Conveying device

Abstract

The present invention provides a conveying device. In the conveying device, a simple structure is used to suppress the occurrence of skew of a medium. The conveying device comprises: a first separate conveying path (P1) (an example of a conveying path), which has a first curved portion (C1) (an example of a curved portion); and a second conveying roller pair (22) (an example of a pair of conveying members), which is arranged on the first separate conveying path (P1) and conveys a medium (M) while clamping it. The medium (M) enters the second conveying roller pair (22) in a state of being at least partially bent at the first curved portion (C1). The first separate conveying path (P1) (protrusion (P1e)) guides the medium (M) toward a drive roller (22a) which is an example of one of the second conveying roller pairs (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a conveying device for conveying a medium. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to correct the inclination of paper relative to the conveyance direction when the paper conveyance path is curved, a post-processing device has been proposed that detects and corrects the inclination of paper (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-183039 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] In a conveying device for conveying media such as paper, if the conveying path has a curved portion, when the conveyed medium enters a pair of conveying members arranged downstream of the curved portion or arranged at the curved portion, the medium becomes at least partially bent at the curved portion.

[0008] In the curved portion of the conveying path, the spacing between the pair of guide plates may be larger than in the straight portion to reduce conveying resistance. In this case, the media's degree of freedom increases at the curved portion, making the position of the media's tip unstable. Therefore, for example, the tip of the media on one side in the width direction (e.g., the front side of the device) may contact one of the pair of conveying members, while the tip of the media on the other side in the width direction (e.g., the rear side of the device) may contact the other of the pair of conveying members. In this way, when the tip of the media contacts different conveying members on one side and the other side in the width direction, the difference in friction (conveying force) between the pair of conveying members can easily cause the media to skew. Furthermore, the smaller and thinner the media, the greater the degree of freedom at the curved portion, making it more likely that the tip of the media will contact different conveying members on one side and the other side in the width direction, and thus more likely to skew.

[0009] Therefore, it is also considered to detect the inclination of the medium and correct the inclination of the medium as described above, but the structure becomes complicated due to the configuration of a sensor for detecting the skew of the medium and a skew correction unit for correcting the skew of the medium based on the detection result of the sensor.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a conveying device capable of suppressing the occurrence of a skew of a medium with a simple structure.

[0011] Solutions for solving problems

[0012] In one technical solution, a conveying device comprises: a conveying path having a curved portion; and a pair of conveying members arranged on the conveying path, which convey the medium while clamping it, the medium entering the pair of conveying members in a state at least partially bent at the curved portion, and the conveying path guides the medium toward one of the pair of conveying members.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the technical solution, the occurrence of medium distortion can be suppressed with a simple structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a front view showing the internal structure of a printing system according to one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing a control structure of a medium supply device and a printing device according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a front view showing the structure around the first curved portion according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Magnified view of part IV.

[0019] Figure 5 It is a modified example Figure 3 Magnified view of part IV.

[0020] Description of Reference Numerals

[0021] 1. Media supply device; 1a. Upper layer; 1b. Lower layer; 11. First supply unit; 11a. Loading platform; 11b. Suction conveying unit; 11c. Media thickness setting unit; 12. Second supply unit; 12a. Loading platform; 12b. Suction conveying unit; 12c. Media thickness setting unit; 21-29. First to ninth conveying roller pairs; 22a. Driving roller; 22b. Driven roller; 31. Control unit; 32. Storage unit; 33. Interface unit; 100. Printing system; 101. Printing device; 110. Printing unit; 120. Suction conveying unit; 130. Conveying unit; 131. Registration roller pair; 132. Receiving roller pair; 133. Conveying roller pair; 140. Reversing unit; 151 , control unit; 152, storage unit; 153, interface unit; C1~C4, 1st curved portion~4th curved portion; C1a, center of curvature; D1~D4, 1st conveying drive unit~4th conveying drive unit; M, medium; P1, 1st separate conveying path; P1a~P1d, guide plates; P1e, P1f, protrusions; P2, 2nd separate conveying path; P3, merging conveying path; P11, supply destination conveying path; P12, circular reversing conveying path; S1, 1st entrance through detection sensor; S2, 1st exit through detection sensor; S3, 2nd entrance through detection sensor; S4, 2nd exit through detection sensor; S10, positioning sensor; T, conveying direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Hereinafter, a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 It is a front view showing the internal structure of the printing system 100 .

[0024] Figure 2 1 is a diagram showing a control structure of the medium supply device 1 and the printing device 101 .

