Processing system and relay conveying unit

Abstract

This application relates to a processing system and a relay transmission unit that suppresses damage to the components constituting the positioning part (11) and its surroundings during the alignment of the positioning mechanism (7). The system includes a first unit (3) and a second unit (5) connected to the first unit via the positioning mechanism (7). The positioning mechanism (7) includes: a positioning part (11) into which a first insertion part (9) is inserted to position the first unit and the second unit, the first insertion part being disposed in one of the first unit and the second unit, and the first insertion part being disposed in the other; and a position guide part (17) that guides the first insertion part (9) to a position where the first insertion part (10) can be inserted by inserting the second insertion part (13) into the second insertion part (15), the second insertion part being disposed in one of the first unit and the second unit, and the second insertion part being disposed in the other. The insertion of the position guide part (17) precedes the insertion of the positioning part (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a processing system and a relay transmission unit. Background Technology

[0002] Regarding prior art for a recording system as an example of such a processing system, the technology described in Patent Document 1 can be cited. Patent Document 1 describes a relay transport device that can be detached from the internal discharge section of an image forming system used to connect an image forming apparatus having an internal discharge section and a post-processing apparatus.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-133635

[0004] However, as with the prior art described above, the relay transport device, which is detached from the discharge section of the machine body, often needs to be aligned deep within the image forming apparatus, making alignment difficult using conventional positioning mechanisms. If alignment is difficult, the relay transport device may collide with the image forming apparatus, causing damage. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the recording system of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a first unit having the function of performing a first processing; and a second unit having the function of performing a second processing, and connected to the first unit via a positioning mechanism, the positioning mechanism comprising: a positioning part for positioning the first unit and the second unit by inserting a first inserted part into a first inserted part, the first inserted part being disposed in one of the first unit and the second unit, and the first inserted part being disposed in the other; and a position guiding part for guiding the first inserted part to a position where it can be inserted by inserting a second inserted part into a second inserted part, the second inserted part being disposed in one of the first unit and the second unit, and the second inserted part being disposed in the other, wherein the insertion of the position guiding part precedes the insertion of the positioning part.

[0006] The relay delivery unit of the present invention is characterized in that it is connected to the discharge section of the recording device via a positioning mechanism, and has a receiving section for receiving the medium recorded by the recording device and for conveying the medium to a post-processing device for performing a predetermined post-processing on the medium. The positioning mechanism comprises: a positioning section for positioning the recording device and the relay delivery unit by inserting a first insertion section into a first inserted section, wherein the first insertion section is disposed on one of the recording device and the relay delivery unit, and the first inserted section is disposed on the other; and a position guide section for guiding the first insertion section to a position where the first inserted section can be inserted by inserting a second insertion section into a second inserted section, wherein the second insertion section is disposed on one of the recording device and the relay delivery unit, and the second inserted section is disposed on the other. The insertion of the position guide section precedes the insertion of the positioning section. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a simplified perspective view of the processing system involved in Implementation Method 1.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of the positioning mechanism in Implementation Method 1.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of the positioning mechanism in Implementation Method 1.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of a variation of Implementation Method 1.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a simplified front view of the main components of the processing system in Implementation Method Two.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a front view of the relay transmission unit in Implementation Method 2.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the main parts of Implementation Method 2.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the main part of the first unit in Implementation Method 2.

[0015] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the main part of the second unit in Implementation Method 2.

[0016] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the main parts of Implementation Method 2 from the insertion direction.

[0017] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the main parts of Implementation Method 2 from above.

[0018] Figure 12 These are the main part of the second embodiment's side sectional view and partial enlarged view.

[0019] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of the main parts of Implementation Method 2.

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0021] 1…processing system, 2…joining surface, 2a…first joining surface, 2b…second joining surface, 3…first unit, 3, 4…joining surface, 4a…first joining surface, 4b…second joining surface, 5…second unit, 6…center, 7…positioning mechanism, 8…center, 9, 9a, 9b…first insertion part, 10, 10a, 10b…first inserted part, 11…positioning part, 12…center, 13…second insertion part, 14…center, 15…second inserted part, 16…scanner, 17…position guide part, 18…deep part, 19a, 19b…pin, 20…transport path, 21a, 21b…hole, 22…metal plate, 23…conical part, 24…metal plate 25…gap area, 27…upper and lower gap, 29…horizontal gap, 31…inverted conical part, 33…exhaust part inside the machine body, 35…receiving part, 37…post-processing device, 39…relay conveying unit, 41…first hole, 43…first protrusion, 45…first flat part, 47…flat surface, 49a, 49b…second protrusion, 51a, 51b…second hole, 53a, 53b…second flat part, 55a, 55b…third flat part, 57…exhaust part, 59…connection part, 61…rear surface, 63…restriction part, 65a, 65b…protrusion, 67a, 67b…hole, 70…screw, F…conveying direction, P…insertion direction, S…medium. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will now be briefly described.

[0023] To solve the aforementioned technical problems, the processing system according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a first unit having the function of performing a first processing; and a second unit having the function of performing a second processing, and connected to the first unit via a positioning mechanism, the positioning mechanism comprising: a positioning part for positioning the first unit and the second unit by inserting a first inserted part into a first inserted part, the first inserted part being disposed in one of the first unit and the second unit, and the first inserted part being disposed in the other; and a position guiding part for guiding the first inserted part to a position where it can be inserted into the first inserted part by inserting a second inserted part into a second inserted part, the second inserted part being disposed in one of the first unit and the second unit, and the second inserted part being disposed in the other, wherein the insertion of the position guiding part precedes the insertion of the positioning part.

[0024] Here, "first processing" means, for example, certain main processes that can be performed by the first unit, such as the printing process of the medium, if the first unit is a printing apparatus.

[0025] "Second processing" refers to, for example, certain main processes that can be performed by the second unit, such as binding processing, on the media, when the second unit is a post-processing device that performs binding processing. It should be noted that "second processing" also includes, for example, "transfer processing" of relay transport devices that relay media received from the printing device to other processing devices.

[0026] According to this aspect, when the first unit and the second unit are connected via the positioning mechanism, the insertion of the position guide is performed before the insertion of the positioning part.

[0027] Therefore, when the first unit and the second unit are brought close together while the positioning guide is misaligned, the second insertion portion constituting the positioning guide collides with the other unit. However, since the first insertion portion constituting the positioning part is in a position where it has not yet contacted the other unit, there is no collision. That is, damage to the components constituting the positioning part and its surroundings can be suppressed during alignment.

[0028] When the position guide is aligned, and the first unit and the second unit are close together, the second insertion part is inserted into the second insertion part of the other unit.

[0029] According to this aspect, the first insertion portion constituting the positioning portion is guided to a position where the first insertion portion can be inserted by inserting the second insertion portion into the second insertion portion. Thus, by continuing to bring the first unit and the second unit closer together in this guided state, the first insertion portion is inserted into the first insertion portion.

[0030] As explained above, according to this aspect, by aligning the first stage of the positioning guide, the first insertion part of the positioning part is automatically aligned to be inserted into the first inserted part. That is, the alignment of the positioning part is achieved through the alignment of the first stage. Therefore, by bringing the first unit and the second unit close together in this state, the first insertion part of the positioning part reaches the entrance of the first inserted part, thus enabling the first insertion part to enter the first inserted part with a low probability of collision.

