JP7070042B2 - Sheet material transfer device and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet material transporting device and an image forming device.

Conventionally, there is known a sheet material conveying device that corrects a positional deviation of a sheet material in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the direction in which the sheet material is conveyed.

Patent Document 1 describes a means having a detecting means for detecting a positional deviation of a sheet material held by a pair of rollers and a moving means for moving the pair of rollers. In this device, the sheet material can be accurately moved to a predetermined target position by moving the roller pair before the roller pair sandwiches the sheet material and then moving the roller pair holding the sheet material. It is said that.

An object of the present invention is to provide a highly productive sheet transfer device while accurately moving the sheet material in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the direction in which the sheet material is conveyed.

The present invention comprises a roller pair that sandwiches and conveys a sheet material by being rotationally driven, and a support means that supports the roller pair and can move in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the direction in which the sheet material is conveyed. Based on the detection result of the position detecting means for detecting the position of the sheet material in the orthogonal direction and the detection result of the position detecting means, the driving force supplied from the driving source is transmitted to the supporting means to provide the supporting means. A sheet material conveying device to be moved, in the orthogonal direction based on the position of the sheet material in the orthogonal direction detected by the position detecting means and a predetermined target position of the sheet material in the orthogonal direction. When the correction means for determining the correction direction and the correction amount for correcting the position of the sheet material and the correction direction determined by the determination means are different from the direction in which the support means was moved last time, the drive source is driven . It is characterized in that the driving force is supplied by using the amount obtained by adding a predetermined amount corresponding to the amount of backlash in the transmission path for transmitting the driving force supplied from the source to the support means to the correction amount as the driving amount. ..

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can provide a highly productive sheet transfer device while accurately moving the sheet material in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the direction in which the sheet material is conveyed.

The schematic block diagram which shows an example of the cross section of the printer main body provided with the sheet position correction control device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view of the sheet material position correction apparatus which concerns on this embodiment is seen from above. The perspective view of the sheet material position correction apparatus which concerns on this embodiment is seen from the bottom. The side view of the sheet material position correction apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The enlarged perspective view which shows the vicinity of the shift block in the sheet material position correction apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The explanatory view which shows the operation example of the side edge position detection sensor part in the sheet material position correction apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example of the transfer roller pair and the edge position sensor at the time of the position correction of the sheet material of the sheet material position correction device which concerns on this embodiment. The explanatory view which shows the operation example of the transfer roller pair and the side edge position detection sensor which follows FIG. 7. (A) to (C) are explanatory views which show the operation example of the transfer roller pair at the time of the position correction of the driven roller of the sheet material position correction device which concerns on this embodiment. (A) to (C) are explanatory views showing an operation example of a transport roller pair following FIG. The block diagram which shows an example of the main part structure of the control system in the sheet material position correction apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The explanatory view which shows an example of the position correction in the width direction of a sheet material in the sheet material position correction apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the sheet material position correction apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The control flow diagram of the sheet material position correction apparatus 30 which is a comparative example. The control flow figure of the sheet material position correction apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the modification of embodiment shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a cross section of a printer main body 1 provided with a sheet material position correction device 30 as a sheet material transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer main body 1 as an image forming apparatus is provided with an intermediate transfer belt 16. The intermediate transfer belt 16 can travel by being stretched on a plurality of rollers, and each photoconductor 12 of yellow Y, cyan C, magenta M, and black K is provided on the upper side in the drawing. A laser scanning unit 10, a charger 11, a developing machine 13, an intermediate transfer belt 16, and a primary transfer roller 14 are arranged around each photoconductor 12.

A secondary transfer roller 15 is provided in the lower part of the intermediate transfer belt 16, and the toner image primaryly transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is secondarily transferred to the paper 20. A fixing device 17 is provided on the downstream side in the paper transport direction of the secondary transfer unit provided with the secondary transfer roller 15. A sheet material position correction device 30 is provided in the middle of the transport path 19 in which the paper 20 is transported, which is substantially in the center of the printer main body 1 below the secondary transfer unit and the fixing device 17. The sheet material position correction device 30 will be described later. Further, an operation panel 3 is provided on the upper side of the printer main body 1, and a paper output tray 4 is provided on the left side surface. Further, three first to third paper feed trays 5 for loading the paper 20 are provided below the sheet material position correction device 30 and below the printer main body 1. Paper 20 made of transfer paper, resin film, or the like is stored in each of the first to third paper feed trays 5, and the user can use the operation panel 3 or an input terminal such as a PC to feed paper. ~ Third paper feed tray 5 can be selected. Further, a control device as a control means including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like for controlling the printer main body 1 and the sheet material position correction device 30 is provided.

When printing is started by the printer body 1 having the above configuration, each photoconductor 12 is first rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing, and at this time, the surface of the photoconductor 12 is charged to a predetermined polarity by the charger 11. .. Next, the charged surface of each photoconductor 12 is irradiated with laser light based on image information from the laser scanning unit 10 of each color, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 12. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 12 is visualized as a toner image by the developing machine 13, and the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16 by the primary transfer roller 14. The transfer residual toner adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 12 after the toner image is transferred is removed by the photoconductor cleaner.

At the time of color image formation, the above-mentioned image forming operation is performed on all the photoconductors 12, so that the yellow toner image, the cyan toner image, the magenta toner image, and the black toner image formed on each photoconductor 12 are intermediately transferred. It is sequentially superimposed and transferred on the bell 16.

