JPH08133510A - Sucker suction releasing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a sucker suction releasing device of simple structure and which is compact and economical for releasing suction of a sheet by forming a gap in a contact part with the sheet and a sucker by deforming the sucker sucked the sheet and allowing air to flow from the gap. CONSTITUTION: When a sucker holding plate 31 comes lower and a sucker 32 is brought into contact with a sheet S, the sucker 32 is pressed and air inside it is discharged. Simultaneously, the contact of the sheet S is detected and the sucker holding plate 31 starts to go up. Whereby, pressure of the sucker 32 is released and the air in the sucker 32 is expanded by restoring force of the sucker 32 and negative pressure is generated, so that the sheet S is sucked. A lever 33 moves rotationally around a support 33a and a projected part 33b of the lever 33 lifts up an edge part 32a of the sucker 32 to deform the sucker 32. Whereby, a gap is formed in a contact part with the sheet S and the sucker 32 and air flows in from this gap, so that suction of the sheet S is released.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sucker suction release device for releasing suction of a suction cup when a sheet such as a photosensitive film is supplied to the transport mechanism by a suction cup in a medical image recording apparatus or image scanning apparatus. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of a first conventional example of a suction cup suction release device. Four
A suction cup 5 having a hole 5a is connected via the. When the electromagnetic pump 1 is operated after the suction cup 5 is brought into contact with the seat and the electromagnetic valve 3 is closed, the seat is adsorbed by the suction cup 5.
Then, by releasing the electromagnetic valve 3 and stopping the electromagnetic pump 1, the suction of the sheet can be released.

Further, FIG. 24 is shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-138543.
It is a block diagram of the 2nd prior art example of the suction cup adsorption release device disclosed by the gazette, and suction cup 6 comprises suction cup axis 7 and parabolic concave part 8 fixed to the tip, and suction cup 6 has a valve. A vent hole 6a that can be opened and closed by the shaft 9 is formed. When the sheet sucked by the suction cup 6 is lifted, a stopper member (not shown) provided in the fixed portion abuts the valve shaft 9 and pushes the valve shaft 9, whereby the vent hole 6a of the suction cup 6 is opened and the parabola is opened. By supplying the outside air to the concave portion 8, the suction of the sheet is released.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a third conventional example. A cam 11 having a protrusion 11a is rotatably provided around a shaft 12 in the apparatus, and the cam 11 is at the right portion thereof. , Is in contact with the upper end of a lever 14 that is rotatable about the shaft 13. A diaphragm 1 having a bellows portion 15a capable of expanding and contracting at a lower portion of the lever 14.
One end of the lever 5 is fixed, and the lower portion of the lever 14 is biased to the right by a spring 16. It should be noted that the stopper member 1 is so arranged that the lever 14 does not rotate more than necessary.
The movement is regulated by 7.

A hose 18 is provided on the other side of the diaphragm 15.
A suction cup 20 supported by a support member 19 is provided through the hose 18 and the suction cup 20.
It can be distributed with the outside through. Further, a photo coupler 21 for detecting contact of the suction cup 20 with the sheet S is provided on the lower surface of the support member 19, and the output of the photo coupler 21 is connected to the control unit 22.

Further, the output of the control unit 22 is connected to a solenoid 24 connected to a lock lever 23, which is rotatable about a shaft 25 and is biased by a spring 26. The movement of the stopper member 27 is restricted. Further, the tip of the lock lever 23 has a hook portion 2 that can be engaged with the lever 14.
3a is formed. The solenoid 24 is adapted to pull in the lock lever 23 to release the lock lever 23 from the locked state when energized.