[0031] By inserting the first insertion portion of the positioning part into the first insertion portion when the alignment is completed, the first unit and the second unit are connected in a correctly positioned state.

[0032] The processing system according to the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the position guide has a gap region in which the second insertion part can be displaced relative to the second inserted part in a direction intersecting the insertion direction, and the first insertion part and the first inserted part are configured to be inserted into a state in which the second insertion part is aligned with the second insertion part and is located within the second inserted part having the gap region.

[0033] According to this aspect, the position guide has a gap region in which the second insertion portion can be displaced relative to the second inserted portion in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. Therefore, due to the presence of this gap region, alignment for inserting the second insertion portion into the second inserted portion becomes easier.

[0034] Furthermore, the first insertion part and the first inserted part are configured to be inserted into the second inserted part having the gap region by being aligned with the second insertion part. Thus, by inserting the first insertion part into the first inserted part, the first unit and the second unit are connected in a correctly positioned state.

[0035] The processing system according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, is characterized in that the gap region has: an upper and lower gap portion defining a displacement range in the upper and lower directions; and a horizontal gap portion defining a displacement range in the horizontal direction.

[0036] According to this aspect, the gap region has the upper and lower gap portions and the horizontal gap portion. Therefore, since the user can align the position guide portion within the range of the upper and lower gap portions and the horizontal gap portion, alignment is easy.

[0037] The processing system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second or third aspect, the first insertion portion is a pin protruding in the insertion direction, the first inserted portion is a hole, the front end of the pin has a tapered portion that gradually tapers in the insertion direction, and the front end of the tapered portion is located within the diameter of the hole when the second insertion portion is located in the gap region relative to the second inserted portion.

[0038] According to this aspect, by positioning the second insertion portion relative to the second inserted portion in the gap region, the front end of the tapered portion of the pin, which serves as the front end of the first insertion portion, is located within the diameter of the hole, which serves as the first inserted portion. Therefore, even if the axis of the first insertion portion and the axis of the first inserted portion are not aligned, if the front end of the tapered portion is located within the diameter of the hole, continued insertion in this state can be guided in a direction where the two axes align.

[0039] Therefore, it is possible to achieve a simple structure in which the first insert and the first inserted part are positioned in the gap region relative to the second inserted part, thus enabling the first insert and the first inserted part to be inserted.

[0040] The processing system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second or third aspect, the first insertion part is a pin protruding in the insertion direction, the first inserted part is a hole, the entrance of the hole has an inverted conical portion that expands in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, and the pin is located within the maximum diameter of the inverted conical portion of the hole when the second insertion part is located in the gap region relative to the second inserted part.

[0041] According to this aspect, by positioning the second insertion portion relative to the second inserted portion within the gap region, the pin is located within the maximum diameter of the inverted conical portion of the hole. Therefore, even if the axis of the first insertion portion and the axis of the first inserted portion are not aligned, if the pin is located within the maximum diameter of the inverted conical portion of the hole, continued insertion in this state can guide it in a direction aligned with the two axes through the inverted conical portion.

[0042] Therefore, it is possible to achieve a simple structure in which the first insert and the first inserted part are positioned in the gap region relative to the second inserted part, thus enabling the first insert and the first inserted part to be inserted.

[0043] The processing system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, is characterized in that the first unit is a recording device having an internal discharge portion, into which a recorded medium is discharged; the second unit is an option unit connected to the recording device at the internal discharge portion via the positioning mechanism, and having a receiving portion that receives the medium recorded by the recording device; the positioning portions are located outside the receiving portion in the width direction of the transported medium; and the position guide portion is located above the receiving portion.

[0044] In the case where the second unit is an option unit that receives the medium recorded by the recording device via the positioning mechanism at the discharge section inside the recording device, the positioning part is located in a place with low visual visibility for the user. In particular, in a structure where the positioning parts are located outside the receiving section in the width direction of the conveyed medium, it is difficult to simultaneously confirm the positioning parts of both sides while performing the operation, and the visual visibility further decreases. Therefore, the alignment of the positioning parts becomes difficult.

[0045] However, according to this aspect, as described above, the alignment of the positioning part is completed through the first-stage alignment of the position guide, thus enabling the first insertion part to enter the first inserted part with a low probability of collision. Furthermore, since the position guide is located above the receiving part, the visual recognizability of the position guide during the first-stage alignment is improved, and the alignment of the position guide becomes easier accordingly. Therefore, the recording device and the option unit are connected in a correctly positioned state.

[0046] The processing system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, the position guide is located above the positioning part.

[0047] According to this aspect, since the position guide is located above the positioning part, the visual recognizability of the position guide during alignment is improved, and its alignment becomes easier.

[0048] The processing system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth or seventh aspect, is characterized in that the position guide is located upstream of the positioning part in the insertion direction.

[0049] According to this aspect, since the position guide is located upstream of the positioning part in the insertion direction, the visual recognizability of the position guide during alignment is improved, and its alignment becomes easier.

[0050] The processing system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, is characterized in that the recording device includes a discharge section for discharging the medium, the discharge section being inserted into the receiving section.

[0051] In a processing system in which the discharge portion of the recording device is inserted into the receiving portion of the option unit, if the alignment is insufficient to bring the two close together, in addition to the possibility of damaging the positioning mechanism, the discharge portion and the receiving portion may also collide and be damaged.

[0052] The present invention is remarkably effective in processing systems with such a structure.

[0053] The processing system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect, is characterized in that the first inserted portion and the discharged portion are located on the same surface.

[0054] In a processing system in which the receiving part of the option unit receives the medium discharged from the discharge part of the recording device, high positioning accuracy is particularly required in the relative positions of the discharge part and the receiving part.

[0055] According to this aspect, since the first inserted portion and the discharge portion are located on the same surface, the positioning portion can be located near the discharge portion, which easily satisfies the requirement.

[0056] The processing system according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the sixth to tenth aspects, is characterized by comprising: a first hole portion serving as the second insertion portion, disposed in one of the recording device and the option unit; and a first protrusion serving as the second insertion portion, disposed in the other of the recording device and the option unit, wherein the first hole portion is inserted, and the option unit is restricted to displacement in the up-down direction by the insertion of the first protrusion into the first hole portion.

[0057] According to this aspect, by inserting the first protrusion constituting the position guide into the first hole constituting the position guide, the option unit is restricted to move in the up and down direction.

[0058] That is, according to this aspect, the first protrusion can be configured such that its movement range is limited by the upper and lower portions within the first hole through the insertion of the first protrusion into the first hole, thereby making it easy to set the gap region in the vertical direction.

[0059] The processing system according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh aspect, is characterized in that a first flat portion is provided in the first hole portion, the first flat portion having a flat surface along the insertion direction, and being configured such that the flat surface faces the first protrusion to be inserted from below, the first protrusion inserted into the first hole portion having its downward displacement restricted by the first flat portion.

[0060] According to this aspect, since the first protrusion inserted into the first hole is restricted from downward displacement by the first flat portion, it becomes easier to align the position guide portion.

[0061] Furthermore, since the first protrusion inserted into the first hole is guided in the insertion direction by the first flat portion, it also becomes easier to align the position guide portion from this point.

[0062] The processing system according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh or twelfth aspect, is characterized by comprising: a second protrusion located on the outside of the first hole portion in the width direction of the medium; and a second hole portion into which the second protrusion is inserted, wherein the option unit is restricted to rotation about the position of the second insertion portion.

