.
When an image is recorded on one side or both sides of the card substrate 7, it is printed by the printer body U1 on the image receiving layer 10b of the transfer film 10 accommodated in the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. The transfer film 10 printed on the image receiving layer 10b is carried into the collation apparatus U3a via the relay unit U2.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram when images are printed on both surfaces of the base material of Example 1, and FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the recording material on which the image on the first surface is transferred is stacked on the stacking unit. 12B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a base material is stacked from the state shown in FIG. 12A, and FIG. 12C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a recording material on which an image on the second side is further recorded from the state shown in FIG.
In FIG. 12A, when images are recorded on both sides of the card substrate 7, first, the transfer film 10 on which the image on the lower surface side of the card substrate 7 is recorded is guided to the gate 13 and conveyed to the discharge path 12a. Is done. When the rear end of the transfer film 10 passes through the gate 13, the discharge roll Rh2 rotates in the reverse direction, and the transfer film 10 is conveyed in the reverse direction through the discharge path 12a, that is, switched back. Then, the transfer film 10 is guided to the gate 13 and conveyed to the stacking path 12b. Therefore, the transfer film 10 is accommodated in the compile tray 9 with the image receiving layer 10b on the upper surface.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12B, the card base 7 is sent out from the card tray 6. The card substrate 7 sent out from the card tray 6 is stacked and stacked above the transfer film 10.
Next, when the transfer film 10 on which the image on the upper surface side of the card substrate 7 is printed is carried into the collating apparatus U3a, the gate 13 is switched as shown in FIG. 12C. Then, the transfer film 10 is guided to the gate 13 and conveyed through the stacking path 12b without passing through the discharge path 12a. Therefore, the transfer film 10 on which the image on the upper surface side of the card substrate 7 is printed is loaded on the compile tray 9 with the image receiving layer 10b facing downward and the image receiving layer 10b facing the upper surface of the card substrate 7. The
When an image is recorded only on one side of the card substrate 7, only the upper or lower transfer film 10 corresponding to the recorded side is carried into the compile tray 9. .

When the card base material 7 and the transfer film 10 are loaded on the compile tray 9, the temporary fixing device 18 is operated, and the left end portions of the card base material 7 and the transfer film 10 are heated at two places in the front and rear, and temporarily fixed. Is done. Therefore, the card base material 7 and the transfer film 10 become an integrally laminated body 19 temporarily fixed.
The stacked body 19 is transported to the encoding unit 20 disposed on the downstream side in the medium transport direction. In the encoding unit 20 of the first embodiment, the stacked body 19 is temporarily stopped and the card reader 20b reads information stored in the IC chip. The laminated body 19 that has passed through the encoding unit 20 is transported to the main body U3b of the transfer device disposed on the downstream side in the medium transport direction.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the base material onto which the image of Example 1 has been transferred.
3 and 13, the laminate 19 conveyed to the main body U3b of the transfer device comes into contact with the cleaning roll 21 and the surface is cleaned. The laminate 19 cleaned by the cleaning roll 21 is conveyed to the transfer device 31. In the transfer device 31, the laminate 19 is heated while being pressed with the laminate 19 being sandwiched between the heat rolls 34. Therefore, the toner 81 fixed on the transfer film 10 is heated and melted. Therefore, the toner 81 can be transferred from the transfer film 10 to the card substrate 7. At this time, the card substrate 7 is warmed to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature of the card substrate 7 and is softened. Therefore, when the toner 81 receives pressure from the heat roll 34, as shown in FIG. 12, the toner is transferred to the card substrate 7 side in a form in which a part of the toner is embedded in the softened card substrate 7. Therefore, the image printed on the image receiving layer 10 b is transferred to the surface of the card substrate 7.

