WO2018235437A1

WO2018235437A1 - Transporting device, drying device, and image forming device

Info

Publication number: WO2018235437A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/017693
Authority: WO
Inventors: 隆秀岡崎
Original assignee: 富士フイルム株式会社
Priority date: 2017-06-20
Filing date: 2018-05-08
Publication date: 2018-12-27
Also published as: JP2020138808A

Abstract

Provided are a transporting device that can suppress deformation of a medium, a drying device, and an image forming device. A transport device comprises: a grip unit (74) that grips the distal end of a medium (P); a chain transport unit (70) that transports the medium in a medium transport direction by causing a chain (72A) connected to the grip unit to travel in the medium transport direction; a belt transport unit that causes a transport belt comprising a suction support area in which the non-gripped area of the medium being transported using the chain transport unit is suctioned and supported to travel in the medium transport direction; and a slide unit that causes the grip unit to slide in the medium width direction with respect to the chain transport unit when the medium width direction component, that is orthogonal to the medium transport direction, of the vector difference between a vector indicating the chain travel velocity and a vector indicating the transport belt travel velocity exceeds a preset acceptable range.

Description

Transport apparatus, drying apparatus, and image forming apparatus

The present invention relates to a conveyance device, a drying device, and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to conveyance technology of a medium.

As a system for conveying a sheet of medium, a system is known which includes a gripper for gripping the leading end of the medium, and moves the gripper along the medium conveyance direction to convey the medium in the medium conveyance direction.

Patent document 1 describes a gripper system provided with an adjustment means for applying a deviation to the gripper in the vertical direction. The gripper system described in Patent Document 1 applies a certain corrugation to a sheet to be conveyed, provides tension to the sheet to reinforce the sheet, and stabilizes conveyance of the sheet. There is.

Patent Document 2 describes a transport device provided with a delivery chain, a claw and a gripper. The conveying device described in Patent Document 2 is provided with a brake device that reduces the moving speed of the nail with respect to the moving speed of the delivery chain and reduces the inertial force acting on the sheet. The braking device brakes the grippers at the accumulation station to stabilize the accumulation position of the sheets. After stacking of the sheets, the brakes are released and the claws supporting the grippers are returned to their original positions.

JP, 2009-12475, A JP, 2015-59043, A

A system in which the leading end of the medium is gripped using a gripper attached to a chain and the majority of the medium is adsorbed and fixed to dry the medium is effective for suppressing the deformation of the medium. However, when the suction support portion of the medium and the medium are strongly rubbed, there is a concern that the image defect such as a scratch may occur. As a solution to this problem, it is considered preferable to use a transport belt that travels at substantially the same speed as the grippers to support the medium by suction.

On the other hand, when the leading end of the medium is gripped using a gripper attached to a chain, and most of the medium is suctioned and conveyed using a conveyance belt, a slight deviation in the conveyance direction between the gripper and the conveyance belt There is a problem that large wrinkles may occur in the grip portion of the medium gripped by the gripper or the shape of the tip of the medium may be deformed due to the deviation of the transport speed.

In order to solve the above problems, the conveyance direction of the medium using the chain and the conveyance direction of the medium using the conveyance belt are made to coincide, the speed of the medium using the chain, and the medium of the conveyance belt. It is effective to match the speed. However, at least one of the chain and the transport belt may skew or meander. In this case, it is difficult to solve the above-mentioned problems simply by using the accuracy of the chain and the transport belt.

Although Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 describe media conveyance in which the leading end of the medium is gripped using a gripper to convey the medium, Patent Documents 1 and 2 adsorb and support the medium. There is no description of medium transport in which a transport belt for transporting is used.

Then, the invention described in Patent Document 1 and the invention described in Patent Document 2 do not have the problem of the deformation of the medium due to the shift in the transport direction between the chain or the gripper and the transport belt. That is, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 do not disclose the problem of the deformation of the medium resulting from the shift in the transport direction between the chain or the gripper and the transport belt.

Further, the invention described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the traveling behavior of the medium is not stable. The invention described in Patent Document 2 has a problem that it is difficult to integrate a plurality of media at an accurate accumulation position in an accumulation unit. These problems are different from the problems of the present invention, that is, the deformation of the medium caused by the shift in the transport direction between the chain and the transport belt or the shift in speed.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to suppress the deformation of the medium caused by the shift in the transport direction between the chain and the transport belt, or the shift in speed, the drying device, and the image formation It aims at providing an apparatus.

The following invention aspects are provided in order to achieve the said objective.

The transport apparatus according to the first aspect includes a gripping unit including a gripping member that grips the leading end of the medium, and a chain attached with a connecting member that couples the gripping unit, the chain connecting the gripping units in the medium transport direction A chain transport unit that transports a medium whose tip is gripped using a grip unit and transports the medium in the medium transport direction; and a medium transported using a chain transport unit, not gripped using the grip unit A belt transport unit that includes a transport belt having a suction support area that sucks and supports a domain and causes the transport belt to travel in the medium transport direction, a vector representing a traveling speed of a chain, and a vector representing a traveling speed of the transport belt When the component in the media width direction orthogonal to the media transport direction of the difference exceeds a predetermined allowable range, the gripping portion is slid relative to the chain transport portion in the media width direction. A pivot portion, a conveying device provided with.

According to the first aspect, according to the component in the medium width direction of the vector difference between the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain and the vector representing the traveling speed of the transport belt, the grip portion Then, the leading end of the medium gripped by the gripping member moves in the media width direction.

Thus, due to the vector difference between the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain and the vector representing the traveling speed of the transport belt, the non-gripping non-gripping area of the medium and the non-supporting non-supporting area of the medium The external force applied is reduced, the deformation occurring in the non-gripping area of the medium and the non-supporting area of the medium is alleviated, and the generation of wrinkles in the medium is suppressed.

The medium transport direction is a target travel direction of the chain transport unit. The medium conveyance direction is the traveling direction of the chain conveyance unit in which no conveyance deviation occurs. The medium transport direction is a target travel direction of the belt transport unit. The medium conveyance direction is the traveling direction of the belt conveyance unit in which no conveyance deviation occurs.

The traveling speed of the chain is a vector determined using the speed of the chain and the traveling direction of the chain. Similarly, the travel speed of the transport belt is a vector determined using the speed of the transport belt and the travel direction of the transport belt.

The vector difference is a vector calculated by subtracting the traveling speed of the transport belt from the traveling speed of the chain.

The aspect provided with the support member which supports a some holding member and a some holding member as a structural example of a holding part is mentioned.

The sliding portion may comprise a sliding member. The sliding portion may use surface treatment applied to at least one of the grip portion and the connecting member.

In a second aspect, in the transport device of the first aspect, the sliding portion calculates a vector difference by subtracting a vector representing the traveling speed of the belt conveyance portion from a vector representing the traveling speed of the chain conveyance portion. The sliding portion may be slid in the opposite direction of the component of the vector difference in the medium width direction.

According to the second aspect, the medium is moved in the direction of the external force applied to the medium in the medium width direction. This alleviates the deformation of the medium in the medium width direction.

According to a third aspect, in the transport apparatus of the first or second aspect, an elastic member generating an elastic force in the media width direction is provided at a position between the chain transport part and the gripping part in the media width direction. It is also good.

According to the third aspect, the gripping portion can be slid only in the medium transport region using the chain transport portion and the belt transport portion, and the other transport functions are not affected.

Further, when the vector difference between the traveling speed of the chain and the traveling speed of the conveyance belt is eliminated, it is possible to return the position of the chain conveyance unit and the holding unit to the position before sliding.

The elastic member can apply a spring that generates an elastic force from the chain conveyance unit toward the grip unit.

According to a fourth aspect, in the conveyance device according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, the sliding distance of the gripping part using the sliding part in the media width direction is 0% of the total length of the media in the media width direction. And may be 1.0% or less.

According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to suppress deformation of the medium in the medium width direction due to the sliding of more than 0 percent and not more than 1.0 percent of the total length of the medium in the medium width direction.

According to a fifth aspect, in the conveyance device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the sliding distance of the grip using the sliding part in the medium width direction is more than 0 mm and 0.5 mm or less. It may be a certain configuration.

According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the medium in the medium width direction due to the slide of more than 0 mm and 0.5 mm or less in the medium width direction.

According to a sixth aspect, in the conveyance device according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, the sliding portion is in one direction from the reference position of the gripping portion in the medium width direction to one side in the medium width direction. The grip portion may be slid in the other direction which is the opposite direction.

According to the sixth aspect, deformation of the medium can be suppressed for each of the cases where vector differences occur in one direction or the other direction in the medium width direction.

A transport apparatus according to a seventh aspect includes a gripping unit including a gripping member gripping a front end of a medium, and a chain attached with a connecting member coupling the gripping units, the chain connecting the gripping units in the medium transport direction A chain transport unit that transports a medium whose tip is gripped using a grip unit and transports the medium in the medium transport direction; and a medium transported using a chain transport unit, not gripped using the grip unit A belt transport unit that includes a transport belt having a suction support area that sucks and supports a domain and causes the transport belt to travel in the medium transport direction, a vector representing a traveling speed of a chain, and a vector representing a traveling speed of the transport belt And a sliding portion for sliding the gripping portion relative to the chain transport portion in the medium transport direction when the component of the difference in the medium transport direction exceeds a predetermined allowable range. A feeding device.

According to the seventh aspect, according to the component in the medium transport direction of the vector difference between the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain and the vector representing the traveling speed of the transport belt, the gripping unit moves relative to the medium transport direction The leading end of the medium held by the holding member slides in the medium conveyance direction. Thus, due to the vector difference between the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain and the vector representing the traveling speed of the transport belt, the non-gripping non-gripping area of the medium and the non-supporting non-supporting area of the medium The external force applied is reduced, the deformation occurring in the non-gripping area of the medium and the non-supporting area of the medium is alleviated, and the generation of wrinkles in the medium is suppressed. In addition, the drop of the medium gripped by the gripping unit from the gripping unit is suppressed.

In an eighth aspect according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the transport apparatus of the seventh aspect, when the sliding part subtracts the vector representing the traveling speed of the belt conveyance part from the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain conveyance part, the vector difference is calculated. The sliding portion may slide in the direction opposite to the component of the medium conveyance direction of the vector difference.

According to the eighth aspect, the medium is moved in the direction of the external force applied to the medium in the medium transport direction. This alleviates the deformation of the medium in the medium transport direction.

According to a ninth aspect, in the conveyance apparatus of the seventh or eighth aspect, an elastic member generating an elastic force in the medium conveyance direction is provided at a position between the chain conveyance part and the grip part in the medium conveyance direction. It is also good.

According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the third aspect.

The tenth aspect relates to the conveyance device according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, wherein the sliding distance of the grip using the sliding part in the medium conveyance direction is 0 of the conveyance distance of the medium in the medium conveyance direction. It may be configured to be more than percent and not more than 1.0 percent.

According to the tenth aspect, deformation of the medium in the medium conveyance direction can be suppressed due to the sliding of more than 0% and not more than 1.0% of the conveyance distance of the medium in the medium conveyance direction.

According to an eleventh aspect, in the conveyance device according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, a sliding distance of the gripping part using the sliding part in the medium conveyance direction is more than 0 mm and not more than 1.0 mm. It may be a certain configuration.

According to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the medium in the medium conveyance direction due to the slide of more than 0 mm and not more than 1.0 mm in the medium conveyance direction.

The twelfth aspect is the conveyance apparatus according to any one of the seventh aspect to the eleventh aspect, wherein the sliding part is in one direction from the reference position of the gripping part in the medium conveyance direction to one in the medium conveyance direction The grip portion may be slid in the other direction which is the opposite direction.

According to the twelfth aspect, deformation of the medium can be suppressed for each of the cases where vector differences occur in one direction or the other direction with respect to the medium transport direction.