[0063] According to this aspect, by inserting the second protrusion into the second hole, the option unit is restricted from rotating about the position of the second insertion portion. This allows for stable alignment of the position guide, making alignment of the position guide easier.

[0064] The processing system according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, is characterized in that the second protrusion constitutes another second insertion portion of the position guide portion, the second hole portion constitutes another second insertion portion of the position guide portion, and the option unit is restricted to upward displacement by inserting the second protrusion into the second hole portion.

[0065] According to this aspect, since the option unit is restricted from upward displacement by being inserted into the second hole portion constituting the other second insertion portion through the second protrusion constituting the other second insertion portion, the alignment of the position guide portion becomes easy.

[0066] The processing system according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the fourteenth aspect, is characterized in that the option unit has a second flat portion in the second hole portion, the second convex portion is formed by a plate-shaped third flat portion, and the second hole portion is inserted through the third flat portion, the second flat portion being located at a position overlapping the third flat portion from below.

[0067] According to this aspect, the second hole portion is inserted through the third flat portion, and the second flat portion is located at a position overlapping the third flat portion from below. This restricts upward displacement, allowing for stable alignment of the position guide portion, thus facilitating its alignment.

[0068] Furthermore, since the second flat portion overlaps with the third flat portion from below, the second flat portion and the third flat portion can be fixed by fasteners such as screws. At this time, since the position guide portion is located above the receiving portion, the fixing operation is easy to perform.

[0069] The processing system according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the sixth to fifteenth aspects, is characterized in that the option unit is a relay transport unit that transports a medium to a post-processing device, the post-processing device performing prescribed post-processing on the medium recorded by the recording device.

[0070] According to this aspect, the same effect as in the sixth aspect is obtained for such a relay transmission unit.

[0071] The processing system according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the sixteenth aspect, is characterized in that the relay transport unit has a rear surface portion having a transfer portion for transferring the medium to the post-processing device, the recording device has a limiting portion that limits the relay transport unit from moving in the insertion direction, and the rear surface portion is limited by the limiting portion from moving in the insertion direction.

[0072] According to this aspect, when the relay transport unit is moved in the insertion direction by the discharge part inside the recording device and positioned by the positioning mechanism for installation, the installation operation is easy because the rear surface part can be restricted from moving in the insertion direction by the limiting part.

[0073] The relay transport unit according to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it is connected to the discharge section of the recording device via a positioning mechanism, has a receiving section for receiving a medium recorded by the recording device, and transports the medium to a post-processing device for performing a predetermined post-processing on the medium, the positioning mechanism comprising: a positioning section for positioning the recording device and the relay transport unit by inserting a first insertion section into a first inserted section, the first insertion section being disposed on one of the recording device and the relay transport unit, and the first inserted section being disposed on the other; and a position guide section for guiding the first insertion section to a position where the first inserted section can be inserted by inserting a second insertion section into a second inserted section, the second insertion section being disposed on one of the recording device and the relay transport unit, and the second inserted section being disposed on the other, the insertion of the position guide section preceding the insertion of the positioning section.

[0074] According to this aspect, it achieves the same effect as the first aspect when used as a relay transmission unit.

[0075] The relay delivery unit according to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the eighteenth aspect, is characterized in that the positioning part is located outside the receiving part in the width direction of the discharged medium, and the position guiding part is located above the receiving part.

[0076] According to this aspect, it achieves the same effect as the sixth aspect when used as a relay transmission unit.

[0077] In the nineteenth aspect, the relay transmission unit according to the twentieth aspect of the present invention is characterized by having additional position guides located on the outside of the position guides in the width direction of the medium, wherein the second protrusion of the other position guides as a second insertion part is inserted into a second hole as a second insertion part, and the option unit is restricted to rotation about the position of the position guides located between the other position guides as an axis.

[0078] According to this aspect, it achieves the same effect as the thirteenth aspect when used as a relay transmission unit.

[0079] Implementation Method 1

[0080] The following is based on Figures 1 to 4 The processing system 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below.

[0081] In the following explanation, as shown in the figures, the three mutually orthogonal axes are designated as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The Z-axis direction corresponds to the vertical direction, i.e., the direction of gravity. The X-axis and Y-axis directions correspond to the horizontal direction. In the figures, the arrows pointing to the three axes (X, Y, Z) indicate the positive direction, and the opposite direction is the negative direction.

[0082] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the processing system 1 according to this embodiment includes a first unit 3 having the function of performing a first processing and a second unit 5 having the function of performing a second processing. The first unit 3 and the second unit 5 constituting the processing system 1 are positioned and connected by a positioning mechanism 7.

[0083] In this embodiment, the positioning mechanism 7 includes a positioning part 11 for positioning the first unit 3 and the second unit 5 by inserting a first insertion part 9 provided on the engagement surface 2 of the second unit 5 into a first insertion part 10 provided on the engagement surface 4 of the first unit 3. Furthermore, the positioning mechanism 7 includes a positioning guide part 17 for guiding the first insertion part 9 to a position where it can be inserted into the first insertion part 10 by inserting a second insertion part 13 provided on the engagement surface 2 of the second unit 5 into a second insertion part 15 provided on the engagement surface 4 of the first unit 3.

[0084] It should be noted that, in contrast to the above, a first insertion part 10 may be provided on the joint surface 2 of the second unit 5, a first insertion part 9 may be provided on the joint surface 4 of the first unit 3, a second insertion part 15 may be provided on the joint surface 2 of the second unit 5, and a second insertion part 13 may be provided on the joint surface 4 of the first unit 3.

[0085] Therefore, the relative arrangement of the position guide 17 and the positioning part 11 is configured such that the insertion of the position guide 17, i.e., the insertion of the second insertion part 13 into the second inserted part 15, precedes the insertion of the positioning part 11, i.e., the insertion of the first insertion part 9 into the first inserted part 10.

[0086] Here, "before..." means that at the moment when the second insertion part 13 of the position guide 17 approaches the second insertion part 15 and begins insertion, the first insertion part 9 of the positioning part 11 has not yet reached the entrance of the first insertion part 10. That is, it is a structure in which the first insertion part 9 of the positioning part 11 reaches the entrance of the first insertion part 10 and can begin insertion after the second insertion part 13 approaches the second insertion part 15 and reaches the entrance.

[0087] In short, in such Figure 1 In such a structure in which the first insertion part 9 and the second insertion part 13 protrude from the same mating surface 2, the protrusion dimension of the second insertion part 13 protruding from the mating surface 2 in the insertion direction P is greater than the protrusion dimension of the first insertion part 9.

[0088] Positioning Department

[0089] The positioning part 11 is a part used to make the relative position of the first unit 3 and the second unit 5 into a desired state by the first insertion part 9 being inserted into the first insertion part 10, and to connect the two in that state.

[0090] like Figure 1 As shown, the first insertion part 9 is configured to have two first insertion parts 9a and 9b, and the first inserted part 10 is also configured to have two first inserted parts 10a and 10b. It should be noted that the positioning part 11 may also be configured to have three or more first insertion parts 9, and correspondingly, the first inserted parts 10 may also be configured to have three or more.

[0091] Alternatively, the positioning part 11 can be constructed using a first insertion part 9 and a first insertion part 10. When the positioning part 11 is constructed as one of each, it is difficult to align if the second unit 5 can rotate around the position of one positioning part 11. Therefore, it is desirable to have a structure that restricts rotation for positioning. For example, the rotation can be restricted by making the first insertion part 9 a square plate shape, and the first insertion part 10 a square hole shape corresponding to the shape of each plate.

