Skew correction device and media processing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a skew correction device and a medium processing device. Since a load of a torque limiter is applied at the time of forward rotation conveyance, adverse effects are brought about by high speed. In a skew correction device (41) that conveys a medium (P) by forward rotation of a registration roller (43) and corrects skew of the medium by reverse rotation or stop of the registration roller, a registration roller, a driven roller (45) that conveys the medium by holding the medium together with the registration roller to correct skew of the medium, and a power transmission section (47) that transmits power from a drive source (29) to the registration roller (43) are provided, the power transmission section having a torque limiter (51) that rotates the registration roller forward by transmitting power from the drive source and a clutch (53, 59) that switches between a state in which the registration roller is rotated forward and a state in which the registration roller is reversed or stopped.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a slant correction device and a media processing device. Background Technology

[0002] As an example of such a device, the device described in Patent Document 1 can be cited. Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet conveying device that, while the alignment roller is rotating in the reverse direction, abuts against the front end of the sheet to correct the skewness of the medium, and after a predetermined time, rotates the alignment roller in the forward direction to convey the sheet downstream. Here, the alignment roller is driven in the forward rotation direction via a clutch and in the reverse rotation direction via a torque limiter.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-343645

[0004] In recent years, there has been a demand for high-speed media transport and skew correction. In the aforementioned prior art, the torque limiter is idled while the clutch transmits power to transport the media. However, in this configuration, the torque limiter is subjected to a load when the alignment roller rotates forward for transport, which adversely affects high-speed operation. That is, under the same drive source torque, there is a power loss due to the load on the torque limiter, and the burden on the drive source increases in order to achieve high speed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To solve the above problems, the slant correction device of the present invention conveys the medium by rotating the alignment roller in the forward direction and corrects the slant of the medium by rotating the alignment roller in the reverse direction or stopping the alignment roller. The device is characterized by comprising: the alignment roller; a driven roller that conveys the medium by clamping it together with the alignment roller and correcting the slant of the medium; and a power transmission unit that transmits power from a drive source to the alignment roller, the power transmission unit having: a torque limiter that causes the alignment roller to rotate in the forward direction by transmitting power from the drive source; and a clutch that switches between a state where the alignment roller rotates in the forward direction and a state where the alignment roller rotates in the reverse direction or stops.

[0006] Furthermore, the media processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a slant correction device according to the eleventh, thirteenth, or sixteenth embodiment described later; a drive source for driving the alignment roller; an upstream conveying unit for conveying the media to the slant correction device; a downstream conveying unit for conveying the media whose slant has been corrected by the slant correction device; and a processing unit for processing the media conveyed by the downstream conveying unit.

[0007] Furthermore, the slant correction device according to the present invention is a slant correction device that conveys the medium by rotating the alignment roller in the forward direction and corrects the slant of the medium by rotating the alignment roller in the reverse direction or stopping the alignment roller. The slant correction device is characterized by comprising: the alignment roller; a driven roller that conveys the medium by clamping it together with the alignment roller and correcting the slant of the medium; and a power transmission unit that transmits power from the drive source to the alignment roller, the power transmission unit having: a first clutch that engages to transmit power when the alignment roller rotates in the forward direction and disengages to disengage power when the alignment roller rotates in the reverse direction; and a second clutch that disengages power when the alignment roller rotates in the forward direction. The system comprises: a power transmission connection state when the alignment roller is reversed; an idler gear engaged with the second clutch to transmit power from the drive source to the second clutch; a first gear engaged with the first clutch to transmit power from the drive source to the first clutch; and a second gear engaged with the idler gear to transmit power from the drive source to the idler gear. The first clutch and the second clutch are coaxially arranged, as are the first gear and the second gear. One of the first gear and the second gear receives power from the drive source, and the other of the first gear and the second gear rotates integrally with the first gear.

[0008] Furthermore, the media processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a slant correction device according to the twentieth embodiment described later; a drive source for driving the alignment roller; an upstream conveying unit for conveying the media to the slant correction device; a downstream conveying unit for conveying the media whose slant has been corrected by the slant correction device; and a processing unit for processing the media conveyed by the downstream conveying unit. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the transport path of the media processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a top view of the slant correction device according to Embodiment 1.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged perspective view of the slant correction device according to Embodiment 1.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a top view of the slant correction device according to Embodiment 2.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a top view of the slant correction device according to Embodiment 3.

[0014] Figure 6This is a top view of the slant correction device according to Embodiment 4.

[0015] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0016] 1…Media handling device, 2…Media box, 3…Conveyor roller pair,

[0017] 4…pickup roller, 5…conveyor roller pair, 6…separation roller pair,

[0018] 7… conveyor roller pair, 8… feed path, 9… conveyor roller pair, 10… conveyor path,

[0019] 11… conveyor roller pair, 12… recording unit, 13… conveyor roller pair,

[0020] 14…First discharge pallet, 15…Conveyor roller pair, 16…Second discharge pallet,

[0021] 17… conveyor roller pair, 18… conveyor belt, 19… conveyor roller pair,

[0022] 20… Rotary path, 21… Conveyor roller pair, 22… Baffle,

[0023] 23… Conveyor roller pair, 24… Reversing path, 25… Conveyor roller pair, 26… Connecting part,

[0024] 27… Conveyor roller pair, 28… Supply pallet, 29… Drive source, 30… Supply roller,

[0025] 31…Drive source, 32…Separating roller, 34…Feed path, 38…Baffle,

[0026] 40… Gear, 41… Slant correction device, 42… Power transmission mechanism,

[0027] 43…alignment roller, 44…protrusion, 45…driven roller, 46…outer surface,

[0028] 47…Power transmission unit, 48…Shaft, 49…Control unit, 50…Roller,

[0029] 51…torque limiter, 53…clutch (stopping clutch), 55…roller,

[0030] 57…toothed roller, 59…restriction section, 61…upstream conveyor section, 63…downstream conveyor section,

[0031] 65…processing section, 69…reverse clutch, 71…idle gear, 73…first gear,

[0032] 75…Second gear, 77…Power transmission unit, 81…First clutch (stopping clutch),

[0033] 82…Second clutch (reverse clutch), E…rear end, P…medium. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will now be described in general terms.

[0035] To solve the above problems, the first solution of the present invention relates to a slant correction device that conveys a medium by rotating a positioning roller in the forward direction and corrects the slant of the medium by rotating the positioning roller in the reverse direction or stopping the roller. The device is characterized by comprising: the positioning roller; a driven roller that conveys the medium by clamping it together with the positioning roller and correcting the slant of the medium; and a power transmission unit that transmits power from a drive source to the positioning roller, the power transmission unit having: a torque limiter that causes the positioning roller to rotate in the forward direction by transmitting power from the drive source; and a clutch that switches between a state where the positioning roller rotates in the forward direction and a state where the positioning roller rotates in the reverse direction or stops.

[0036] Here, "correcting the slant" in "correcting the slant of the medium" means that it is used without strictly eliminating the slant of the medium.

[0037] According to this solution, the power transmission unit includes the torque limiter and the clutch. Therefore, when the alignment roller is rotated forward, this can be achieved by setting the clutch to a state that allows the alignment roller to rotate forward. That is, since the power in the forward rotation direction is transmitted to the alignment roller via the torque limiter, the alignment roller rotates forward.

[0038] To perform the slant correction, when the alignment roller is reversed or stopped, this can be achieved by switching the clutch to a state that reverses or stops the alignment roller. That is, the torque limiter is in a state exceeding the set torque, thus entering a slipping state, thereby blocking the transmission of power in the forward direction and achieving the reversal or stop. This suppresses the load during forward conveying by the alignment roller. Furthermore, it reduces wear on the clutch and the torque limiter, improving durability.

[0039] Furthermore, compared to using multiple clutches as the power transmission unit without the torque limiter, the cost is lower. Additionally, since the torque limiter always suppresses gaps and other issues (hereinafter also referred to as "wobbling") in the power transmission unit, it is possible to suppress noise caused by wobbling during rotation direction switching and to reduce the decrease in correction accuracy caused by movement of the alignment rollers due to wobbling during the correction of the medium's skew (hereinafter also referred to as "tilt correction").

[0040] Furthermore, there is a time lag between the issuance of an instruction to engage or disengage the clutch and the actual engagement or disengagement. Therefore, in a configuration using multiple clutches without the torque limiter, one clutch cannot be controlled until the other clutch is fully engaged or disengaged.

[0041] However, in this solution, since one party is the torque limiter, the rotation direction switches naturally due to the relationship between the clutch load and the set torque of the torque limiter. That is, the time delay during rotation direction switching can be suppressed.

[0042] Furthermore, in configurations for forward and reverse motor rotation, the time spent on acceleration and deceleration of the motor during control needs to be considered. However, in this solution, the time spent on acceleration and deceleration of the motor does not need to be considered, thus improving throughput.

[0043] The second aspect of the present invention relates to a slant correction device in which, in the first aspect, the alignment roller can rotate integrally with the roller shaft around the roller shaft as the center, and the torque limiter and the clutch are disposed on the roller shaft.

[0044] According to this solution, since the torque limiter and the clutch are mounted on the roller, power transmission loss can be suppressed and miniaturization can be achieved.

[0045] The slant correction device according to the third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the torque limiter and the clutch are arranged on the same side relative to the center of the roller shaft.

[0046] According to this solution, since the torque limiter and the clutch are located on the same side relative to the center of the roller shaft, space saving can be achieved and assembly becomes easy.