[0025] also, Figure 1 and the following Figures 3 to 5 The front-back, top-bottom, and left-right directions shown are only for convenience of explanation. For example, the front-back direction and the left-right direction are horizontal directions, and the top-bottom direction is a vertical direction.

[0026] Figure 1The illustrated printing system 100 includes a medium supply device 1 and a printing device 101. The conveying device in this embodiment may simply include a conveying path, such as the first individual conveying path P1 of the medium supply device 1 (described later), and a pair of conveying members, such as the second conveying roller pair 22 of the medium supply device 1 (described later). Therefore, in this embodiment, the medium supply device 1 and the printing system 100 each function as an example of a conveying device for conveying the medium M. However, the conveying device in this embodiment may also be a processing device, such as the printing device 101, that performs processing such as printing on the medium M, or a conveying device that merely conveys the medium M.

[0027] The medium supply device 1 supplies the medium M to a printing device 101, which is an example of a destination device for the medium M. Alternatively, the destination device may be another device such as a post-processing device. Furthermore, the medium supply device 1 may be integrally provided with the destination device such as the printing device 101. The medium M may be, for example, paper (sheet paper) or other sheet-like media such as film.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the medium supply device 1 includes a first supply unit 11, a second supply unit 12, a first individual conveying path P1, a second individual conveying path P2, a merging conveying path P3, a first conveying roller pair 21 to a ninth conveying roller pair 29, a first conveying drive unit D1 to a fourth conveying drive unit D4, a first entrance passage detection sensor S1, a first exit passage detection sensor S2, a second entrance passage detection sensor S3, and a second exit passage detection sensor S4. Figure 2 As shown, the medium supply device 1 includes a control unit 31 , a storage unit 32 , and an interface unit 33 .

[0029] The medium supply device 1 is divided into an upper layer 1a and a lower layer 1b. The first supply unit 11 is arranged on the upper layer 1a, and the second supply unit 12 is arranged on the lower layer 1b. Thus, the first supply unit 11 and the second supply unit 12 are arranged side by side, one above the other. The first supply unit 11 and the second supply unit 12 are examples of supply units for supplying the medium M. These supply units may be a single supply unit or three or more supply units. Furthermore, the arrangement of the multiple supply units may be in either a front-to-back or left-to-right direction, without particular limitation.

[0030] The first supply unit 11 and the second supply unit 12 include mounting stages 11 a and 12 a , suction transport units 11 b and 12 b , and medium thickness setting units 11 c and 12 c , respectively.

[0031] A plurality of media M are loaded on the loading tables 11 a and 12 a .

[0032] The suction conveying units 11b and 12b each include, for example, two pulleys and a belt mounted on these pulleys, and deliver the media M, which is attracted to the belt by air suction, one sheet at a time. The suction conveying units 11b and 12b are examples of delivery units that deliver the media M from the first and second supply units 11 and 12 one sheet at a time.

[0033] The media thickness setting units 11c and 12c allow the user to set the thickness of the medium M loaded on the loading platforms 11a and 12a. For example, the media thickness setting units 11c and 12c include a lever or dial that can be moved to a position labeled "Thick Paper" to indicate that the medium M is thick paper, a position labeled "Plain Paper" to indicate that the medium M is plain paper, or a position labeled "Thin Paper" to indicate that the medium M is thin paper. The control unit 31, described later, obtains information about the thickness of the medium M set in the media thickness setting units 11c and 12c. Alternatively, the control unit 31 may obtain information about the thickness of the medium M set during a print job, for example, using the operation panel of the printing device 101.

[0034] In addition, the first supply unit 11 and the second supply unit 12 have a loading platform lifting drive unit such as a motor (an example of an actuator) that moves the loading platform 11a, 12a up and down, a delivery drive unit such as a motor (an example of an actuator) that rotates a driving pulley of one of the two pulleys serving as the adsorption conveying unit 11b, 12b, etc., but these are not shown in the figure.

[0035] In addition, it is preferred that the first supply unit 11 and the second supply unit 12 are provided with a floating air blowing mechanism for blowing out floating air to float multiple media M including the top medium M loaded on the loading platforms 11a and 12a, a separation air blowing mechanism for blowing out separation air to separate the top medium M from the media M below, etc.

[0036] The first individual conveyance path P1 is connected to the first supply unit 11. The second individual conveyance path P2 is connected to the second supply unit 12. The merging conveyance path P3 is a conveyance path where the first individual conveyance path P1 and the second individual conveyance path P2 merge, and extends to the registration roller pair 131 of the printing device 101. The first individual conveyance path P1 and the second individual conveyance path P2 are examples of multiple individual conveyance paths connected to multiple supply units (the first supply unit 11 and the second supply unit 12).