When the sheet S is sucked, first the cam 11
Rotates counterclockwise to reach position c from position a through position b. At this time, since the lever 14 is locked to the hook portion 23a of the lock lever 23 at the lower portion, it is fixed in this state and the diaphragm 15 is in a state in which the bellows portion 15a is contracted. Next, the supporting member 19 descends and the suction cup 20 contacts the sheet S, and at the same time, the photo coupler 2
1 also contacts the sheet S. The photo coupler 21 is the sheet S
When the contact is made, the photocoupler 21 transmits a signal to the control unit 22, and the control unit 22 uses this signal as a trigger to energize the solenoid 24.

As a result, the lock lever 23 is rotated to release the engagement between the lever 14 and the hook portion 23a, and the lever 14 is rotated counterclockwise by the action of the spring 16 and abuts on the stopper member 17. Stop. By the rotation of the lever 14, the bellows portion 15a of the diaphragm 15 is extended as shown in FIG. 26, the internal volume of the diaphragm 15 is increased, and as a result, the internal pressure of the diaphragm 15 and the suction cup 20 is lowered, and the sheet S is sucked by the suction cup 20. Is adsorbed on. Lever 14
When is rotated, the control unit 22 stops energizing the solenoid 24, and the lock lever 23 returns to a state in which the lever 14 can be locked again.

When the sheet S is adsorbed, the supporting member 19 moves to a predetermined position to convey the sheet S, and the cam 11 is rotated clockwise from the position c in association with this operation. Then, at the timing of releasing the suction of the sheet S,
The protrusion 11a of the cam 11 pushes the lever 14 and the diaphragm 15 contracts again, thereby releasing the suction of the sheet S. Here, the lower end portion of the lever 14 passes through the hook portion 23a of the lock lever 23 and stops in the locked state again as shown in FIG.

[0010]

However, in the above-mentioned first conventional example, since the electromagnetic pump 1 is continuously driven during the suction of the sheet, the electromagnetic pump 1 vibrates, which adversely affects the performance of the apparatus. Furthermore, a solenoid valve 3 and a solenoid pump 1
Is expensive and is an obstacle to cost reduction.

In the second conventional example, there is no problem of vibration, but the structure is complicated, the number of parts is large, and the cost is high.
In addition, the suction cup suction release device becomes large, and the degree of freedom in design is reduced.

In the third conventional example, since the suction cup portion and the suction release portion are separated, the circumference of the suction cup portion becomes small,
Although the degree of freedom in design is significantly increased as compared with the conventional example, there is a problem that a large space is required for the suction cup suction release device as a whole.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide a suction cup suction release device which is simple in structure, small in size, and inexpensive.

[0014]

A suction cup suction releasing device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a suction cup for sucking a sheet, a suction cup holding member for holding the suction cup, and the suction cup for sucking the sheet. Is deformed to form a gap in the contact portion between the sheet and the suction cup, and suction release means for releasing suction of the sheet by introducing air from the gap is provided.

[0015]

In the suction cup suction releasing device having the above-mentioned structure, the suction cup sucking the sheet is deformed to form a gap in the contact portion between the sheet and the suction cup, and air is introduced from this gap to suck the sheet. To release.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a suction cup portion in the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB. On the lower surface of the suction cup holding plate 31 having means, the suction cup 32
Is provided. A fulcrum 3 is provided on the suction cup holding plate 31.
A lever 33 that is swingable around 3a is provided, and the right end of the lever 33 has an edge portion 32a of a suction cup 32.
Is formed with a protrusion 33b. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a stopper member 34 is fixed to the apparatus above the suction cup portion, and the stopper member 3
The left end of the lever 33 can be engaged with 4.

When sucking the sheet S, as shown in FIG. 4, when the suction cup holding plate 31 descends and the suction cup 32 comes into contact with the sheet S, the suction cup 32 is pressed and the internal air is discharged. At the same time, the sheet detecting means of the suction cup holding plate 31 detects the contact of the sheet S, and the suction cup holding plate 31 starts to move up. As a result, the pressing of the suction cup 32 is released, and the suction cup 3
Due to the restoring force of 2, the air in the suction cup 32 expands, a negative pressure is generated, and the sheet S is adsorbed.