On the other hand, among the first to third paper feed trays 5 provided in the lower part of the printer main body 1, the paper feed tray 5 is stored in the paper feed tray 5 selected by the user by operating an input terminal such as an operation panel 3 or a PC. Paper 20 made of transfer paper, a resin film, or the like is fed. The fed paper 20 is sent out toward the resist roller 18, and its tip is abutted against the stopped resist roller 18. After the paper 20 is aligned by this, the resist roller 18 feeds the paper 20 toward the secondary transfer portion of the intermediate transfer belt 16 provided with the secondary transfer roller 15 at a timing that matches the toner image. Then, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transferred to the paper 20 by the secondary transfer roller 15. The paper 20 on which the toner image is transferred is sent to the fixing unit 17, and after the unfixed toner image is fixed, the paper 20 is discharged to the paper ejection tray 4. The transfer residual toner adhering to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 16 after the transfer of the toner image is removed by the cleaner for the intermediate transfer belt.

When the user operates the operation panel 3 or an input terminal such as a PC to select double-sided printing of the paper 20, the paper 20 on which the image is formed on the first side is double-sided by switching the transport path by the branch claw 23. It is conveyed to the path and sent out to the reversing roller 21. The paper 20 sent to the reversing roller 21 by the branch claw 23 is conveyed to the double-sided roller 35 (see FIG. 2 to be described later) of the sheet material position correction device 30 by the forward / reversal of the reversing roller 21. At this time, the front and back sides of the paper 20 with respect to the transport direction are reversed from those at the time of forming the first side image. Then, after the paper 20 is conveyed from the relay roller 22 to the resist roller 18, an image is formed on the second surface by the same process as described above, and then the paper 20 is discharged to the paper output tray 4.

The user can optionally connect a paper feed bank capable of feeding a large amount of paper to the printer body 1 having the above configuration, and instead of the output tray 4, a finisher capable of stitch binding and folding can be provided. It is also possible to connect.

When forming an image on both sides of the paper 20, a sheet material position correction device 30 is provided at a transport position for double-sided transport in order to align the front and back positions of the first side image and the second side image.

Hereinafter, a configuration example and an operation example of the sheet material position correction device 30 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet material position correction device according to the present embodiment as viewed from above, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sheet material position correction device as viewed from below. FIG. 4 is a side view of the sheet material position correction device. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the shift block in the sheet material position correction device. Further, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example of the side edge position detection sensor unit in the sheet material position correction device according to the present embodiment.

In the sheet material position correction device 30, a plurality of rotary driveable transfer roller pairs 31 to 34 are installed, and in addition to the function of the transfer means for sandwiching and transporting the sheet material P, the sheet material P is moved in the width direction. It also has a function of a moving means for correcting the position of the sheet material P in the width direction. Here, the width direction is an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the direction in which the sheet material P is conveyed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the sheet material position correction device 30 includes four transport roller pairs 31 to 34, an upper guide plate 35, a lower guide plate 36, and an edge position detection sensor unit 60 as a position detection means. It is composed of a shift block 41, two moving motors 45 and the like. The four transport roller pairs 31 to 34 are composed of drive rollers 31A to 34A and driven rollers 31B to 34B, respectively, and have a function as a transport means for sandwiching and transporting the sheet material P.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the four drive rollers 31A to 34A has two roller portions formed on the shaft portion at intervals. For example, in FIG. 2, the shaft portion 34A1 and the roller portion 34A2 can be referred to. The drive rollers 31A to 34A are rotatably supported at both ends in the width direction (axial direction, main scanning direction) by the support portions on the upper guide plate 35, and are driven by a drive motor (for example, a DC motor) or the like. It is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction by means (drive mechanism). Further, the drive rollers 31A to 34A are provided in the width direction by the moving means 41, 42, 45 to 50 described later when the position of the sheet material P is corrected in the width direction (when the resist is corrected in the main scanning direction) or when the position of the driven roller is corrected. It is configured to be movable to. The upper guide plate 35 is formed with an opening 35a that guides the transfer of the sheet material P and exposes the roller portions of the drive rollers 31A to 34A so as to come into contact with the roller portions of the driven rollers 31B to 34B.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the four driven rollers 31B to 34B has two roller portions formed on the shaft portion at intervals. For example, in FIG. 3, the shaft portion 34B1 and the roller portion 34B2 can be referred to. Both ends of the driven rollers 31B to 34B in the width direction are rotatably supported on the lower guide plate 36 via bearings 80 (pressurized to the drive roller side by a pressure spring). The lower guide plate 36 is formed with an opening 36a that guides the transfer of the sheet material P and exposes the roller portions of the driven rollers 31B to 34B so as to come into contact with the roller portions of the drive rollers 31A to 34A.

With such a configuration, the roller portions of the driven rollers 31B to 34B and the roller portions of the driving rollers 31A to 34A are in pressure contact with each other, and the sheet material P is sandwiched between them. Further, although the driven rollers 31B to 34B are not directly connected to the driving means, they are counterclockwise due to the rotational drive of the driving rollers 31A to 34A by the driving means due to the frictional resistance with the driving rollers 31A to 34A. It will rotate in a driven manner. Further, the driven rollers 31B to 34B are not directly connected to the moving means 41, 42, 45 to 50, but are in contact with the driving rollers 31A to 34A under pressure. As a result, the driven rollers 31B to 34B are configured to be movable in the width direction as the driving rollers 31A to 34A move in the width direction by the moving means 41, 42, 45 to 50 due to the frictional resistance with the driving rollers 31A to 34A. Has been done.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and the like, the two shift blocks 41 (movable plates) as supporting means for supporting the two drive rollers 31A and 32A (or 33A and 34A) are the upper guide plates 35, respectively. It is attached so as to be movable in the width direction along the shaft portion 42 of the above. Further, bushes 71 fixed to the shafts of the two drive rollers 31A and 32A (or 33A and 34A) are held in the holding portions 41a at both ends of one shift block 41. With such a configuration, when the shift block 41 moves in the width direction, the holding portion 41a presses the end surface of the bush 71, and the two drive rollers 31A, 32A (or 33A, 34A) also move in the width direction together with the shift block 41. Will move to.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a rack 50 is formed in each of the shift blocks 41, and meshes with the gear portion 48a of the pulley gear 48 rotatably arranged on the upper guide plate 35. The moving motor 45 (see FIG. 2) is composed of, for example, a stepping motor and is arranged on the upper guide plate 35. A timing belt 47 is wound around the pulley portion 48b of the pulley gear 48 and the motor pulley 49 fixed to the moving motor 45.