The thirteenth aspect is the conveyance apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the twelfth aspect, wherein the grip portion includes a support member for supporting the grip member, and the sliding portion is between the support member and the connection member. It is good also as composition provided with a sliding member arranged.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the sliding portion can be configured without significantly changing the configurations of the chain conveyance portion and the belt conveyance portion.

In a fourteenth aspect according to the thirteenth aspect, the chain conveying portion includes a chain pair configured of a plurality of chains, and the grip portion includes a chain pair with one end of the support member via the connection member. The other end of the support member may be connected to one of the chains, and the other end of the support member may be connected to the other chain of the chain pair via the connection member.

According to the fourteenth aspect, since the end of the grip portion is slid, the sliding portion can be configured without significantly changing the configuration of the grip portion.

According to a fifteenth aspect, in the conveyance device according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the gripping member is disposed at a position 3.0 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less from the surface of the conveyance belt that supports the medium. The configuration may be

According to the fifteenth aspect, it is possible to keep the posture of the medium suction-supported and transported using the belt transport unit constant.

According to a sixteenth aspect, in the conveyance apparatus according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, the suction support area of the conveyance belt is configured to adsorb an area of 81.2% to 98.7% of the medium. Good.

According to the sixteenth aspect, it is possible to cause most of the medium to be attracted to the transport belt.

The drying apparatus according to the seventeenth aspect includes a drying processing unit that performs drying processing on the medium, and a transport unit that transports the medium in the drying processing region of the drying processing unit, the transport unit gripping the tip of the medium A gripping portion provided with a member and a chain attached with a connecting member for connecting the gripping portion, the chain having the gripping portion connected is caused to travel in the medium transport direction, and the medium whose tip is gripped using the gripping portion A transport belt including a chain transport unit for transporting in a media transport direction and a suction support region for sucking and supporting a non-gripping region which is not gripped using a gripping portion, in a medium transported using the chain transport unit; A medium that is orthogonal to a medium transport direction of a vector difference between a belt transport unit for causing the transport belt to travel in the medium transport direction, a vector representing a traveling speed of a chain, and a travel speed of the transport belt. If it exceeds the allowable range direction components predetermined, a drying device drying apparatus having a sliding portion for sliding the grip portion with respect to the chain conveyor section to the medium width direction.

According to the seventeenth aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first aspect.

In the seventeenth aspect, the same matters as the matters specified in the second to sixth aspects and the thirteenth to sixteenth aspects can be appropriately combined. In that case, the component carrying the process or function specified in the transport apparatus can be grasped as the component of the drying apparatus carrying the process or function corresponding thereto.

The drying apparatus according to the eighteenth aspect includes a drying processing unit that performs drying processing on the medium, and a transport unit that transports the medium in the drying processing region of the drying processing unit, the transport unit gripping the tip of the medium A gripping portion provided with a member, and a chain having a connecting member for connecting the gripping portion are provided, and a chain having the gripping portion connected is made to travel in the medium transport direction, and the medium whose leading end is gripped using the gripping portion The conveyance system includes a chain conveyance unit that conveys in the conveyance direction, and a conveyance belt that includes a suction support area that suction-supports a non-gripping area that is not held using a holding unit in a medium conveyed using the chain conveyance unit. The component in the medium transport direction of the vector difference between the belt transport unit for moving the belt in the media transport direction, the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain, and the vector representing the travel speed of the transport belt If it exceeds the allowable range determined because a drying device provided with a sliding portion for sliding the grip portion with respect to the chain conveyor section to the medium conveying direction.

According to the eighteenth aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the seventh aspect.

In the eighteenth aspect, the same matters as the matters specified in the eighth to sixteenth aspects can be combined as appropriate. In that case, the component carrying the process or function specified in the transport apparatus can be grasped as the component of the drying apparatus carrying the process or function corresponding thereto.

An image forming apparatus according to a nineteenth aspect includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium, a drying processing unit that performs drying processing on a medium on which an image is formed using the image forming unit, and a drying processing area of the drying processing unit A transport unit for transporting the medium in the transport unit, the transport unit includes a gripping unit including a gripping member for gripping the leading end of the medium, and a chain attached with a connecting member for linking the gripping unit; And a chain transport unit for transporting the medium whose tip is gripped using the grip unit in the medium transport direction, and the medium transported using the chain transport unit, using the grip unit. And a transport belt having a suction support area for sucking and supporting a non-gripping area which is not gripped, and a belt transport unit for causing the transport belt to travel in the medium transport direction, and a vector representing the traveling speed of the chain When the component in the medium width direction orthogonal to the medium conveyance direction of the vector difference with the vector representing the traveling speed of the conveyance belt exceeds a predetermined allowable range, the gripping portion for the chain conveyance portion in the medium width direction And a sliding portion for sliding the image forming device.

According to the nineteenth aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first aspect.

In the nineteenth aspect, the same matters as the matters specified in the second to sixth aspects and the thirteenth to sixteenth aspects can be appropriately combined. In that case, the component carrying the processing or function specified in the conveyance apparatus can be grasped as the component of the image forming apparatus carrying the processing or function corresponding to this.

An image forming apparatus according to a twentieth aspect includes an image forming unit for forming an image on a medium, a drying processing unit for performing drying processing on a medium on which an image is formed using the image forming unit, and a drying processing area of the drying processing unit A transport unit for transporting the medium in the transport unit, the transport unit includes a gripping unit including a gripping member for gripping the leading end of the medium, and a chain attached with a connecting member for linking the gripping unit; And a chain transport unit for transporting the medium whose tip is gripped using the grip unit in the medium transport direction, and the medium transported using the chain transport unit, using the grip unit. And a transport belt having a suction support area for sucking and supporting a non-gripping area which is not gripped, and a belt transport unit for causing the transport belt to travel in the medium transport direction, and a vector representing the traveling speed of the chain And sliding the gripping unit relative to the chain transport unit in the medium transport direction when the component in the medium transport direction of the vector difference from the vector representing the traveling speed of the transport belt exceeds a predetermined allowable range. An image forming apparatus comprising:

According to the twentieth aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the seventh aspect.

In the twentieth aspect, the same matters as the matters specified in the eighth to sixteenth aspects can be combined as appropriate. In that case, the component carrying the process or function specified in the transport apparatus can be grasped as the component of the drying apparatus carrying the process or function corresponding thereto.

According to the present invention, according to the medium width direction component of the vector difference between the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain and the vector representing the traveling speed of the transport belt, the gripping portion moves in the media width direction with respect to the chain transport unit. The tip of the medium which is slid and held by the holding member moves in the medium width direction. Thus, due to the vector difference between the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain and the vector representing the traveling speed of the transport belt, the non-gripping non-gripping area of the medium and the non-supporting non-supporting area of the medium The external force applied is reduced, the deformation occurring in the non-gripping area of the medium and the non-supporting area of the medium is alleviated, and the generation of wrinkles in the medium is suppressed.

Further, the gripping portion slides in the medium transport direction with respect to the chain transport portion according to a component in the medium transport direction of the vector difference between the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain and the vector representing the traveling speed of the transport belt. The leading end of the medium gripped by the gripping member moves in the medium transport direction. Thus, due to the vector difference between the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain and the vector representing the traveling speed of the transport belt, the non-gripping non-gripping area of the medium and the non-supporting non-supporting area of the medium The external force applied is reduced, the deformation occurring in the non-gripping area of the medium and the non-supporting area of the medium is alleviated, and the generation of wrinkles in the medium is suppressed. Furthermore, the drop of the medium gripped by the gripping unit from the gripping unit is suppressed.

FIG. 1 is an entire configuration view showing an example of a transport apparatus according to an embodiment and an inkjet printing apparatus to which a drying apparatus according to the embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a drying device to which the conveyance device according to the embodiment is applied. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a suction belt conveyance device. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of the sliding portion. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of the sliding portion, and is a schematic view of sliding when a vector difference occurs. FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view of the sliding portion, and is a front view of the sliding portion shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view of the sliding portion, and is a schematic view showing a state after the operation of the sliding portion. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view of the sliding portion, and is a front view of the sliding portion shown in FIG. FIG. 10: is a front view which shows the sliding part applied to the conveying apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment, and the specific example of an elastic member. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the sliding portion and the elastic member shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a transfer apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of sheet deformation. FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory view of the sliding portion, and is a schematic view showing a state after the operation of the sliding portion. FIG. 15 is an operation explanatory view of the sliding portion, and is a schematic view showing a state in which the sheet passes through the suction support area of the transport belt. FIG. 16: is a front view which shows the sliding part applied to the conveying apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment, and the specific example of an elastic member. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the sliding portion and the elastic member shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the present specification, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[Configuration Example of Inkjet Printing Device]
FIG. 1 is an entire configuration view showing an example of a transport apparatus according to an embodiment and an inkjet printing apparatus to which a drying apparatus according to the embodiment is applied. The inkjet printing apparatus 1A includes a line-type inkjet head 46C, an inkjet head 46M, an inkjet head 46Y, and an inkjet head 46K as a print head of the drawing unit 40.

The inkjet printing apparatus 1A uses single-pass inkjet printing color digital printing in which a desired image is printed by using a cyan, magenta, yellow, and black four-color ink on a sheet P, which is a sheet of paper. It is an apparatus. In addition, the alphabet of the code | symbol attached | subjected to the inkjet head represents the color of ink. C represents cyan. M represents magenta. Y represents yellow. K represents black.

In the present embodiment, an aqueous ink is used as the ink for drawing. The aqueous ink refers to at least one of an ink in which a coloring material such as a pigment or dye is dissolved or dispersed in water, and an ink in which a coloring material such as a pigment or dye is dissolved or dispersed in a water-soluble solvent. .

The inkjet printing apparatus 1 A includes a sheet feeding unit 10, a treatment liquid deposition unit 20, a treatment liquid drying unit 30, a drawing unit 40, an ink drying unit 50, and a stacking unit 60. The transport device according to the embodiment and the drying device according to the embodiment are used in the ink drying unit 50.

The sheet feeding unit 10 feeds sheets P one by one. The sheet feeding unit 10 includes a sheet feeding device 12, a feeder board 14, and a sheet feeding drum 16. The sheets of paper P are placed on the sheet feed table 12A in the form of a stack of a large number of stacked sheets. Although the type of the paper P is not particularly limited, for example, printing paper mainly made of cellulose such as high quality paper, coated paper, art paper, etc. can be used. The sheet P corresponds to an example of the medium.

The sheet feeding device 12 takes out the sheets P in the bundle state set in the sheet feeding table 12A one by one in order from the top and feeds the sheet P to the feeder board 14. The feeder board 14 conveys the sheet P received from the sheet feeding device 12 to the sheet feeding drum 16. The sheet feeding drum 16 receives the sheet P fed from the feeder board 14 and conveys the received sheet P to the treatment liquid deposition unit 20.

The treatment liquid application unit 20 applies the treatment liquid to the sheet P. The treatment liquid is a liquid having a function of aggregating, insolubilizing, or thickening the colorant components in the ink. The treatment liquid application unit 20 includes a treatment liquid application drum 22 and a treatment liquid application device 24.

The treatment liquid application drum 22 receives the sheet P from the feed drum 16, and conveys the received sheet P to the treatment liquid drying unit 30. The treatment liquid application drum 22 has grippers 23 on its peripheral surface, and holds the leading end of the sheet P by using the gripper 23 to rotate, and winds and transports the sheet P around the peripheral surface.

The leading end of the sheet P is an area including the leading end of the sheet P and a portion of the sheet P to be gripped using the grippers 23.

The treatment liquid application device 24 applies the treatment liquid to the sheet P conveyed using the treatment liquid application drum 22. The treatment liquid is applied using a roller. The method of applying the treatment liquid is not limited to the roller application method. Other methods may be applied to the treatment liquid application device 24. Examples of other methods of the treatment liquid application apparatus 24 include coating using a blade, discharge using an ink jet method, and spraying using a spray method.