[0037] The majority of the first individual conveying path P1 is located on the upper layer 1a of the media supply device 1, while the second individual conveying path P2 is located on the lower layer 1b of the media supply device 1. The first individual conveying path P1 merges with the second individual conveying path P2 at the merging conveying path P3 located on the lower layer 1b. Thus, the conveying path of the media supply device 1 includes the first individual conveying path P1, the second individual conveying path P2, and a portion of the merging conveying path P3. Furthermore, the length of the first individual conveying path P1 in the conveying direction T is longer than the length of the second individual conveying path P2 in the conveying direction T.

[0038] Since the medium M supplied from the first supply unit 11 is conveyed along the first individual conveyance path P1 and the merging conveyance path P3, the conveyance path of the medium M supplied from the first supply unit 11 passes through the first individual conveyance path P1 and the merging conveyance path P3. Furthermore, since the medium M supplied from the second supply unit 12 is conveyed along the second individual conveyance path P2 and the merging conveyance path P3, the conveyance path of the medium M supplied from the second supply unit 12 passes through the second individual conveyance path P2 and the merging conveyance path P3.

[0039] The first separate conveying path P1 includes: a first curved portion C1, which is provided between the first conveying roller pair 21 and the second conveying roller pair 22 and is curved from the right direction to the downward direction in the conveying direction T; and a second curved portion C2, which is provided between the fifth conveying roller pair 25 and the eighth conveying roller pair 28 and is curved from the downward direction to the lower right direction in the conveying direction T.

[0040] The second independent transport path P2 has a third curved portion C3 provided between the seventh transport roller pair 27 and the eighth transport roller pair 28 and curved in the transport direction T from the right to the lower right.

[0041] The combined transport path P3 has a fourth curved portion C4 that is provided between the ninth transport roller pair 29 and the registration roller pair 131 across the medium supply device 1 and the printing device 101 and that curves from lower right to upper right in the transport direction T.

[0042] The first to ninth transport roller pairs 21 to 29 each include a driving roller and a driven roller that are disposed facing each other, and transport the medium M while sandwiching it.

[0043] The first through fifth conveyor roller pairs 21 through 25 convey the medium M along the first individual conveyance path P1 on the upper stage 1a of the medium supply device 1. The sixth and seventh conveyor roller pairs 26 and 27 convey the medium M along the second individual conveyance path P2 on the lower stage 1b of the medium supply device 1. The eighth and ninth conveyor roller pairs 28 and 29 convey the medium M along the merged conveyance path P3 on the lower stage 1b of the medium supply device 1. The first through fifth conveyor roller pairs 21 through 25, as well as the sixth and seventh conveyor roller pairs 26 and 27, are examples of multiple individual conveyance sections that convey the medium M along the first and second individual conveyance paths P1 and P2 (multiple individual conveyance paths). Furthermore, the eighth and ninth conveyor roller pairs 28 and 29, along with the receiving roller pair 132 of the printing device 101 (described later), are examples of merged conveyance sections that convey the medium M along the merged conveyance path P3.

[0044] Figure 3 1 is a front view showing the structure around the first curved portion C1. Figure 3 in, omit Figure 1 The first entrance is shown through the diagram of the detection sensor S1.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, the first independent conveying path P1 includes a pair of guide plates P1a and P1b provided at the first curved portion C1 to guide the medium M, and a pair of guide plates P1c and P1d provided at the straight portion downstream of the first curved portion C1 to guide the medium M. The first curved portion C1 forms an arc with a center of curvature C1a and a central angle of 90 degrees, but this is only an example.

[0046] Because the first curved portion C1 is provided, the medium M, partially curved at the first curved portion C1 in the conveyance direction T, enters the second conveyance roller pair 22. The second conveyance roller pair 22 then conveys the medium M while holding it. Furthermore, when the medium M enters the second conveyance roller pair 22, the medium M is held upstream in the conveyance direction T by the first conveyance roller pair 21.

[0047] Here, the second conveying roller pair 22 is an example of a pair of conveying members disposed in the first independent conveying path P1 (an example of a conveying path) and conveying the medium M while holding it. This conveying member is not limited to rollers and may also be another conveying member such as a belt. Furthermore, as long as the pair of conveying members face each other while holding the medium M while conveying it, one conveying member may have different shapes, sizes, materials, etc.