[0092] In this embodiment, the first insertion portions 9a and 9b of the positioning portion 11 are pins 19a and 19b protruding in the insertion direction P (+Y direction). Here, the pins 19a and 19b are cylindrical in shape.

[0093] The first insertion portions 10a and 10b are holes 21a and 21b for inserting pins 19a and 19b. Holes 21a and 21b have inner surface shapes corresponding to the cylindrical shapes of pins 19a and 19b. That is, the outer diameters of pins 19a and 19b and the diameters of holes 21a and 21b are approximately the same size, configured such that they are connected with a gap sufficient for insertion.

[0094] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 (B), (D), (F) and Figure 3 As shown in (B), (D), and (F), a tapered portion 23 that gradually tapers towards the insertion direction P is provided at the front end of pins 19a and 19b. This tapered portion 23 facilitates the insertion of pins 19a and 19b into holes 21a and 21b. Here, the tapered portion 23 is conical in shape. It should be noted that it could also be frustum conical, or any other shape, as long as it facilitates insertion.

[0095] Positioning guide

[0096] The position guide 17 is configured to guide the first insert portion 9 (9a, 9b) to a position where the first insert portion 10 (10a, 10b) can be inserted by inserting the second insert portion 13 into the second inserted portion 15. Here, as... Figure 1 As shown, the second insertion portion 13 is formed in the shape of a square plate. The second insertion portion 15 has an inner surface shape corresponding to the shape of the square plate.

[0097] In this embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown in (A), the position guide 17 has a gap region 25 in which the second insertion part 13 can be displaced relative to the second inserted part 15 in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, which are intersecting the insertion direction P.

[0098] In this embodiment, the gap region 25 has an upper and lower gap portion 27 with a defined displacement range in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and a horizontal gap portion 29 with a defined displacement range in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction). Here, the dimensions of the upper and lower gap portions 27 and the horizontal gap portion 29 are formed to be the same. The gap region 25 is the gap between the outer surface of the second insertion portion 13 and the inner surface of the second insertion portion 15 when the second insertion portion 13 is inserted into the second insertion portion 15 as described above.

[0099] Therefore, the first insertion part 9 (9a, 9b) and the first inserted part 10 (10a, 10b) are configured to be able to be inserted by aligning the second insertion part 13 within the second inserted part 15 having the gap region 25.

[0100] based on Figure 2 and Figure 3 This section describes a structure in which the first insertion portion 9 (9a, 9b) of the positioning portion 11 is guided to a position where it can be inserted into the first insertion portion 10 (10a, 10b) by aligning the second insertion portion 13 of the position guide portion 17 with the second insertion portion 15 having the gap region 25. It should be noted that the description here uses the positioning portion 11 located in the +X direction of the position guide portion 17 as an example; the same principle applies to the positioning portion 11 located in the -X direction of the position guide portion 17, although the direction is reversed in the X direction.

[0101] Figure 2 (A), (B) and Figure 3 (A) and (B) show the state in which the center 6 of the front end of the second insertion part 13 and the center 8 of the second inserted part 15 are aligned in the insertion direction P.

[0102] In this state, the center 12 of the front end of the pins 19a and 19b, which are configured as the first insertion parts 9 (9a, 9b), and the center 14 of the holes 21a and 21b, which are configured as the first inserted parts 10 (10a, 10b), are aligned in a straight line in the insertion direction P. That is, the first insertion parts 9 (9a, 9b) are in a position where the first inserted parts 10 (10a, 10b) can be inserted.

[0103] Figure 2 (C), (D) and Figure 3 (C) and (D) show the state in which the center 6 of the front end of the second insertion part 13 and the center 8 of the second inserted part 15 are not on a straight line in the insertion direction P, but are located at the position of maximum deviation in the +X direction within the gap region 25. In this state, the center 12 of the front end of the pins 19a and 19b, which are the first insertion parts 9 (9a and 9b), is deviated in the +X direction relative to the center 14 of the holes 21a and 21b, which are the first inserted parts 10 (10a and 10b).

[0104] However, the relative positions of the position guide 17 and the positioning part 11 are configured such that even if there is a deviation in the +X direction, the center 12 of the front end of the pins 19a and 19b is located inside the holes 21a and 21b. Therefore, when the pins 19a and 19b move in the direction of insertion into the holes 21a and 21b, firstly, the tapered part 23 abuts against the edge of the entrance to the holes 21a and 21b. Then, the tapered part 23 guides the center 12 of the pins 19a and 19b in a direction (-X direction) aligned with the center 14 of the holes 21a and 21b. Then, with the two centers 12 and 14 aligned, the pins 19a and 19b are inserted into the holes 21a and 21b.

[0105] That is, even if the position guide 17 is in the position of maximum deviation in the +X direction within the gap region 25 as described above, the first insertion part 9 (9a, 9b) of the positioning part 11 is in a position where the first insertion part 10 (10a, 10b) can be inserted.

[0106] Figure 2 (E), (F) and Figure 3 (E) and (F) show the state in which the center 6 of the front end of the second insertion part 13 and the center 8 of the second inserted part 15 are not on a straight line in the insertion direction P, but are located at the position of maximum deviation in the -X direction within the gap region 25. In this state, the center 12 of the front end of the pins 19a and 19b is deviated in the -X direction relative to the center 14 of the holes 21a and 21b.

[0107] However, the relative positions of the position guide 17 and the positioning part 11 are configured such that even if there is a deviation in the -X direction, the center 12 of the front end of the pins 19a and 19b is located inside the holes 21a and 21b. Therefore, when the pins 19a and 19b move in the direction of insertion into the holes 21a and 21b, firstly, the tapered part 23 abuts against the edge of the entrance to the holes 21a and 21b. Then, the tapered part 23 guides the center 12 of the pins 19a and 19b in a direction (+X direction) aligned with the center 14 of the holes 21a and 21b. Then, with the two centers 12 and 14 aligned, the pins 19a and 19b are inserted into the holes 21a and 21b.

[0108] That is, even if the position guide 17 is in the position of maximum deviation in the -X direction within the gap region 25 as described above, the first insertion part 9 (9a, 9b) of the positioning part 11 is in a position where the first insertion part 10 (10a, 10b) can be inserted.

[0109] For the state where the center 6 of the front end of the second insertion part 13 and the center 8 of the second inserted part 15 are not on a straight line in the insertion direction P, but are located in the gap region 25 at the position of maximum deviation in the +Z or -Z direction, the first insertion part 9 (9a, 9b) is in a position where it can insert the first inserted part 10 (10a, 10b). This can be achieved by simply replacing "X direction" with "Z direction" in the aforementioned description. Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is the same explanation. Therefore, its explanation is omitted.

[0110] Variation Example 1

[0111] In the above description, it was explained that the dimensions of the upper and lower gap portions 27 and the horizontal gap portion 29 of the gap region 25 are formed to be the same size. However, the structure is not limited to this "same size" and one of them may be larger than the other.

[0112] Alternatively, the dimensions of the upper and lower gaps 27 and the horizontal gap 29 can be made approximately zero for one or both. In this case, since the alignment of the position guide 17 is not easy, the possibility of collision between the second insertion portion 13 and the mating surface 4 on the side of the second insertion portion 15 increases.