The treatment liquid drying unit 30 dries the sheet P to which the treatment liquid has been applied. The treatment liquid drying unit 30 includes a treatment liquid drying drum 32 and a hot air blower 34. The treatment liquid drying drum 32 receives the sheet P from the treatment liquid coating drum 22 and transports the received sheet P to the drawing unit 40. The treatment liquid drying drum 32 includes grippers 33 on its peripheral surface.

The processing liquid drying drum 32 grips and rotates the leading end of the sheet P using the grippers 33 and conveys the sheet P. The hot air blower 34 is disposed inside the treatment liquid drying drum 32. The hot air blower 34 blows warm air on the sheet P conveyed using the treatment liquid drying drum 32 to dry the treatment liquid.

The drawing unit 40 includes a drawing drum 42, a head unit 44, and an image reading device 48. The drawing drum 42 receives the sheet P from the treatment liquid drying drum 32, and conveys the received sheet P to the ink drying unit 50.

The drawing drum 42 includes grippers 43 on the circumferential surface. The drawing drum 42 grips and rotates the leading end of the sheet P using the gripper 43, and winds and conveys the sheet P around its peripheral surface. The drawing drum 42 is provided with a suction mechanism (not shown), and sucks the sheet P wound around the circumferential surface to the circumferential surface and conveys it.

Negative pressure is used for adsorption. The drawing drum 42 has a large number of suction holes on its circumferential surface, and sucks the sheet P from the inside of the drawing drum 42 through the suction holes to cause the sheet P to be attracted to the circumferential surface of the drawing drum 42.

The head unit 44 includes an inkjet head 46C, an inkjet head 46M, an inkjet head 46Y, and an inkjet head 46K. The inkjet head 46C is a liquid ejection head that ejects cyan ink droplets. The inkjet head 46M is a liquid ejection head that ejects a droplet of magenta ink. The inkjet head 46Y is a liquid ejection head that ejects a droplet of yellow ink. The ink jet head 46K is a liquid discharge head that discharges black ink droplets.

Ink is supplied to each of the inkjet head 46C, the inkjet head 46M, the inkjet head 46Y, and the inkjet head 46K from an ink tank (not shown), which is an ink supply source of the corresponding color, through a piping path (not shown) .

The ink jet head 46C, the ink jet head 46M, the ink jet head 46Y, and the ink jet head 46K are disposed such that their nozzle surfaces face the circumferential surface of the drawing drum 42. The ink jet head 46C, the ink jet head 46M, the ink jet head 46Y, and the ink jet head 46K are disposed along a conveyance path of the sheet P using the drawing drum 42 at a constant interval.

Although not shown, a plurality of nozzles including ink discharge ports are two-dimensionally arrayed on the nozzle surfaces of the inkjet head 46C, the inkjet head 46M, the inkjet head 46Y, and the inkjet head 46K. The nozzle surface refers to a discharge surface on which a discharge port of ink is formed. The term "nozzle surface" is synonymous with the term such as an ink ejection surface or a nozzle formation surface. An array of a plurality of nozzles arranged in a two-dimensional array is called a two-dimensional nozzle array.

Each of the inkjet head 46C, the inkjet head 46M, the inkjet head 46Y, and the inkjet head 46K can be configured by joining a plurality of head modules in the sheet width direction. The sheet width referred to herein indicates the total length of the image forming surface of the sheet P in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet P. The image forming surface of the sheet P is a surface on which an image of the sheet P is formed.

The sheet width direction is a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction, and indicates a direction parallel to the image forming surface of the sheet P. The sheet conveyance direction is the same as the conveyance direction of the sheet P. The sheet width direction is the same as the width direction of the sheet P.

Each of the inkjet head 46C, the inkjet head 46M, the inkjet head 46Y, and the inkjet head 46K can scan an entire recording area of the sheet P once in the sheet width direction and can perform image recording to which a specified recording resolution is applied. It is a line type liquid discharge head having a nozzle row. Such a liquid discharge head is also referred to as a full-line liquid discharge head or a page wide head. The line type liquid discharge head can print using a single pass method.

The predetermined recording resolution may be a recording resolution predetermined in the inkjet printing apparatus 1A, or may be a recording resolution set by user selection or automatic selection using a program according to the print mode. It is also good. The recording resolution can be, for example, 1200 dots per inch.

The dot per inch may be expressed as dot per inch or dpi, which is an abbreviation of English notation, using English notation. Dot per inch is a unit notation representing the number of dots per inch. One inch is 25.4 mm.

The sheet width direction may be referred to as the nozzle array direction of the line head, and the conveyance direction of the sheet P may be referred to as the nozzle array vertical direction.

In the case of an inkjet head having a two-dimensional nozzle array, a projected nozzle row orthogonally projected so that each nozzle in the two-dimensional nozzle array is aligned along the nozzle row direction achieves the maximum recording resolution in the nozzle row direction. It can be considered that the nozzles are equivalent to a single row of nozzles arranged substantially at equal intervals.

By substantially equal intervals is meant substantially equal intervals as droplet deposition points that can be recorded by the ink jet printing apparatus. For example, even in the case of including a slightly different interval in consideration of the movement of the droplet on the medium due to manufacturing error and / or impact interference, the interval is equally Included in the concept.

The projection nozzle row corresponds to a substantial nozzle row. In consideration of the projection nozzle array, the nozzle numbers representing the nozzle position can be associated with each nozzle in the order of the projection nozzles arranged in the nozzle array direction.

The arrangement form of the nozzles in each of the inkjet head 46C, the inkjet head 46M, the inkjet head 46Y, and the inkjet head 46K is not limited, and various nozzle arrangements can be adopted. For example, instead of the form of a matrix two-dimensional array, a line array linear array, a V-shaped nozzle array, a W-shaped nozzle array having a V-shaped array as a repeating unit, etc. are also possible It is.

Ink droplets are ejected from at least one of the inkjet head 46C, the inkjet head 46M, the inkjet head 46Y, and the inkjet head 46K toward the sheet P transported using the drawing drum 42. The discharged droplets adhere to the sheet P, and an image is formed on the sheet P.

The nozzle is configured to include an ink discharge port, an ink flow path, and a pressure generating element. The pressure generating element may be a piezoelectric element or a heater. The method of generating the discharge pressure by utilizing the bending deformation of the piezoelectric element is sometimes called a piezoelectric method.

The method of heating the ink in the ink flow path using a heater disposed in the ink flow path and generating the discharge pressure using the film boiling phenomenon of the ink in the ink flow path is sometimes called a thermal method .

The drawing unit 40 including the inkjet head 46C, the inkjet head 46M, the inkjet head 46Y, and the inkjet head 46K corresponds to an example of an image forming unit.

The ejection timings of the inkjet head 46C, the inkjet head 46M, the inkjet head 46Y, and the inkjet head 46K are synchronized with a rotary encoder signal obtained from a rotary encoder disposed on the drawing drum 42. The illustration of the rotary encoder is omitted in FIG. The ejection timing is timing for ejecting ink droplets, and is synonymous with droplet ejection timing.

In the present embodiment, the configuration using four color inks of cyan, magenta, yellow and black is exemplified, but the combination of the ink color and the number of colors is not limited to the present embodiment, and may be used as needed. Light ink, dark ink, and special ink may be added.

For example, a configuration is possible in which an inkjet head that ejects light-based inks such as light cyan and light magenta is added. It is also possible to add an inkjet head that ejects a special color ink such as green or orange. Further, the arrangement order of the inkjet heads of each color is not particularly limited.

The image reader 48 optically reads an image recorded on the sheet P using the inkjet head 46C, the inkjet head 46M, the inkjet head 46Y, and the inkjet head 46K, and generates electronic image data indicating the read image. It is. The image reading device 48 includes an imaging device that picks up an image recorded on the sheet P and converts it into an electrical signal indicating image information. The image reading device 48 may include, in addition to the imaging device, an illumination optical system that illuminates an object to be read and a signal processing circuit that processes a signal obtained from the imaging device to generate digital image data.

The image reader 48 preferably has a configuration capable of reading a color image. For example, a color CCD linear image sensor is used as an imaging device in the image reading device 48 of the present embodiment. CCD is an abbreviation of Charge-Coupled Device and refers to a charge coupled device.

The color CCD linear image sensor is an image sensor in which light receiving elements provided with color filters of R, G and B colors are linearly arranged. The above R represents red. G above represents green. B above represents blue.

Instead of the color CCD linear image sensor, a color CMOS linear image sensor can also be used. CMOS is an abbreviation of Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor, and refers to a complementary metal oxide semiconductor.

The image reading device 48 reads an image on the sheet P while the sheet P is transported using the drawing drum 42. The image reading apparatus thus disposed in the sheet conveyance path may be called an in-line scanner or an in-line sensor. Further, the image reading device 48 may be a camera.

The inspection of the print image is performed based on the data of the read image read using the image reader 48, and it is determined whether there is an image quality abnormality. In addition, based on the data of the read image read using the image reader 48, information such as the density of the image and the ejection failure of the inkjet head 46C, the inkjet head 46M, the inkjet head 46Y, and the inkjet head 46K can be obtained. .

The ink drying unit 50 uses the drawing unit 40 to dry the sheet P on which the image is formed. The ink drying unit 50 includes a chain gripper 70, a sheet guide 80, and a heating and drying processing unit 90.

The chain gripper 70 receives the sheet P from the drawing drum 42. The chain gripper 70 conveys the received sheet P to the stacking unit 60. The chain gripper 70 includes a pair of endless chains 72 traveling along a prescribed traveling path, and the sheet P is gripped with the leading end of the sheet P using the gripper portions 74 provided on the pair of chains 72. Transport along the prescribed transport path. A plurality of grippers 74 are provided on the chain 72 at regular intervals. The pair of chains 72 corresponds to a chain pair.

The chain gripper 70 shown in the present embodiment is configured to include a first sprocket 71A, a second sprocket 71B, a chain 72, and a plurality of gripper portions 74. The chain gripper 70 has a structure in which a pair of endless chains 72 is wound around a pair of first sprockets 71A and a pair of second sprockets 71B. Only one of the pair of first sprockets 71A, the pair of second sprockets 71B, and the pair of chains 72 is illustrated in FIG. Chains not shown are shown in FIG. 4 with reference numeral 72B. A driving force from a motor (not shown) is transmitted to one of the pair of first sprockets 71A and the pair of second sprockets 71B, whereby the chain is driven at a predetermined chain feed rate. Ru.

The chain gripper 70 has a structure in which a plurality of gripper portions 74 are disposed at a plurality of positions in the feed direction of the chain 72. The feed direction of the chain 72 is the same as the length direction of the chain 72.

Further, the gripper section 74 has a structure in which a plurality of gripping claws are disposed between the pair of chains 72 along the sheet width direction. Illustration of the gripping claws is omitted in FIG. The gripping claws are illustrated with reference numeral 201 in FIG.

The conveyance path of the sheet P using the chain gripper 70 includes a horizontal conveyance area for conveying the sheet P along the horizontal direction, and an inclined conveyance area for conveying the sheet P obliquely upward from the end of the horizontal conveyance area. There is. The horizontal conveyance area is referred to as a first conveyance section, and the inclined conveyance area is referred to as a second conveyance section. The chain gripper 70 corresponds to an example of a chain conveyance unit. The gripper unit 74 corresponds to an example of the gripping unit. The gripping claws correspond to an example of the gripping member.

The sheet guide 80 is a mechanism for guiding the conveyance of the sheet P using the chain gripper 70. The sheet guide 80 is configured to include a first sheet guide 82 and a second sheet guide 84. The first sheet guide 82 guides the sheet P conveyed on the first conveyance section of the chain gripper 70. The second sheet guide 84 guides the sheet conveyed in the second conveyance section downstream of the first conveyance section.