The laminate 19 having the image transferred to the surface of the card substrate 7 is conveyed to the cooling device 41. And the cooling device 41 cools the laminated body 19 to below glass transition temperature via the transfer belts 32 and 32.
The laminated body 19 that has passed through the cooling device 41 is conveyed to the discharge roll 76. Then, the discharge roll 76 discharges the stacked body 19 to the third discharge tray 77.
When the transfer film 10 is peeled off from the laminate 19 discharged to the discharge tray 77, a card having an image transferred onto one or both sides of the card base 7 is obtained.

In the transfer unit 31 according to the first exemplary embodiment, the transfer belts 32 and 32 are rotated when the transfer belts 32 and 32 are rotated in accordance with the relative parallelism relationship between the rolls 33, 34, 36, and 37 that support the transfer belts 32 and 32. 32, 32 may be offset in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, flanges 43 that prevent the transfer belts 32 and 32 that are offset from falling off are supported at both ends of the rolls 33, 34, 36, and 37.
Moreover, the transfer belts 32 and 32 of Example 1 are comprised with the metal whose heat conductivity is higher than resin, and the cooling device 41 cools the laminated body 19 rather than the structure using a resin-made transfer belt. In this case, the laminate 19 can be efficiently cooled.

  However, in the configuration using the metal transfer belts 32, 32, when the transfer belts 32, 32 are displaced in the front-rear direction, the ends of the transfer belts 32, 32 and the flange 43 are rubbed and worn. . When the transfer belts 32 and 32 are worn, the widths of the transfer belts 32 and 32 are shortened, which adversely affects the conveyance of the laminate 19 and shortens the life of the transfer belts 32 and 32. Further, when the transfer belts 32 and 32 are worn, wear powder such as metal powder may be generated. When wear powder is generated, the wear powder may adhere to the surfaces of the transfer belts 32 and 32. And when the laminated body 19 is pinched | interposed into the heat roll 34, the abrasion powder adhering to the transfer belts 32 and 32 will be pressed against the laminated body 19, and a dent and a damage | wound will be carried out to the card | curd base material 7 with which the abrasion powder softened. There was a fear of attaching.

In the configuration of Patent Document 1, when the belt (31) is offset in the front-rear direction, the belt (31) is rotated in the reverse direction to correct the deviation of the belt (31).
However, in this configuration, when the deviation of the transfer belt 32 is corrected, it is necessary to stop the conveyance of the stacked body 19 to the transfer unit 31 and rotate the transfer belt 32 in the reverse direction. The transfer operation for transferring the image printed on the image receiving layer 10b to the surface of the card substrate 7 cannot be performed. Therefore, when the transfer belt 32 is rotated in the reverse direction, the number of images transferred from the transfer film 10 to the card substrate 7 per unit time is reduced, resulting in a problem that productivity is lowered.

On the other hand, in the configuration of the first embodiment, when the transfer belt 32 is offset in the front-rear direction, the heat roll 34 is rotated according to the deviation of the transfer belt 32 while rotating the transfer belt 32 as shown in FIG. 10B and FIG. It can move to each offset correction position shown in 10C. Accordingly, the transfer belt 32 rotates and moves in a direction opposite to the offset direction, so that the shift of the transfer belt 32 is corrected. Therefore, in the configuration of the first embodiment, it is possible to correct the deviation while transferring and transporting the laminate 19 by the transfer belt 32.
Accordingly, in the configuration of the first embodiment, the transfer operation is also performed when correcting the shift of the transfer belt 32 in contrast to the configuration of Patent Document 1 in which the transfer operation cannot be performed when correcting the shift of the belt. It is possible. Therefore, compared with the structure of patent document 1, it is possible to increase the quantity per unit time transferred from the transfer film 10 to the card base material 7, and to reduce the decrease in productivity.

  In the configuration of the first embodiment, the frequency of contact between the ends of the transfer belts 32 and 32 and the flange 43 is reduced as the transfer belt 32 is offset. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the abrasion of the transfer belt 32 and the like. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the reduction in the width of the transfer belts 32 and 32, and it is possible to reduce the adverse effect on the conveyance of the laminate 19 and the shortening of the life of the transfer belts 32 and 32. Moreover, it is possible to reduce generation | occurrence | production of abrasion powder, and it is possible to reduce dents and scratches on the card substrate 7 in which the generated abrasion powder is softened.