When the moving motor 45 as a drive source is driven in the belt drive unit 46 having such a configuration, the driving force is transmitted to the motor pulley 49, the timing belt 47, the pulley gear 48, and the rack 50. The power transmitted to the rack 50 causes the shift block 41 as a supporting means to move in the width direction, and the drive rollers 31A to 34A also move in the width direction in conjunction with the movement. That is, the plurality of constituent members 41, 42, 45 to 50 described above function as moving means for moving the drive rollers 31A to 34A in the width direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a position detection sensor 75 for detecting the position of the shift block 41 (drive rollers 31A, 32A) in the width direction is arranged on the upper guide plate 35. Specifically, the position detection sensor 75 is a photosensor composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and is a shift block 41 (drive roller) by optically detecting the presence or absence of a protrusion 41b formed on the shift block 41. 31A, 32A) Detects the position in the width direction. Then, the shift block 41 (drive rollers 31A, 32A) can be positioned at a predetermined width direction position.

In the present embodiment, the four drive rollers 31A to 34A are movable in the width direction, in order to accommodate sheet materials P of various sizes having different lengths in the transport direction. Specifically, when the longest sheet material P is passed through the paper, the sheet material P is moved in the width direction while the sheet material P is sandwiched between the four transport rollers 31 to 34, and the main scanning is performed. Directional resist correction is performed. On the other hand, when the shortest sheet material P is passed through, the width of the sheet material P is sandwiched between the two transport rollers 33 and 34 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the paper P. The movement in the direction is carried out, and the resist correction in the main scanning direction is carried out.

Further, in the present embodiment, of the four drive rollers 31A to 34A, the two drive rollers 31A and 32A on the upstream side are configured to be moved in the width direction by one of the shift blocks 41. On the other hand, of the four drive rollers 31A to 34A, the two drive rollers 33A and 34A on the downstream side are configured to be moved in the width direction by the other shift block 41. This is because if the four drive rollers 31A to 34A are configured to be simultaneously moved in the width direction by one drive source (moving means), the following problems occur. That is, when the short sheet material P is moved by the two drive rollers 33A and 34A on the downstream side, it is moved in the width direction to the next sheet material P that has reached the positions of the drive rollers 31A and 32A on the upstream side. This is because there is a problem that it ends up.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 6 and the like, the widthwise end portion of the sheet material P is located at a position on the upper guide plate 35 between the two drive rollers 33A and 34A on the downstream side. An edge position detection sensor unit 60 is provided as a detection means for detecting the position. Specifically, the edge position detection sensor unit 60 (detection means) is composed of a case 61, a bracket 62, an edge position detection sensor 63, a pulley 64, a timing belt 65, and the like. The edge position detection sensor 63 is fixed to the bracket 62. Further, the bracket 62 is attached to the case 61 so as to be movable in the width direction along the shaft portion 61a of the case 61. Further, a timing belt 65 is fixed to the bracket 62, and a pulley 64 rotatably arranged in the case 61 and a motor pulley 66 of the sensor motor 68 (fixed on the upper guide plate 35). And, the timing belt 65 is wound around.

With such a configuration, when the sensor motor 68 operates, power is transmitted to the motor pulley 66 and the timing belt 65, and the edge position detection sensor 63 fixed to the bracket 62 moves in the width direction. Further, a sensor position detection sensor 67 is arranged in the case 61, and the sensor position detection sensor 67 detects the protrusion 62a formed on the bracket 62 to detect the edge position detection sensor 63 fixed to the bracket 62. Detects the position in the width direction of. Then, the edge position detection sensor 63 can be moved to an arbitrary width direction position.

Next, an operation example of detecting the position of the edge (side end) of the sheet material P and performing resist correction (width direction position correction) in the main scanning direction will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example of the transport roller pair and the edge position sensor at the time of position correction of the sheet material of the sheet material position correction device according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example of the transport roller pair and the side edge position detection sensor following FIG. 7. Here, only the case where the sheet material P having a short length in the transport direction is passed through the paper will be described, and the case where the sheet material P having a long length in the transport direction is passed through will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, the sheet material P that has reached the position of the sheet material position correction device 30 is sandwiched and conveyed by the rotating transfer roller pairs 31 and 34, and is conveyed by the upper guide plate 35 and the lower guide plate 36. Move between (move in the direction of the white arrow). Then, when the tip of the sheet material P passes through the position of the third transport roller pair 33 and reaches the position of the edge position detection sensor unit 60, the edge has been waiting at a predetermined position (home position) on one end side in the width direction. The position detection sensor 63 starts moving in the direction approaching the sheet material P. The edge position detection sensor 63 moves to a position where the edge of the sheet material P is detected (movement in the direction of the hatch arrow).

Then, the moving distance is calculated from the number of pulses when the edge position detection sensor 63 is operated from the home position to the edge position of the sheet material P by the sensor motor 68 (stepping motor). Then, the calculated moving distance is compared with the target distance from the home position to the edge of the sheet material P, and the difference in the distance is used as the correction amount of the sheet material P (resist correction amount in the main scanning direction).

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, when the tip (tip in the transport direction) of the sheet material P reaches the position of the fourth transport roller pair 34, the sheet material P is transferred by the two transport roller pairs 33 and 34 on the downstream side. In the sandwiched state, the moving motor 45 is operated to start the movement of the drive rollers 33A and 34A in the width direction. Then, the drive rollers 33A and 34A are moved in the width direction by the calculated correction amount of the sheet material P (resist correction amount in the main scanning direction) (movement in the direction of the black arrow in FIG. 8). As a result, the sheet material P can be moved to the target width direction position, and resist correction in the main scanning direction can be performed.