Further, when the suction cup holding plate 31 is raised and the left end of the lever 33 is engaged with the stopper member 34 as shown in FIG. 5, the lever 33 rotates about its fulcrum 33a,
The protrusion 33b of the lever 33 lifts the edge 32a of the suction cup 32 to deform the suction cup 32. As a result, the sheet S
Since a gap is created at the abutting portion between the suction cup 32 and the suction cup 32, air flows in through the gap and the suction of the sheet S is released.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the second embodiment.
This suction cup suction release device is applied to the sheet feeding mechanism. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same members. The suction cup holding plate 31 including the suction cup 32 and the lever 33 is
The arm 36 is detachably attached to an arm 36 that can move up and down and left and right. A supply tray 37 for stacking the sheets S is arranged below the arm 36, and a separation claw 38 for separating the sheets S is fixed to the upper part of the supply tray 37. Further, a stopper member 34 is arranged above the separation claw 38, and conveyance rollers 39 and 40 are provided on the left side thereof.

When the sheet S is conveyed, the arm 36 first descends as shown in FIG. 7, and after adsorbing the sheet S as in the first embodiment, the arm 36 rises as shown in FIG. To do. At this time, although a plurality of sheets S may be adsorbed at the same time, the arm 36 temporarily stops at the position shown in FIG. 8 and the separating claw 38 bends the sheet S to separate the unnecessary sheet S and supply Return it to the tray 37.

Next, the arm 36 moves to the upper left, and the arm 36 shown in FIG.
The leading edge of the sheet S is sandwiched between the transport rollers 39 and 40 as shown in FIG. Further, the arm 36 moves upward, and
As shown in 0, the lever 33 is rotated by the stopper member 34. As a result, as in the first embodiment, the sheet S
Is released. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the arm 36 is retracted, and the transport roller 39 and the transport roller 40 rotate in the arrow direction, thereby transporting the sheet S to the left.

As shown in FIG. 12, a hemispherical surface 32b is formed on the suction cup 32, and the hemispherical surface 3 is formed on the lever 33.
The fulcrum of the lever 33 may be configured such that a recess 33c that fits with the 2b is formed and the recess 33c of the lever 33 slides on the hemispherical surface 32b of the suction cup 32 as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the stopper member 3
Instead of 4, the lever 33 may be rotated by the conveying roller 39, and the sheet S may be released by rotating the lever 33 as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the action point of the lever 33 and the protrusion 33b are arranged in reverse, and as shown in FIG. 17, the suction cup 32 is deformed by the protrusion 33b to release the sheet S.

As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 18 and the plan view of FIG. 19, if the compression coil spring 32c is integrally formed inside the suction cup 32 in a spiral shape, the suction force of the suction cup 32 can be enhanced. .

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of the third embodiment, in which the above-mentioned sheet feeding mechanism is applied to an image recording apparatus. This image recording apparatus records a digital image obtained by a medical image generating apparatus such as CT or MRI on a sheet S using a scanning optical system.

A cover magazine 42 for covering the image recording apparatus main body 41 as a dark portion contains a supply magazine 43 for stacking unrecorded sheets S and a receive magazine 44 for stacking recorded sheets S. Openings 43a and 44a are formed in these magazines 43 and 44, and lid portions 43b and 44b that open and close these openings 43a and 44a.
Are provided respectively. The magazines 43 and 44
When the lids 43b and 44b of the magazine are closed, the magazines 43 and 4
The inside of 4 is kept as a dark part, and the magazines 43 and 44 can be inserted into and removed from the image recording apparatus main body 41 in a state where the inside is a dark part.

A suction cup suction release section 45 is provided above the opening 43a of the supply magazine 43. The suction cup suction release section 45 has four suction cup sections 45a as shown in FIG.
.About.45d are arranged in parallel. As the suction cups 45a to 45d, small suction cups having a diameter of 15 to 25 mm are used and correspond to at least two kinds of seat widths. On the left side of the suction cup suction release section 45, conveying rollers 46 and 47 which are rotated by a driving means are provided above and below.