[0113] However, the position guide 17 does not function to position the first unit 3 and the second unit 5, but rather serves to guide the first insertion part 9 of the positioning part 11 to a position where the first insertion part 10 can be inserted. Therefore, even if the second insertion part 13 of the position guide 17 sometimes collides with the engagement surface 4, the processing unit 1 can be configured such that no problem will occur if the positioning part 11 does not collide.

[0114] It should be noted that even with such a structure, the processing unit 1 can be easily inserted into the second insertion part 15 by providing a tapered part or the like at the front end of the second insertion part 13.

[0115] Variation Example 2

[0116] like Figure 4 As shown, the tapered portion 23 provided at the front end of the first insertion portion 9 can also be replaced by an inverted tapered portion 31 at the inlet of holes 21a and 21b that expands in the opposite direction (-Y direction) to the insertion direction P. The tapered portion 23 is not provided at the front end of pins 19a and 19b. It should be noted that the tapered portion 23 can also be provided at the front end of pins 19a and 19b.

[0117] Therefore, when the second insertion part 13 is located in the gap region 25 relative to the second inserted part 15, the pins 19a and 19b of the positioning part 11 are configured to be located within the maximum diameter of the inverted conical part 31 of the holes 21a and 21b.

[0118] Alternatively, it can be combined with the tapered portion 23 located at the front end of the first insertion portion 9.

[0119] Explanation of the effects of Implementation Method 1

[0120] (1) In a device that provides an insertion pin in one device and an insertion hole in another device, and positions and connects the two devices by inserting the insertion pin into the insertion hole, the following technical problems exist. When approaching each other with their positions deviating due to insufficient alignment between the insertion pin and the insertion hole, the insertion pin may collide with the other device, damaging the insertion pin and further damaging the other device that caused the collision. In particular, if the device with the insertion pin is large, the insertion pin is located far from the user, making alignment difficult and easily causing the collision.

[0121] According to this embodiment, when the first unit 3 and the second unit 5 are connected via the positioning mechanism 7, the insertion of the position guide 17 is performed before the insertion of the positioning part 11.

[0122] Therefore, when the first unit 3 and the second unit 5 approach each other while the positioning guide 17 is misaligned, the second insertion part 13 constituting the positioning guide 17 collides with the other unit 3. However, since the first insertion part 9 constituting the positioning part 11 is in a position where it has not yet contacted the other unit 3, there is no collision. That is, damage to the components constituting the positioning part 11 and its surroundings can be suppressed during the alignment.

[0123] When the first unit 3 and the second unit 5 are brought close together after the position guide 17 is aligned, the second insertion part 13 is inserted into the second insertion part 15 of the other unit 3.

[0124] According to this embodiment, the first insertion part 9, which constitutes the positioning part 11, is guided to a position where the first insertion part 10 can be inserted by inserting the second insertion part 13 into the second insertion part 15. Thus, by continuing to bring the first unit 3 and the second unit 5 closer together in this guided state, the first insertion part 9 is inserted into the first insertion part 10.

[0125] As explained above, according to this embodiment, by aligning the first stage of the positioning guide 17, the first insertion part 9 of the positioning part 11 is automatically aligned to be inserted into the first inserted part 10. That is, the alignment of the positioning part 11 is achieved through the alignment of the first stage. Therefore, by bringing the first unit 3 and the second unit 5 close together in this state, the first insertion part 9 of the positioning part 11 reaches the entrance of the first inserted part 10, thus allowing the first insertion part 9 to enter the first inserted part 10 with a low probability of collision.

[0126] By inserting the first insertion part 9 of the positioning part 11 into the first insertion part 10 when the alignment is completed, the first unit 3 and the second unit 5 are connected in a correctly positioned state.

[0127] (2) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the position guide 17 has a gap region 25 in which the second insertion portion 13 can be displaced relative to the second inserted portion 15 in a direction intersecting the insertion direction P. As a result, since the gap region 25 exists, it becomes easier to align the second insertion portion 13 with the second inserted portion 15.

[0128] Furthermore, the first insertion part 9 and the first inserted part 10 are configured to be aligned with the second insertion part 13 so that they are located within the gap region 25 relative to the second inserted part 15, thus enabling insertion. Therefore, by inserting the first insertion part 9 into the first inserted part 10, the first unit 3 and the second unit 5 are connected in a correctly positioned state.

[0129] (3) In addition, according to this embodiment, the gap region 25 has an upper and lower gap portion 27 and a horizontal gap portion 29. Therefore, since the user can align the position guide portion 17 within the range of the upper and lower gap portions 27 and the horizontal gap portion 29, its alignment is easy.

[0130] (4) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by positioning the second insertion portion 13 relative to the second inserted portion 15 within the gap region 25, the front end of the tapered portion 23, which serves as the front end of the pins 19a and 19b of the first insertion portion 9, is located within the diameter of the holes 21a and 21b of the first inserted portion 10. Therefore, even if the axis of the first insertion portion 9 and the axis of the first inserted portion 10 are not aligned, if the center 12 of the front end of the tapered portion 23 is located within the diameter of the holes 21a and 21b, then if insertion continues in this state, it can be guided in a direction aligned with the two axes by the tapered portion 23.

[0131] Therefore, it is possible to achieve a simple structure in which the first insertion part 9 and the first insertion part 10 are in a state where they can be inserted by aligning the second insertion part 13 with the second insertion part 13 in a state that is located within the gap region 25 relative to the second insertion part 15.

[0132] (5) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by positioning the second insertion portion 13 within the gap region 25 relative to the second inserted portion 15, the pins 19a and 19b are located within the maximum diameter of the inverted conical portion 31 of the holes 21a and 21b. Therefore, even if the axis of the first insertion portion 9 and the axis of the first inserted portion 10 are not aligned, if the pins 19a and 19b are located within the maximum diameter of the inverted conical portion 31 of the holes 21a and 21b, then if insertion continues in this state, the pins can be guided in a direction aligned with the two axes through the inverted conical portion 31.

[0133] Therefore, it is possible to achieve a simple structure in which the first insertion part 9 and the first insertion part 10 are in a state where they can be inserted by aligning the second insertion part 13 with the second insertion part 13 in a state that is located within the gap region 25 relative to the second insertion part 15.

[0134] Implementation Method 2

[0135] The following is based on Figures 5 to 13 The processing system 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described below. It should be noted that the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as in Embodiment 1, and descriptions already given therein are omitted.

[0136] In this embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, the first unit 3 is a recording device 3 having an internal discharge section 33 for discharging the paper or other media S after recording. The recording device 3 uses the same reference numerals as the first unit 3. This recording device 3 is an inkjet printer and has a scanner 16 on its upper part.

[0137] At least a portion of the upper part of the discharge section 33 inside the machine body is surrounded by the scanner 16, and part or all of the side part is surrounded by the side plate or the like. Therefore, in the case of a structure in which the second unit 5 is connected to the deep part 18 of the discharge section 33 inside the machine body, the alignment of the positioning mechanism 11 often becomes difficult due to poor visual recognition.

[0138] In this embodiment, the second unit 5 is an option unit 5 that is connected to the recording device 3 at a deep portion 18 of the discharge section 33 within the body via the positioning mechanism 7, and receives the medium S recorded by the recording device 3. The option unit 5 and the second unit 5 use the same reference numerals.