[0047] The slant correction device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects, the alignment roller is a toothed roller.

[0048] Here, "toothed roller" refers to a roller with multiple protrusions on its outer surface, meaning that the protrusions contact the medium and can set the contact area with the medium to a point contact state.

[0049] When the alignment roller is the toothed roller, it is structurally easier to rotate when subjected to the intrusion of the medium compared to an alignment roller without the intrusion.

[0050] Nevertheless, according to this solution, since the alignment roller is always suppressed from wobbling by the torque limiter, tilt correction can be effectively performed without being affected by the problem caused by the alignment roller moving due to wobbling.

[0051] In particular, in a configuration where the medium is again skewed by the alignment roller for double-sided printing, the transfer can be suppressed by using the toothed roller.

[0052] The fifth aspect of the present invention relates to a slant correction device, characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, it includes a limiting part that engages with the clutch and restricts the rotation of the clutch, thereby correcting the slant of the medium when the alignment roller is stopped.

[0053] According to this solution, by engaging the clutch with the limiting part, the rotation of the clutch is restricted and stopped. Since the rotation of the clutch stops, the rotation of the alignment roller also stops. Therefore, tilt correction is possible when the alignment roller has stopped.

[0054] Furthermore, when the alignment roller is stopped, it is stopped by braking via the clutch, so the torque suppressing the rotation of the alignment roller is stronger compared to a configuration without the clutch that stops using the torque limiter. As a result, the penetration of the medium is suppressed, and therefore, the accuracy of tilt correction is improved.

[0055] The slant correction device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the clutch is a reversing clutch for reversing the rotation of the alignment roller, and the power transmission unit has an idler gear for transmitting power from the drive source to the reversing clutch, thereby correcting the slant of the medium when the alignment roller is in the reverse state.

[0056] According to this solution, the driving force is transmitted through the idler gear and the reversing clutch to reverse the alignment roller, thereby causing the torque limiter to exceed the set torque and thus enter a slipping state. This blocks the transmission of power in the forward direction, enabling tilt correction while the alignment roller is reversed by the reversing clutch.

[0057] The seventh aspect of the present invention relates to a slant correction device, characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, the power transmission unit comprises: a first gear engaging with the torque limiter to transmit power from the drive source to the torque limiter; and a second gear engaging with the idler gear to transmit driving force from the drive source to the idler gear, wherein the first gear and the second gear are coaxially arranged, one of the first gear and the second gear receives power from the drive source, and the other of the first gear and the second gear rotates integrally with the first gear.

[0058] According to this solution, since the first gear and the second gear are coaxially arranged, the loss of power transmission can be suppressed, and miniaturization can be achieved.

[0059] The slant correction device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the seventh aspect, the diameter of the second gear is smaller than that of the first gear.

[0060] According to this solution, since the diameter of the second gear is smaller than that of the first gear, the speed of reverse rotation can be reduced even without changing the rotational speed of the drive source.

[0061] The slant correction device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the clutch has: a stopping clutch for stopping the rotation of the alignment roller; and a reversing clutch for disengaging power when the alignment roller rotates forward and for reversing power when the alignment roller rotates in reverse, the power transmission unit having an idler gear that engages with the reversing clutch to transmit power from the drive source to the reversing clutch, the idler gear causing the alignment roller to reverse in the reversing connection state.

[0062] According to this solution, if the reversing clutch is set to the cut-off state and the alignment roller is set to the stop state by the stopping clutch, then since the torque limiter becomes a state exceeding the set torque, it becomes a sliding state, and the alignment roller can be set to the stop state for tilt correction.

[0063] Furthermore, by releasing the constraint of the stopping clutch to enable the alignment roller to rotate, and setting the reversing clutch to the reversing connection state, the torque limiter becomes in a state exceeding the set torque, thus entering a slipping state. This allows tilt correction to be performed while the alignment roller is reversed via the reversing clutch. In other words, the tilt correction method can be appropriately selected.

[0064] The tenth aspect of the present invention relates to a slant correction device, characterized in that, in the ninth aspect, the power transmission unit comprises: a first gear engaging with the torque limiter to transmit power from the drive source to the torque limiter; and a second gear engaging with the idler gear to transmit driving force from the drive source to the idler gear, wherein the first gear and the second gear are coaxially arranged, one of the first gear and the second gear receives power from the drive source, and the other of the first gear and the second gear rotates integrally with the first gear.

[0065] According to this solution, since the first gear and the second gear are coaxially arranged, the loss of power transmission can be suppressed, and miniaturization can be achieved.

[0066] The media processing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a slant correction device of the fifth aspect; a drive source for driving the alignment roller; an upstream conveying unit for conveying the media to the slant correction device; a downstream conveying unit for conveying the media whose slant has been corrected by the slant correction device; and a processing unit for processing the media conveyed by the downstream conveying unit.

[0067] According to this solution, in the apparatus for recording and other processing of the medium, the effect of the slant correction device based on the fifth solution can be obtained, and slant correction can be performed appropriately, thereby improving the accuracy of the processing.

[0068] The media processing apparatus according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the eleventh aspect, the processing unit is a recording unit that records the medium, and the medium whose slant has been corrected in the slant correction device is recorded in the recording unit.

[0069] According to this solution, tilt correction can be appropriately performed before the recorded medium is conveyed to the recording unit, thereby improving recording accuracy.

[0070] Furthermore, because the fifth scheme's slant correction device is used, i.e., because the torque limiter is used during forward transport, the alignment roller cannot press the medium above the set torque of the torque limiter when there is strong transport resistance on the downstream side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent problems such as the medium being forced in forcefully when blockage occurs near the recording section, causing it to deform three-dimensionally and come into contact with the recording section, resulting in damage.

[0071] Similarly, since the torque limiter restricts the force pushing the medium from the rear, the possibility of disorder in the transport state of the medium can be reduced.

[0072] The media processing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a slant correction device of the sixth aspect; a drive source for driving the alignment roller; an upstream conveying unit for conveying the media to the slant correction device; a downstream conveying unit for conveying the media whose slant has been corrected by the slant correction device; and a processing unit for processing the media conveyed by the downstream conveying unit.

[0073] According to this solution, in the apparatus for recording and other processing of the medium, the effect of the slant correction device based on the sixth solution can be obtained, and slant correction can be performed appropriately, thereby improving the accuracy of the processing.

[0074] The media processing apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the thirteenth aspect, it includes a control unit for controlling the skew correction device, the control unit being able to select: a first reverse skew correction, in which the front end of the medium abuts against the alignment roller while the alignment roller is reversed, to correct the skew; and a second reverse skew correction, in which the alignment roller is reversed after the front end of the medium has passed the alignment roller, to correct the skew of the medium.

[0075] According to this solution, the control unit can select between the first reverse tilt correction and the second reverse tilt correction. Therefore, by selecting an appropriate tilt correction method based on the type of medium, the content being processed, the processing speed, or other conditions, more effective tilt correction can be performed. In particular, multiple tilt correction methods can be implemented with a simple configuration.

[0076] The media processing apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fourteenth aspect, the processing unit is a recording unit that records the medium, and the medium whose slant has been corrected in the slant correction device is recorded in the recording unit.

[0077] According to this solution, tilt correction can be appropriately performed before the recorded medium is conveyed to the recording unit, thereby improving recording accuracy.

[0078] Furthermore, because the slant correction device of the sixth scheme is used, i.e., because the torque limiter is used during forward transport, the alignment roller cannot press the medium above the set torque of the torque limiter when there is strong transport resistance on the downstream side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent situations where the medium is further forced in when blockage occurs near the recording section, causing the medium to deform three-dimensionally and come into contact with the recording section, resulting in damage.

[0079] Similarly, the torque limiter restricts the force that pushes the medium from the rear, thus reducing the possibility of disorder in the transport state of the medium.

[0080] The media processing apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a slant correction device of the ninth aspect; a drive source for driving the alignment roller; an upstream conveying unit for conveying the media to the slant correction device; a downstream conveying unit for conveying the media whose slant has been corrected by the slant correction device; and a processing unit for processing the media conveyed by the downstream conveying unit.

[0081] According to this solution, in the apparatus for recording and other processing of the medium, the effect of the slant correction device based on the ninth solution can be obtained, and slant correction can be performed appropriately, thereby improving the accuracy of the processing.

[0082] The media processing apparatus according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the sixteenth aspect, it includes a control unit for controlling the skew correction device, the control unit being able to select: stop skew correction, correcting the skew of the medium in a state where the alignment roller is stopped by the stop clutch; and reverse skew correction, correcting the skew of the medium in a state where the alignment roller is reversed by the reverse clutch.

[0083] According to this solution, the control unit can select between the stop tilt correction and the reverse tilt correction. Therefore, by selecting an appropriate tilt correction method based on the type of medium, the content being processed, the processing speed, or other conditions, more effective tilt correction can be performed. In particular, multiple tilt correction methods can be implemented with a simple configuration.

[0084] The media processing apparatus according to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the seventeenth aspect, the control unit can select, when performing the reverse slant correction: a first reverse slant correction, in which the front end of the medium abuts against the alignment roller while the alignment roller is reversed, to correct the slant; and a second reverse slant correction, in which the alignment roller is reversed after the front end of the medium has passed the alignment roller, to correct the slant of the medium.