Moreover, in the structure of Example 1, the both ends of the rotating shaft 34b of the heat roll 34 are rotatably supported, and the heat roll 34 inclines with the movement of the movable plate 51, 51 'in the conveyance direction of the medium. .
If only one end of the heat roll 34 is moved by the movable plates 51 and 51 ′ in the configuration of the first embodiment, the range in which the heat roll 34 can be tilted is almost halved. Therefore, the offset correction capability of the heat roll 34 may be reduced, and the offset of the transfer belt 32 may not be corrected.
On the other hand, in the configuration of the first embodiment, the movable plates 51 and 51 ′ at both ends of the heat roll 34 are movable. Therefore, it is possible to reliably correct the deviation of the transfer belt 32.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the deviation correction of the endless belt-like rotating body of the first embodiment, FIG. 14A is an explanatory view of a main part of the rotating member in a state of being moved to the reference position, and FIG. 14B is a first deviation correction position. It is principal part explanatory drawing of the contact part of the state which the rotation member moved to.
In FIG. 14A, the rotating member 01 comes into contact with the inner surface of the transfer belt 32 and a frictional force acts. The frictional force increases in accordance with the force with which the rotating member 01 presses the transfer belt 32, that is, the so-called vertical effect. Here, when the transfer belt 32 rotates, the friction of the rotating member 01 that comes into contact with the inner surface of the transfer belt 32 becomes a rotational resistance, that is, a so-called brake.

In FIG. 14B, when the rotating member 01 moves to the first offset correction position, the contact portion 02 between the rotating member 01 and the transfer belt 32 moves along the width of the transfer belt 32 along the inclined axial direction of the rotating member 01. Inclined with respect to direction.
Here, on the upstream side of the contact portion 02 with respect to the conveyance direction of the medium, the moving speed 03 of the front end side and the rear end side in the width direction of the transfer belt 32 is the same. When the transfer belt 32 reaches the contact portion 02, the moving speed of the rear end side of the transfer belt 32 decreases due to the brake of the rotating member 01.
Accordingly, a speed difference occurs between the moving speed 03 on the front end side in the width direction of the transfer belt 32 and the moving speed 03 ′ on the rear end side, and the transfer belt 32 moves rearward as indicated by an arrow 04.

In this case, the larger the frictional force, that is, the force with which the rotating member 01 pushes the transfer belt 32, the stronger the brake is applied, and the speed difference becomes larger. The larger the speed difference, the easier the transfer belt 32 moves in the width direction of the transfer belt 32, and the higher the ability to correct the deviation of the transfer belt 32. Therefore, the rotating member 01 having a strong pushing force has a higher ability to correct the displacement of the transfer belt 32 and has a strong pushing force to the transfer belt 32 than the rotating member 01 having a weak pushing force on the transfer belt 32. It is desirable to correct the offset at 01.
In the configuration of the first embodiment, the heat roll 34 that has the strongest force to push the transfer belt 32 among the rolls 33, 34, 36, and 37 that stretch the transfer belt 32 is used to correct the deviation of the transfer belt 32. ing. Therefore, in the configuration of the first embodiment, the misalignment correction capability of the transfer belt 32 is improved compared to the configuration in which the misalignment of the transfer belt 32 is corrected by the other rolls 33, 36, and 37 that stretch the transfer belt 32. It is possible to improve.

In the first embodiment, the offset correction is performed not by the tension roll 37 disposed upstream of the drive roll 33 but by the heat roll 34 disposed downstream. Further, in the heat roll 34, the angle at which the transfer belt 32 is wound around the heat roll 34 is smaller than that in the tension roll 37.
Here, as the drive roll 33 is driven, the transfer belt 32 is pulled and stretched on the upstream side of the drive roll 33, while the transfer belt 32 is upstream on the downstream side of the drive roll 33. It is pushed in from the side and is easy to loosen.