[0139] In this embodiment, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, option unit 5 is a backward processing device 37 ( Figure 5 The relay conveying unit 39 for conveying medium S and the post-processing device 37 perform prescribed post-processing such as binding on the medium S that has been recorded by the recording device 3. Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the attached figure, reference numeral F indicates the direction of transport of the transport medium S.

[0140] like Figure 6 As shown, the relay transport unit 39 has a receiving section 35 for receiving the medium S discharged from the recording device 3. The medium S received by the receiving section 35 is transported along the transport direction F in the internal transport path 20 and sent to the post-processing device 37. It should be noted that... Figure 5 The illustration of relay transmission unit 39 is omitted.

[0141] In such a relay conveyor unit 39, paper jams may occur when the medium is conveyed at an angle. To avoid such an adverse situation, it becomes important to receive the medium in the proper position and orientation, requiring high positioning accuracy from the relay conveyor unit 39.

[0142] Configuration of position guidance unit and positioning unit

[0143] like Figure 6 As shown, the engagement surface 2 of the relay transmission unit 39, where the positioning part 11 and the position guide part 17 are located, differs from that in Embodiment 1. It is constructed by a first engagement surface 2a and a second engagement surface 2b located in a front-rear position in the insertion direction P. The first insertion part 9 of the positioning part 11 is located in the "front" second engagement surface 2a. The second insertion part 13 of the position guide part 17 is located in the "rear" second engagement surface 2b.

[0144] like Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the engagement surface 4 of the recording device 3, where the positioning part 11 and the position guide part 17 are located, also differs from that in Embodiment 1. It is constructed by a first engagement surface 4a and a second engagement surface 4b located in a front-rear position in the insertion direction P. The first insertion part 10 of the positioning part 11 is provided on the "front" second engagement surface 4a. The second insertion part 15 of the position guide part 17 is provided on the "rear" second engagement surface 4b.

[0145] It should be noted that, conversely, the first insertion part 10 of the positioning part 11 may be disposed on the second engagement surface 2a, the second insertion part 15 of the position guide part 17 may be disposed on the second engagement surface 2b, the first insertion part 9 of the positioning part 11 may be disposed on the second engagement surface 4a, and the second insertion part 13 of the position guide part 17 may be disposed on the second engagement surface 4b.

[0146] Alternatively, it can be disposed on the same side as in the first embodiment.

[0147] As can be understood from the above description, the position guide 17 is located upstream of the positioning part 11 in the insertion direction P.

[0148] In addition, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the position guide 17 is located above the positioning part 11. Specifically, the position guide 17 is located between and above the two first insertion parts 9a and 9b. It should be noted that, for ease of understanding, Figure 7 The diagram omits any part other than the engagement surfaces 4 (4a, 4b) of the recording device 3 for the second insertion part 15.

[0149] In this embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, the positioning part 11 is located outside the receiving part 35 in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the medium S being transported. Specifically, the two first insertion parts 9a and 9b of the positioning part 11 are respectively disposed at both ends in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the relay transport unit 39. Figure 7 In the middle, the receiving part 35 is not shown because it is in a position that cannot be seen, but Figure 6 The receiving part 35 shown is in Figure 7 The positioning part 11 is located between the two first insertion parts 9a and 9b. The two first insertion parts 10a and 10b of the positioning part 11 are respectively disposed on the engagement part 4 of the recording device 3 and at positions corresponding to the two first insertion parts 9a and 9b.

[0150] like Figure 6 As shown, the position guide 17 is located above the receiving part 35.

[0151] Positioning guide

[0152] In this embodiment, the device includes a first hole 41 provided in the recording device 3 as a second insertion part 15 and a first protrusion 43 provided in the relay transmission unit 39 provided in the option unit 5 as a second insertion part 13. The first protrusion 43 is inserted into the first hole 41. By inserting the first protrusion 43 into the first hole 41, the relay transmission unit 39 is restricted to displacement in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0153] like Figure 8 As shown, the mating surfaces 4 (4a, 4b) of the recording device 3 are formed by bending and cutting the metal plate 22. The first hole 41, which serves as the second insertion part 15, is formed by cutting the metal plate 22.

[0154] The holes 21a and 21b of the first inserted portions 10a and 10b of the positioning portion 11 are also formed by perforating the metal plate 22, as shown in the figure. In this embodiment, one of the holes 21a is formed by an elongated hole that is longer in the X-axis direction.

[0155] Furthermore, a first flat portion 45 is provided in the first hole portion 41. The first flat portion 45 is formed by cutting the metal plate 22 and turning it into the shape shown in the figure, protruding in the insertion direction P. The first flat portion 45 has a flat surface 47 along the insertion direction P, and is provided in a configuration where the flat surface 47 is positioned from below opposite to the first protrusion 43 of the first hole portion 41 into which the first hole portion 41 is inserted.

[0156] Thus, the first protrusion 43 inserted into the first hole 41 is restricted from downward displacement by the first flat portion 45.

[0157] In this embodiment, such as Figure 9 As shown, the second engagement surface 2b, which is part of the engagement surface 2 of the relay transport unit 39, is formed by bending and cutting the metal plate 24. The first protrusion 43, which is the second insertion part 13, is formed by cutting and flipping the metal plate 24. Specifically, the first protrusion 43 is formed by cutting the metal plate 24 and flipping it into the shape shown in the figure, protruding in the insertion direction P.

[0158] exist Figure 9 The diagram omits anything other than the second engagement surface 2b of the relay transmission unit 39. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the second engagement surface 2a, which provides the first insertion portion 9a and the first insertion portion 9b, is also located on a different component than the metal plate 24, its diagram is omitted.

[0159] Furthermore, in this embodiment, second protrusions 49a and 49b and second holes 51a and 51b are provided, such as Figure 8As shown, the second protrusions 49a and 49b are located on the outer sides of the central first hole 41 in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the medium S, as... Figure 9 As shown, the second holes 51a and 51b are for the second protrusions 49a and 49b to be inserted.

[0160] The second protrusions 49a and 49b are formed by cutting and flipping up the metal plate 22, which is the same as the first flat portion 45, and protruding in the opposite direction (-Y direction) of the insertion direction P. The second holes 51a and 51b are formed by cutting and flipping up the metal plate 24, which is the same as the second insertion portion 13, and protruding in the opposite direction (-Y direction) of the insertion direction P.

[0161] By inserting the second protrusions 49a and 49b into the second holes 51a and 51b, the option unit 5 is restricted from rotating about the position of the second insertion part 13.

[0162] In addition, in this embodiment, the second protrusions 49a and 49b are configured as other second insertion portions 13 of the position guide portion 17, and the second hole portions 51a and 51b are configured as other second insertion portions 15 of the position guide portion 17.

[0163] Therefore, as Figure 10 As shown, by inserting the second protrusions 49a and 49b into the second holes 51a and 51b, the option unit 5 is restricted from moving upward.

[0164] In addition, in this embodiment, such as Figure 9 As shown, option unit 5 has second flat portions 53a and 53b in the second hole portions 51a and 51b, respectively, as... Figure 8 As shown, the second protrusions 49a and 49b are formed by plate-shaped third flat portions 55a and 55b, respectively.

[0165] The second flat portions 53a and 53b are formed by cutting and flipping up the metal plate 24, which is the same as the second insertion portion 13, and protruding in the opposite direction (-Y direction) of the insertion direction P. The third flat portions 55a and 55b are formed by cutting and flipping up the metal plate 22, which is the same as the first flat portion 45, and protruding in the opposite direction (-Y direction) of the insertion direction P.