The detailed structure of the first sheet guide 82 is not shown in FIG. 1, but a suction belt conveyance device is used as the first sheet guide 82. The suction belt conveyance device is a device that conveys the sheet P by feeding the conveyance belt in a state where the sheet P is adsorbed to the endless conveyance belt.

The heating and drying processing unit 90 applies heat to the sheet P on which an image is formed by using the drawing unit 40 to evaporate the solvent of the ink and dry the sheet P. The heating and drying processing unit 90 is, for example, a hot air blowing unit, which is disposed to face the first sheet guide 82 and blows hot air on the sheet P conveyed using the chain gripper 70.

A detailed description of the configuration of the drying device including the first sheet guide 82 using the suction belt conveyance device and the heating / drying processing unit 90 will be described later.

The stacking unit 60 includes a stacking device 62 that receives the sheets P conveyed from the ink drying unit 50 using the chain gripper 70 and stacks the sheets P. The chain gripper 70 releases the sheet P at a predetermined stacking position. The accumulation device 62 includes an accumulation tray 62A. The stacking device 62 receives the sheets P released from the chain gripper 70, and stacks the sheets P on the stacking tray 62A in a bundle.

[Description of control unit]
The inkjet printing apparatus 1A shown in FIG. 1 includes a control unit that controls each part in an integrated manner. The control unit controls a paper feed control unit that controls the paper supply unit 10, a treatment liquid application control unit that controls the treatment liquid application unit 20, a treatment liquid drying control unit that controls the treatment liquid drying unit 30, and a drawing unit 40. A drawing control unit, an ink drying control unit that controls the ink drying unit 50, and an accumulation control unit that controls the accumulation unit 60 are provided. The control unit may include a system control unit that transmits a command signal to each control unit.

In addition, the inkjet printing apparatus 1A includes a conveyance control unit that controls conveyance of the sheet P. The transport control unit may be integrated into the control unit of each unit of the apparatus.

The processing unit may be expressed as a processing unit using English notation. The processor may be expressed as processor using English notation.

Various processors include CPUs that are general-purpose processors that execute programs and function as various processing units, specific processing such as PLDs that are processors that can change the circuit configuration after manufacturing an FPGA, and ASICs. Included are dedicated electrical circuits, etc., which are processors with circuitry designed specifically for implementation. A program is synonymous with software.

FPGA is an abbreviation of Field Programmable Gate Array. PLD is an abbreviation of Programmable Logic Device. ASIC is an abbreviation of Application Specific Integrated Circuit.

One processing unit may be configured by one of these various processors, or may be configured by two or more processors of the same or different types. For example, one processing unit may be configured by a plurality of FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA. Also, a plurality of processing units may be configured by one processor. As an example in which a plurality of processing units are configured by one processor, first, one processor is configured by a combination of one or more CPUs and software as represented by computers such as clients and servers, There is a form in which this processor functions as a plurality of processing units. Second, as typified by SoC or the like, there is a mode using a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system including a plurality of processing units by one IC chip. As described above, the various processing units are configured using one or more of the various processors as a hardware structure.

Furthermore, the hardware-like structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electric circuit combining circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

Note that SoC is an abbreviation of System On Chip in English, which is system-on-chip. IC is an abbreviation of the English notation Integrated Circuit for integrated circuit. Electrical circuits are sometimes expressed as circuitry using English notation.

[Configuration Example of Drying Device]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a drying device to which the conveyance device according to the embodiment is applied. In FIG. 2, the image reading device 48, the first sprocket 71 A, and the second sprocket 71 B shown in FIG. 1 are omitted for simplification of the illustration.

<overall structure>
The drying apparatus 100 includes a transport device configured to include the chain gripper 70 and the suction belt transport device 102, and a sensor unit configured to include the heating and drying processing unit 90, the sensor 104, and the sensor 106. .

<Transporting device>
The conveying device includes a chain gripper 70 and a suction belt conveying device 102. The configuration of the chain gripper 70 is as described above, and the description thereof is omitted here. The transport device functions as a transport unit of the drying device. Further, the conveyance device functions as a conveyance unit of the drying device in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a suction belt conveyance device. The y direction in FIG. 3 is the belt feeding direction. The y direction may be referred to as the belt conveyance direction. The x direction in FIG. 3 is a direction orthogonal to the y direction, which is a direction parallel to the first surface of the transport belt 110. The x direction indicates the width direction of the transport belt 110. The x direction may be referred to as the belt width direction.

When the transport belt 110 is fed without being skewed or meandered, the belt transport direction coincides with the transport direction of the sheet P. When the transport belt 110 is fed without being skewed or meandered, the belt width direction coincides with the width direction of the sheet P. That is, the transport direction of the sheet P is the target direction of the belt transport direction. The arrangement position of the conveyance belt 110 is adjusted such that the belt conveyance direction matches the conveyance direction of the sheet P.

The suction belt conveyance device 102 includes a conveyance belt 110, a drive roller 112, a driven roller 114, and a suction chamber 116. The drive roller 112 and the driven roller 114 correspond to pulleys. The conveying belt 110 is an endless belt, and is wound around the driving roller 112 and the driven roller 114.

A belt surface facing the outer side of the transport belt 110 wound around the driving roller 112 and the driven roller 114 is referred to as a first surface of the transport belt 110. The first surface of the conveyance belt 110 can be a sheet support surface that can contact the sheet P. The surface opposite to the first surface of the conveyance belt 110, that is, the belt surface facing the inside of the conveyance belt 110 wound around the driving roller 112 and the driven roller 114 is referred to as a second surface of the conveyance belt 110.

The transport belt 110 is formed with a plurality of suction holes 120. The plurality of suction holes 120 are preferably arranged in a regular pattern in the sheet suction area on the conveyance belt 110.

The suction chamber 116 is disposed on the side of the second surface of the transport belt 110, that is, on the side of the back surface of the transport belt 110. The suction chamber 116 is connected to an exhaust pump (not shown). A vacuum pump can be used as an exhaust pump. Air is sucked from the suction chamber 116 using an exhaust pump (not shown) to make the inside of the suction chamber 116 negative pressure, and the air is sucked from the suction holes 120 of the transport belt 110. The air pressure acts on the sheet P shown in FIG. 2 and is attracted to the first surface of the transport belt 110.

The sheet P on which an image is formed using the drawing unit 40 shown in FIG. 2 is delivered from the drawing drum 42 to the chain gripper 70, and the leading end of the sheet P is gripped by the gripping claws of the gripper 74. The non-gripping region of the sheet P placed on the conveyance belt 110 and not grasped by the grasping claws of the gripper 74 is attracted to the conveyance belt 110.

The chain gripper 70 conveys the gripper portion 74 in synchronization with the rotation of the drawing drum 42. The driving roller 112 is rotationally driven so as to cause the conveyance belt 110 to travel according to the conveyance speed of the gripper section 74. The transport speed of the gripper section 74 is the same as the feed speed of the chain 72.

The velocity represents a velocity and a vector determined from the direction. Speed represents a scalar that points to the magnitude of the speed. The speed may be read as the size of the speed.

The transport belt 110 is fed at substantially the same speed as the gripper section 74. The feed speed of the conveyance belt 110 and the feed speed of the gripper section 74 do not necessarily have to completely match, and there may be a slight speed difference. The speed difference includes at least one of a speed difference and a direction difference. The slight speed difference referred to here is the speed difference in the allowable range.

Depending on the size of the sheet P and the rigidity of the sheet P, the speed difference between the transport belt 110 and the gripper 74 may be different. When the feed speed of the conveyance belt 110 is slightly slower than the conveyance speed of the gripper section 74, the sheet P can be conveyed while being given a pulling force. Conversely, when the feed speed of the conveyance belt 110 is faster than the conveyance speed of the gripper unit 74, the conveyance belt 110 advances while pushing the sheet P in the belt conveyance direction.

The conveyance belt 110 has a belt length capable of adsorbing a plurality of sheets P simultaneously. The transport belt 110 has a belt length capable of adsorbing two sheets of paper P simultaneously. The conveying belt 110 can be designed to have a suitable belt length, and a mode capable of adsorbing three or more sheets P at the same time is also possible.

When the chain 72 supporting the gripper section is fed without being skewed or meandered, the transport direction of the gripper section 74 coincides with the transport direction of the sheet P. When the chain 72 supporting the gripper portion is fed without being skewed or meandered, the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the gripper portion 74 coincides with the width direction of the sheet P.

That is, the conveyance direction of the sheet P is a direction to be a target in the conveyance direction of the gripper section 74. The arrangement position of the chain 72 supporting the gripper unit 74 is adjusted such that the conveyance direction of the gripper unit 74 matches the conveyance direction of the sheet P.

The feed speed of the chain 72A is an example of the traveling speed of the chain. The suction belt conveyance device 102 is an example of a belt conveyance unit. The feed speed of the transport belt 110 is an example of the travel speed of the transport belt.

<Suction belt conveyance device>
The suction belt conveyance device 102 shown in FIG. 3 includes a first guide roller 152 and a second guide roller 154 between the drive roller 112 and the driven roller 114. The first guide roller 152 and the second guide roller 154 play the role of defining the traveling path of the conveyance belt 110, and in particular, the role of defining the height of the sheet conveyance surface of the conveyance belt 110.

The first guide roller 152 is disposed near the drive roller 112. The second guide roller 154 is disposed near the driven roller 114. The transport belt 110 is wound around the first guide roller 152 and the second guide roller 154. The second surface which is the back surface of the conveyance belt 110 is in contact with the first guide roller 152 and the second guide roller 154.

The suction chamber 116 is disposed between the first guide roller 152 and the second guide roller 154 in the traveling path of the conveyance belt 110. The suction chamber 116 shown in the present embodiment is divided into three sections in the belt conveyance direction. Each of the first chamber 116A, the second chamber 116B, and the third chamber 116C is connected to an exhaust pump via an exhaust line (not shown).

Preferably, the suction pressure can be adjusted for each of the sections of the first chamber 116A, the second chamber 116B, and the third chamber 116C. The number of sections of the suction chamber 116 is not limited to the illustrated three sections, and can be designed to be one or more arbitrary number of sections.

A belt tension is applied between the driving roller 112 and the driven roller 114 in a direction parallel to the belt feeding direction. For example, the belt tension can be adjusted using a mechanism that adjusts the y-direction position of the rotational axis of the driven roller 114. By applying appropriate belt tension to the transport belt 110 to tension the transport belt 110 and rotating the drive roller 112, the transport belt 110 can be stably fed.

In the normal transport state, the rotational speed of the circumferential surface of the drive roller 112 matches the feed speed of the transport belt 110, and the transport speed of the gripper section 74 and the feed speed of the transport belt 110 are , Almost the same.

However, the belt tension may be reduced due to some factor, or the transport belt 110 may slip. The rotational speed of the circumferential surface of the drive roller 112 may not match the feed speed of the conveyance belt 110 due to the reduction of the belt tension and / or the slip of the conveyance belt 110.

In such a case, the difference between the transport speed of the gripper section 74 and the feed speed of the transport belt 110 becomes larger than the allowable range, and the sheet P deviates from the gripper section 74 and falls onto the transport belt 110. Or, a sheet passing failure may occur, such as the subsequent sheet P colliding with the preceding sheet P.

Further, with regard to the belt tension, when a tension difference occurs in the belt width direction, the transport belt 110 is skewed or meandered. In order to improve such a situation, the drying device 100 of the present embodiment manages the tension difference in the width direction of the transport belt 110 so that the position in the width direction does not change, that is, the belt is skewed or meandered. Control the belt tension so as not to

In addition, as a means to keep the fluctuation of the position in the width direction within the allowable range, a method of using a rubber material transport belt having a V-shaped cross section called a V-guide and restricting the movement of the belt itself is adopted. Is also conceivable. However, such a belt is difficult to manufacture, and there is a problem that the shape of the belt is affected, for example, the rubber is worn and it needs to be replaced regularly, the belt is deformed due to the wear, and so on. .