Here, when the drive rollers 33A and 34A are moved in the width direction with the sheet material P sandwiched between the transfer rollers 33 and 34, the driven rollers 33B and 34B are in pressure contact with the drive rollers 33A and 34A. Can also be moved in the width direction. Therefore, the driven rollers 33B and 34B move equally with the driving rollers 33A and 34A.

However, slippage occurs between the sheet material P and the driven rollers 33B and 34B, and the driven rollers 33B and 34B move in a smaller amount than the amount moved by the drive rollers 33A and 34A and the sheet material P. There is. That is, if slip occurs between the sheet material P and the driven rollers 33B and 34B during the resist correction in the main scanning direction, the positions of the driven rollers 33B and 34B with respect to the driving rollers 33A and 34A are displaced in the width direction. It ends up. Then, while such a state is repeated, the positions of the driven rollers 33B and 34B in the width direction with respect to the drive rollers 33A and 34A are greatly displaced, and the roller portions of the drive rollers 33A and 34A and the roller portions of the driven rollers 33B and 34B are displaced. Will not come into contact with. Then, the sheet material P cannot be sandwiched and conveyed by the drive rollers 33A and 34A and the driven rollers 33B and 34B.

In the present embodiment, in order to prevent such a problem, the relative positions of the drive rollers 33A and 34A and the driven rollers 33B and 34B are corrected in the width direction at predetermined timings. This correction operation will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

9 (A) to 9 (C) are explanatory views showing an operation example of the conveyor pair 33, 34 at the time of position correction of the driven rollers 33B, 34B of the sheet material position correction device according to the present embodiment. Further, FIGS. 10A to 10C are explanatory views showing an operation example of the transport roller pairs 33 and 34 following FIG.

The sheet material position correction device 30 according to the present embodiment is provided with a stopper portion that is formed so as to be in contact with the driven rollers 31B to 34B and limits the movement range of the driven rollers 31B to 34B in the width direction. Specifically, as the stopper portion, both end portions 36a1 and 36a2 (see FIGS. 9, 10 and the like), which are edges of the opening 36a of the lower guide plate 36, are used. That is, both ends 36a1 and 36a2 (stoppers) of the opening 36a come into contact with both ends of the roller portions of the driven rollers 31B to 34B that move in the width direction, so that the driven rollers 31B to 34B move in the width direction. The range is limited.

When the sheet material P is not sandwiched between the drive rollers 31A to 34A and the driven rollers 31B to 34B (for example, immediately after the paper passing job), the correction operation in the axial direction of the driven rollers 31B to 34B is performed. I do. Specifically, the drive rollers 31A are driven by the moving means 41, 42, 45 to 50 until the driven rollers 31B to 34B in a state of being displaced from the drive rollers 31A to 34A in the width direction come into contact with the stopper portions 36a1 and 36a2. -34A is moved toward one end in the width direction. After that, the driven rollers 31A to 34B are further moved to a predetermined position toward one end side in the width direction by the moving means 41, 42, 45 to 50 in a state where the driven rollers 31B to 34B are in contact with the stopper portions 36a1 and 36a2. As a result, the positions of the driven rollers 31B to 34B in the width direction with respect to the driving rollers 31A to 34A are corrected.

Here, in the control for correcting the position of the driven rollers 31B to 34B in the width direction with respect to the drive rollers 31A to 34A, the moving means 41, 42, 45 to 50 direct the drive rollers 31A to 34A to one side in the width direction. And move it to the specified position. After that, the drive rollers 31A to 34A are moved to a predetermined position toward the other side in the width direction. That is, at the time of position correction of the driven rollers 31B to 34B, the driving rollers 31A to 34A are moved to a predetermined position on one end side in the width direction (the side of one end portion 36a1 of the opening 36a). After that, it is moved to a predetermined position on the other end side in the width direction (the side of the other end portion 36a2 of the opening 36a).

In the above-mentioned "predetermined position", the center of both roller portions in the width direction of the drive rollers 31A to 34A is substantially the same as those of the driven rollers 31B to 34B in contact with the stopper portions 36a1 and 36a2. It is a position set to be a regular position.

Hereinafter, the operation of the driven rollers 31B to 34B described above at the time of position correction will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. Here, the position correction of the two driven rollers 33B and 34B on the downstream side in the transport direction of the sheet material P will be described. More specifically, the third driven roller 33B is displaced in one direction in the width direction (upper of FIGS. 9 and 10), and the fourth driven roller 34B is displaced in the other direction in the width direction (FIGS. 9 and 10). A case where the position is displaced (see FIG. 9A) will be described as an example.

9 (A) to 9 (C) show an operation example for explaining the position correction of the third driven roller 33B which is displaced upward in the figure. Further, FIGS. 10A to 10C show an operation example for explaining the position correction of the fourth driven roller 34B which is displaced downward in the figure.

The position correction of the driven rollers 33B and 34B is performed in a state where the sheet material P passes through the positions of the transfer rollers 33 and 34 and the transfer rollers 33 and 34 do not sandwich the sheet material P. First, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the moving means 41, 42, 45 to 50 are operated to direct the drive rollers 33A and 34A toward one side in the width direction (upper part in the drawing). Move. Then, the drive rollers 33A and 34A move from the state shown in FIG. 9A to the state shown in FIG. 9B. At this time, the driven rollers 33B and 34B move equally with the driving rollers 33A and 34A while being displaced from the driving rollers 33A and 34A.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the roller portion of the third driven roller 33B, which has been displaced on the moved side, comes into contact with one end 36a1 (stopper portion) of the opening 36a. Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, the moving means 41, 42, 45 to 50 are continuously operated, and the drive rollers 33A, 34A further move toward one side in the width direction. At this time, since the third driven roller 33B comes into contact with the stopper portion 36a1 and the movement is restricted, the third driven roller 33B stays at that position so as to resist the frictional resistance with the driving roller 33A.