[0166] Therefore, as Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, the second flat portions 53a and 53b are positioned to overlap with the third flat portions 55a and 55b from below by inserting the third flat portions 55a and 55b into the second hole portions 51a and 51b. In other words, the second flat portions 53a and 53b are configured to be located below the third flat portions 55a and 55b, and overlap with them when viewed from above. In this embodiment, the second flat portions 53a and 53b connect with the third flat portions 55a and 55b from below.

[0167] In this embodiment, such as Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the second flat portions 53a, 53b and the third flat portions 55a, 55b are fastened by screws 26 in the overlapping state.

[0168] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a partial view is shown by means of an enlarged diagram. Figure 12 As shown, the recording device 3 includes a discharge section 57 for discharging the recorded medium S. Furthermore, the discharge section 57 is configured as an insertion receiving section 35.

[0169] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first insertion portion 10 is formed to be located on the same surface as the discharge portion 57. That is, as shown... Figure 12 As shown, the configuration is such that the XZ plane is the same plane, the first insertion part 10 is located in the upper position, and the discharge part 57 is located in the lower position.

[0170] Here, "located on the same surface" does not need to be the same in a strict sense, but rather means that the first inserted part 10 and the discharged part 57 exist in a position close to the surface with reference to a surface.

[0171] In addition, in this embodiment, such as Figure 6 and Figure 13 As shown, the relay transport unit 39 includes a rear surface portion 61, on which a transfer portion 59 is provided for transferring the medium S to the post-processing device 37. The recording device 3 includes a limiting portion 63 that restricts the relay transport unit 37 from moving in the insertion direction P. The rear surface portion 61 is restricted from moving in the insertion direction P by the limiting portion 63.

[0172] In this embodiment, such as Figure 13 As shown, the rear surface portion 61 is located on the outside of the limiting portion 63 and is in contact with the limiting portion 63. In other words, the rear surface portion 61 is located behind the limiting portion 63 in the insertion direction P and is in contact with the limiting portion 63.

[0173] In addition, in this embodiment, the rear surface portion 61 of the relay transmission unit 37 is positioned and contacts the limiting portion 63 of the recording device 3 via the rear surface positioning portion 68.

[0174] The rear surface positioning part 68 is configured to position the rear surface part 61 of the relay transmission unit 37 relative to the recording device 3 by inserting two protrusions 65a and 65b provided on the limiting part 63 into holes 67a and 67b provided on the rear surface part 61. The device is then secured with screws 70 or the like while positioned by the rear surface positioning part 68.

[0175] Explanation of the effects of Implementation Method 2

[0176] (1) According to this embodiment, when the second unit 5 is an option unit 5 that receives the medium S recorded by the recording device 3 via a positioning mechanism 7 connected to the discharge section 33 inside the recording device 3, the positioning part 11 is located in a place with low visual recognizability for the user. In particular, in a structure where the positioning parts 11 are located outside the receiving section 35 in the width direction of the transported medium S, one of the positioning parts 11 is located deep inside the option unit. Therefore, it is difficult to perform the operation while simultaneously checking both positioning parts 11, and the visual recognizability of the positioning parts 11 further decreases. As a result, the alignment of the positioning parts 11 becomes more difficult.

[0177] However, according to this embodiment, as explained in Embodiment 1, the positioning part 11 is aligned by the first-stage alignment of the position guide 17, thus the first insertion part 9 can enter the first insertion part 10 with a low probability of collision. Furthermore, since the position guide 17 is located above the receiving part 35, the visual recognizability of the position guide 17 for the first-stage alignment is improved, and the alignment of the position guide 17 becomes easier accordingly. Therefore, the recording device 3 and the option unit 5 are connected in a correctly positioned state.

[0178] (2) In addition, according to this embodiment, since the position guide 17 is located above the positioning part 11, the visual recognition of the position guide 17 during alignment is improved, and its alignment becomes easier.

[0179] (3) In addition, according to this embodiment, since the position guide 17 is located upstream of the positioning part 11 in the insertion direction P, the visual recognition of the position guide 17 during alignment is improved, and its alignment becomes easier.

[0180] (4) Furthermore, in the processing system 1 where the discharge portion 57 of the recording device 3 is inserted into the receiving portion 35 of the option unit 5, if the alignment is insufficient to bring the two closer together, in addition to the possibility of damaging the positioning mechanism 7, the discharge portion 57 and the receiving portion 35 may also collide and be damaged. According to this embodiment, the processing system 1 with such a structure can be said to have significant effects.

[0181] (5) Furthermore, in the processing system 1, where the receiving part 35 of the option unit 5 receives the medium S discharged from the discharge part 57 of the recording device 3, high positioning accuracy is particularly required in the relative position of the discharge part 57 and the receiving part 35. According to this embodiment, since the first insertion part 10 and the discharge part 57 are located on the same plane, the positioning part 11 can be located near the discharge part 57, which easily meets the aforementioned requirement.

[0182] (6) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by inserting the first protrusion 43 constituting the position guide 17 into the first hole 41, which also constitutes the position guide 17, the displacement of the option unit 5 in the up and down direction is restricted. That is, it is possible to configure the first protrusion 43 to be inserted into the first hole 41, and the upper and lower parts within the hole restrict the movement range of the first protrusion 43, thereby making it easy to set the gap region 27 in the up and down direction (Embodiment 1).

[0183] (7) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first protrusion 43 inserted into the first hole 41 is restricted from downward displacement by the first flat portion 45, thus making it easier to align the position guide portion 17. In addition, the first protrusion 43 inserted into the first hole 41 is guided in the insertion direction by the first flat portion 45, thus also making it easier to align the position guide portion 17.

[0184] (8) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by inserting the second protrusions 49a and 49b into the second holes 51a and 51b respectively, the option unit 5 is restricted from rotating about the position of the second insertion part 13. As a result, the position guide part 17 can be aligned in a stable posture, making the alignment of the position guide part 17 easier.

[0185] (9) In addition, according to this embodiment, since the option unit 5 is restricted to upward displacement by inserting the second protrusions 49a and 49b that constitute other second insertion portions 13 into the second holes 51a and 51b that constitute other second insertion portions 15, it becomes easy to align the position guide portion 17.

[0186] (10) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the third flat portions 55a and 55b are inserted into the second hole portions 51a and 51b respectively, and the second flat portions 53a and 53b are located at a position overlapping the third flat portions 55a and 55b from below. This restricts upward displacement, allowing the position guide portion 17 to be aligned in a stable posture, making alignment of the position guide portion 17 easier. Additionally, since the second flat portions 53a and 53b overlap the third flat portions 55a and 55b from below, the second flat portions 53a and 53b can be fixed to the third flat portions 55a and 55b using fasteners such as screws. At this time, since the position guide portion 17 is located above the receiving portion 35, the fixing operation is easier to perform.

[0187] (11) In addition, according to this embodiment, the same effect can also be obtained for the relay conveying unit 39 that conveys the medium S to the post-processing device 37, wherein the post-processing device 37 performs a prescribed post-processing on the medium S that has been recorded by the recording device 3.

[0188] (12) In addition, according to this embodiment, when the relay transport unit 39 moves in the insertion direction P at the discharge part 33 inside the recording device 3 and is positioned by the positioning mechanism 7 for installation, the installation operation can be performed easily since the rear surface part 61 is restricted from moving in the insertion direction P by the restriction part 63.