[0085] According to this solution, the control unit can select between the first reverse tilt correction and the second reverse tilt correction when performing the reverse tilt correction. Therefore, by selecting an appropriate tilt correction method based on the type of medium, the content being processed, the processing speed, or other conditions, more effective tilt correction can be performed. In particular, multiple tilt correction methods can be implemented with a simple configuration.

[0086] The media processing apparatus according to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the sixteenth aspect, the processing unit is a recording unit that records the medium, and the medium whose slant has been corrected in the slant correction device is recorded in the recording unit.

[0087] According to this solution, tilt correction can be appropriately performed before the recorded medium is conveyed to the recording unit, thereby improving recording accuracy.

[0088] Furthermore, because the slant correction device of the sixth scheme is used, i.e., because the torque limiter is used during forward conveying, the alignment roller cannot be pressed into the torque limiter's set torque when there is strong conveying resistance on the downstream side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent situations where the medium is further forced in when blockage occurs near the recording section, causing the medium to deform three-dimensionally and come into contact with the recording section, resulting in damage.

[0089] Similarly, the torque limiter restricts the force that pushes the medium from the rear, thus reducing the possibility of disorder in the transport state of the medium.

[0090] The slant correction device according to the twentieth aspect of the present invention is a slant correction device that conveys a medium by rotating a positioning roller in the forward direction and corrects the slant of the medium by rotating the positioning roller in the reverse direction or stopping the positioning roller. It is characterized by comprising: the positioning roller; a driven roller that conveys the medium by clamping it together with the positioning roller and correcting the slant of the medium; and a power transmission unit that transmits power from a drive source to the positioning roller, the power transmission unit having: a first clutch that engages to transmit power when the positioning roller rotates in the forward direction and disengages to disengage power when the positioning roller rotates in the reverse direction; and a second clutch that disengages to disengage power when the positioning roller rotates in the forward direction. When the alignment roller reverses, it is in a power-transmitting connected state; an idler gear, engaged with the second clutch, transmits power from the drive source to the second clutch; a first gear, engaged with the first clutch, transmits power from the drive source to the first clutch; and a second gear, engaged with the idler gear, transmits power from the drive source to the idler gear. The first clutch and the second clutch are coaxially arranged, the first gear and the second gear are coaxially arranged, one of the first gear and the second gear receives power from the drive source, and the other of the first gear and the second gear rotates integrally with the first gear.

[0091] Here, "correcting the slant" in "correcting the slant of the medium" means that the slant of the medium is not required to be completely eliminated.

[0092] According to this solution, the power transmission unit transmits power from the drive source to the alignment roller via the first clutch, the second clutch, the idler gear, the first gear, and the second gear. Therefore, when the alignment roller rotates forward, the load during forward conveying by the alignment roller is suppressed because the first clutch is disengaged. Furthermore, compared to a configuration where the motor rotates in both directions, the throughput is increased because the acceleration and deceleration time of the motor is eliminated.

[0093] Furthermore, since the first clutch and the second clutch are coaxially arranged, power transmission losses can be suppressed, and miniaturization can be achieved. Additionally, since the first gear and the second gear are coaxially arranged, power transmission losses can be suppressed, and miniaturization can be achieved.

[0094] The media processing apparatus according to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a slant correction device as in the twenty-first aspect; a drive source for driving the alignment roller; an upstream conveying unit for conveying the media to the slant correction device; a downstream conveying unit for conveying the media whose slant has been corrected by the slant correction device; and a processing unit for processing the media conveyed by the downstream conveying unit.

[0095] According to this solution, in the apparatus for recording and other processing of the medium, the effect of the slant correction device based on the ninth solution can be obtained, and slant correction can be performed appropriately, thereby improving the accuracy of the processing.

[0096] The media processing apparatus according to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the twenty-first aspect, it includes a control unit for controlling the skew correction device, the control unit being able to select: a first reverse skew correction, in which the front end of the medium abuts against the alignment roller while the alignment roller is reversed to correct the skew; and a second reverse skew correction, in which the alignment roller is reversed after the front end of the medium has passed through the alignment roller to correct the skew of the medium.

[0097] According to this solution, the control unit can select between the first reverse tilt correction and the second reverse tilt correction. Therefore, by selecting an appropriate tilt correction method based on the type of medium, the content being processed, the processing speed, or other conditions, more effective tilt correction can be performed. In particular, multiple tilt correction methods can be implemented with a simple configuration.

[0098] Implementation

[0099] The following is based on Figures 1 to 6 Specifically, the various embodiments of the present invention involve a slant correction device and a media processing device equipped with the slant correction device.

[0100] 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 in which gravity acts. The X-axis and Y-axis directions correspond to the horizontal direction. In the figures, the arrows indicating the three axes (X, Y, Z) represent the positive direction and vice versa.

[0101] The media processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment is an inkjet printer that sprays liquid ink onto a medium such as paper for printing. It should be noted that it is not limited to inkjet printers.

[0102] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the media processing apparatus 1 picks up the media P from the media box 2 located at the bottom of the apparatus using the pickup roller 4, separates it into individual media by the separating roller pair 6, and sends it to the conveying path 10 via the feed path 8. As the media P is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction within the conveying path 10, it is recorded by the recording unit 12 arranged along the conveying path 10. The recorded media P is further conveyed downstream in the conveying path 10 and discharged into the first discharge tray 14. In this embodiment, the second discharge tray 16 is located above the first discharge tray 14. It is configured such that the media P can also be discharged into the second discharge tray 16 by changing the conveying direction using the baffle 38.

[0103] In this embodiment, the recording unit 12 is composed of a line head. A conveyor belt 18 is disposed opposite to the recording unit 12, serving as an imprint plate supporting the medium P.

[0104] In the conveying path 10, upstream of the recording unit 12, conveying roller pairs 3, 5, 7, and 9 are arranged sequentially from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction. The medium P receives conveying force from each of the conveying roller pairs 3, 5, 7, and 9 and is conveyed downstream of the recording unit 12.

[0105] Unless otherwise specified, a "roller pair" consists of a drive roller that is driven by a drive source 29 such as a motor and is powered by the drive roller, and a driven roller that rotates in contact with the drive roller.

[0106] In the conveying path 10, downstream of the recording section 12, conveying roller pairs 11, 13, and 15 are arranged sequentially toward the first discharge tray 14. The medium P receives conveying force from each of the conveying roller pairs 11, 13, and 15 and is conveyed and discharged to the first discharge tray 14.

[0107] In addition, conveyor roller pairs 17 and 19 are sequentially arranged on the conveying path 10 toward the second discharge tray 16. When the medium P is discharged to the second discharge tray 16, it receives conveying force from each of the conveyor roller pairs 11, 13, 17, and 19 and is conveyed and discharged to the second discharge tray 16.

[0108] A rotary path 20 is connected between the conveyor roller pair 11 and the conveyor roller pair 13 in the conveying path 10. When recording is performed on both the front and back sides of the medium P, the medium P conveyed along the conveying path 10 is redirected to the rotary path 20 by a baffle 22 between the conveyor roller pair 11 and the conveyor roller pair 13. The medium P delivered to the rotary path 20 is conveyed downstream by the conveying force of the conveyor roller pair 21 and the conveyor roller pair 23. The conveyor roller pair 21 and the conveyor roller pair 23 are powered by a drive source 31 other than the drive source 29.

[0109] The rotary path 20 connects to the reversing path 24 upstream of the conveyor roller pair 21. If the rear end E of the medium P being conveyed downstream within the rotary path 20 passes the connection 26 with the reversing path 24, the drive source 31 reverses the conveyor roller pair 21 and the conveyor roller pair 23. Thus, the rear end E of the medium P becomes the front end and enters the reversing path 24. The connection 26 is configured such that the front end of the medium P returning upstream from the rotary path 20 enters the reversing path 24.

[0110] Reversing path 24 merges with conveying path 10 at a position between conveying roller pair 5 and conveying roller pair 7. Conveying roller pair 25 and conveying roller pair 27 are sequentially arranged downstream in reversing path 20. The medium P delivered to reversing path 24 is conveyed downstream by the conveying force of conveying roller pair 25 and conveying roller pair 27, and is delivered to conveying path 10, which merges with conveying roller pair 7. Conveying roller pair 25 and conveying roller pair 27 are powered by drive source 29.

[0111] The medium P, which is sent from the reversing path 24 to the conveying path 10, is recorded on the back by the recording unit 12, is conveyed toward the first discharge tray 14 or the second discharge tray 16, and is finally discharged.

[0112] In this embodiment, the system is configured to also supply medium P from the supply tray 28 for recording. The medium P within the supply tray 24 is supplied downstream by a pair of supply roller 30 (which serves as a drive roller) and separation roller 32 (which is formed by a reduction roller), and is conveyed to the transport path 10 via the feed path 34. The feed path 34 merges with the transport path 10 at a position between the transport roller pair 5 and the transport roller pair 7. The supply roller 30 is powered by a drive source 29.

[0113] Additionally, in this embodiment, there is another media box (not shown) below the media box 2, and the media P in this other media box is configured to be sent to the transport path 10 via the feed path 36.

[0114] Skew correction device

[0115] The media processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a skew correction device 41 for correcting the skewness of the medium P. The skew correction device 41 is a device that prevents the medium P conveyed by the recording unit 12 from being conveyed in a tilted position relative to the conveying direction, and that corrects the skewness of the medium P when it is skewed, so that it is delivered to the recording unit in its original position. Here, "correcting skewness" in "correcting the skewness of the medium P" means that it is not used in this specification in the sense of strictly eliminating the skewness of the conveyed medium P.