In this respect, as the conveyor belt 110 of the present embodiment, a metal belt manufactured by processing a metal plate is adopted from the viewpoint of wear resistance and manufacturing ease. The conveyor belt 110 may be manufactured, for example, by joining a plurality of plates having a plurality of suction holes 120 in a thin metal plate by welding or the like according to the belt length and joining them endlessly. it can.

<Description of sheet suction in suction belt conveyance device>
The suction of the sheet P in the suction belt conveyance device 102 will be described in detail. The total length of the paper P in the transport direction is 532 mm, and the total length of the paper P in the width direction is 750 mm. Table 1 below shows the adsorption rate of the sheet P adsorbed to the first surface of the conveyance belt 110. The conveyance direction of the sheet P corresponds to the medium conveyance direction. The width direction of the sheet P corresponds to the medium width direction.

The shortest distance between the tip of the gripping claw of the gripper section 74 shown in FIG. 2 and the first surface of the transport belt 110 is 5.0 mm. The length of the sheet P covered by the gripping claws of the gripper section 74 is 2.0 mm. The shortest distance between the tip end of the gripping claws of the gripper section 74 and the first surface of the transport belt 110 can be any value of 3.0 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less.

If the sheet P floats 7.0 mm from the grip in Table 1 above, the sheet P hangs down substantially vertically downward from the position of the tip of the gripping claw, and the sheet P of the 525 mm portion in the transport direction It is a case where it adsorb | sucks using a 1st surface. In this case, the feed speed of the transport belt 110 and the feed speed of the chain gripper 70 are the same.

When the sheet P floats 100 mm from the grip, the sheet P is pulled obliquely downward from the tip of the gripping claw, and the sheet P of 98 mm in the transport direction from the position of the tip of the gripping claw It is in the state of floating from the first surface. In this case, the length in the transport direction of the sheet P attracted by using the first surface of the transport belt 110 is 432 millimeters.

The state in which the sheet P is pulled obliquely downward from the tip of the gripping claw occurs when the feed speed of the conveyance belt 110 is less than the feed speed of the chain gripper 70.

The adsorption ratio in Table 1 described above is represented using a percentage obtained by dividing the area of the sheet of paper P adsorbed using the first surface by the total area of the sheet of paper P. When the total length in the transport direction of the sheet P is 532 mm and the total length in the width direction is 750 mm, the adsorption ratio of the sheet P is 81.2% or more and 98.7% or less.

The length of the sheet P in the conveyance direction of the sheet P, which can float from the seat, varies according to the difference between the feed speed of the chain gripper 70 and the feed speed of the suction belt conveyance device 102. When the difference between the speeds of the two becomes relatively large, the lift of the sheet P from the sheet becomes relatively large. When the difference in speed between the two is relatively small, the lift of the sheet P from the sheet is relatively small.

The minimum value of the floating of the sheet P from the sheet is determined from the length of the sheet P held by the holding claw in the conveyance direction of the sheet P and the shortest distance from the tip of the holding claw to the first surface of the conveyance belt 110 . The maximum value of the floating of the sheet P from the sheet is determined from the condition that the sheet P does not fall off the gripping claws.

The conditions which do not drop | omit of the holding claw of the paper P which has the size described in said Table 1 are as follows. The gripper speed V _g is 535 mm per second. Gripper speed _{V g} is the feed rate of the chain 72A.

The suction distance L _c is 600 mm. The suction distance L _c is a distance by which the sheet P is suctioned and conveyed using the suction belt conveyance device 102. The amount of baring L _g is 2.0 mm. Suck amount L _g is the length of the sheet P in the sheet conveyance direction in which the gripping claws to grip. The sheet conveyance direction, the feed direction of the chain 72A, and the feed direction of the conveyance belt are parallel to each other.

Period _{t v} for conveying the suction distance _is expressed as _{_{t v = L c / V g}} . When you calculate the t _v is 1.12 seconds. It should be noted that the calculated value of t _v is a value obtained by rounding off the value of the decimal point third place. The same applies to the following calculated values.

Deviation amount of the sheet P is allowed in the period t _v for conveying the suction distance is suck amount L _g. Difference dV faster to reach the deviation amount of the sheet P is allowed in the period t _v for conveying the suction distance is expressed as dV = L g _/ t _v. The dV calculated is 1.78 mm per second. The speed difference dV is the difference between the feed speed of the chain 72A and the feed speed of the transport belt 110.

Speed ratio of the gripper is expressed as _{(dV / V g) × 100} . The speed ratio to the gripper is calculated to be 0.33 percent. That is, when the speed ratio to the gripper is 0.33% or more, the sheet P may drop from the gripping claws. In other words, under the condition that the sheet P does not come off from the gripping claws, the speed ratio to the gripper is less than 0.33%.

Heated and dried processing section
As a configuration example of the heating and drying processing unit 90 shown in FIG. 2, a configuration including an infrared heater as a heat source and a blower may be mentioned. Illustration of the infrared heater and the blower is omitted. As an example of composition of a blast device, composition provided with an air room and a plurality of blast nozzles is mentioned. Dry air is supplied to the air chamber via a gas line (not shown). Illustration of the air chamber and the blower nozzle is omitted.

A plurality of blast nozzles may be arranged on the bottom of the air chamber. Each of the plurality of blower nozzles may be in communication with the air chamber. The plurality of blower nozzles may be disposed at regular intervals along the sheet conveyance direction. An infrared heater may be disposed between the blower nozzles. Illustration of the infrared heater is omitted.

The dry air introduced into the air chamber is blown out from the respective blowing nozzles. The blower may include a pressure control mechanism (not shown) that regulates the pressure of the dry air introduced into the air chamber. The dry air blown out from the blower nozzle is not limited to dry air, and may be compressed air or ambient air. Moreover, you may use not only air but inert gas, such as nitrogen gas.

The configuration of the heating and drying processing unit 90 is not limited to the above example, and various forms are possible. For example, the heating and drying processing unit 90 may be configured to include a fan that blows the air heated by the heat source to the sheet P. As an example of the heating and drying processing unit 90 in which an infrared heater as a heat source and a fan are combined, a configuration in which an infrared heater as a heat source is disposed on an air passage using a fan can be adopted. .

At an axial center portion of the drive roller 112 shown in FIG. 3, a first oil flow path 142 for flowing the temperature control oil is provided. Similarly, a second oil flow path 144 for flowing the temperature control oil is provided in the axial center portion of the driven roller 114.

The first oil passage 142 and the second oil passage 144 are supplied with oil adjusted to a prescribed temperature using a temperature control device (not shown) via an oil passage (not shown). The temperature of the temperature control oil is set to, for example, a specified temperature in the range of 70 ° C. or more and 110 ° C. or less. As one example, the temperature of the temperature control oil can be set to 100.degree.

The temperature adjustment oil heats the drive roller 112 and the driven roller 114, heat is transmitted to the conveyance belt 110, and the conveyance belt 110 is heated. The drying process can be efficiently performed in combination with the heating and drying process using the heating and drying processor 90 due to the conveyance belt 110 being heated.

Sensor section
The sensor 104 is a noncontact sensor that detects the feed speed of the conveyance belt 110 and the position in the width direction. The sensor 106 is also a noncontact sensor that detects the feed speed of the transport belt 110 and the position in the width direction. A reflective optical sensor can be used as the sensor 104 and the sensor 106. Not only the reflective optical sensor but also a transmissive optical sensor may be used as the sensor 104 and the sensor 106. The sensor 104 is disposed on the outlet side of the heating and drying processing unit 90. The sensor 106 is disposed on the inlet side of the heating and drying processing unit 90.

[Transport apparatus according to the first embodiment]
<overall structure>
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the drawings used for the following description, for convenience of illustration, the size ratio between the components of the transfer device is appropriately changed.

The conveyance device 200 according to the first embodiment includes a chain gripper 70 and the suction belt conveyance device 102 shown in FIG. 3. Although the suction belt conveyance device 102 illustrated in FIG. 3 is not illustrated in FIG. 4, the sheet P illustrated in FIG. 4 is suction supported using the suction belt conveyance device 102 illustrated in FIG. 3. Also in FIGS. 5 to 11, the suction belt conveyance device 102 shown in FIG. 3 is not shown.

The gripper unit 74 shown in FIG. 4 includes a plurality of gripping claws 201. The plurality of gripping claws 201 are arranged along the sheet width direction. Although three gripping claws 201 are illustrated in FIG. 4, two or more gripping claws 201 may be provided, and four or more gripping claws 201 may be provided.

The plurality of gripping claws 201 are supported by using a first support shaft 202 and a second support shaft 204. FIG. 4 schematically shows the gripping claws. The holding claw 201 includes a fixed claw not shown in FIG. 4 and a movable claw not shown in FIG. The first support shaft 202 supports the fixed claws. The second support shaft 204 pivotally supports the movable claw. The fixed claw is shown in FIG. 12 with reference numeral 301B. The movable claw is illustrated in FIG. 12 with reference numeral 301A.

The gripper portion 74 is supported using a first gripper support member 210A and a second gripper support member 210B. Specifically, one end of the first support shaft 202 and one end of the second support shaft 204 are connected to the first gripper support member 210A. The other end of the first support shaft 202 and the other end of the second support shaft 204 are connected to the second gripper support member 210B.

The first gripper support member 210A is attached to the chain 72A via a first connecting member not shown in FIG. The first connecting member is shown in FIG. The second gripper support member 210B is attached to the chain 72B via a second connection member (not shown). The chain 72A is one of the chains constituting the pair of chains 72 shown in FIG. The chain 72B is the other chain not shown in FIG.

The elastic member 212 is attached between the first gripper support member 210A and a first connection member not shown in FIG. Examples of the elastic member 212 include springs such as leaf springs and coil springs.

<Sliding part>
FIG. 5 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of the sliding portion. FIG. 5 is a front view of the chain 72A, the first gripper support member 210A, and the elastic member 212 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, a sliding portion 230 is provided between the first gripper support member 210 A and the first connection member 220. The sliding portion 230 slides the first gripper support member 210A with respect to the first connection member 220 in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the chain 72A.

The direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the chain 72A referred to here is a direction parallel to the first surface which is the sheet supporting surface of the conveyance belt 110 shown in FIG. The same applies to the direction orthogonal to the feed direction of the following chain 72A.

When the chain 72A is not skewed or meandered, the sheet P is transported in the feed direction of the chain 72A. In such a case, the feed direction of the chain 72A corresponds to the medium transport direction. The first surface of the conveyance belt 110 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the chain 72A, and corresponds to the medium width direction orthogonal to the medium conveyance direction.

In addition, when the chain 72A is not skewed or meandered, the chain 72A is skewed or meanders strictly, but the skewing or meandering is substantially within the range of practical error. This includes the case where the chain 72A is not skewed or meandered. The same applies to the following cases where the transport belt 110 is not skewed or meandered.

Consider the case where the transport belt 110 shown in FIG. 3 is not skewed or meandered. The sheet P is transported in the transport direction of the transport belt 110. In this case, the feed direction of the transport belt 110 corresponds to the medium transport direction. The direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the conveyance belt 110 and the direction parallel to the first surface of the conveyance belt 110 correspond to the medium width direction orthogonal to the medium conveyance direction. The same applies to the second embodiment described below.

Examples of sliding parts include bearings, and processing that has sliding properties. As an example of a bearing, a bearing is provided on the bottom surface 211A of the first gripper support member 210A, and a groove corresponding to the bearing is provided on the top surface 221A of the first connecting member 220.