[0189] Other implementation methods

[0190] Although the processing system 1 of the present invention is based on the configuration of the embodiments described above, it goes without saying that some configuration changes or omissions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0191] In the second embodiment, although the option unit 5 is described as a relay transmission unit 39, it can also be an internal organizer.

[0192] Since the internal organizer integrates the media after it is received into the device, the positioning accuracy requirement is lower compared to the relay transport unit 39. However, media recorded by inkjet printing can sometimes be difficult to integrate due to the friction of the media. Therefore, even when option unit 5 is an internal organizer, improving positioning accuracy as described in this invention is effective.

[0193] In Embodiment 2, although it was described that the second protrusions 49a, 49b and the second flat portions 53a, 53b protrude in the opposite direction to the insertion direction P, they may also protrude in the insertion direction P.

[0194] In the second embodiment, the joint surface 2 and the joint surface 4 can be configured as part of the relay transmission unit and the recording device, or they can be configured separately in a detachable manner as needed.

[0195] In the second implementation method, by forming a lifting shape Figure 5 The structure for assembling and disassembling the scanner 16 shown allows for operation while visually recognizing the position guide 17 from above.

[0196] In particular, even when the upper part of the discharge section 33 inside the machine is completely covered by the scanner 16, the operation can be performed while visually recognizing the position guide section 17 from above by lifting the scanner 16. At this time, since the position guide section 17, which is initially used for alignment, is located above the receiving section 35, the positioning section 11, etc., the visual recognition is improved and alignment becomes easier.

Claims

1. A processing system, characterized by, have: The first unit has the function of performing the first processing; and The second unit has the function of performing a second process and is connected to the first unit via a positioning mechanism. The positioning mechanism has the following features: The positioning part positions the first unit and the second unit by inserting the first inserted part along the insertion direction. The first inserted part is disposed on one of the first unit and the second unit, and the first inserted part is disposed on the other. as well as A positioning guide portion guides the first insertion portion to a position where it can be inserted by inserting the second insertion portion along the insertion direction. The second insertion portion is disposed in one of the first unit and the second unit, and the second insertion portion is disposed in the other unit. The position guide portion has a gap region in which the second insert portion can be displaced relative to the second inserted portion in a direction intersecting the insertion direction when the second insert portion is inserted into the second inserted portion. The first insertion part and the first inserted part are configured to be inserted into a state where they are aligned with the second insertion part and located within the second inserted part having the gap region. The insertion of the position guide is performed before the insertion of the positioning part.

2. The processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gap region has: The upper and lower gaps define the range of displacement in the vertical direction; and The horizontal gap specifies the range of displacement in the horizontal direction.

3. The processing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first insertion part is a pin protruding in the insertion direction. The first inserted part is a hole. The front end of the pin has a tapered portion that gradually tapers towards the insertion direction. When the second insertion portion is located within the gap region relative to the second inserted portion, the front end of the tapered portion is located within the diameter of the hole.

4. The processing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first insertion part is a pin protruding in the insertion direction. The first inserted part is a hole. The inlet of the hole has an inverted conical portion that expands in the opposite direction to the insertion direction. When the second insertion portion is located within the gap region relative to the second inserted portion, the pin is located within the maximum diameter of the inverted conical portion of the hole.

5. The processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first unit is a recording device with an internal discharge section, into which the recorded medium is discharged. The second unit is an option unit, which is connected to the recording device via the positioning mechanism at the discharge section inside the body, and has a receiving section for receiving the medium recorded by the recording device. The positioning parts are located outside the receiving parts in the width direction of the discharged medium. The position guide is located above the receiving part.

6. The processing system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The position guide is located above the positioning part.

7. The processing system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The position guide is located upstream of the positioning part in the insertion direction.

8. The processing system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The recording device includes a discharge section for discharging the recorded medium. The discharge section is inserted into the receiving section.

9. The processing system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first inserted portion and the discharged portion are located on the same side.

10. The processing system of claim 5, wherein, The processing system includes: A first hole, serving as the second insertion portion, is provided in one of the recording device and the option unit; and The first protrusion, serving as the second insertion portion, is disposed on the other side of the recording device and the option unit, and is inserted into the first hole portion. By inserting the first protrusion into the first hole, the option unit is restricted from moving up and down.

11. The processing system according to claim 10, characterized in that, A first flat portion is provided in the first hole portion. The first flat portion has a flat surface along the insertion direction and is configured such that the flat surface faces the first protrusion to be inserted from below. The first protrusion inserted into the first hole is restricted from downward displacement by the first flat portion.

12. The processing system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The processing system includes: The second protrusion is located on the outer side of the first hole in the width direction of the medium; and The second hole portion, the second protrusion is inserted into the second hole portion. By inserting the second protrusion into the second hole, the option unit is restricted to rotate about the position of the second insertion part.

13. The processing system according to claim 12, characterized in that, The second protrusion constitutes another second insertion portion of the position guide portion. The second hole portion constitutes another second insertion portion of the position guide portion. By inserting the second protrusion into the second hole, the option unit is restricted from moving upward.

14. The processing system according to claim 13, characterized in that, The second hole portion has a second flat portion. The second convex portion is formed by a plate-shaped third flat portion. The second hole is inserted through the third flat portion, and the second flat portion is located at a position that overlaps with the third flat portion from below.

15. The processing system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The option unit is a relay delivery unit that delivers the medium to a post-processing device that performs prescribed post-processing on the medium recorded by the recording device.

16. The processing system according to claim 15, characterized in that, The relay delivery unit includes a rear surface portion, which has a transfer portion for transferring the medium to the post-processing device. The recording device includes a limiting part that restricts the relay transmission unit from moving in the insertion direction. The movement of the rear surface portion in the insertion direction is restricted by the limiting portion.

17. A relay transmission unit, characterized in that, It is connected to the discharge section of the recording device via a positioning mechanism, and has a receiving section for receiving the medium recorded by the recording device, and for conveying the medium to a post-processing device that performs prescribed post-processing on the medium. The positioning mechanism has the following features: The positioning unit positions the recording device and the relay transmission unit by inserting the first insertion part along the insertion direction into the first insertion part. The first insertion part is disposed on one of the recording device and the relay transmission unit, and the first insertion part is disposed on the other. as well as A position guide unit guides the first insertion part to a position where it can be inserted by inserting the second insertion part along the insertion direction via a second insertion part. The second insertion part is disposed on one of the recording device and the relay transmission unit, and the second insertion part is disposed on the other. The position guide portion has a gap region in which the second insert portion can be displaced relative to the second inserted portion in a direction intersecting the insertion direction when the second insert portion is inserted into the second inserted portion. The first insertion part and the first inserted part are configured to be inserted into a state where they are aligned with the second insertion part and located within the second inserted part having the gap region. The insertion of the position guide is performed before the insertion of the positioning part.

18. The relay transmission unit according to claim 17, characterized in that, The positioning parts are located outside the receiving parts in the width direction of the discharged medium. The position guide is located above the receiving part.

19. The relay transmission unit according to claim 18, characterized in that, The relay transmission unit includes other position guides, which are located outside the position guides in the width direction of the medium. The relay transmission unit is restricted to rotate about the position of the position guide located between the other position guides, by inserting the second protrusion of the other position guide as the second insertion part into the second hole of the other position guide as the second insertion part.

Images