[0116] The slant correction device 41 in this embodiment is configured to utilize the conveyor roller pair 9 located in front of the recording unit 12.

[0117] Basic Components of a Slant Correction Device

[0118] First, based on Figure 1 and Figure 2 The basic structure of the slant correction device 41 involved in the present invention will be explained first, and then four embodiments will be shown to illustrate the specific structure of the slant correction device 41.

[0119] The skew correction device 41 conveys the medium P by rotating the alignment roller 43 forward, and corrects the skewness of the medium by rotating the alignment roller 43 backward or stopping it. The alignment roller 43 is a drive roller driven by power from the drive source 29. The driven roller 45 conveys the medium P by rotating forward together with the alignment roller 43, and corrects the skewness of the medium P by rotating backward or stopping it. The power from the drive source 29 is transmitted by the power transmission unit 47. Figure 2 The signal is transmitted to the alignment roller 43. The drive source 29 is configured to receive a control signal from the control unit 49 and execute the forward, reverse, and stop drive states based on the instructions of the control signal.

[0120] Slant Correction Device of Implementation Method 1

[0121] In Embodiment 1, the power transmission unit 47 transmits power from the drive source 29 via the torque limiter 51 to cause the alignment roller 43 to rotate forward. Furthermore, it includes a clutch 53 that switches between the forward rotation state and the reverse rotation state of the alignment roller 43. In Embodiment 1, the clutch 53 is a stop clutch capable of stopping the alignment roller 43.

[0122] Torque limiter 51 meshes with gear 40. Drive source 29 and gear 40 are poweredly connected via torque limiter and power transmission mechanism 42. In this embodiment, torque limiter 51 is configured to always transmit power in the forward rotation direction via gear 40. Torque limiter 51 is in a state where it can transmit torque, i.e., power, when the torque does not exceed a set torque. On the other hand, when the torque exceeds the set torque, it becomes slippery through some mechanism and blocks the transmission of torque, i.e., it does not transmit power.

[0123] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the clutch 53, serving as a stopping clutch, includes a limiting part 59. This limiting part 59 engages with the clutch 53, i.e., connects to it, to limit and stop the rotation of the clutch 53. The limiting part 59 is fixed to a fixing part (not shown in the figure). The clutch 53 is configured such that when it receives a control signal from the control unit 49 and becomes engaged with the limiting part 59, its rotation stops; otherwise, it rotates. Because the rotation of the clutch 53 stops, the alignment roller 43 also stops rotating. In other words, the clutch 53 is a stopping clutch. Therefore, it is configured to correct the slant of the medium P even when the alignment roller 43 is stopped.

[0124] It should be noted that the limiting part 59 only needs to be able to stop the rotation of the clutch 53 by connecting the clutch 53, and the method of setting the limiting part 59 is not limited to a specific structure.

[0125] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the alignment roller 43 is configured to rotate integrally with the roller shaft 55 around the roller shaft 55. The driven roller 45 can also rotate around the roller shaft 50. A torque limiter 43 and a clutch 53 are provided on the roller shaft 55. The torque limiter 43 is disposed on one end of the roller shaft 55, and the clutch 53 is disposed on the other end of the roller shaft 55.

[0126] It should be noted that the torque limiter 43 and the clutch 53 are not limited to a structure in which they are mounted on a coaxial roller 55, but can also be mounted on different shafts within the scope of these functions.

[0127] In this embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the alignment roller 43 is composed of a toothed roller 57. The toothed roller 57 refers to a roller with multiple teeth, or protrusions 44, on its outer surface 46. The protrusions 44 are the parts that contact the medium P, enabling the contact area with the medium P to be in a point contact state. It should be noted that the alignment roller 43 is not limited to the toothed roller 57.

[0128] like Figure 1 As shown, the media processing apparatus 1 equipped with the slant correction device 41 of Embodiment 1 includes: a drive source 29 for driving the alignment roller 43; an upstream conveying unit 61 for conveying the media P to the slant correction device 41; a downstream conveying unit 63 for conveying the media P whose slant has been corrected by the slant correction device 41; and a processing unit 65 for processing the media P conveyed by the downstream conveying unit 63.

[0129] The upstream conveying section 61 consists of a portion of the conveying path 10 that is upstream of the recording section 12, and conveying roller pairs 3, 5, 7, and 9 disposed thereon. The downstream conveying section 63 consists of a portion of the conveying path 10 that is downstream of the recording section 12, and conveying roller pairs 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 disposed thereon.

[0130] The processing unit 65, as described above, is a recording unit 12 that records the medium P. The medium P, whose slant has been corrected in the slant correction device 41, is recorded in the recording unit 12.

[0131] It should be noted that the processing unit 65 is not limited to the recording unit 12. In addition, it may include a reading unit or a post-processing unit that performs punching, stapled, saddle stitching, bending, displacement discharge, rod stacking, etc.

[0132] Incline correction performed by the slant correction device of embodiment 1

[0133] In Embodiment 1, the slant correction device 41 corrects the slant of the medium P as follows when the alignment roller 43 is stopped by the control unit 49.

[0134] (1) When the front end of the medium P conveyed by the upstream conveying unit 61 reaches the front of the conveying roller pair 9, it is detected by a sensor (not shown). The sensor receives the detection signal and sends a control signal from the control unit 49 to the clutch 53, thus connecting the clutch 53 and the limiting unit 59. As a result, the rotation of the clutch 53 is limited and stopped by the limiting unit 59, and the alignment roller 43 changes from a forward rotation state to a stopped state. At the same time, the driven roller 45 also stops rotating. At this time, the torque limiter 51 is in a state of exceeding the set torque, so in the torque limiter 51, the part located on the gear 40 side becomes a sliding state relative to the part located on the roller shaft 55 side.

[0135] (2) Then, the front end of the conveyed medium P abuts against the clamping position of the alignment roller 43 and the driven roller 45, and the movement of the front end in the conveying direction stops. In this state, the medium P receives the conveying force from the upstream conveying roller pair 7 and slightly flexes to correct its tilt.

[0136] (3) Furthermore, after a predetermined time for tilt correction has elapsed, a control signal is sent from the control unit 49 to the clutch 53. The clutch 53 disengages from the limiting unit 59, switching the alignment roller 43 from a stopped state to a rotatable state. Consequently, the torque limiter 51 is switched from a state where it does not exceed the set torque and from a sliding state to a forward-rotating state capable of transmitting power. The alignment roller 43 resumes forward rotation, conveying the medium P to the recording unit 12. The recording unit 12 performs recording on the tilt-corrected medium P.

[0137] Explanation of the effects of Implementation Method 1

[0138] (1) In embodiment 1, the power transmission unit 47 of the slant correction device 41 transmits power from the drive source 29 via the torque limiter 51 to make the alignment roller 43 rotate forward, and has a clutch 53 that switches between the state of making the alignment roller 43 rotate forward and the state of making the alignment roller 43 stop. The clutch 53 functions as a stop clutch.

[0139] Therefore, when the alignment roller 43 is rotated forward, the clutch 53 can be realized by setting the alignment roller 43 to a state where it can rotate forward. That is, the power in the forward direction is transmitted to the alignment roller 43 via the torque limiter 51, so the alignment roller 43 rotates forward immediately.

[0140] When the alignment roller 43 is reversed or stopped to perform the slant correction, the clutch 53 can be activated by switching to a state that reverses or stops the alignment roller 43. That is, the torque limiter 51 is in a state where the set torque is exceeded, and therefore enters a slip state, thereby blocking the transmission of power in the forward direction and realizing the reversal or stop. As a result, the load during forward conveying by the alignment roller 43 can be suppressed. In addition, wear on the clutch 53 or the torque limiter 51 can be suppressed, and durability is improved.

[0141] Furthermore, compared to a configuration that uses multiple clutches as the power transmission unit 47 without using the torque limiter 51, the cost is lower. In addition, since the torque limiter 51 always suppresses wobbling, it is possible to suppress noise caused by wobbling during rotation direction switching and to suppress the decrease in correction accuracy caused by the movement of the alignment roller 43 due to wobbling during the correction of the slant of the medium P (hereinafter also referred to as "slant correction").

[0142] Furthermore, there is a time lag between the issuance of an instruction to engage or disengage the clutch 53 and the actual engagement or disengagement. Therefore, in a configuration using multiple clutches without using the torque limiter 51, it is impossible to control one clutch until the other clutch is fully engaged or disengaged.

[0143] However, in this embodiment, since one party is the torque limiter 51, the rotation direction switches naturally due to the relationship between the load on the clutch 53 and the set torque of the torque limiter 51. That is, the time delay during rotation direction switching can be suppressed. In other words, throughput can be improved.

[0144] Furthermore, in the configuration of forward and reverse rotation of the motor, the time spent on acceleration and deceleration of the motor during control needs to be considered. However, in this embodiment, since the time spent on acceleration and deceleration of the motor does not need to be considered, the throughput can be improved.

[0145] (2) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the alignment roller 43 can rotate integrally with the roller shaft 55 around the roller shaft 55, and the torque limiter 51 and the clutch 53 are provided on the roller shaft 55. As a result, since the torque limiter 51 and the clutch 53 are provided on the roller shaft 55, the loss of power transmission can be suppressed, and miniaturization can be achieved.