Then, in the state shown in FIG. 9C, when the drive rollers 33A and 34A stop at one predetermined position in the width direction, the position of the third driven roller 33B is corrected with respect to the third drive roller 33A. become. In the process of FIGS. 9A to 9C, the position of the third driven roller 33B having the positional deviation in one of the width directions is corrected, and the positional deviation is caused in the other in the width direction. The position correction of the fourth driven roller 34B that has occurred is not performed.

Next, after the position correction of the third driven roller 33B is completed, as shown in FIGS. 9C and 10A, the moving means 41, 42, 45 to 50 are operated to operate the driving roller 33A, The 34A is moved toward the other side in the width direction (lower part in the figure). Then, the drive rollers 33A and 34A move from the state shown in FIG. 9C to the state shown in FIG. 10A. At this time, the two driven rollers 33B and 34B move equally with the driving rollers 33A and 34A while maintaining their relative positions with the corresponding driving rollers 33A and 34A.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10A, the roller portion of the fourth driven roller 34B, which has been displaced on the moved side, comes into contact with the other end portion 36a2 (stopper portion) of the opening portion 36a. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the moving means 41, 42, 45 to 50 are continuously operated, and the drive rollers 33A, 34A further move toward the other side in the width direction. At this time, since the fourth driven roller 34B comes into contact with the stopper portion 36a2 and the movement is restricted, the fourth driven roller 34B stays at that position so as to resist the frictional resistance with the driving roller 34A.

Then, in the state shown in FIG. 10B, when the drive rollers 33A and 34A stop at the other predetermined position in the width direction, the position of the fourth driven roller 34B is corrected with respect to the fourth drive roller 34A. become. The process of FIGS. 10A to 10B is for correcting the position of the fourth driven roller 34B in which the position is displaced in the other direction (lower part in the drawing) in the width direction, and has already been performed. Further position correction of the third driven roller 33B in the position-corrected state is not performed.

By moving the drive rollers 33A and 34A in both directions in the width direction in this way, the position correction can be reliably performed regardless of which of the width directions the driven rollers 33B and 34B are displaced. .. Finally, as shown in FIG. 10C, after the position correction of both driven rollers 33B and 34B is completed, the moving means 41, 42, 45 to 50 are operated to widen the drive rollers 33A and 34A. Move toward one of the directions (upper in the figure). After that, the operation of the moving means 41, 42, 45 to 50 is stopped, and the roller portions of the driving rollers 33A and 34A and the roller portions of the driven rollers 33B and 34B are positioned at the center of the opening 36a in the width direction, respectively. Then, the next paper-passing job will be prepared.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of the control system in the sheet material position correction device 30 according to the present embodiment.

The sheet material position correction device 30 includes a control unit 500 as a control means configured by a computer device such as a microcomputer. The control unit 500 includes an edge position detection sensor unit 60 that detects the position of the sheet material P in the width direction via the I / O interface unit 505, and a shift block 41 that supports the transport roller pairs 31 to 34. A moving motor 45 for moving in the width direction of the above is connected. Here, the edge position detection sensor unit 60 sends the information detected by the sensor to the control unit 500. Further, the control unit 500 is connected to the transfer roller pair drive motor 70 that drives the transfer roller pairs 31 to 34 to convey the sheet material P in the transfer direction via the I / O interface unit 505.

The control unit 500 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501. Further, it includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 503 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 504 as storage means connected to the CPU 501 via a bus line 502, and an I / O interface unit 505. The CPU 501 executes various operations and drive control of each part by executing a control program which is a computer program built in in advance. The ROM 503 stores fixed data such as computer programs and control data in advance. The RAM 504 functions as a work area or the like that rewritably stores various data. The control unit 500 may be configured by using, for example, an IC as a semiconductor circuit element manufactured for control in the sheet material position correction device 30 instead of a computer device such as a microcomputer.

As the moving motor 45, for example, a stepping motor can be used. When a stepping motor is used as the mobile motor 45, the control unit 500 has a motor driver, and the mobile motor 45 may be open-loop controlled via the motor driver. That is, the motor driver outputs a predetermined number of pulses to the mobile motor 45 based on the control command from the control unit 500, and the mobile motor 45 can be rotationally driven and stopped by the number of pulses. As a result, the shift block 41 that supports the transport roller pairs 31 to 34 can be moved in the width direction of the sheet material P and stopped at a predetermined target position. Here, the backlash may be affected by the play between the tooth surfaces of the gear portion 48a and the slack of the timing belt 47. In this case, even if the moving motor 45 is rotationally driven with a predetermined number of pulses according to the position correction amount in the width direction of the sheet material P, the actual moving amount of the shift block 41 may be insufficient. Then, the position of the sheet material P in the width direction cannot be corrected to the target position. It is conceivable that this problem can be solved by closed-loop control that feeds back the position of the sheet material P in the width direction while rotationally driving the moving motor 45, but the device configuration becomes complicated and the cost increases as compared with open-loop control. It ends up.

Next, the position correction in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the sheet material P will be described.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of position correction in the width direction of the sheet material P in the sheet material position correction device 30 according to the present embodiment. The arrow (a) in FIG. 12 indicates that in the position correction described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the roller portions of the drive rollers 33A and 34A and the roller portions of the driven rollers 33B and 34B are centered in the width direction of the openings 36a, respectively. This is the final movement direction when the return control to position is performed. In this state, the sheet material correction in the main scanning direction is performed for the next paper passing job.