[0048] The gap W between the pair of guide plates P1a and P1b is preferably set so that the gap W is widened within a range where the inclination (skew) of the medium M's conveyance direction relative to the conveyance direction T of the guide plates P1a and P1b when the medium M enters the second conveyance roller pair 22 is below a predetermined value. For example, it is preferable to repeatedly measure the inclination of the conveyed medium M under conditions where the inclination is greatest (e.g., when using A5-sized thin paper, or when the medium M is thin and has a small width, etc.), and set the maximum gap W within a range where the average and maximum values ​​of the inclinations are below a predetermined value. A narrow gap W creates conveyance resistance for the medium M. Therefore, a wide gap W is desirable to reduce conveyance resistance. In addition, when the width and other dimensions of the medium M are small and the medium M is thin, the inclination of the medium M becomes larger because the medium M generates deformation (stress) at the first curved portion C1, but the medium M with a larger size and a thicker medium M has a greater rigidity and is therefore less likely to deform. The medium M with a smaller size and a thinner medium M has a smaller rigidity, which causes deformation and increases the degree of freedom.

[0049] Furthermore, the interval W between the guide plates P1a and P1b may not be constant throughout the entire first curved portion C1. Furthermore, while the inclination is preferably measured in the first separate conveyance path P1 provided with the protrusion P1e, that is, in the first separate conveyance path P1 that guides the medium M toward one of the second conveyance roller pairs 22, the measurement may also be performed in the first separate conveyance path P1 before the protrusion P1e is provided, that is, in the first separate conveyance path P1 that does not guide the medium M toward one of the second conveyance roller pairs 22.

[0050] The pair of guide plates P1c and P1d are provided with holes for allowing the second conveying roller pair 22 to protrude into the conveyance path of the medium M. For example, one guide plate P1c is provided with a hole for allowing the driving roller 22a of the second conveying roller pair 22 to protrude into the conveyance path of the medium M, and the other guide plate P1d is provided with a hole for allowing the driven roller 22b of the second conveying roller pair 22 to protrude into the conveyance path of the medium M. Furthermore, a gap exists between the pair of guide plates P1a and P1b and the pair of guide plates P1c and P1d. However, the guide plates P1a and P1c may be provided integrally, or the guide plates P1b and P1d may be provided integrally.

[0051] like Figure 4As shown, the guide plate P1d is integrally provided with a protrusion P1e that protrudes into the conveyance path of the medium M between the pair of guide plates P1c and P1d. Desirably, the protrusion P1e is provided across one side and the other side of the width of the medium M, or one or more protrusions P1e are provided on each side of the width of the medium M. Furthermore, the protrusion P1e is inclined such that the amount of protrusion into the conveyance path increases as the medium M travels in the conveyance direction T, thereby guiding the medium M toward the drive roller 22a of the second conveying roller pair 22. In this manner, the protrusion P1e guides the medium M toward the drive roller 22a on the inner side (closer to the center of curvature C1a) of the curved portion C1 of the second conveying roller pair 22.

[0052] In addition, you can also Figure 5 As shown in the modified example, the guide plate P1c is not provided with the guide plate P1d but with a protrusion P1f that protrudes toward the conveying path of the medium M between the pair of guide plates P1c and P1d. The protrusion P1f protrudes toward the conveying path less than Figure 4 The amount of protrusion P1e protruding into the conveyance path is shown. Desirably, the protrusion P1f is provided across both sides of the width of the medium M, or one or more protrusions P1f are provided on each side of the width of the medium M. Furthermore, the protrusion P1f is inclined such that the amount of protrusion into the conveyance path increases as the medium M travels in the conveyance direction T, thereby guiding the medium M toward the driven roller 22b of the second conveyor roller pair 22. In this manner, the protrusion P1f guides the medium M toward the driven roller 22b on the opposite side (outward) from the center of curvature C1a of the curved portion C1 in the second conveyor roller pair 22.

[0053] The first independent transport path P1 includes the protrusion P1e or the protrusion P1f described above, thereby guiding the medium M toward one of a pair of transport members (the second transport roller pair 22).

[0054] Furthermore, to guide the medium M along the first separate transport path P1 toward one of the second transport roller pairs 22, for example, the first separate transport path P1 may utilize protrusions provided separately from the pair of guide plates P1c and P1d, or air may be blown from an air blower within the first separate transport path P1. Alternatively, only the second transport roller pair 22 and the pair of guide plates P1a and P1b may be offset in the thickness direction of the medium M, or both the second transport roller pair 22 and the pair of guide plates P1c and P1d may be offset in the thickness direction of the medium M. Alternatively, the relative angle between the drive roller 22a and the driven roller 22b may be varied by shifting the positions in the transport direction T. Thus, the structure for guiding the medium M toward one of the second transport roller pairs 22 is not limited to the structure utilizing the protrusions P1e and P1f provided on the pair of guide plates P1c and P1d.