[0146] (3) In addition, in this embodiment, the alignment roller 43 is a toothed roller 57. Generally, when the alignment roller 43 is the toothed roller 57, it is structurally easier to rotate when subjected to the intrusion of the medium P compared to an alignment roller without protrusions.

[0147] However, according to this embodiment, since the alignment roller 43 is always kept from wobbling by the torque limiter 51, tilt correction can be effectively performed without being affected by the aforementioned problem.

[0148] Furthermore, in a configuration where the media P is again skewed by the registration roller 43 for double-sided printing, the transfer can be suppressed by using the toothed roller 57 as the registration roller 43.

[0149] (4) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the rotation of the clutch is restricted and stopped by engaging the clutch 53 with the limiting part 59. Since the rotation of the clutch 53 stops, the rotation of the alignment roller 43 also stops. Thus, tilt can be corrected when the alignment roller 43 has stopped.

[0150] Furthermore, when the alignment roller 43 is stopped, it is stopped by braking via the clutch 5. Therefore, compared to a configuration without the clutch 53 that uses the torque limiter 51 for stopping, the torque suppressing the rotation of the alignment roller 43 is stronger. As a result, the penetration of the medium P is suppressed, and thus the accuracy of tilt correction is improved.

[0151] (5) In addition, according to this embodiment, in the medium processing apparatus 1 that performs recording and other processing on the medium P, the above-mentioned effects based on the slant correction device 41 can be obtained, and slant correction can be performed appropriately, thereby improving the accuracy of the processing.

[0152] (6) In addition, according to this embodiment, tilt correction can be performed appropriately before the recorded medium P is transported to the recording unit 12, thereby improving the recording accuracy.

[0153] Furthermore, because the aforementioned slant correction device 41 is used, i.e., because the torque limiter 51 is used during forward transport, when there is strong transport resistance on the downstream side, the alignment roller 43 cannot press the medium P into the torque limiter 51 beyond its set torque. Therefore, it is possible to suppress problems such as the medium P being forced in forcefully when it becomes blocked near the recording unit 12, causing it to deform three-dimensionally and come into contact with the recording unit 12, resulting in damage.

[0154] Similarly, since the force pushing the medium P from the rear is limited by the torque limiter 51, the possibility of disorder in the conveying state of the medium P can be reduced. In particular, in the conveyor belt 18, the possibility of disorder in the conveying state of the medium P can be reduced by the conveying force of the alignment roller 43.

[0155] It should be noted that this effect can also be achieved when the media processing device 1 has a reading unit or a post-processing unit, etc., but does not have a recording unit.

[0156] Implementation Method 2

[0157] The following is based on Figure 1 and Figure 4 Specifically, the slant correction device 41 and the medium processing device 1 equipped with the slant correction device 41 according to Embodiment 2 will be described. The same reference numerals are used for the parts that are the same as in Embodiment 1, and the description of their structure and corresponding effects is omitted.

[0158] In the slant correction device 41 of Embodiment 2, a reversing clutch 69 that reverses the rotation of the alignment roller 43 is used instead of the stopping clutch 53 of Embodiment 1. That is, it is configured to correct the slant of the medium P when the alignment roller 43 is in reverse.

[0159] The reversing clutch 69 is mounted to the roller 55 at a position adjacent to the torque limiter 51. That is, the torque limiter 51 and the reversing clutch 69 are arranged on the same side relative to the center of the roller 55.

[0160] In this embodiment, the power transmission unit 67 includes an idler gear 71 that transmits power from the drive source 29 to the reversing clutch 69. It should be noted that the idler gear 71... Figure 4 The example shown is a single instance, but it is not limited to this; multiple instances can also be set.

[0161] In this embodiment, the power transmission unit 67 further includes: a first gear 73, which engages with a torque limiter 51 to transmit power from the drive source 29 to the torque limiter 51; and a second gear 75, which engages with a idling gear 71 to transmit driving force from the drive source 29 to the idling gear 71. Here, the second gear 75 is formed with a diameter smaller than that of the first gear 73.

[0162] The first gear 73 and the second gear 75 are mounted on a coaxial shaft 48 and rotate integrally via the shaft 48. Here, the first gear 73 receives power from the drive source 29, and the second gear 75 rotates integrally with the first gear 73. Similar to Embodiment 1, the power driving the alignment roller 43 in the forward direction is always transmitted to the torque limiter 51 via the first gear 73. The power driving the alignment roller 43 in the reverse direction is always transmitted to the reversing clutch 69 via the second gear 75 and the idler gear 71.

[0163] The reversing clutch 69 is configured to be in a cut-off state when the alignment roller 43 rotates forward, and in a reversing engagement state when the alignment roller 43 rotates in reverse, transmitting power.

[0164] Specifically, when the reversing clutch 69 causes the alignment roller 43 to rotate forward, it receives a control signal from the control unit 49 and becomes power-disconnected from the roller shaft 55. As a result, the alignment roller 43 is powered by the drive source 29 via the torque limiter 51 and rotates forward.

[0165] When the reversing clutch 69 reverses the alignment roller 43, it receives a control signal from the control unit 49 and becomes power-connected to the roller shaft 55. Thus, the alignment roller 43 is reversed by the power transmitted from the drive source 29 via the reversing clutch 69. At this time, the torque limiter 51 exceeds the set torque, and therefore enters the slipping state.

[0166] The media processing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 2 is basically the same as the media processing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, the parts that are different from Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0167] In the medium processing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 2, the control unit 49 that controls the slant correction device 67 has the following control mode.

[0168] This control mode can perform a first reverse skew correction: with the alignment roller 43 reversed, the leading edge of the medium P abuts against the clamping position of the alignment roller 43, and the skew is corrected in this state. This control mode can also perform a second reverse skew correction: after the leading edge of the medium P has passed the clamping position of the alignment roller 43, the alignment roller 43 is reversed, and the skew of the medium P is corrected after the leading edge of the medium P returns to a state upstream of the clamping position. Either the first reverse skew correction or the second reverse skew correction can be selected and executed.

[0169] The selection of either the first reverse slant correction or the second reverse slant correction can be configured to allow the user to easily choose via an operation panel (without illustrations), or the control unit can select based on user input and information related to the printing task. It should be noted that the information used for this selection can include the size and type of the medium P (based on rigidity, weight, thickness, etc.), and the transport speed (printing speed, reading speed, processing speed, etc.).

[0170] The first reverse skew correction, that is, the action of correcting the skew by having the front end of the medium P abut against the clamping position of the alignment roller 43 while the alignment roller 43 is reversed, is configured in this embodiment to be executed by detecting the position of the medium by a sensor (not shown), and the detection signal is sent to the control unit 49.

[0171] The second reverse slant correction, that is, the action of reversing the alignment roller 43 to correct the slant of the medium P after the front end of the medium P has passed the clamping position of the alignment roller 43, is also configured in this embodiment to be executed by detecting the position of the medium by a sensor (not shown), and the detection signal is sent to the control unit 49.

[0172] Incline correction performed by the slant correction device of embodiment 2

[0173] In Embodiment 2, the slant correction device 41 corrects the slant of the medium P as follows, with the alignment roller 43 reversed by the control unit 49. At this time, the user pre-selects either the first reverse slant correction or the second reverse slant correction.

[0174] (1) Case where the first reverse slant correction is selected

[0175] (1-1) When the leading edge of the medium P conveyed by the upstream conveying unit 61 reaches the front of the conveying roller pair 9, it is detected by a sensor (not shown), and the control unit 49 receives the detection signal and sends a control signal to the reversing clutch 69. As a result, the reversing clutch 69 switches to a state of dynamic connection with the roller shaft 55, causing the alignment roller 43 to reverse. At this time, the torque limiter 51 becomes slippery because it exceeds the set torque. Then, while the alignment roller 43 is reversing, the leading edge of the medium P comes into contact with the clamping position of the alignment roller 43.

[0176] (1-2) After that, the leading edge of the conveyed medium P abuts against the clamping position of the reversing alignment roller 43 and driven roller 45, and the movement of the leading edge in the conveying direction stops. In this state, the medium P receives the conveying force from the upstream conveying roller pair 7 and slightly flexes to correct its tilt.

[0177] (1-3) Then, after a predetermined time for tilt correction, a control signal is sent from the control unit 49 to the reversing clutch 69, which switches to a state where it is not powered on the roller 55. As a result, the torque limiter 51 is in a state where it does not exceed the set torque and changes from the sliding state to a state where it can transmit power. That is, the alignment roller 43 restarts its forward rotation, conveying the medium P to the recording unit 12. The recording unit 12 performs recording on the tilt-corrected medium P.

[0178] (2) Case where the second reverse slant correction was selected

[0179] (2-1) When the leading end of the medium P conveyed by the upstream conveying unit 61 reaches the clamping position of the forward-rotating alignment roller 43 in a state detected by a sensor (not shown), and then passes through in the conveying direction and is conveyed in a predetermined amount, a control signal is sent from the control unit 49 to the reversing clutch 69. Through this control signal, the reversing clutch 69 and the roller shaft 55 are connected in a power-driven state, and the alignment roller 43 changes from a forward-rotating state to a reversing state. At this time, the torque limiter 51, because it exceeds the set torque, enters the slipping state.

[0180] (2-2) By reversing the alignment roller 43, the front end of the medium P returns to a position upstream of the clamping position. At this time, the medium P is in the following state: the portion upstream of the clamping position receives a forward conveying force through the conveying roller pair 7, etc., and the portion downstream of the clamping position receives a reverse conveying force through the reverse clutch 69. Therefore, tilt correction is effectively performed.