An example of forming a resin film of polytetrafluoroethylene or the like on at least one of the bottom surface 211A of the first gripper support member 210A and the top surface 221A of the first connection member 220 is given as an example of the process having slipperiness. . Polytetrafluoroethylene is sometimes expressed using the abbreviation PTFE for the English notation polytetrafluoroethylene. FIG. 5 schematically shows a sliding portion using a bearing and a groove. The arrow line which attached | subjected the code | symbol D to FIG. 5 represents the sliding direction of the 1st gripper support member 210A which used the sliding part 230. As shown in FIG. The bearing and the groove are examples of components of the sliding member.

Arrow line shown by reference numeral F ₁ in FIG. 5 represents the elastic force of the elastic member 212 is generated. As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic member 212 is supported by using the elastic member support portion 222 of the first connection member 220. The elastic member 212 applies an urging force directed to the first gripper support member 210A in a direction opposite to the chain 72B in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the chain 72A.

Elastic force F ₁ of the elastic member 212 is generated, which can maintain the first gripper support member 210A and a first connecting member 220 without sliding, the position of the first gripper support member 210A to the reference position It is a biasing force for the first gripper support member 210A.

<Description of operation of sliding part>
FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of the sliding portion, and is a schematic view of sliding when a vector difference occurs.

Reference numerals

110A and 110B denote both ends of the skewed or meandering transport belt in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the transport belt. The conveyance belt is the conveyance belt 110 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the conveyance belts without reference numerals are the conveyance belts 110 shown in FIG.

The vector difference is a vector calculated by subtracting the velocity vector of the transport belt from the velocity vector of the chain 72A. In this example, the velocity vector of the chain 72A and the velocity vector of the chain 72B are the same. That is, it is assumed that the feed direction and feed rate of the

chains

72A and 72B are the same, and the skew or meander of the chains is at a negligible level. Therefore, the velocity vector of the chain 72A may be read as the velocity vector of the chain 72B. The vector difference in the first embodiment means a component in the paper width direction of the vector difference.

The velocity vector of the transport belt is a vector determined from the actual transport direction of the transport belt and the transport speed of the transport belt 110. The velocity vector of the transport belt can be determined, for example, by the sensor unit sensing the positions of both ends of the transport belt in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the transport belt and the moving speed thereof. The velocity vector of the chain 72A is a vector determined from the actual feed direction of the chain 72A and the feed speed of the chain 72A.

When a vector difference between the speed vector of the transport belt and the speed vector of the chain 72A occurs, the sheet P is moved toward the first gripper support member 210A between the first gripper support member 210A and the first connecting member 220. Force is generated to push into.

When the velocity vector of the transport belt is directed away from the chain 72A, the direction of the vector difference is opposite to the direction of the vector difference shown in FIG. Then, a force for pushing the sheet P toward the second gripper support member 210B is generated between the second gripper support member 210B and the second connection member (not shown).

If the vector difference is within the allowable range, the elastic force of the elastic member 212 acts on the first gripper support member 210A, and the force for pushing the sheet P is cancelled. The elastic force of the elastic member 212, shown by reference numeral F ₁ in FIG. On the other hand, when the vector difference exceeds the allowable range, the sheet P receives a force in the direction opposite to the direction of the vector difference.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view of the sliding portion, and is a front view of the sliding portion shown in FIG. The arrow line which attached code | symbol F _{2 in} FIG. 7 represents the force which the paper P receives. Force F ₂ the sheet P is subjected is the opposite direction of the direction of the vector difference shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view of the sliding portion, and is a schematic view showing a state after the operation of the sliding portion. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view of the sliding portion, and is a front view of the sliding portion shown in FIG.

Magnitude of the force F ₂ of the sheet P shown in FIG. 9 receives it is, if it exceeds the magnitude of the elastic force F ₁ of the elastic member 212, the first gripper support member 210A is sliding to the direction of the force F ₂ the sheet P is subjected Move. The elastic member 212 is deformed in the direction of the force _{F 2} the sheet P is subjected.

8, and the elastic member 212 shown in FIG. 9, and a force F ₂ the sheet P is subjected, is in a state of being deformed in the direction of the force F ₂ the sheet P is subjected. Arrows, labeled D ₁ in FIG. 9 indicates the direction in which the first gripper support member 210A slides.

If the elastic member 212 in the direction of the force F ₂ the sheet P is subjected is deformed, the sliding portion 230 acts on the first gripper support member 210A, the first gripper support member 210A in the direction of the force F ₂ the sheet P is subjected Slide. If sliding of the first gripper support member 210A, the first support shaft 202, the second supporting shaft 204 and a plurality of gripping claws 201, moves in the direction of the force _{F 2} the sheet P is subjected. Then, the paper P tip with a plurality of gripping claws 201 is gripped is also moved in the direction of the force F ₂ the sheet P is subjected.

Thus, it is possible to release the sheet P in the direction of the force F ₂ the sheet P is subjected, the deformation of the sheet P is reduced. Due to the alleviation of the deformation of the sheet P, the occurrence of the wrinkles of the sheet P is suppressed.

Although not shown, when the sheet P passes through the suction conveyance region using the conveyor belt, the elastic force F ₁ of the elastic member 212 acts on the first gripper support member 210A, the first gripper support member 210A is elastically moving force _{F 1} to the orientation. Then, the first gripper support member 210A returns to the reference position. The same applies to the case where the vector difference between the velocity vector of the conveying belt and the velocity vector of the chain 72A changes within the allowable range, such as when the feeding state of the conveying belt changes.

The elastic member 212 functions as a position restricting member that determines the position of the first gripper support member 210A. Further, the elastic member 212 functions as a position restricting member for returning the position of the first gripper supporting member 210A moved due to the vector difference between the velocity vector of the transport belt and the velocity vector of the chain 72A to the reference position.

<About the sliding distance of the sliding part>
The sliding distance of the sliding portion is a distance by which the first gripper support member 210A can move using the sliding portion 230. In other words, the sliding distance of the sliding portion corresponds to the total length of the sliding portion in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the chain 72A based on the reference position of the first gripper support member 210A.

As an example of the sliding distance of the first gripper support member 210A using the sliding portion 230, an arbitrary distance of more than 0 mm and 0.5 mm or less can be mentioned. That is, the sliding portion 2
30 is a reference position of the first gripper support member 210A, in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the chain 72A in the range of more than 0 mm and 0.5 mm from the position where the first gripper support member 210A is not sliding A configuration may be employed in which the first gripper support member 210A is moved on both sides of the.

Further, as another example of the sliding distance of the first gripper support member 210A using the sliding portion 230, an arbitrary distance exceeding 0% and 1.0% or less of the total length of the sheet P in the sheet width direction can be mentioned. . When the size of the sheet P to be used is more than one, the sliding distance of the first gripper support member 210A using the sliding portion 230 exceeds 0% of the maximum value of the total length of the sheet P in the sheet width direction 1.0 It may be any distance less than or equal to a percentage.

That is, the sliding portion 230 exceeds 0% and 1.0% or less of the total length of the sheet P in the sheet width direction from both the reference position of the first gripper support member 210A and both sides in the direction orthogonal to the feed direction of the chain 72A. In the range of (1), the first gripper support member 210A may be moved.

Even if the velocity vector of the chain 72A and the velocity vector of the transport belt deviate by 0.1%, the shape of the leading end of the sheet P can be deformed. Then, due to the deformation of the leading end of the sheet P, at least one of expansion, breakage, and wrinkles of the sheet P may occur. When the first connection member 220 and the first gripper support member 210A are slid with respect to the above-described sliding distance, the deformation of the sheet P can be alleviated.

<Specific examples of sliding portion and elastic member>
FIG. 10: is a front view which shows the sliding part applied to the conveying apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment, and the specific example of an elastic member. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the sliding portion and the elastic member shown in FIG. The first connecting member 220 shown in FIG. 10 includes a bracket 224 and a screw 226. Although not shown, a stepped screw is applied to the screw 226.

The bracket 224 is configured to include a first portion 224A and a second portion 224B. The first portion 224A and the second portion 224B are substantially orthogonal to each other. The first portion 224A is connected to the chain 72A. The second portion 224B is coupled to the first gripper support member 210A via the sliding portion 230.

The elastic member 212 is inserted between the tip 224C of the second portion 224B and the first gripper support member 210A. A leaf spring is applied to the elastic member 212 shown in FIG. The second portion 224B shown in FIG. 10 corresponds to the elastic member support portion 222 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the hole 228 into which the screw 226 of the bracket 224 is inserted is an elongated hole whose longitudinal direction is a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the chain 72A. The first gripper support member 210A is slidable over the range of the overall length in the longitudinal direction of the hole 228.

[Operation and Effect of Transfer Device According to First Embodiment]
According to the transport device 200 in the first embodiment, the first gripper support member 210A supporting the gripper portion 74 gripping the leading end of the sheet P, and the first connecting the chain 72A and the first gripper support member 210A A sliding portion 230 is provided between the connecting member 220 and the connecting member 220. The sliding portion 230 is a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the chain 72A, and slides the first gripper supporting member 210A in a direction parallel to the first surface of the transport belt 110. Thus, when a vector difference between the velocity vector of the conveyance belt 110 and the velocity vector of the chain 72A occurs, the first gripper support member 210A is moved in the direction opposite to the direction of the component of the vector difference in the sheet width direction. The sheet P can be slid, deformation of the leading end of the sheet P in the sheet width direction is alleviated, and the occurrence of wrinkles on the sheet P is suppressed.

An elastic member 212 is provided between the first gripper support member 210A and the first connecting member 220. The elastic member 212 urges the first gripper support member 210A in the feeding direction of the chain 72A in a direction parallel to the first surface of the transport belt 110. Thus, the first gripper support member 210A can slide only in the sheet conveyance area using the conveyance belt, and the conveyance of the sheet P in the other sheet conveyance area not using the conveyance belt 110 is not affected. .

In addition, when the vector difference between the velocity vector of the transport belt 110 and the velocity vector of the chain 72A is within the allowable range, the first gripper support member 210A maintains the predetermined reference position. The gripper support member 210A is moved in the direction parallel to the first surface of the transport belt 110 in the feed direction of the chain 72A.

A sliding portion 230 is provided between the first connection member 220 and the first gripper support member 210A. Thereby, the sliding portion 230 can be configured without significantly changing the configurations of the chain gripper 70 and the suction belt conveyance device 102.

In addition, the sliding portion 230 is provided at the end of the first gripper support member 210A. Thereby, the sliding portion 230 can be configured without significantly changing the configuration of the gripper portion 74.

In the present embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the sliding portion 230 for sliding the first gripper support member 210A of one chain 72A of the pair of chains 72 is provided, but the second gripper support member 210B of the other chain 72B May be provided with a second sliding portion for sliding the

For example, the second gripper support member 210B shown in FIG. 8 may be supported using a second connection member (not shown) via a second elastic member (not shown). Second elastic member (not shown) generates a resilient force F ₁ by compressing the resilient member 212 is a first elastic member.

As another example, the second gripper support member 210B may be slidably supported by a second connection member (not shown). The second sliding portion for sliding the second gripper support member 210B with respect to the second coupling member (not shown) applies the same configuration as the sliding portion 230 shown in FIG. 7 which is the first sliding portion. It is also good.

When sliding the second gripper support member 210B as shown in FIG. 8 with respect to the second coupling member (not shown), the elastic force F ₁ of the elastic member 212 in a state in which the vector difference does not occur does not occur, the elastic member 212 slidably supports the first gripper support member 210A. Further, the elastic member 212 functions as a position restricting member for returning the

chains

72A and 72B to their original positions. The second gripper support member 210B shown in FIG. 8 may be supported by a second connecting member (not shown) using a second elastic member and a second sliding portion.

The conveying device 200 according to the first embodiment is mainly orthogonal to the feeding direction of the chain 72, such as oblique movement or meandering of the conveyance belt 110 and oblique movement or meandering of the chain 72. This is particularly effective when a vector difference occurs in a direction parallel to one plane.