Therefore, the transfer belt 32 is easily in close contact with the tension roll 37 upstream of the drive roll 33, and the close contact of the transfer belt 32 is easily loosened with the heat roll 34 downstream of the drive roll 33. The tension roll 37 has a large winding angle of the transfer belt 32, and the heat roll 34 has a small winding angle.
Accordingly, when correcting the deviation with the tension roll 37, if the tension roll 37 is inclined even a little, the transfer belt 32 having a large winding angle responds quickly and rapidly in the direction of correcting the deviation. Easy to move to. That is, when the offset is corrected by the tension roll 37, the responsiveness is too high.

  When the transfer belt 32 moves rapidly, the card substrate 7 and the transfer film 10 may be displaced by the laminate 19 sandwiched between the transfer belts 32 and 32. Therefore, there is a problem that the toner 81 is fixed on the card base 7 in a shifted state, and the image quality of the image fixed on the card base 7 is deteriorated.

  On the other hand, in the configuration of the first embodiment, the transfer belt 32 is corrected by the heat roll 34 having a lower adhesiveness and a smaller winding angle than the tension roll 37. . Therefore, when the heat roll 34 is inclined, the response of the transfer belt 32 is relatively slow. Therefore, compared to the configuration in which the tension roll 37 corrects the deviation of the transfer belt 32, in the configuration of the first embodiment, the deviation between the card base 7 and the transfer film 10 is corrected when the offset is corrected. It is possible to reduce the occurrence. Therefore, it is possible to improve the image quality of the image fixed on the card substrate 7.

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be given. Omitted.
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

(Description of Transfer Section of Example 2)
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the rotating shaft of the second embodiment, FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram of the rotating shaft in a state of being moved to the reference position, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10A of the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 15C is an explanatory diagram of the rotating shaft in a state where it has been moved to the offset correction position, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10B of Example 1, and FIG. 15C is an explanatory diagram of the rotating shaft that has been moved to the fourth offset correction position. And it is a figure corresponding to FIG. 10C of Example 1. FIG.
In FIG. 15A, the transfer unit 31 ′ of the second embodiment is provided with a mechanism similar to the configuration in which the heat roll 34 of the first embodiment is inclined with respect to the tension roll 37 as an example of the deviation correction member. In other words, the tension roller 37 is also provided with a second deviation correction mechanism KH3 ′ constituted by members denoted by reference numerals 51 to 71, M3, 51 ′ to 71 ′, and M3 ′.
In the configuration of the second embodiment, the movable plates 51 and 51 'are supported by the urging plates 61 and 61' so as to be movable in the contact / separation direction in which the tension rolls 37 and 37 are brought into contact with and separated from each other.

(Description of Control Unit of Example 2)
FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 according to the first embodiment.
(Function of control unit C)
In addition to the cam rotation control means C2B of the first embodiment, the control unit C of the second embodiment has a second cam rotation control means C2B ′.
Since the other components of the control unit C are the same as those in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

C2B ′: Second cam rotation control means The second cam rotation control means C2B ′ controls the rotation of the cam motors M3, M3 ′ of the second offset correction mechanism KH3 ′ to thereby control the cams 68, 68 ′. Control the rotation of

In the second cam rotation control means C2B ′ of the second embodiment, when it is determined that the transfer belt 32 has shifted forward based on the deviation determination means C2A, the second deviation correction mechanism KH3 ′. Thus, the front cam motor M3 is rotated forward to move the front cam 68 to the first correction position, and the rear cam motor M3 ′ is rotated reversely to set the rear cam 68 ′ to the second correction. Move to position. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 15B, the tension roll 37 is moved to the third offset correction position that inclines upward as it goes forward as the cams 68 and 68 'move.
Therefore, the tension roll 37 moved to the third offset correction position moves the transfer belt 32 offset forward to the rear.