[0055] The second conveyor roller pair 22 is positioned in the straight section of the first independent conveying path P1, but it may also be positioned in the first curved section C1, or in another curved section downstream of the first curved section C1. Furthermore, the medium M enters the second conveyor roller pair 22 while being clamped by the first conveyor roller pair 21, but the medium M may also enter the second conveyor roller pair 22 without being clamped by the first conveyor roller pair 21. In this case, since the medium M is more likely to skew in the first curved section C1, it is preferable to set the gap W between the pair of guide plates P1a and P1b to a smaller value to minimize skew. Skew here refers to a state where one side of the width of the medium M has a different position in the conveying direction T than the other side.

[0056] Regarding the conveying path taking the first separate conveying path P1 as an example, for example, the medium M can be guided toward one of the eighth conveying roller pairs 28 that conveys the medium M while clamping the medium M that enters in a state of being partially bent in the second curved portion C2 or the third curved portion C3, or the medium M can be guided toward one of the receiving roller pairs 132 described later that conveys the medium M while clamping the medium M that enters in a state of being partially bent in the fourth curved portion C4.

[0057] return Figure 1The first to fourth conveyor drive units D1 to D4 are motors (an example of an actuator) that rotate the drive rollers of the first to ninth conveyor roller pairs 21 to 29. The first conveyor drive unit D1 rotates the drive rollers of the first and second conveyor roller pairs 21 and 22. The second conveyor drive unit D2 rotates the drive rollers of the third to fifth conveyor roller pairs 23 to 25. The third conveyor drive unit D3 rotates the drive rollers of the sixth and seventh conveyor roller pairs 26 and 27. The fourth conveyor drive unit D4 rotates the drive rollers of the eighth and ninth conveyor roller pairs 28 and 29. The first, second, and third conveyor drive units D1, D2, and D3 are examples of individual conveyor drive units that drive multiple individual conveyor units (the first to fifth conveyor roller pairs 21 to 25, and the sixth and seventh conveyor roller pairs 26 and 27). The fourth conveyance driving unit D4 and a conveyance driving unit (not shown) that drives the receiving roller pair 132 are examples of a merging conveyance driving unit that drives the merging conveyance unit (the eighth and ninth conveyance roller pairs 28 and 29 and the receiving roller pair 132 ).

[0058] The first entrance passage detection sensor S1 , the first exit passage detection sensor S2 , the second entrance passage detection sensor S3 , and the second exit passage detection sensor S4 are, for example, reflective or transmissive photoelectric sensors that detect passage of the medium M.

[0059] The first entrance passage detection sensor S1 is disposed adjacent to the first conveyor roller pair 21 and downstream of the first conveyor roller pair 21 in the conveying direction T. The first exit passage detection sensor S2 is disposed adjacent to the fifth conveyor roller pair 25 and downstream of the fifth conveyor roller pair 25 in the conveying direction T. Thus, the first entrance passage detection sensor S1 detects the passage of the medium M near the entrance of the first independent conveying path P1, and the first exit passage detection sensor S2 detects the passage of the medium M near the exit of the first independent conveying path P1.

[0060] The second entrance passage detection sensor S3 is disposed adjacent to the sixth conveyor roller pair 26 and downstream of the sixth conveyor roller pair 26 in the conveying direction T. The second exit passage detection sensor S4 is disposed adjacent to the ninth conveyor roller pair 29 and downstream of the ninth conveyor roller pair 29 in the conveying direction T. Thus, the second entrance passage detection sensor S3 detects the passage of the medium M near the entrance of the second individual conveying path P2, and the second exit passage detection sensor S4 detects the passage of the medium M near the exit of the medium supply device 1 in the combined conveying path P3.

[0061] In addition, the first entrance passage detection sensor S1, the first exit passage detection sensor S2, and the second entrance passage detection sensor S3 are an example of multiple passage detection sensors arranged in multiple separate conveying paths (the first separate conveying path P1 and the second separate conveying path P2) to detect the passage of the medium M before reaching the detection sensor (the positioning sensor S10 described later).

[0062] Figure 2 The control unit 31 shown includes a processor (e.g., a CPU) that functions as a computational processing unit that controls the overall operation of the media supply device 1 and controls various components of the media supply device 1. For example, the control unit 31 uses the first to fourth conveyor drive units D1 to D4 to control the first to seventh conveyor roller pairs 21 to 27 (individual conveying units) and the eighth and ninth conveyor roller pairs 28 and 29 (merging conveying units). Furthermore, if the media supply device 1 is integrated with a destination device such as the printer 101, the control unit of the destination device (e.g., the control unit 151 of the printer 101, described later) may also function as the control unit 31.