To the left of the carrying rollers 46 and 47, there are carrying paths consisting of guide plates 48 and 49, and sub-scanning rollers 50 and 51.
The sub-scanning roller pair including the sub-scanning roller, the sub-scanning roller pair including the sub-scanning rollers 52 and 53, and the conveyance path including the guides 54 and 55 are sequentially arranged. The guide 55 is the guide 5
The guide plate 57 is provided on the right side of the guide 55 via the movable guide 56, and is provided corresponding to the left half of the guide 54.
It is provided corresponding to the right half of the. Here, the movable guide 56 can be moved to the dotted line position by the driving means.

Further, on the right side of the guides 54 and 57, a guide 60 is arranged via conveying rollers 58 and 59. Further, on the upper left side of the movable guide 56, the guide 6
Conveying rollers 63 and 64 for accommodating the sheet S in the receive magazine 44 are provided via a conveying path composed of 1 and 62.

A cover 66 containing an optical unit 65 is provided between the supply magazine 43 and the receive magazine 44.
The optical unit 65 can irradiate the laser beam L between the sub-scanning rollers 51 and 53 through an opening 66a formed on the left side of the cover 66.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of the optical unit 65, which converts the laser beam L into a predetermined characteristic in the emission direction of the laser light source 67 which emits the laser beam L modulated according to the image data to be recorded. Lens 68, 6
9. Rotating polygonal mirror 71 rotatable by a motor 70
Are sequentially arranged. Further, the laser beam L reflected by the rotary polygon mirror 71 passes through the lenses 72 and 73, and then is scanned between the sub-scanning rollers 51 and 53 in a fan shape with an angle α, and is irradiated onto the sheet S. .

When an image is recorded on the sheet S, the second
Similar to the embodiment described above, the suction cup suction release portion 45 sucks the uppermost one sheet of the sheet S and sandwiches it between the transport rollers 46 and 47. Next, the transport rollers 46 and 47 rotate to move the sheet S.
Is conveyed in the lower left direction along the conveyance path formed by the guide plates 48 and 49, and the sheet S is nipped by the sub-scanning rollers 50 and 51.

When the sheet S is pinched between the sub-scanning rollers 50 and 51, the sub-scanning rollers 50 and 51 rotate to pinch the leading edge of the sheet S between the sub-scanning rollers 52 and 53. Further, the sub-scanning rollers 50 to 53 rotate together to perform sub-scanning, and at the same time, the laser light source 67 causes the laser beam L
Is emitted. At this time, the rotary polygon mirror 71 is rotated by the motor 70, and the laser beam L from the laser light source 67 is scanned in a substantially fan shape to perform main scanning, and the sheet S is irradiated vertically. In this way, a two-dimensional image is recorded on the sheet S, and the sheet S that has been recorded is conveyed downward along the guide 54 as the sub-scanning rollers 52 and 53 rotate. At this time, the movable guide 5
6 has moved to the solid line position.

The sheet S on which the irradiation of the laser beam L has been completed and which has been recorded is conveyed rightward until it is nipped by the conveying rollers 58 and 59, and the leading end of the sheet S is conveyed by the conveying roller 5.
When sandwiched between 8 and 59, conveyance rollers 58 and 59
Rotates, and when it is detected that the trailing edge of the sheet S has reached the right side of the movable guide 56, the movable guide 56 moves to the position indicated by the dotted line, and thereafter, the transport rollers 58 and 59 rotate in opposite directions, and the sheet Carry S to the left.