Further, when it is determined that the transfer belt 32 has shifted to the rear, the second cam rotation control means C2B ′ of the second embodiment rotates the front cam motor M3 in reverse using the second deviation correction mechanism KH3 ′. Thus, the front cam 68 is moved to the second correction position, and the rear cam motor M3 ′ is rotated forward to move the rear cam 68 ′ to the first correction position.
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 15C, the tension roll 37 is moved to the fourth offset correction position that inclines downward as it goes forward as the cams 68 and 68 'move.
Therefore, the tension roll 37 moved to the fourth offset correction position moves the transfer belt 32 offset rearward to the front.

  When it is determined that the transfer belt 32 is not offset, the second cam rotation control means C2B ′ of the second embodiment rotates the cam motors M3 and M3 ′ with the second offset correction mechanism KH3 ′. The cams 68 and 68 'are moved to the initial positions. Therefore, when the transfer belt 32 is located between the belt sensors SN1 and SN2, the tension roll 37 is moved to the reference position as shown in FIG. 15A.

(Description of processing flow of printer U of embodiment 2)
The shift correction process related to the second shift correction mechanism KH3 ′ of the second embodiment is the same as the shift correction process of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
That is, in the shift correction process related to the second shift correction mechanism KH3 ′ of the second embodiment, in the shift correction process of moving the cams 68 and 68 ′ of the shift correction mechanism KH3 in FIG. The difference is that the cams 68, 68 'of the shift correction mechanism KH3' are moved.

(Operation of Example 2)
In the transfer portion 31 ′ of the second embodiment, when the transfer belt 32 is offset in the front-rear direction, the heat roll 34 is moved to each offset correction position according to the offset direction of the transfer belt 32 and the tension roll 37. Are also moved to the same offset correction position. Therefore, in the configuration of the second embodiment, the offset correction is performed at the two positions of the heat roll 34 and the tension roll 37.
Therefore, in the configuration of the second embodiment, the correction capability of the shift of the transfer belt 32 is improved as compared with the configuration of the first embodiment in which the correction is performed only with the heat roll 34. Therefore, it is possible to cope with the case where the deviation of the transfer belt 32 cannot be corrected sufficiently with the heat roll 34 alone. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the contact frequency between the end of the transfer belt 32 and the flange 43 and the life of the transfer belt 32 being shortened.

In the second embodiment, the rotation speed of the cam motors M3 and M3 ′ for moving the tension roll 37 is set slower than that of the cam motors M3 and M3 ′ for moving the heat roll 34. Therefore, when correcting the deviation, the speed at which the tension roll 37 is inclined is slower than that of the heat roll 34, and the transfer belt 32 is reduced from moving rapidly.
Therefore, compared with the configuration in which the heat roll 34 and the tension roll 37 are inclined at the same speed, in the configuration of the second embodiment, it is possible to reduce the deterioration of the image quality of the image transferred to the card substrate 7.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is made in the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. Is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H015) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In the above-described embodiment, the printer U is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the printer U is not limited to this, and can be applied to a copying machine, a FAX, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and can be applied to an image forming apparatus of an arbitrary image forming system such as an ink jet recording system, a thermal head system, or a printing machine such as a lithograph. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a multi-color developing image forming apparatus, and may be configured by a single color, so-called monochrome image forming apparatus, and is not limited to a so-called tandem image forming apparatus, and may be a rotary type image forming apparatus. It is also applicable to.

(H02) In the above embodiment, the configuration of the collating apparatus U3a having the function of temporarily fastening the front end of the sheet S is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the sheet base material 7 and the transfer film 10 are not easily displaced by being sandwiched between rolls, and the function of temporarily fixing the front end of the sheet S can be omitted. Further, a configuration in which the collating device U3a is omitted and the transfer film 10 and the sheet base material 7 are laminated from the beginning in a state of being laminated is also possible.
(H03) In the above-described embodiment, when the deviation of the transfer belt 32 is corrected, the tension roll 37 and the heat roll 34 are inclined according to the direction in which the transfer belt 32 is offset, and the transfer belt 32 is offset. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the tension roll 37 and the heat roll 34, the drive roll 33 and the support roll 36 may be inclined to correct the deviation of the transfer belt 32. Of the rolls 33, 34, 36, and 37 that stretch the transfer belt 32, it is preferable to correct the deviation of the transfer belt 32 with a roll having a larger spring force and nip pressure than the other rolls. It is.