In FIG. 12, the ideal position Ltgt0 in the width direction of the sheet material P stored in the storage means of the printer main body 1 is the correction target as a predetermined target position, but the sheet material P reaches the sheet material position correction device 30. By then, it will pass through many units and pairs of rollers. At that time, the sheet material P reaches the sheet material position correction device 30 with a certain degree of variation (maximum outer position Lfmax-maximum inner position Lrmax). If the left end portion of the sheet material P in the transport direction is transported between the ideal position Ltgt0 and the maximum outer position Lfmax, the control for correction in the direction of the arrow (c) is entered. On the other hand, if the left end portion of the sheet material P in the transport direction is transported between the ideal position Ltgt0 and the maximum inner position Lfmax, the control for correction in the direction of the arrow (b) is entered.

Here, when the sheet material P is corrected in the direction of the arrow (b), the direction in which the sheet material P was last moved by the return control of the transport roller pairs 33 and 34 described above and the correction direction are the same direction. Therefore, the influence of backlash due to the play between the tooth surfaces of the gear portion 48a and the slack of the timing belt 47 in the moving means 41, 42, 45 to 50 as the drive train of the shift operation for moving the sheet material P in the width direction is not affected. not. On the other hand, when the sheet material P is corrected in the direction of the arrow (c), the influence of backlash due to the play between the tooth surfaces of the gear portion 48a in the moving means 41, 42, 45 to 50, the slack of the timing belt 47, and the like. Occurs. As a result, the position correction amount of the sheet material P is insufficient, and the sheet material P is corrected to a position closer to the maximum outer position Lfmax side from the ideal position Ltgt0. The size of the backlash due to the play between the tooth surfaces of the gear portion 48a and the slack of the timing belt 47 differs depending on the respective mechanical configurations of the transport roller pairs 33 and 34 and the transport roller pairs 31 and 32. For this reason, the sheet material P not only causes a shift in the resist position in the main scanning direction, but also leads to creating a skewed state in which the sheet material P is tilted.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the sheet material position correction device according to the present embodiment. The sheet material position correction device 30 as a sheet material transfer device has a motor side gear 451 and a roller side gear in a transmission path for transmitting a driving force supplied from a moving motor 45 as a drive source to a shift block 41 as a support means. 411 is provided.

The motor side gear 451 is provided so as to rotate in conjunction with the moving motor 45. The roller side gear 411 is provided so as to mesh with the motor side gear 451 and is provided so as to move the shift block 41 supporting the transport roller pairs 31 to 34 in the width direction of the sheet material P by rotating.

When the motor-side gear 451 rotates in the direction of arrow b1, the roller-side gear 411 rotates in the direction of arrow b2. As a result, the transport roller pairs 33 and 34 move in the direction of the arrow (b) in FIG.

When the motor-side gear 451 rotates in the direction of arrow c1, the roller-side gear 411 rotates in the direction of arrow c2. As a result, the transport roller pairs 33 and 34 move in the direction of the arrow (c) in FIG.

In the return control of the transport roller pairs 33 and 34 described in the description of FIG. 12, since the transport roller pairs 33 and 34 move in the directions of the arrows (a) and (b) in FIG. 12, the sheet material P is moved in the width direction. Prior to the shift operation to be moved, the motor side gear 451 meshes with the roller side gear 411 along the direction of the arrow b1.

In the state of FIG. 13, when the motor side gear 451 rotates in the direction of the arrow b1 in order to move the transport roller pairs 33, 34 in the direction of the arrow (b) in FIG. 12, the motor side gear 451 has no backlash. It meshes with the roller side gear 411. On the other hand, when the motor side gear 451 rotates in the direction of the arrow c1 in order to move the transport roller pairs 33, 34 in the direction of the arrow (c) in FIG. 12, the motor side gear 451 rotates by the backlash amount d. Later, it meshes with the roller side gear 411. Therefore, the control unit 500 needs to add the backlash amount d to control the rotation of the motor side gear 451.

FIG. 14 is a control flow chart of the sheet material position correction device 30 as a comparative example. When the job is started, the control unit 500 in the sheet material position correction device 30 drives the moving motor 45 to move the shift block 41 and move the transfer rollers pairs 31 to 34 to the home position (S102).

The control unit 500 performs a reading operation by the edge position detection sensor unit 60 (S103), and sets the position of the sheet material P in the width direction as the position of the sheet material P in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the direction in which the sheet material P is conveyed. Detect (S104). The edge position detection sensor unit 60 is provided on the upstream side of the transport roller pairs 31 to 34 in the transport direction of the sheet material P.

The control unit 500 corrects the sheet material P to the ideal position Ltgt0 from the difference between the detected position of the sheet material P in the width direction and the ideal position Ltgt0 as the target position in the width direction. It is determined to what extent the correction is made in the direction of (b) or the direction of the arrow (c). That is, the control unit 500 determines the difference as the correction direction and the correction amount for correcting the position of the sheet material P in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the direction in which the sheet material is conveyed (S105).

The control unit 500 determines whether the correction direction determined in step S105 is the direction in which backlash occurs in the moving means including the plurality of constituent members 41, 42, 45 to 50 (S106). Specifically, when the correction direction is different from the direction in which the shift block 41 has moved last time, the control unit 500 determines that the correction direction is the direction in which backlash occurs. On the other hand, if the correction direction is the same as the direction in which the shift block 41 moved last time, the control unit 500 determines that the correction direction is not the direction in which backlash occurs. Here, the direction in which the shift block 41 was moved last time is the direction in which the shift block 41 was moved in step S102 or step S112 described later.

When the control unit 500 determines in step S106 that the direction is such that backlash occurs, the control unit 500 performs an operation to eliminate the backlash (S107). Specifically, the control unit 500 moves the shift block 41 in the direction opposite to the correction direction determined in step S105 as an operation for eliminating the backlash, and then moves the shift block 41 in the correction direction. As a result, the correction direction is the same as the direction in which the shift block 41 was moved immediately before, so that the backlash is eliminated.