[Transporting apparatus according to the second embodiment]
FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a transfer apparatus according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 12, only the conveyance belt 110 of the suction belt conveyance device 102 shown in FIG. 3 is shown, and the other components of the suction belt conveyance device 102 are not shown.

The transport device 300 shown in FIG. 12 has the same configuration of the transport device 200 and the chain gripper 70 shown in FIG. The point in which the first gripper support member 310A slides according to the vector difference between the velocity vector of the conveyance belt 110 and the velocity vector of the chain 72A is common to the conveyance device 200 according to the first embodiment.

On the other hand, the conveyance device 300 according to the second embodiment is different from the conveyance device 200 according to the first embodiment in that the direction in which the first gripper support member 310A is slid is the feed direction of the chain 72A. The feed direction of the chain 72A includes the feed direction of the chain 72A and the direction opposite to the feed direction of the chain 72A. Hereinafter, the difference between the transfer apparatus 300 according to the second embodiment and the transfer apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment will be mainly described. The vector difference in the second embodiment means a component of the vector difference in the sheet conveyance direction.

The transport device 300 includes a sliding portion 330 between the first gripper support member 310A and the first connecting member 320. The sliding portion 330 slides the first gripper support member 310A in the feed direction of the chain 72A. The arrow line labeled D indicates the sliding direction of the first gripper support member 310A.

The transfer device 300 includes an elastic member 312. The elastic member 312 is supported by using the elastic member support portion 322 of the first connection member 320. The elastic member 312 generates an elastic force that biases the first gripper support member 310A in a direction opposite to the feeding direction of the chain 72A. Arrow line shown by reference numeral F ₁₁ in FIG. 12 represents the elastic force of the elastic member 312.

The code | symbol 301 of FIG. 12 represents a holding claw. Reference numeral 301A denotes a movable claw of the gripping claw 301. Reference numeral 301 B represents a fixed claw of the gripping claw 301. The movable claw 301A is swingably supported by the second support shaft 304. The fixing claw 301 B is supported by the first support shaft 302.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of sheet deformation. FIG. 13 illustrates an example of the transport unit 300A in the case where the sliding portion 330 and the elastic member 312 illustrated in FIG. 12 are not provided. FIG. 13 shows an example where the feed speed of the transport belt 110 exceeds the feed speed of the chain 72A. Reference numeral 320A in FIG. 13 denotes a first connecting member for connecting the first gripper supporting member 311A and the chain 72A.

When a vector difference between the velocity vector of the transport belt 110 and the velocity vector of the chain 72A occurs, a force that pushes the sheet P toward the first gripper support member 310A between the sheet P and the first gripper support member 311A. Works. The velocity vector of the transport belt 110, the velocity vector of the chain 72A, and the vector difference are illustrated in FIG. The velocity vector of the transport belt can be determined, for example, by the sensor unit sensing the positions of both ends of the transport belt in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the transport belt and the moving speed thereof.

Arrow lines with symbols F ₁₂ in FIG. 13, the velocity vector of the conveying belt 110, due to the vector difference between the speed vector of the chain 72A, represents the force which the sheet P is subjected. If the paper P is subjected to a force F _12, the sheet P is deformed into a shape shown with two-dot chain line denoted by the reference numerals P _1. The deformation of the sheet P can cause wrinkles.

FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory view of the sliding portion, and is a schematic view showing a state after the operation of the sliding portion. When the vector difference between the velocity vector of the conveyance belt 110 and the velocity vector of the chain 72A is within the allowable range, the elastic force of the elastic member 312 acts on the first gripper support member 310A, and the force pushing the sheet P is It is canceled.

On the other hand, if the vector difference exceeds the allowable range, the sheet P is subjected to a force F ₁₂ toward a direction that is opposite to the direction of the vector difference. Then, the elastic member 312 is deformed in the direction of the force _{F 12} of the sheet P is subjected. Elastic member 312 when deformed in the direction of the force _{F 12} of the sheet P is subjected, first gripper support member 310A is slid in the direction of the force _{F 12} of the sheet P is subjected. Arrows, labeled D ₁₁ denotes the sliding direction of the first gripper support member 310A.

Due to the sliding of the first gripper support member 310A, the first support shaft 302, the second supporting shaft 304 and a plurality of gripping claws 301, moves in the direction of the force _{F 12} of the sheet P is subjected. Then, the sheet P whose leading end is gripped by using the plurality of gripping claws 301 also moves in the direction of the force F ₁₂ the sheet P receives.

Thus, it is possible to release the sheet P in the direction of the force F ₁₂ of the sheet P is subjected, the deformation of the sheet P is reduced. Due to the alleviation of the deformation of the sheet P, the occurrence of the wrinkles of the sheet P is suppressed.

FIG. 15 is an operation explanatory view of the sliding portion, and is a schematic view showing a state in which the sheet P passes through the suction support area of the conveyance belt (not shown in FIG. 15). If the suction support region of the conveyor belt (not shown) the sheet P has passed through 15, the elastic force F ₁₁ of the elastic member 312 acts on the 310A.

If the paper P has passed through the suction conveyance region using the conveyor belt, the elastic force F ₁₁ of the elastic member 312 acts on the first gripper support member 310A, the first gripper support member 310A is to the direction of the elastic force F ₁₁ Moving. Then, the first gripper support member 310A returns to the reference position. Arrows, labeled D ₁₂ represents the movement direction of the first gripper support member 310A. The same applies to the case where the vector difference between the velocity vector of the transport belt 110 and the velocity vector of the chain 72A falls within the allowable range.

When the magnitude of the velocity vector of the transport belt 110 is less than the magnitude of the velocity vector of the chain 72A, a vector difference in the direction opposite to the vector difference shown in FIG. 13 occurs, and the paper P is fed by the chain 72A. It receives a force that turns in the direction opposite to the direction.

In this case, since the sheet P is deformed as the sheet P is stretched, the deformation of the sheet P does not contribute to the generation of the wrinkles. On the other hand, there is a concern that the sheet P may come off the gripping claws 301. Therefore, when the sheet P satisfies the condition that the sheet P does not drop from the gripping claws 301, the magnitude of the velocity vector of the conveyance belt 110 may be smaller than the magnitude of the velocity vector of the chain 72A.

<About the sliding distance of the sliding part>
As an example of the sliding distance of the first gripper support member 310A using the sliding portion 330, an arbitrary distance of more than 0 mm and not more than 1.0 mm can be mentioned. In other words, the sliding portion 330 is any arbitrary angle greater than 0 mm and not more than 1.0 mm in each of the feeding direction of the chain 72A and the direction opposite to the feeding direction of the chain 72A from the reference position of the first gripper support member 310A. A configuration may be employed in which the first gripper support member 310A is slid with respect to the distance. The reference position of the first gripper support member 310A is a position where the first gripper support member 310A is in a non-sliding state.

When the first gripper support member 310A is slid 1.0 mm in the direction opposite to the feeding direction of the chain 72A, the allowable range of misalignment of the sheet P in the direction opposite to the feeding direction of the chain 72A is 3.0. It will be in millimeters. The length of the gripping claws for gripping the sheet P is 2.0 mm.

The difference between the feed speed of the chain 72A and the feed speed of the transport belt 110, in which the deviation of the sheet P in the direction opposite to the feed direction of the chain 72A is 3.0 mm, is 2.68 mm / sec.

The basis of this value is as described in the description of sheet suction in the suction belt conveyance device. The basis of the following calculated values is also the same.

The ratio of speed to the feed speed of the chain 72A is calculated to be 0.5 percent. The difference from the speed ratio of 0.33% when the first gripper support member 310A does not slide is 0.17%. That is, when the first gripper support member 310A is slid 1.0 mm in the direction opposite to the feeding direction of the chain 72A, it is converted into a ratio of the feeding speed of the chain 72A to the feeding speed of the transport belt 110 You can afford .17 percent.

When the first gripper support member 310A is slid in the feeding direction of the chain 72A, the sliding distance of the first gripper support member 310A can be determined from the viewpoint of alleviation of deformation at the leading end of the sheet P. Even when the first gripper support member 310A is slid in the feed direction of the chain 72A, the sliding distance of the first gripper support member 310A can be 1.0 mm.

In addition, as another example of the sliding distance of the first gripper support member 310A using the sliding portion 330, it exceeds 0% and not more than 1.0% of the conveying distance of the sheet P using the conveying belt 110 in the sheet conveying direction. Of any distance.

That is, the sliding portion 330 exceeds 0% of the conveyance distance of the sheet P using the conveyance belt 110 in the sheet conveyance direction on both sides of the chain 72A in the sheet conveyance direction from the reference position of the first gripper support member 310A. A configuration may be employed to move the first gripper support member 310A in an arbitrary distance range of 0 percent or less. The reason is the same as that of the first embodiment described above. When the first connecting member 320 and the first gripper supporting member 310A are slid in the range of the sliding distance described above, the deformation of the sheet P can be alleviated. A configuration similar to that of the sliding portion 330 may be provided to a second gripper support (not shown).

<Specific examples of sliding portion and elastic member>
FIG. 16: is a front view which shows the sliding part applied to the conveying apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment, and the specific example of an elastic member. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the sliding portion and the elastic member shown in FIG. Here, differences between the sliding portion 230 and the elastic member 212 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 17, the first gripper support member 310 A includes an elastic member support 310 C that supports the elastic member 312. The elastic member 312 is disposed between the elastic member support portion 310C of the first gripper support member 310A and the second portion 324B of the bracket 324. The elastic member 312 applies a biasing force to the bracket 324 in a direction opposite to the feeding direction of the chain 72A.

The hole 328 formed in the second portion 324B of the bracket 324 is an elongated hole whose longitudinal direction is the feed direction of the chain 72A. The first gripper support member 310A is slidable over the range of the overall length in the longitudinal direction of the hole 328.

[Operation and Effect of Transfer Device According to Second Embodiment]
According to the conveyance device of the second embodiment, the deformation of the leading end of the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction is alleviated, and the occurrence of the wrinkles of the sheet is suppressed. In addition, the falling of the sheet from the gripping claws is prevented.

The conveying device according to the second embodiment is particularly effective when there is a vector difference mainly in the direction parallel to the feeding direction of the chain 72A, such as unevenness of the feeding speed of the conveying belt 110 and unevenness of the feeding speed of the chain 72A. It is.

[About application to drying equipment]
The transport device according to the first embodiment and the transport device according to the second embodiment can be applied to the transport device of the ink drying unit 50 shown in FIG. That is, it is possible to constitute a drying device provided with the conveyance device according to the first embodiment, or the conveyance device according to the second embodiment, and a heating and drying processing unit.

<Issues in drying device>
When an adsorption belt conveyance device is applied as a component of a conveyance device which conveys a sheet in the drying processing area of the drying device, heat distribution may occur on the conveyance belt. The distribution of heat in the transport belt can occur both in the belt feed direction and in the belt width direction. The distribution of heat in the conveyance belt can be a variation factor of the belt feeding direction of the conveyance belt 110 and a variation factor of the conveyance belt in the belt width direction.

Further, in the ink drying unit 50 shown in FIG. 2, the heating and drying processing unit 90 is disposed inside the pair of chains 72. The conveyance belt 110 disposed in the processing region of the heating and drying processing unit 90 is directly heated. On the other hand, the pair of chains 72 disposed outside the processing region of the heating and drying processing unit 90 is heated to the ambient temperature.

Then, the fluctuation of the transport belt 110 caused by the heating becomes relatively large. On the other hand, the fluctuation of the chain 72 due to heating is relatively small.

In summary, in the case of applying to the drying device a conveyance device that uses chain conveyance and suction belt conveyance in combination, the vector difference between the velocity vector of the conveyance belt 110 and the velocity vector of the chain 72 is due to heating. It is easy to occur.