(H04) In the above-described embodiment, when correcting the deviation of the transfer belt 32, depending on the direction in which the transfer belt 32 is displaced, the upstream side or the downstream side in the medium conveyance direction as it goes forward or backward. Although the structure which inclines the heat roll 34 and the structure which inclines the tension roll 37 to the up-down direction as it goes to the front or back are illustrated, it is not limited to this.
For example, depending on the direction in which the transfer belt 32 is offset, the heat roll 34 is inclined upward or downward as it goes forward or backward, or upstream in the medium conveyance direction as it goes forward or backward. A configuration in which the tension roll 37 is inclined to the side or the downstream side is also possible. The angle at which the heat roll 34 and the tension roll 37 are inclined can be arbitrarily set based on the design and specifications.

(H05) In the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that the tension roll 37 as an example of the deviation correction member or the front and rear ends of the heat roll 34 are moved to incline the rolls 34, 37. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the rolls 34 and 37 are inclined by moving only one of the ends in the front-rear direction.
(H06) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the transfer belt 32 is stretched by the four rolls 33, 34, 36, and 37 is illustrated as an example of the rotating member. However, the configuration is not limited thereto. A configuration in which the transfer belt 32 is stretched by three or five or more rotating members is also possible.

(H07) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration having the heat sink 41b in contact with the transfer belt 32 is illustrated as an example of the cooling unit, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the heat sink 41b, a configuration using a pair of roll-shaped cooling rolls is also possible.
In addition, it is possible to employ a configuration in which, when the deviation of the transfer belt 32 is corrected using the cooling roll, the deviation of the transfer belt 32 is corrected by inclining the cooling roll.
(H08) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which two belt sensors SN1 and SN2 as an example of the offset detection member are disposed on the downstream side of the tension roll 37 with respect to the medium conveyance direction is illustrated. There is no limitation, and any number of offset detection members can be installed at any location according to the design and specifications. In addition, as a configuration in which the flange 43 is moved in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 37a, it is possible to detect a deviation by detecting that the flange 43 is moved by being pushed by the transfer belt 32. Can be used.

(H09) In the above-described embodiment, the pair of upper and lower transfer belts 32 and 32 is illustrated as an example of the endless belt-like rotator. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the upper transfer belt and the lower transfer belt It is also possible to apply to a configuration using a transfer belt that does not make a pair, for example, the circumference of the belt and the number of rolls to be stretched differ.
(H010) In the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that the transfer belts 32 and 32 be corrected to be offset. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only one of the pair of transfer belts 32 and 32 is used. A configuration for correcting the deviation is also possible.

(H011) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the driving rolls 33 and 33 are provided on the pair of upper and lower transfer belts 32 and 32, respectively, is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A configuration in which the transfer belt 32 is driven and rotated is also possible.
(H012) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the heat roll 34 and the tension roll 37 are moved to the respective offset correction positions based on the detection results of the belt sensors SN1 and SN2, but is not limited thereto. For example, a belt sensor for the heat roll 34 and a belt sensor for the tension roll 37 are provided separately, and the heat roll 34 and the tension roll 37 are separately provided at each offset position according to the detection result of each belt sensor. It is also possible to move to

(H013) In the above-described embodiment, the belt sensors SN1 and SN2 are provided on the upper and lower transfer belts 32 to detect the deviation of the transfer belt 32, and the deviation is individually corrected by each transfer belt 32. Although illustrated, it is not limited to this. For example, when a belt sensor is provided only on one of the transfer belts 32 and the deviation is detected by the belt sensor, the deviation is detected by interlocking or synchronizing with both the upper and lower deviation correction mechanisms KH3 and KH3 ′. A configuration for correction is also possible.
(H014) In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the heat roll 34 and the tension roll 37 are used to correct the offset is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the laminate 19 is sandwiched between the transfer belts 32, 32, the misalignment is corrected only by the heat roll 34, and the laminate 19 is sandwiched between the transfer belts 32, 32. In the case where the heat roll 34 and the tension roll 37 are not used, it is possible to correct the deviation by both.