After the control unit 500 performs an operation to eliminate backlash in step S107, when the sheet material P reaches the transport roller pairs 31 to 34 (S108) and the sheet material P reaches the shift position in the transport direction (S109). , Perform a shift operation (S110).

If the control unit 500 determines in step S106 that the direction is not the direction in which backlash occurs, the control unit 500 proceeds to steps S108 to S110 without performing an operation for eliminating the backlash in step S107.

As the shift operation in step S110, the control unit 500 drives and controls the moving motor 45 using the correction amount determined in step S105 as the drive amount so that the shift block 41 moves in the correction direction determined in step S105. do. The driving force supplied by the moving motor 45 is transmitted to the motor pulley 49, the timing belt 47, the pulley gear 48, and the rack 50 to move the shift block 41.

When the rear end of the sheet material P passes through the shift position in the transport direction in the transport direction (S111), the control unit 500 moves the shift block 41 as return control, and the roller section of the drive rollers 33A and 34A and the driven roller 33B, Control is performed so that the roller portion of 34B is positioned at the center of the opening 36a in the width direction (S112).

The control unit 500 confirms the end of the job (S113), returns to step S103 to continue the process if the job is not completed, and ends the process if the job is completed.

FIG. 15 is a control flow chart of the sheet material position correction device 30 according to the present embodiment. When the job starts, the control unit 500 in the sheet material position correction device 30 drives the moving motor 45 to move the shift block 41 and positions the transport rollers pairs 31 to 34 in the home position (S202).

When the sheet material P reaches the transport roller pairs 31 to 34 (S203), the control unit 500 performs a reading operation by the edge position detection sensor unit 60 as the position detection means (S204), and determines the position of the sheet material P in the width direction. Detect (S205). The edge position detection sensor unit 60 is provided on the downstream side of at least a pair of transport roller pairs among the transport roller pairs 31 to 34 in the transport direction of the sheet material P.

The control unit 500 corrects the sheet material P to the ideal position Ltgt0 from the difference between the detected widthwise position of the sheet material P and the ideal position Ltgt0, in order to correct the sheet material P to the ideal position Ltgt0 in the direction of the arrow (b) or the arrow (c) in FIG. ) To which direction and to what extent to correct. That is, the correction direction for correcting the width direction position of the sheet material P and the difference α as the correction amount are determined (S206).

The control unit 500 determines whether the correction direction determined in step S206 is the direction in which backlash occurs in the moving means including the plurality of constituent members 41, 42, 45 to 50 (S207). Specifically, when the correction direction is different from the direction in which the shift block 41 has moved last time, the control unit 500 determines that the correction direction is the direction in which backlash occurs. On the other hand, if the correction direction is the same as the direction in which the shift block 41 moved last time, the control unit 500 determines that the correction direction is not the direction in which backlash occurs. Here, the direction in which the shift block 41 was moved last time is the direction in which the shift block 41 was moved in step S202 or step S213 described later.

When the control unit 500 determines in step S207 that the direction is such that backlash occurs, the correction amount is the sum of the difference α as the correction amount determined in S206 and the predetermined amount β corresponding to the backlash of the moving means. Update as (S208). The predetermined amount β may be set corresponding to the backlash amount d shown in FIG. 13, or may be set corresponding to the slack amount of the timing belt 47. Further, the predetermined amount β can be changed and is stored in a rewritable storage area of the storage means of the printer main body 1 as an image forming apparatus.

When the control unit 500 determines in step S207 that the direction is not the direction in which backlash occurs, the control unit 500 updates the difference α as the correction amount determined in S206 as it is as the correction amount (S209).

When the sheet material P reaches the shift position in the transport direction (S210), the control unit 500 is updated in step S208 or step S209 so that the shift block 41 moves in the correction direction determined in step S206 as a shift operation. The moving motor 45 is driven and controlled using the corrected amount as the driving amount. The driving force supplied by the moving motor 45 is transmitted to the motor pulley 49, the timing belt 47, the pulley gear 48, and the rack 50 to move the shift block 41. (S211).

When the rear end of the sheet material P passes through the shift position in the transport direction in the transport direction (S212), the control unit 500 moves the shift block 41 as return control, and the roller section of the drive rollers 33A and 34A and the driven roller 33B, Control is performed so that the roller portion of 34B is positioned at the center of the opening 36a in the width direction (S213).

The control unit 500 confirms the end of the job (S214), returns to step S203 to continue the process if the job is not completed, and ends the process if the job is completed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 500 in the sheet material position correction device 30 is the sheet material P based on the widthwise position and the ideal position of the sheet material P detected by the edge position detection sensor unit 60. The correction direction for correcting the position in the width direction and the difference α as the correction amount are determined.

When the correction direction is different from the direction in which the shift block 41 has moved last time, the control unit 500 drives and controls the moving motor 45 with the amount obtained by adding the predetermined amount β corresponding to the backlash to the correction amount α as the driving amount. The driving force supplied by the moving motor 45 is transmitted to the shift block 41 via a moving means such as a motor pulley 49 to move the shift block 41. The direction in which the shift block 41 was moved last time is the direction in which the shift block 41 was moved in step S202 or step S213.

As a result, the sheet material position correction device 30 can accurately move the sheet material P in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the direction in which the sheet material P is conveyed, even in the direction in which backlash occurs in the moving means.

Since the sheet material position correction device 30 does not need to perform the operation of eliminating the backlash as in step S107 of the comparative example shown in FIG. 14, the interval between the sheet materials P is increased by the amount of the operation of eliminating the backlash. It becomes possible to pack and increase productivity.