[0063] The storage unit 32 includes, for example, a read-only semiconductor memory (ROM) in which a predetermined control program is pre-stored, and a random access semiconductor memory (RAM) that is used as a work storage area as needed when the processor executes various control programs. Furthermore, if the media supply device 1 is integrally configured with a destination device such as the printer 101, the storage unit of the destination device (e.g., the storage unit 152 of the printer 101 described below) may also function as the storage unit 32.

[0064] The interface unit 33 exchanges various information with external devices such as the printing device 101. For example, the interface unit 33 receives information such as a request to start feeding the medium M and the arrival time of the registration sensor from the interface unit 153 of the printing device 101. The control unit 31 controls the operation of various components of the medium feeding device 1 based on this information.

[0065] Next, the printing device 101 will be described.

[0066] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the printing device 101 includes a printing unit 110, an adsorption conveying unit 120, a conveying unit 130, a positioning sensor S10, a supply destination conveying path P11, a circulating reverse conveying path P12, a reverse unit 140, a control unit 151, a storage unit 152, and an interface unit 153. Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , the merging conveyance path P3 and the supply destination conveyance path P11 are indicated by solid lines, and the loop-turning conveyance path P12 is indicated by dotted lines.

[0067] The printing unit 110 includes, for example, a line-type inkjet head (not shown) used for printing and separated into different colors.

[0068] like Figure 1 As shown, the suction transport unit 120 is disposed so as to face the printing unit 110. The suction transport unit 120 transports the medium M using a conveyor belt while sucking the medium M.

[0069] The transport unit 130 includes a pair of registration rollers 131, which correct skew of the medium M when the medium M is transported toward the printing unit 110; a pair of receiving rollers 132, which transports the medium M along the merging transport path P3 extending from the medium supply device 1; and multiple pairs of transport rollers 133, which transport the medium M along the supply destination transport path P11 or the circular reverse transport path P12. The pair of registration rollers 131, the pair of receiving rollers 132, and the multiple pairs of transport rollers 133 transport the medium M while holding it. While the protrusion P1e provided in the first independent transport path P1 as described above suppresses skew of the medium M, if the protrusion P1e is not provided, the skew of the medium M would be greater, and the registration roller pair 131 might not be able to fully correct the skew.

[0070] The registration sensor S10 is located near the registration roller pair 131 in the merging conveying path P3, upstream of the registration roller pair 131 in the conveying direction T. The registration sensor S10 is an example of an arrival detection sensor located in the merging conveying path P3 and detecting the arrival time, which is an example of the arrival time of the medium M. This arrival detection sensor may also be the aforementioned second exit passage detection sensor S4 located in the merging conveying path P3 of the medium supply device 1. Alternatively, the conveying device of this embodiment may be considered to include the medium supply device 1 and a conveying path extending from the media supply device 1 to the registration roller pair 131 of the printing device 101. In this case, the receiving roller pair 132 and the registration sensor S10 may be considered to be part of the conveying device.

[0071] The supply destination transport path P11 is connected to the merging transport path P3 that continues from the medium supply device 1 and extends from the registration roller pair 131 to the downstream side in the transport direction T. Figure 1In the printing system 100 shown, when other printing devices and media discharge devices are arranged downstream of the printing device 101 in the transport direction T, the supply destination transport path P11 is connected to the transport paths of these devices.

[0072] When printing is also performed on the opposite side of the medium M printed on one side by the printing unit 110 , the medium M is conveyed through the circular reverse conveyance path P12 .

[0073] The reversing unit 140 includes a reversing path for reversing the front and back sides of the medium M conveyed along the circulating reversing conveying path P12 , a pair of switchback rollers, and the like.

[0074] Figure 2 The control unit 151 shown includes a processor (eg, a CPU) that functions as a calculation processing device that controls the entire operation of the printing apparatus 101 , and controls each unit of the printing apparatus 101 .

[0075] The storage unit 152 includes memories such as a ROM (read-only semiconductor memory) that stores predetermined control programs in advance, and a RAM (semiconductor memory) that is readable and writable at any time and used as a working storage area as needed when the processor executes various control programs.

[0076] The interface unit 153 exchanges various information with external devices such as the media supply device 1 and user terminals that transmit print data. For example, as described above, the interface unit 153 transmits information such as a request to start supplying the media M and the arrival time of the registration sensor to the interface unit 33 of the media supply device 1.

[0077] Hereinafter, the operations of supplying, conveying, and printing the medium M will be described, with overlapped matters with the above description being omitted as appropriate.