At this time, the moving direction of the sheet S is changed by the action of the movable guide 56, and the sheet S is sent to the conveying path including the guides 61 and 62. The sheet S is the conveyance roller 63,
When sandwiched between 64, the transport rollers 63 and 64 rotate to further transport the sheet S rightward. As a result, the sheet S is stored in the receive magazine 44 from the front end,
When the trailing edge of the sheet S separates from the transport rollers 63 and 64,
The sheet S falls by its own weight and is completely stored in the receive magazine 44. A visible image is formed on the sheet S by developing the recorded sheet S by another developing means.

By reducing the diameter of the suction cup used for the suction cup suction release section 45, the deformation of the sheet S around the suction cup is minimized and the resistance when the sheet S is inserted into the transport rollers 46 and 47 is minimized. You can keep it to the limit. Further, in an image recording apparatus that uses three or more suction cups and is compatible with a plurality of sheet sizes S, in the case of a pump type, it is necessary to switch valves when distributing negative pressure from the pump to the plurality of suction cups. However, in this embodiment, it is necessary to perform such switching of the valves because the individual suction cups 45a to 45d have independent suction forces.

[0038]

As described above, since the suction cup suction releasing device according to the present invention has a simple structure, the suction releasing mechanism can be downsized. Moreover, since the number of parts can be reduced, the cost can be significantly reduced and the freedom of design can be increased.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram when a sheet is sucked.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram when releasing suction of a sheet.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram when sucking a sheet.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram when a sheet is adsorbed and raised.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram when a sheet is conveyed.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram when releasing suction of a sheet.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram when a sheet is opened.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a modified example.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a modified example.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a modified example.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram when releasing suction of a sheet.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a modified example.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram when releasing suction of a sheet.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a suction cup.

FIG. 19 is a front view of a suction cup.

FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of a third embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a suction cup suction release section.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of the optical unit.

FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of a first conventional example.

FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram of a second conventional example.

FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of a third conventional example.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of an operating state of a third conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 31 Sucker Holding Plate 32 Sucker 33 Lever 34 Stopper Member 36 Arm 37 Supply Tray 38 Separation Claw 41 Image Recording Device Main Body 43 Supply Magazine 44 Receive Magazine 45 Sucker Suction Release Unit 65 Optical Unit

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A suction cup that sucks a sheet, a suction cup holding member that holds the suction cup, and a suction cup that sucks the sheet are deformed to form a gap at a contact portion between the sheet and the suction cup. A suction cup suction release device comprising: suction release means for releasing air to suck the sheet. 2. The suction cup suction release device according to claim 1, wherein when sucking the sheet, a suction force is generated by a restoring force of the suction cup. 3. The suction cup suction release device according to claim 1, wherein the suction cup is deformed by lifting an edge portion of the suction cup. 4. The suction cup suction release device according to claim 1, wherein the suction cup has a diameter of 15 to 25 mm. 5. The suction cup suction release device according to claim 1, wherein the suction cup and the suction cup holding member are integrally molded. 6. The suction cup suction release device according to claim 1, wherein a spring member is integrally molded with the suction cup. 7. The suction releasing means is composed of a lever and a stopper member, the action point of the lever and the edge portion of the suction cup are connected, and the force point of the lever is brought into contact with the stopper member, and the lever is The suction cup suction release device according to claim 3, wherein the suction cup suction release device lifts the edge portion of the suction cup by rotating the suction cup holding member as a fulcrum. 8. The suction cup suction release device according to claim 7, wherein the suction cup or the lever is detachable from the suction cup holding member. 9. The suction cup suction release device according to claim 7, wherein the suction cup, the lever, and the suction cup holding member are integrated and detachable from the suction cup arm member. 10. The suction cup suction release device according to claim 7, wherein the fulcrum of the lever is a contact point with the suction cup. 11. The suction cup suction release device according to claim 7, wherein a transport roller for transporting the sheet is the stopper member. 12. The suction cup suction release device according to claim 7, wherein the force point of the lever is arranged on the insertion side of the sheet, and the action point of the lever is arranged on the opposite side of the force point.