Further, when the correction direction in the sheet material position correction device 30 is the same as the direction in which the shift block 41 has moved last time, the control unit 500 drives and controls the moving motor 45 with the correction amount α as the drive amount. The driving force supplied by the moving motor 45 is transmitted to the shift block 41 via the motor pulley 49 and the like to move the shift block 41.

As a result, the sheet material position correction device 30 accurately moves the sheet material P in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the sheet material P is conveyed, even in a direction in which backlash does not occur in the moving means, and improves productivity. Can be high.

Next, the sheet material position correction device 30 is provided with an edge position detection sensor unit 60 on the downstream side of at least a pair of transport roller pairs among the transport roller pairs 31 to 34 in the transport direction of the sheet material P.

As a result, as in the comparative example shown in FIG. 14, from the time when the edge position detection sensor unit 60 detects the position in the width direction of the sheet material P until the sheet material P reaches the transport roller pairs 31 to 34. In addition, the sheet material P is prevented from being displaced in the width direction due to the resistance received from the transport surface and the rollers.

Further, in the sheet material position correction device 30, the predetermined amount β can be changed and is stored in a rewritable storage area of the storage means of the printer main body 1 as an image forming device.

As a result, the sheet material position correction device 30 can accurately move the sheet material P even if the backlash amount d shown in FIG. 13 changes due to gear wear or the like.

Further, the sheet material position correction device 30 has a measuring means for measuring the backlash amount d in the transmission path for transmitting the driving force supplied from the moving motor 45 to the shift block 41, and every time the number of operations reaches a predetermined number of times. By measuring the backlash amount d, the wear amount may be fed back and the predetermined amount β may be updated.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the embodiment shown in FIG. In this modification, the sheet material position correction device 30 measures the amount of change in the backlash amount d in the transmission path for transmitting the driving force supplied from the moving motor 45 to the shift block 41.

16 (a) is a state corresponding to step S205 in the control flow diagram of FIG. 15, and the control unit 500 is the width of the sheet material P by the edge position detection sensor 63 provided in the edge position detection sensor unit 60. The directional position LtgtN is detected.

FIG. 16B is a state corresponding to step S211 when it is determined in step S207 in the control flow diagram of FIG. 15 that the direction is such that backlash occurs. As a shift operation, the control unit 500 drives and controls the moving motor 45 using the correction amount updated in step S208 as the drive amount so that the shift block 41 moves in the correction direction determined in step S206, and shift blocks. Move 41.

Here, if the backlash amount d is changed due to wear of the gear or the like, the position in the width direction of the sheet material P after the shift operation becomes Ltgt0'inside the ideal position Ltgt0.

FIG. 16C is a state corresponding to a step added after step S211 in the control flow diagram of FIG. The control unit 500 again detects the widthwise position Ltgt0'of the sheet material P by the edge position detection sensor 63. The difference between the ideal position Ltgt0 and the actual position Ltgt0'is a difference caused by gear wear or the like, and the control unit 500 converts this difference into a pulse and converts it into a rewritable storage area of the storage means of the printer main body 1. Change the stored predetermined amount β.

As a result, the sheet material position correction device 30 can accurately move the sheet material P even if the backlash amount d changes due to gear wear or the like.

1 Printer body 3 Operation panel 4 Paper output tray 5 Paper feed tray 30 Sheet material position correction device 31 to 34 Conveyor roller pair 31A to 34A Drive roller 31B to 34B Driven roller 35 Upper guide plate 36 Lower guide plate 41 Shift block 45 Moving motor 47 Timing belt 60 Edge position detection sensor unit (position detection means)
411 Roller side gear 451 Motor side gear

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-137140

Claims (10)

A pair of rollers that sandwich and convey the sheet material by being driven by rotation,
A support means that supports the roller pair and can move in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the direction in which the sheet material is conveyed.
A position detecting means for detecting the position of the sheet material in the orthogonal direction, and a position detecting means.
A sheet material transporting device that transfers a driving force supplied from a driving source to the supporting means to move the supporting means based on the detection result of the position detecting means.
A correction direction for correcting the position of the sheet material in the orthogonal direction based on the position of the sheet material in the orthogonal direction detected by the position detecting means and a predetermined target position of the sheet material in the orthogonal direction. And the determining means for determining the correction amount,
When the correction direction determined by the determining means is different from the direction in which the supporting means has moved last time, the driving source determines the amount of backlash in the transmission path for transmitting the driving force supplied from the driving source to the supporting means. A sheet material conveying device characterized in that a driving force is supplied by using an amount obtained by adding a corresponding predetermined amount to the correction amount as a driving amount. The sheet material transporting device according to claim 1, wherein when the correction direction is the same as the direction in which the support means was moved last time, the drive source supplies a driving force with the correction amount as the drive amount. The sheet transport device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position detecting means is provided on the downstream side of at least the pair of rollers in the direction in which the sheet material is transported. The sheet transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support means is moved in the orthogonal direction before the sheet material reaches the roller pair. The sheet material transporting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined amount can be changed. Further provided with a storage means for storing the predetermined amount,
The sheet material conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the predetermined amount is stored in a rewritable storage area of the storage means. It has a measuring means for measuring a backlash amount in a transmission path for transmitting a driving force supplied from a driving source to the supporting means, and is characterized in that the predetermined amount is changed based on the backlash amount measured by the measuring means. The sheet material transfer device according to claim 5 or 6. The sheet material transporting device according to claim 7, wherein the measuring means measures the backlash amount each time the number of operations reaches a predetermined number of times. When the correction direction determined by the determination means is different from the direction in which the support means has moved last time, the drive source supplies the driving force with the amount obtained by adding the predetermined amount to the correction amount as the drive amount. ,
After moving the supporting means by the driving force, the position detecting means detects the position of the sheet material in the orthogonal direction, and the predetermined amount is changed based on the detection result and the target position. The sheet material transfer device according to any one of claims 5 to 8. An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet material transporting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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