[0181] (2-3) Then, after the entire leading edge of the medium P has returned to a position upstream of the clamping position, a control signal is sent from the control unit 49 to the reversing clutch 69, which switches to a state where it is not powered by the roller 55. As a result, the torque limiter 51 is in a state where it does not exceed the set torque and changes from the sliding state to a state where it can transmit power. That is, the alignment roller 43 restarts its forward rotation, conveying the medium P to the recording unit 12. The recording unit 12 performs recording on the medium P, which has been corrected for tilt.

[0182] Explanation of the effects of Implementation Method 2

[0183] (1) In Embodiment 2, the power transmission unit 67 of the slant correction device 41 transmits power from the drive source 29 via the torque limiter 51 to make the alignment roller 43 rotate forward, and has a reversing clutch 69 that switches between the state of making the alignment roller 43 rotate forward and the state of making the alignment roller 43 rotate in reverse. By having these torque limiters 51 and reversing clutches 69, the same effect as that of the torque limiters 51 and clutches 53 based on Embodiment 1 can be obtained.

[0184] (2) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the driving force is transmitted by means of the idler gear 71 and the reverse clutch 69 to reverse the alignment roller 43, thereby causing the torque limiter 51 to exceed the set torque and thus become slippery. As a result, the transmission of power in the forward direction is blocked, and tilt correction can be performed while the alignment roller 43 is reversed by means of the reverse clutch 69.

[0185] (3) In addition, according to this embodiment, since the first gear 73 and the second gear 75 are coaxially arranged, the loss of power transmission can be suppressed and miniaturization can be achieved.

[0186] In addition, since the diameter of the second gear 75 is smaller than that of the first gear 73, the speed of reverse rotation can be reduced even without changing the rotational speed of the drive source 29.

[0187] (4) In addition, according to this embodiment, in the medium processing apparatus 1 that performs recording and other processing on the medium P, the above-mentioned effects based on the slant correction device 41 can be obtained, and slant correction can be performed appropriately, thereby improving the accuracy of the processing.

[0188] (5) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the control unit 49 can select the first reverse skew correction and the second reverse skew correction. Therefore, by selecting an appropriate skew correction method based on the type of medium P or conditions such as the content being processed and the processing speed, more effective skew correction can be performed. In particular, multiple skew correction methods can be selected and implemented with a simple configuration.

[0189] (6) In addition, according to this embodiment, tilt correction can be performed appropriately before the recorded medium P is transported to the recording unit 12, thereby improving the recording accuracy.

[0190] Furthermore, because the aforementioned slant correction device 41 is used, i.e., because the torque limiter is used during forward transport, when there is strong transport resistance on the downstream side, the alignment roller cannot press the medium P into the torque limiter's set torque. Therefore, it is possible to prevent situations where, when the medium P becomes blocked near the recording unit 12, the medium P is further forced in, causing it to deform three-dimensionally and come into contact with the recording unit 12, resulting in damage.

[0191] Similarly, since the force pushing the medium P from the rear is limited by the torque limiter 51, the possibility of disorder in the conveying state of the medium P can be reduced. In particular, in the conveyor belt 18, the possibility of disorder in the conveying state of the medium P can be reduced by the conveying force of the alignment roller 43.

[0192] It should be noted that this effect can also be achieved when the media processing device 1 has a reading unit or a post-processing unit, etc., but does not have a recording unit.

[0193] Implementation Method 3

[0194] The following is based on Figure 1 and Figure 5 Specifically, the slant correction device 41 according to Embodiment 3 and the medium processing device 1 equipped with the slant correction device 41 will be described. The same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, and the description of their structure and corresponding effects is omitted.

[0195] In the slant correction device 41 of Embodiment 3, the structure of Embodiment 2 ( Figure 4 This is equivalent to also having the functionality in implementation method 1 ( Figure 2 The clutch 53 described in the document, namely the stopping clutch 53, is configured to allow for either the operation of correcting the slant of the medium P when the alignment roller 43 is stopped, or the operation of correcting the slant of the medium P when the alignment roller 43 is in reverse.

[0196] In this embodiment, the power transmission unit 77 is provided as a clutch: a stop clutch 53 to stop the rotation of the alignment roller 43; and a reverse clutch 69, which is in a cut-off state when the alignment roller 43 rotates forward and in a reverse connection state when the alignment roller 43 rotates in reverse.

[0197] It also has an idler gear 71 that engages with the reversing clutch 69 to transmit power from the drive source 29 to the reversing clutch 69. The idler gear 71 causes the alignment roller 43 to reverse in the reversing engagement state.

[0198] The power transmission unit 77, like in Embodiment 1, includes a limiting unit 59 whose rotation is restricted and stopped by connecting to a stop clutch 53.

[0199] The power transmission unit 77 further includes: a first gear 73, which engages with a torque limiter 51 to transmit power from the drive source 29 to the torque limiter 51; and a second gear 75, which engages with a freewheeling gear 71 to transmit driving force from the drive source 29 to the freewheeling gear 71. Here, the second gear 75 is formed with a diameter smaller than that of the first gear 73. When the diameter of the second gear 75 is smaller than that of the first gear 73, the reverse rotation speed can be reduced even without changing the rotational speed of the drive source 29.

[0200] In this embodiment, the first gear 73 and the second gear 75 are mounted on a coaxial shaft 48 and rotate integrally. Here, the first gear 73 receives power from the drive source 29, and the second gear 75 rotates integrally with the first gear 73. Similar to Embodiment 1, the power driving the alignment roller 43 in the forward direction is always transmitted to the torque limiter 51 via the first gear 73. The power driving the alignment roller 43 in the reverse direction is always transmitted to the reversing clutch 69 via the second gear 75 and the idler gear 71.

[0201] When the reversing clutch 69 causes the alignment roller 43 to rotate forward, it receives a control signal from the control unit 49 and becomes power-disconnected from the roller shaft 55. As a result, the alignment roller 43 rotates forward by receiving power from the drive source 29 via the torque limiter 51. At this time, the stopping clutch 53 receives a control signal from the control unit 49 and is in a disconnected state with the limiter 59, thus not stopping the forward rotation of the alignment roller 53.

[0202] Furthermore, when the reversing clutch 69 reverses the alignment roller 43, it receives a control signal from the control unit 49 and becomes power-connected to the roller shaft 55. Thus, the alignment roller 43 is reversed by the power transmitted from the drive source 29 via the reversing clutch 69. At this time, the stopping clutch 53 receives a control signal from the control unit 49 and is in a disengaged state from the limiting unit 59, thus not stopping the reversal of the alignment roller 53.

[0203] Furthermore, the torque limiter 51 becomes a state that exceeds the set torque regardless of whether the rotation is forward or reverse, and thus becomes a slip state.

[0204] The media processing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 3 is basically the same as that according to Embodiment 1, as already described. Hereinafter, the parts that differ from Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0205] In the medium processing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 3, the control unit 49 that controls the slant correction device 77 has the following control mode.

[0206] This control mode can perform stop-skew correction of the skewed movement of the correction medium P when the alignment roller 43 is stopped by the stop clutch 53. Furthermore, it can perform reverse-skew correction of the skewed movement of the correction medium P when the alignment roller 43 is reversed by the reverse clutch 53. Either the stop-skew correction or the reverse-skew correction can be selected and executed.

[0207] Here, the slant correction stopping described is the slant correction described in Embodiment 1, and therefore its description is omitted. Similarly, the slant correction reversal described is the slant correction described in Embodiment 2, and therefore its description is omitted.

[0208] The choice between stopping the slant correction and reversing the slant correction is configured to allow the user to easily select the option via an operation panel that omits the illustrations.

[0209] In this embodiment, the control mode of the control unit 49 is selectable when performing the reverse skew correction: a first reverse skew correction, in which the leading edge of the medium P abuts against the alignment roller 43 while the alignment roller 43 is reversed, correcting the skew; and a second reverse skew correction, in which the alignment roller 43 is reversed after the leading edge of the medium P has passed the alignment roller 43, correcting the skew of the medium P. The selection of either the first or second reverse skew correction can be configured to be easily chosen by the user through an operation panel (without illustrations), or it can be configured so that the control unit can select based on user input information or information related to the printing task.

[0210] Here, the first reverse slant correction is the slant correction described in Embodiment 2, and the second reverse slant correction is also the slant correction described in Embodiment 2, so these descriptions are omitted.

[0211] Incline correction performed by the slant correction device of embodiment 3

[0212] In Embodiment 3, the slant correction device 41 is executed by the user through the control unit 49, either by stopping the slant correction when the alignment roller 43 is stopped, or by reversing the slant correction when the alignment roller 43 is reversed. Furthermore, if the reversing slant correction is selected, the user further selects either the first reversing slant correction or the second reversing slant correction to execute the correction.

[0213] (1) Case where stop slant correction is selected

[0214] In this case, the slant correction described in Embodiment 1 is performed. At this time, the reversing clutch 69 receives a control signal from the control unit 49 and becomes power-disconnected from the roller shaft 55, whether the alignment roller 43 is rotating forward or stopped. Therefore, the alignment roller 43 is power-disconnected from the reversing clutch 69. Consequently, the alignment roller 43 can both rotate forward and stop, performing the slant correction described in Embodiment 1.

[0215] (2) Case where reverse slant correction is selected

[0216] (2-1) In the case where the first reverse slant correction was selected during the reverse slant correction.