[0078] First, when the interface unit 33 receives a request to start supplying the medium M from the printing device 101 (interface unit 153), Figure 2 The control unit 31 shown in FIG. 1 controls the first supply unit 11 and the second supply unit 12 to supply the liquid alternately. Figure 1 The medium M is supplied by the first supply unit 11 and the medium M is supplied by the second supply unit 12 , or the medium M is supplied by only one of the first supply unit 11 and the second supply unit 12 .

[0079] When the medium M is supplied from the first supply unit 11, the control unit 31 controls the first to fifth conveying roller pairs 21 to 25 using the first conveying drive unit D1 and the second conveying drive unit D2, thereby conveying the medium M supplied from the first supply unit 11 in the first separate conveying path P1. When the medium M is conveyed in the first separate conveying path P1, the first entrance passage detection sensor S1 and the first exit passage detection sensor S2 detect the passage of the medium M. In addition, as described above, the medium M is conveyed. Figure 4 The protrusion P1e shown is guided toward the driving roller 22a of the second transport roller pair 22. Therefore, the leading end in the width direction of the medium M contacts the driving roller 22a and is then transported by the second transport roller pair 22.

[0080] When the medium M is supplied from the second supply unit 12, the control unit 31 controls the sixth and seventh conveyance roller pairs 26 and 27 using the third conveyance drive unit D3, thereby conveying the medium M supplied from the second supply unit 12 along the second separate conveyance path P2. While the medium M is being conveyed along the second separate conveyance path P2, the second inlet passage detection sensor S3 detects the passage of the medium M.

[0081] Furthermore, the control unit 31 controls the eighth and ninth conveyor roller pairs 28 and 29 using the fourth conveyor drive unit D4 to convey the medium M, which has been conveyed from the first individual conveyance path P1 or the second individual conveyance path P2, along the merging conveyance path P3. While the medium M is being conveyed along the merging conveyance path P3, the second exit passage detection sensor S4 detects the passage of the medium M.

[0082] Thus, the medium M is fed to the merging conveyance path P3 of the printing device 101, which is connected to the merging conveyance path P3 of the media supply device 1. After the medium M strikes the registration roller pair 131 and its skew is corrected, printing is performed on the medium M by the printing unit 110. While the medium M is being conveyed through the merging conveyance path P3 of the printing device 101, the registration sensor S10 detects the passage (arrival) of the medium M. The arrival time of the medium M relative to the registration sensor S10 is transmitted from the printing device 101 (interface 153) to the media supply device 1 (interface 33).

[0083] In the embodiment described above, the conveying device (e.g., the medium supply device 1) includes a first separate conveying path P1 (an example of a conveying path) having a first curved portion C1 (an example of a curved portion); and a second conveying roller pair 22 (an example of a pair of conveying members) disposed within the first separate conveying path P1 and configured to convey the medium M while holding the medium M. The medium M enters the second conveying roller pair 22 while being at least partially bent at the first curved portion C1. The first separate conveying path P1 guides the medium M toward a drive roller 22a, an example of one member of the second conveying roller pair 22.

[0084] In this manner, by guiding the medium M, which enters the second conveyor roller pair 22 while at least partially bent at the first curved portion C1, toward the drive roller 22a, one of the second conveyor roller pair 22, the leading end of the medium M, whose freedom of movement is increased at the first curved portion C1, can contact only the drive roller 22a of the drive roller 22a and the driven roller 22b, or easily enter the middle position of the second conveyor roller pair 22. Consequently, skew of the medium M caused by the difference in friction (conveying force) between the drive roller 22a and the driven roller 22b, which occurs when the leading end of the medium M contacts the drive roller 22a on one side in the width direction and the driven roller 22b on the other side, can be suppressed. Furthermore, skew of the medium M can be suppressed without the need for a sensor to detect skew of the medium M or a skew correction unit to correct skew, thereby simplifying the conveyor device.

[0085] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the occurrence of skew of the medium M can be suppressed with a simple structure.

[0086] In this embodiment, the first separate transport path P1 includes protrusions P1e and P1f that protrude toward the transport path of the medium M. These protrusions P1e and P1f guide the medium M toward one of the second transport roller pair 22 (the driving roller 22a or the driven roller 22b).

[0087] This simple structure using the protrusions P1e and P1f can more reliably prevent the leading end of the medium M from contacting the drive roller 22a on one side in the width direction and the driven roller 22b on the other side, thereby further suppressing the occurrence of skew in the medium M.