<Operation and effect in the drying device>
Even when a vector difference between the velocity vector of the conveyance belt and the velocity vector of the chain occurs by applying the conveyance device according to the first embodiment or the conveyance device according to the second embodiment, deformation at the leading end of the sheet Is relieved and the occurrence of paper wrinkles is suppressed.

[About the media]
Paper is an example of a medium used to form an image. The term paper is to be understood as a generic term for various terms such as recording paper, printing paper, printing media, printing media, printing media, printing media, imaging media, printing media, image receiving media, and ejection media. it can. The material, shape, and the like of the medium are not particularly limited, and various sheet bodies can be used regardless of sealing paper, resin sheet, film, cloth, non-woven fabric, and other materials and shapes.

The paper is not limited to a sheet-like medium, but may be a continuous medium such as continuous paper. In the case of the ink jet printing apparatus shown in the present embodiment, it is sufficient that the medium is a sheet of paper separated one by one at the stage of being supplied from the paper feeding unit, and cut from a continuous medium to a prescribed size. It may be in the form of feeding paper.

[About terms]
The term printer includes the concept of terms such as printing devices, printers, printing devices, image recording devices, image forming devices, image output devices, or drawing devices. Also, the term printing device includes the concept of a printing system that combines multiple devices.

Images are to be interpreted in a broad sense, and include color images, black and white images, single color images, gradation images, and uniform density images. Uniform density images are sometimes referred to as solid images. The image is not limited to a photographic image, and is used as a comprehensive term including symbols, characters, symbols, line drawings, mosaic patterns, colored patterns, and various other patterns, or a suitable combination thereof.

The term printing includes concepts of terms such as image formation, image recording, printing, drawing, and printing. Also, the term printing may be used as a term of concept including post-processing such as varnish coating performed after image formation.

In the present specification, the term "orthogonal" or "perpendicular" means the same as in the case of crossing at an angle of substantially 90 ° in an aspect of crossing at an angle of less than 90 ° or at an angle of more than 90 ° There is included a mode of generating an action and effect.

The term "parallel" in the present specification includes, among the strictly non-parallel modes, those modes that can be regarded as substantially parallel so as to obtain substantially the same effects as when parallel.

The term "identical" in the present specification includes, among the strictly different aspects, an aspect that can be regarded as substantially identical in which the same or substantially the same effect is obtained.

The term above refers to the direction opposite to the direction of gravity and the side opposite to the direction of gravity. The term bottom refers to the direction of gravity and to the same side as the direction of gravity.

[About the combination of the embodiment and the modification etc.]
The items described in the configurations and modifications described in the above embodiments can be used in appropriate combination, and some components can be replaced.

In the embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to appropriately change, add, or delete the constituent requirements without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and many modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the technical concept of the present invention.

1A Ink jet printer 10 Paper feeder 12 Paper feeder 12A Paper feeder 14 Feeder board 16 Feed drum 20 Treatment liquid deposition unit 22 Treatment liquid application drum 23 Gripper 24 Treatment liquid application device 30 Treatment liquid drying unit 32 Treatment liquid drying drum 33 gripper 34 warm air blower 40 drawing unit 42 drawing drum 43 gripper 44 head unit 46C, 46M, 46Y, 46K inkjet head 48 image reading device 50 ink drying unit 60 stacking unit 62 stacking device 62A stacking tray 70 chain gripper 71A first sprocket 71B Second sprocket 72, 72A, 72B Chain 74 Gripper section 80 Sheet guide 82 First sheet guide 84 Second sheet guide 90 Heat drying processing section 100 Drying device 102 Suction belt conveyance device 104, 106 Sensor 110 Conveying belts 110A, 110B End of conveying belt 112 Drive roller 114 Driven roller 116 Suction chamber 116A First chamber 116B Second chamber 116C Third chamber 120 Suction hole 142 First oil passage 144 Second oil passage 152 First guide roller 154 second guide roller 200, 300 transport device 201, 301 grip claw 202, 302 first support shaft 204, 304 second support shaft 210A, 310A, 311A first gripper support member 210B second gripper support member 212, 312 elastic member 220, 320, 320A first connection member 222, 322, 310C elastic member support portion 224, 324 bracket 224A, 324A first portion 224B, 324B second portion 224C tip 226, 326 screw 230, 330 sliding portion 228, 32 Hole 301A movable claw 301B fixing claw

Claims

A gripping portion provided with a gripping member for gripping the leading end of the medium;
The chain is provided with a connecting member for connecting the grips, and the chain having the grips connected is made to travel in a medium transport direction, and the medium whose tip is gripped using the grips is transported by the medium A chain transport unit that transports in the
The medium transported using the chain transport unit includes a transport belt provided with a suction support area for sucking and supporting a non-gripping area not gripped using the grip section, and the transport belt is in the medium transport direction. A belt transport unit to run;
When the component in the medium width direction orthogonal to the medium transport direction of the vector difference between the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain and the vector representing the traveling speed of the transport belt exceeds a predetermined allowable range. A sliding portion for sliding the gripping portion with respect to the chain transport portion in the medium width direction;
Transport device equipped with
When the vector difference is calculated by subtracting the vector representing the traveling speed of the belt conveyance unit from the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain conveyance unit, the sliding unit calculates the vector difference in the medium width direction. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding portion is slid in the opposite direction of the component.
The conveyance device according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member that generates an elastic force in the medium width direction at a position between the chain conveyance unit and the holding unit in the medium width direction.
4. The sliding distance of the gripping portion using the sliding portion in the medium width direction is more than 0% and not more than 1.0% of the total length of the medium in the medium width direction. The conveyance apparatus as described in a term.
The conveyance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a sliding distance of the gripping portion using the sliding portion in the medium width direction is more than 0 mm and 0.5 mm or less.
The sliding portion slides the gripping portion in one direction of the medium width direction from the reference position of the gripping portion in the medium width direction and in the other direction opposite to the one direction. The conveyance device according to any one of 1 to 5.
A gripping portion provided with a gripping member for gripping the leading end of the medium;
The chain is provided with a connecting member for connecting the grips, and the chain having the grips connected is made to travel in a medium transport direction, and the medium whose tip is gripped using the grips is transported by the medium A chain transport unit that transports in the
The medium transported using the chain transport unit includes a transport belt provided with a suction support area for sucking and supporting a non-gripping area not gripped using the grip section, and the transport belt is in the medium transport direction. A belt transport unit to run;
When the component in the medium transport direction of the vector difference between the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain and the vector representing the traveling speed of the transport belt exceeds the predetermined allowable range, the chain in the medium transport direction A sliding portion for sliding the grip portion relative to the transport portion;
Transport device equipped with
When the vector difference is calculated by subtracting the vector representing the traveling speed of the belt conveyance unit from the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain conveyance unit, the sliding unit detects the vector difference in the medium conveyance direction. 8. The transport apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sliding portion slides in the opposite direction of the component.
The conveyance device according to claim 7, further comprising an elastic member that generates an elastic force in the medium conveyance direction at a position between the chain conveyance unit and the grip unit in the medium conveyance direction.
10. The sliding distance of the grip using the sliding portion in the medium transport direction is more than 0% and not more than 1.0% of the transport distance of the medium in the medium transport direction. The conveyance apparatus according to one item.
The conveyance device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a sliding distance of the holding unit using the sliding unit in the medium conveyance direction is more than 0 mm and not more than 1.0 mm.
The sliding portion slides the gripping portion in one direction from the reference position of the gripping portion in the medium transporting direction to one direction in the medium transporting direction and in the other direction opposite to the one direction. The conveyance device according to any one of 7 to 11.
The grip portion includes a support member for supporting the grip member,
The conveyance device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the sliding portion includes a sliding member disposed between the support member and the connection member.
The chain transport unit includes a chain pair composed of a plurality of chains,
In the grip portion, one end of the support member is connected to one chain constituting the chain pair via the connection member, and the other end of the support member is connected to the chain pair via the connection member The transfer device according to claim 13, which has a structure connected to the other chain to be configured.
The conveyance device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the gripping member is disposed at a position of 3.0 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less from a surface of the conveyance belt that supports the medium.
The conveyance device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the adsorption support area of the conveyance belt adsorbs an area of 81.2% to 98.7% of the medium.
A drying processing unit that performs drying processing on the medium;
A transport unit for transporting the medium in the drying processing area of the drying processing unit;
Equipped with
The transport unit is
A gripping portion provided with a gripping member for gripping the leading end of the medium;
The chain is provided with a connecting member for connecting the grips, and the chain having the grips connected is made to travel in a medium transport direction, and the medium whose tip is gripped using the grips is transported by the medium A chain transport unit that transports in the
The medium transported using the chain transport unit includes a transport belt provided with a suction support area for sucking and supporting a non-gripping area not gripped using the grip section, and the transport belt is in the medium transport direction. A belt transport unit to run;
The medium when the component in the medium width direction orthogonal to the medium conveyance direction of the vector difference between the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain and the traveling speed of the conveyance belt exceeds a predetermined allowable range. A sliding portion for sliding the gripping portion relative to the chain transport portion in the width direction;
A dryer equipped with
A drying processing unit that performs drying processing on the medium;
A transport unit for transporting the medium in the drying processing area of the drying processing unit;
Equipped with
The transport unit is
A gripping portion provided with a gripping member for gripping the leading end of the medium;
The chain is provided with a connecting member for connecting the grips, and the chain having the grips connected is made to travel in a medium transport direction, and the medium whose tip is gripped using the grips is transported by the medium A chain transport unit that transports in the
The medium transported using the chain transport unit includes a transport belt provided with a suction support area for sucking and supporting a non-gripping area not gripped using the grip section, and the transport belt is in the medium transport direction. A belt transport unit to run;
When the component in the medium transport direction of the vector difference between the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain and the vector representing the traveling speed of the transport belt exceeds the predetermined allowable range, the chain in the medium transport direction A sliding portion for sliding the grip portion relative to the transport portion;
A dryer equipped with
An image forming unit that forms an image on a medium;
A drying processing unit that performs drying processing on a medium on which an image is formed using the image forming unit;
A transport unit for transporting the medium in the drying processing area of the drying processing unit;
Equipped with
The transport unit is
A gripping portion provided with a gripping member for gripping the leading end of the medium;
The chain is provided with a connecting member for connecting the grips, and the chain having the grips connected is made to travel in a medium transport direction, and the medium whose tip is gripped using the grips is transported by the medium A chain transport unit that transports in the
The medium transported using the chain transport unit includes a transport belt provided with a suction support area for sucking and supporting a non-gripping area not gripped using the grip section, and the transport belt is in the medium transport direction. A belt transport unit to run;
When the component in the medium width direction orthogonal to the medium transport direction of the vector difference between the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain and the vector representing the traveling speed of the transport belt exceeds a predetermined allowable range. A sliding portion for sliding the gripping portion with respect to the chain transport portion in the medium width direction;
An image forming apparatus equipped with
An image forming unit that forms an image on a medium;
A drying processing unit that performs drying processing on a medium on which an image is formed using the image forming unit;
A transport unit for transporting the medium in the drying processing area of the drying processing unit;
Equipped with
The transport unit is
A gripping portion provided with a gripping member for gripping the leading end of the medium;
The chain is provided with a connecting member for connecting the grips, and the chain having the grips connected is made to travel in a medium transport direction, and the medium whose tip is gripped using the grips is transported by the medium A chain transport unit that transports in the
The medium transported using the chain transport unit includes a transport belt provided with a suction support area for sucking and supporting a non-gripping area not gripped using the grip section, and the transport belt is in the medium transport direction. A belt transport unit to run;
When the component in the medium transport direction of the vector difference between the vector representing the traveling speed of the chain and the vector representing the traveling speed of the transport belt exceeds the predetermined allowable range, the chain in the medium transport direction A sliding portion for sliding the grip portion relative to the transport portion;
An image forming apparatus equipped with