[0217] In this case, the first reverse slant correction described in Embodiment 2 is performed. At this time, the stop clutch 53 receives a control signal from the control unit 49 and becomes power-disconnected from the roller 55. As a result, the alignment roller 43 is power-disconnected from the stop clutch 53. Therefore, the alignment roller 43 can rotate both forward and reverse, performing the first reverse slant correction described in Embodiment 2.

[0218] (2-2) The case where a second reverse slant correction was further selected in the reverse slant correction.

[0219] In this case, the second reverse slant correction described in Embodiment 2 is performed. At this time, the stop clutch 53 receives a control signal from the control unit 49 and becomes power-disconnected from the roller shaft 55. As a result, the alignment roller 43 is power-disconnected from the stop clutch 53. Therefore, the alignment roller 43 can rotate both forward and reverse, performing the second reverse slant correction described in Embodiment 2.

[0220] Explanation of the effects of implementation method 3

[0221] (1) In Embodiment 3, the power transmission unit 77 of the slant correction device 41 transmits power from the drive source 29 via the torque limiter 51 to make the alignment roller 43 rotate forward, and has a stop clutch 53 and a reverse clutch 69 that switch between the state of making the alignment roller 43 rotate forward and the state of making the alignment roller 43 rotate in reverse. By having these torque limiters 51, stop clutches 53 and reverse clutches 69, the same effect as that of the torque limiters 51 and clutches 53 based on Embodiment 1 can be obtained.

[0222] (2) In addition, according to this embodiment, if the reversing clutch 69 is set to the cut-off state and the alignment roller 43 is set to a stopped state by the stop clutch 53, the torque limiter 51 becomes a state that exceeds the set torque, and thus becomes a sliding state, so that the alignment roller 43 can be set to a stopped state for tilt correction.

[0223] Furthermore, by releasing the constraint of the stopping clutch 53 to enable the alignment roller 43 to rotate, and setting the reversing clutch 69 to the reversing connection state, the torque limiter 51 becomes a state exceeding the set torque, thus entering a slipping state. This allows tilt correction to be performed while the alignment roller 43 is reversed via the reversing clutch 69. In other words, the tilt correction method can be appropriately selected.

[0224] (3) In addition, according to this embodiment, since the first gear 73 and the second gear 75 are coaxially arranged, the loss of power transmission can be suppressed and miniaturization can be achieved.

[0225] (4) In addition, according to this embodiment, in the medium processing apparatus 1 that performs recording and other processing on the medium P, the above-mentioned effects based on the slant correction device 41 can be obtained, and slant correction can be performed appropriately, thereby improving the accuracy of the processing.

[0226] (5) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the control unit 49 can select between the stop tilt correction and the reverse tilt correction. Therefore, by selecting an appropriate tilt correction method based on the type of medium P or conditions such as the content being processed and the processing speed, more effective tilt correction can be performed. In particular, multiple tilt correction methods can be selected and implemented with a simple configuration.

[0227] (6) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when performing the reverse tilt correction, the control unit 49 can select both the first reverse tilt correction and the second reverse tilt correction. Therefore, by selecting an appropriate tilt correction method based on the type of medium P, the content being processed, the processing speed, or other conditions, more effective tilt correction can be performed. In particular, multiple tilt correction methods can be selected and implemented with a simple configuration.

[0228] (7) In addition, according to this embodiment, tilt correction can be performed appropriately before the recorded medium P is transported to the recording unit 12, thereby improving the recording accuracy.

[0229] Furthermore, because the aforementioned slant correction device 41 is used, i.e., because the torque limiter 51 is used during forward transport, the alignment roller 51 cannot be pressed into the torque limiter 51 above the set torque when there is strong transport resistance on the downstream side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent situations where the medium P is further pressed in forcefully when blockage occurs near the recording unit 12, causing the medium P to deform three-dimensionally and come into contact with the recording unit 12, resulting in damage.

[0230] Similarly, since the force pushing the medium P from the rear is limited by the torque limiter 51, the possibility of disorder in the conveying state of the medium can be reduced. In particular, in the conveyor belt 18, the possibility of disorder in the conveying state of the medium P can be reduced by the conveying force of the alignment roller 43.

[0231] It should be noted that this effect can also be achieved when the media processing device 1 has a reading unit or a post-processing unit, etc., but does not have a recording unit.

[0232] Implementation Method 4

[0233] The following is based on Figure 1 and Figure 6 Specifically, the slant correction device 41 according to Embodiment 4 and the medium processing device 1 equipped with the slant correction device 41 will be described. The same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, and descriptions of their configuration and corresponding effects are omitted.

[0234] The slant correction device 41 in embodiment 4 is based on the structure of embodiment 2. Figure 4 In this embodiment, the torque limiter 51 is equivalent to a forward-rotation clutch. Everything else is the same as in embodiment 2.

[0235] In this embodiment, the power transmission unit 87 includes: a first clutch 81, which is engaged when the alignment roller 43 rotates forward and disengaged when the alignment roller 43 rotates in reverse; and a second clutch 82, which is disengaged when the alignment roller 43 rotates forward and engaged when the alignment roller 43 rotates in reverse.

[0236] The first clutch 81 is a forward-rotating clutch used to make the alignment roller 43 rotate forward. The second clutch 82 is used to make the alignment roller 43 rotate in reverse, and is the reverse-rotating clutch 69 described above.

[0237] The power transmission unit 87 further includes: a freewheeling gear 71 that engages with a second clutch 82 to transmit power from the drive source 29 to the second clutch 82; a first gear 73 that engages with a first clutch 81 to transmit power from the drive source 29 to the first clutch 81; and a second gear 75 that engages with the freewheeling gear 71 to transmit power from the drive source 29 to the freewheeling gear 71. Here, the second gear 75 is formed with a smaller diameter than the first gear 73.

[0238] The first clutch 81 and the second clutch 82 are arranged adjacent to each other on a coaxial roller 55. The first gear 73 and the second gear 75 are arranged on a coaxial shaft 48 and rotate integrally. Here, the first gear 73 receives power from the drive source 29, and the second gear 75 rotates integrally with the first gear 73.

[0239] The power to drive the alignment roller 43 in the forward direction is always transmitted to the first clutch 81, which serves as the forward rotation clutch, via the first gear 73. Similarly to Embodiment 2, the power to drive the alignment roller 43 in the reverse direction is always transmitted to the second clutch 82, i.e., the reverse rotation clutch 69, via the second gear 75 and the idler gear 71.

[0240] When the first clutch 81 causes the alignment roller 43 to rotate forward, it receives a control signal from the control unit 49 and becomes electrically connected to the roller shaft 55. At this time, the second clutch 82, i.e., the reverse clutch 69, receives a control signal from the control unit 49 and becomes electrically disconnected from the roller shaft 55. Thus, the alignment roller 43 rotates forward by receiving power from the drive source 29 via the first clutch 81.

[0241] When the second clutch 82, i.e., the reversing clutch 69, reverses the alignment roller 43, it receives a control signal from the control unit 49 and becomes electrically connected to the roller shaft 55. At this time, the first clutch 81 receives a control signal from the control unit 49 and becomes electrically disconnected from the roller shaft 55. Thus, the alignment roller 43 reverses by receiving power from the drive source 29 via the second clutch 82, i.e., the reversing clutch 69.

[0242] The media processing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 4 is basically the same as the media processing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1, as already described. Hereinafter, the parts that differ from Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0243] In the medium processing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 4, the control unit 49 that controls the slant correction device 87 has the following control mode.

[0244] The control mode can be selected as follows: a first reverse skew correction, in which the front end of the medium P abuts against the alignment roller 43 while the alignment roller 43 is reversed, correcting the skew; and a second reverse skew correction, in which the alignment roller 43 is reversed after the front end of the medium P has passed through the alignment roller 43, correcting the skew of the medium P. The selection of either the first or second reverse skew correction is configured to allow the user to easily choose via an operation panel (without illustrations).

[0245] Here, the first reverse slant correction is the slant correction described in Embodiment 2, and the second reverse slant correction is also the slant correction described in Embodiment 2, so their descriptions are omitted.

[0246] Incline correction performed by the slant correction device of embodiment 4

[0247] In Embodiment 4, the slant correction device 41 corrects the slant of the medium P as follows, with the alignment roller 43 reversed by the control unit 49. At this time, the user pre-selects either the first reverse slant correction or the second reverse slant correction.

[0248] (1) Case where the first reverse slant correction is selected

[0249] (1-1) When the leading edge of the medium P conveyed by the upstream conveying unit 61 reaches the front of the conveying roller pair 9, it is detected by a sensor (not shown in the figure). The control unit 49 receives the detection signal and sends a control signal to the second clutch 82, i.e., the reversing clutch 69. As a result, the reversing clutch 69 switches to the connected state, i.e., the state of being poweredly connected to the roller shaft 55, causing the alignment roller 43 to reverse. At this time, the first clutch 81, which is the forward rotation clutch, switches to the disengaged state. Furthermore, in the state of reversing the alignment roller 43, the leading edge of the medium P comes into contact with the clamping position of the alignment roller 43.

[0250] (1-2) After that, the leading edge of the conveyed medium P abuts against the clamping position of the reversing alignment roller 43 and driven roller 45, and the movement of the leading edge in the conveying direction stops. In this state, the medium P receives the conveying force from the upstream conveying roller pair 7 and slightly flexes to correct its tilt.