[0088] In addition, in this embodiment, the first curved portion C1 includes a pair of guide plates P1a and P1b for guiding the medium M, and the interval W between the pair of guide plates P1a and P1b is set so that when the medium M enters the second conveying roller pair 22, the inclination of the conveying direction of the medium M relative to the conveying direction T of the guide plates P1a and P1b becomes wider within a range below a specified value.

[0089] This more reliably prevents the tip of the medium M, whose freedom of movement is increased at the first curved portion C1, from contacting the drive roller 22a on one side in the width direction and the driven roller 22b on the other side. This further reduces the occurrence of skew in the medium M. Furthermore, since the increased transport resistance to the medium M caused by a narrowing of the gap W can be suppressed, a decrease in the transport speed of the medium M can be minimized.

[0090] In the present embodiment, the first separate transport path P1 guides the medium M toward the drive roller 22 a on the side of the curvature center C1 a of the first curved portion C1 in the second transport roller pair 22 .

[0091] As a result, the medium M is pulled toward the outside of the first curved portion C1 on the side opposite to the center of curvature C1a of the first curved portion C1 under the action of centrifugal force. Therefore, the medium M pulled toward the outside can easily come into contact with the protrusion P1e, for example, and is thus easily guided toward the drive roller 22a.

[0092] In addition, in the modified example ( Figure 5 ), the first separate transport path P1 guides the medium M toward the driven roller 22b on the opposite side of the curvature center C1a of the curved portion C1 in the second transport roller pair 22.

[0093] As a result, the medium M is pulled toward the outside (the driven roller 22b side) opposite to the center of curvature C1a of the first curved portion C1 by the centrifugal force at the first curved portion C1, and thus the medium M is easily guided toward the driven roller 22b side. Figure 5 As shown, when the protrusion P1f for guiding the medium M is used, compared with Figure 4 In the case of using the protrusion P1e for guiding the medium M toward the driving roller 22a, a simpler structure can be adopted in which the protrusion P1f has a smaller protrusion amount.

[0094] In addition, the present invention is not directly limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and the structural elements can be deformed and concretized in the implementation stage without departing from the scope of its main purpose. In addition, various technical solutions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple structural elements disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, all the structural elements shown in the embodiments can also be appropriately combined. Of course, various deformations and applications can be made within the scope of such a scope without departing from the main purpose of the invention. Below, the technical solutions and other technical solutions recorded in the initial claims of the application of this application are annotated.

[0095] [Note 1]

[0096] A conveying device, characterized in that

[0097] The conveying device has:

[0098] a conveying path having a curved portion; and

[0099] A pair of conveying members are arranged in the conveying path and convey the medium while holding it.

[0100] The medium enters the pair of conveying members in a state where the medium is at least partially bent at the bent portion.

[0101] The conveying path guides the medium toward one of the pair of conveying members.

[0102] [Note 2]

[0103] The conveying device according to Supplementary Note 1 is characterized in that

[0104] The conveying path has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the conveying path of the medium.

[0105] The protrusion guides the medium toward one of the pair of conveying members.

[0106] [Note 3]

[0107] The conveying device according to Supplement 1 or 2 is characterized in that

[0108] The curved portion includes a pair of guide plates for guiding the medium.

[0109] The distance between the pair of guide plates is set to be wide within a range where an inclination of the medium conveying direction with respect to the conveying direction of the guide plates when the medium enters the pair of conveying members is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value.

[0110] [Note 4]

[0111] The conveying device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, characterized in that:

[0112] The conveying path guides the medium toward the conveying member of the pair of conveying members, which is closer to the center of curvature of the curved portion.

[0113] [Note 5]

[0114] The conveying device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, characterized in that:

[0115] The conveying path guides the medium toward the conveying member of the pair of conveying members on the opposite side to the center of curvature of the curved portion.

Claims

1. A conveying device, characterized in that: The conveying device has: a conveying path having a curved portion; and A pair of conveying members are arranged in the conveying path and convey the medium while holding it. The medium enters the pair of conveying members in a state where the medium is at least partially bent at the bent portion. The conveying path has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the conveying path of the medium. The curved portion is an arc with a center of curvature, The protrusion guides the medium toward the conveying member on the side of the center of curvature of the curved portion among the pair of conveying members so that the top end of the medium contacts only the conveying member on the side of the center of curvature of the curved portion among the pair of conveying members, or enters an intermediate position between the conveying member on the side of the center of curvature of the curved portion and the other conveying member.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that The curved portion includes a pair of guide plates for guiding the medium. The distance between the pair of guide plates is set to be wide within a range where an inclination of the medium conveying direction with respect to the conveying direction of the guide plates when the medium enters the pair of conveying members is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value.

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