(H015) In the above embodiment, the cam motors M3 and M3 ′ that move the tension roll 37 are set to have a lower rotational speed than the cam motors M3 and M3 ′ that move the heat roll 34. It is not limited to this. For example, the amount of inclination of the tension roll 37 can be set smaller than the amount of inclination of the heat roll 34 when correcting the deviation by changing the shapes of the cams 68 and 68 'and the rotation amount of the motor.

7 ... base material,
10. Recording material,
19 ... laminate,
31, 31 '... transfer part,
32 ... an endless belt-like rotating body,
33 ... Driving member,
34: transfer member, rotating member,
34a ... heating member,
37 ... Rotating member,
43 ... Fall-off prevention member,
KH1... First offset correction unit,
KH2 ... second offset correction unit,
KH3: deviation correction mechanism,
KH3 '... second offset correction mechanism,
SN1, SN2 ... offset detection member,
U: Image forming apparatus,
U3 ... Image transfer device,
Uy to Uk + T1 + T2 + B: Image recording unit.

Claims (4)

A pair of endless belt-like rotating bodies that conveys a laminated body in which a recording material on which an image is formed on a surface and a base material on which an image on the surface of the recording material is transferred;
The pair of each of the rotating body of supporting and driving the endless belt, and the driving rotary members that rotate each of the pair of endless belt-like rotating body,
Supporting each of the pair of endless belt-like rotating body, and a stretched member you apply tension to each of said pair of endless belt-like rotating body,
With respect to the rotation direction of each of the pair of endless belt-like rotating bodies , the heat pump is disposed on the downstream side of the drive member and on the upstream side of the stretching member , and the pair of endless belt-like rotating bodies is incorporated . Heat and pressure that contact each of the rotators and are opposed to each other with the pair of endless strip-shaped rotators sandwiched therebetween, and force is applied in a direction approaching each other to transfer the image to the conveyed laminate. a transcription member Ru allowed to act,
Each of the pair of endless belt-like rotating bodies is supported at both ends of at least one of the driving member , the stretching member, and the transfer member on the outer side in the width direction, and the endless belt-like rotating body is detached from the transfer member. A fall-off prevention member to prevent,
A deviation detection member for detecting deviation in the width direction of the endless belt-like rotating body;
A deviation correction mechanism that supports one end of the transfer member so as to be movable relative to the other end of the transfer member in the transport direction of the laminate, and can tilt the transfer member. When the deviation detecting member detects a deviation of the endless belt-like rotating body, the transfer member is inclined in a direction to correct the deviation of the endless belt-like rotating body, so that the deviation of the endless belt-like rotating body is shifted. The offset correction mechanism for correcting
An image transfer apparatus comprising: A first deviation correction unit that supports one end of the transfer member and moves the one end of the transfer member relative to the other end of the transfer member; supports the other end of the transfer member; and A deviation correction mechanism having a second deviation correction unit that moves the other end of the transfer member relative to the one end of the transfer member;
The image transfer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A second offset correction mechanism that supports one end of the tension member so as to be movable relative to the other end of the tension member, and is capable of tilting the tension member. When the detection member detects a deviation of the endless belt-like rotating body, the tension member is inclined in a direction to correct the deviation of the endless belt-like rotating body, and the endless belt-like rotating body is offset. The second offset correction mechanism for correcting
The image transfer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An image recording unit for recording an image on a recording material;
The image transfer apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an image recorded on the recording material is transferred to a substrate.
An image forming apparatus comprising:

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