[0251] (1-3) Then, after a predetermined time for tilt correction, a control signal is sent from the control unit 49 to the reversing clutch 69, which switches to a disengaged state, i.e., a state where it is not powered by the roller shaft 55. Meanwhile, the first clutch 81, which serves as the forward rotation clutch, switches to the engaged state, i.e., a state where it is powered by the roller shaft 55, causing the alignment roller 43 to rotate forward. That is, the alignment roller 43 restarts its forward rotation, conveying the medium P to the recording unit 12. The recording unit 12 performs recording on the tilt-corrected medium P.

[0252] (2) Case where the second reverse slant correction was selected

[0253] (2-1) When the leading end of the medium P conveyed by the upstream conveying unit 61 reaches the clamping position of the forward-rotating alignment roller 43 in a state detected by a sensor (not shown), and then passes through in the conveying direction and is conveyed in a predetermined amount, a control signal is sent from the control unit 49 to the second clutch 82, i.e., the reverse clutch 69. Through this control signal, the reverse clutch 69 is engaged, and the alignment roller 43 changes from a forward-rotating state to a reverse-rotating state. At this time, the first clutch 81, which is the forward-rotating clutch, switches to the disengaged state.

[0254] (2-2) By reversing the alignment roller 43, the front end of the medium P returns to a position upstream of the clamping position. At this time, the medium P is in the following state: the portion upstream of the clamping position receives a forward conveying force through the conveying roller pair 7, etc., and the portion downstream of the clamping position receives a reverse conveying force through the reverse clutch 69. Therefore, tilt correction is effectively performed.

[0255] (2-3) Then, after the entire leading edge of the medium P has returned to a position upstream of the clamping position, a control signal is sent from the control unit 49 to the reversing clutch 69, and the reversing clutch 69 switches to the disengaged state. Meanwhile, the first clutch 81, which serves as the forward clutch, switches to the engaged state, causing the alignment roller 43 to rotate forward. That is, the alignment roller 43 restarts its forward rotation, conveying the medium P to the recording unit 12. The recording unit 12 performs recording on the medium P, which has been corrected for tilt.

[0256] Explanation of the effects of implementation method 4

[0257] (1) According to this embodiment, the power transmission unit 87 transmits power from the drive source 29 to the alignment roller 43 via a first clutch 81 serving as a forward rotation clutch, a second clutch 82 serving as a reverse rotation clutch 69, an idler gear 71, a first gear 73, and a second gear 75. Therefore, when the alignment roller 43 rotates forward, since the first clutch 81 is disengaged, the load during forward rotation conveying by the alignment roller 43 is suppressed. Furthermore, compared to a configuration where the motor rotates in both forward and reverse directions, the time required for acceleration and deceleration of the motor is eliminated, thus increasing throughput.

[0258] Furthermore, since the first clutch 81 and the second clutch 82 are coaxially arranged, power transmission losses can be suppressed, and miniaturization can be achieved. Additionally, since the first gear 73 and the second gear 75 are coaxially arranged, power transmission losses can be suppressed, and miniaturization can be achieved.

[0259] (2) In addition, according to this embodiment, in the medium processing apparatus 1 that performs recording and other processing on the medium P, the above-mentioned effects based on the slant correction device 41 can be obtained, and slant correction can be performed appropriately, thereby improving the accuracy of the processing.

[0260] (3) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the control unit 49 can select the first reverse skew correction and the second reverse skew correction. Therefore, by selecting an appropriate skew correction method based on the type of medium P or conditions such as the content being processed and the processing speed, more effective skew correction can be performed. In particular, multiple skew correction methods can be selected and implemented with a simple configuration.

[0261] Other implementation methods

[0262] The recording apparatus of the present invention is based on the configuration of the embodiments described above, but of course, changes or omissions in the configuration can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0263] In the above embodiment, the media processing device 1 is described as a recording device having a recording unit 12, specifically as an inkjet printer, but it can also be applied to other recording devices. Furthermore, it can be applied to scanners or ADF reading devices, trimmers, recording systems including relay units, etc.

[0264] Furthermore, the slant correction device 41 according to Embodiments 2 to 4 is configured to perform both first reverse slant correction and second reverse slant correction, but it is not necessary for it to be able to perform both. That is, it may also be a slant correction device that can only perform either reverse slant correction. Similarly, the slant correction device 41 according to Embodiments 2 to 4 may not necessarily be able to select or switch between the first reverse slant correction and the second reverse slant correction.

[0265] Furthermore, the slant correction device 41 according to Embodiment 3 is configured to perform both stop slant correction and reverse slant correction, but it is not necessary to be able to perform both. That is, it could also be a slant correction device that can perform only one type of slant correction. Similarly, the slant correction device 41 according to Embodiment 3 may not necessarily be able to select or switch between stop slant correction and reverse slant correction.

[0266] In Embodiment 1, the torque limiter 43 is disposed on one end of the roller 55, and the clutch 53 is disposed on the other end of the roller 55. However, the torque limiter 43 and the clutch 53 can also be disposed on one end of the roller. That is, the torque limiter 43 and the clutch 53 can also be disposed on the same side relative to the center of the roller.

[0267] By adopting this configuration, space can be saved and assembly becomes easier.

[0268] Similarly, in embodiment 3, the torque limiter 43 and the stop clutch 53 may be arranged on the same side relative to the center of the roller shaft.

[0269] In embodiment 3, the stopping clutch 53 and the reversing clutch 69 may also be configured as a single clutch. That is, the reversing clutch 69 may also serve as the stopping clutch 53. For example, relative to Figure 5 The reverse clutch 69 shown can also have the limiting part 59 configured to move forward and backward in a limiting state and a retreating state.

[0270] This configuration not only reduces the number of clutches, but also allows for various slant corrections to be performed with a simple setup.

[0271] When configured for a different purpose, in embodiment 2, the reversing clutch 69 can also function as the stopping clutch 53. For example, relative to... Figure 4 The reverse clutch 69 shown can also have the limiting part 59 configured to move forward and backward in a limiting state and a retreating state.

[0272] In this configuration, in addition to reverse slant correction, stop slant correction can be performed without increasing the number of clutches.

[0273] When further configured for other purposes, in embodiment 1, the stopping clutch 53 can also function as the reversing clutch 69. For example, it can also be configured to... Figure 2 The stop clutch 53 shown includes the idler gear 71 that transmits power.

[0274] In this configuration, reverse slant correction can be performed in addition to stop slant correction without increasing the number of clutches.

[0275] Similarly, in embodiment 4, the reversing clutch 69 can also function as the stopping clutch 53. For example, relative to... Figure 6 The reverse clutch 69 shown can also have the limiting part 59 configured to move forward and backward in a limiting state and a retreating state.

[0276] In this configuration, in addition to reverse slant correction, stop slant correction can be performed without increasing the number of clutches.

[0277] Furthermore, the time required for the reversing or stopping action of the alignment roller 43 is the period from before the medium P comes into contact with the clamping position until a predetermined time has elapsed after contact. When the distance between the mediums P is shortened for high-speed conveying and the medium P is conveyed at the shortest possible interval, the time for forward conveying becomes longer compared to the time for the reversing or stopping action of the alignment roller 43.

[0278] Therefore, in existing sheet conveying devices, the time it takes for the alignment roller to be driven by the clutch is longer, the time for the torque limiter to idle is longer, the wear of the clutch or torque limiter is brought forward, and there is a possibility of reduced durability.

[0279] According to Embodiments 1, 2, and 3, it is possible to reduce the wear and tear of the aforementioned clutch or torque limiter.

Claims

1. A slant correction device, characterized in that, The medium is conveyed by the forward rotation of the alignment roller, and the oblique movement of the medium is corrected by the reverse rotation or stopping of the alignment roller. The oblique movement correction device includes: The alignment roller; The driven roller, together with the alignment roller, clamps the medium to convey it, correcting the skewness of the medium; and The power transmission unit transmits power from the drive source to the alignment rollers. The power transmission unit has: The first clutch is engaged when the alignment roller rotates forward, and disengaged when the alignment roller rotates in reverse, without transmitting power. The second clutch is in a disengaged state that does not transmit power when the alignment roller rotates forward, and in a engaged state that transmits power when the alignment roller rotates in reverse. The idler gear engages with the second clutch, transmitting power from the drive source to the second clutch; The first gear engages with the first clutch to transmit power from the drive source to the first clutch; as well as The second gear engages with the idler gear, transmitting power from the drive source to the idler gear. The first clutch and the second clutch are coaxially arranged. The first gear and the second gear are coaxially arranged. One of the first gear and the second gear receives power from the drive source. The other of the first gear and the second gear rotates integrally with the first gear.

2. The slant correction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The alignment roller can rotate integrally with the roller shaft around the roller shaft as the center.

3. The slant correction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The alignment roller is a toothed roller.

4. The slant correction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the second gear is smaller than that of the first gear.

5. A media processing apparatus, characterized in that, have: The slant correction device according to claim 1; The drive source drives the alignment roller; The upstream conveying unit transports the medium to the skew correction device; The downstream conveying section conveys the medium whose skewness has been corrected by the skewness correction device; as well as The processing unit processes the medium transported by the downstream conveying unit.

6. The media processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, It includes a control unit for controlling the slant correction device. The control unit can select: The first reverse skew correction involves bringing the front end of the medium into contact with the alignment roller while the alignment roller is reversed, thereby correcting the skew. as well as The second reverse slant correction involves reversing the alignment roller after the front end of the medium has passed through it to correct the slant of the medium.

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