Transport device for transporting substrate

Abstract

A method for transporting a substrate (2; the invention relates to a transport device (1) comprising a frame (10), two guide devices (100A, 100B) which are fixed or formed on the frame (10), extend longitudinally in a transport direction (T) and are arranged at a distance from one another in a lateral direction (S), one guide device (100A) forming a fixed bearing and the other guide device (100B) forming a floating bearing in the lateral direction (S), and a drive (11) which drives the two guide devices (100A, 100B) in the lateral direction (S). The invention relates to a drive (100), by means of which a substrate (2; 2 ') supported on a guide device (100A, 100B) can be moved along the guide device (100A, 100B). 2 ').

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport device for transporting a substrate, a printing system having such a transport device, and a method for transporting a substrate. Background Art

[0002] Substrates to be processed, especially in the form of printing media to be printed by a printer, are usually sequentially conveyed to the printer. For this purpose, various methods are known.

[0003] For example, WO 2020 / 174017 A1 describes a method of transporting a substrate in the form of a label card to a printer by means of a circular belt.

[0004] However, such circular belts usually have relatively high elasticity. In addition, the circular belt may slip relative to the drive roller, and the substrate may also slip relative to the circular belt. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure the precise positioning of the substrate in the printer using such a transport device, which may affect the printing quality. Due to dimensional variations of the substrate caused by production-limited tolerances, these problems may be further exacerbated.

[0005] DE 10 2007 011 179 A1 describes a central guiding device at the center of the substrate. This results in the need for additional alignment by external positioning pins in the printing area, which requires a complex mechanical structure. Even a small deviation due to tolerances between the substrate size and the ideal configuration may cause the positioning pins to misalign with the holes on the substrate, resulting in errors during the printing process. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to improve the accuracy of substrate transport in a simple manner.

[0007] This object is solved by the subject matter having the features of claim 1.

[0008] Thereby, a transport device for transporting a substrate includes a frame, two guiding devices fixed to or formed on the frame, longitudinally extending in the transport direction and arranged at intervals from each other in the lateral direction, wherein in the lateral direction, one of the guiding devices forms a fixed support, the other guiding device forms a floating support, and includes a drive, by which the substrate supported on the guiding devices can be moved along the guiding devices and thus in the transport direction.

[0009] With this design, the substrate (which can be a printable printing medium) can be transported safely supported in the transport direction and simultaneously positioned precisely in the lateral direction, wherein relatively large manufacturing tolerances can of course be compensated for by means of a one-sided floating bearing. Thus, even taking into account the relatively large tolerances of the transported substrate and its resulting deviation from the ideal configuration, precise and reproducible positioning of the flat substrate, for example, beneath a printing device can be ensured. In addition, this improved substrate transport accuracy can be achieved with a particularly simple structure, which, for example, does not require positioning pins inserted perpendicular to the transport direction. Moreover, there is no need for a trolley for accommodating the substrate, thereby reducing the mass to be moved. Thus, only slight vibrations are generated during movement, thereby achieving particularly good printing quality and also enabling more dynamic positioning while achieving low energy consumption.

[0010] The transport device can include positioning means for positioning a substrate supported on guiding means, for example, in the lateral direction and / or in the height direction perpendicular thereto. Thereby, the accuracy of positioning can be further improved. Here, for example, the substrate is aligned with the guiding means forming a fixed bearing. A printer can be arranged, for example, on the positioning means.

[0011] For example, the positioning means includes a pressing element arranged on one of the guiding means and inclinedly oriented with respect to the lateral direction. By the inclined orientation, a line contact can be formed with the transported substrate. This achieves precise positioning in the lateral direction and the height direction while avoiding smearing of printing ink.

[0012] Optionally, an inclined mounting surface is formed on the frame for mounting the pressing element. This enables the direct mounting of the pressing element with fewer components.

[0013] At least one of the pressing elements can have a lead-in bevel. In this way, even a bent or distorted substrate can be transported safely without jamming.

[0014] The inclinedly arranged pressing element can be arranged on the guiding means forming a fixed bearing. This can achieve particularly precise positioning.

[0015] The positioning means optionally includes a pressing element arranged on the guiding means forming a floating bearing and / or oriented parallel to the lateral direction. In this way, the substrate can be transported and positioned precisely, wherein even relatively large manufacturing tolerances can be compensated for.

[0016] The guiding means forming a fixed bearing can include guide rails. The guide rails can extend in a height perpendicular to the transport direction and perpendicular to the lateral direction. The substrate can be supported on the guide rails and guided safely.

[0017] Optionally, the guide rails have a tapered section in cross-section. Thereby, it can be ensured that even substrates with lower manufacturing precision are correctly placed on the guiding means.

[0018] The guiding device forming the floating support can be designed as a planar guiding surface. This design is particularly simple and robust to manufacture, and at the same time can compensate for large tolerances.

[0019] Optionally, the frame is designed in the form of an extruded profile. This makes the manufacturing particularly simple. The extrusion direction corresponds, for example, to the transport direction.

[0020] The frame can be designed as an integral unit, especially with a consistent material. This makes the manufacturing of the transport device simple and the structure strong and reliable.

[0021] The frame optionally includes one or more drive guiding devices for the drive. In this way, the frame can perform multiple functions simultaneously, thus requiring particularly few components.

[0022] For example, the drive includes a pusher. The pusher can be formed to push the substrate supported on the guiding device, for example, on the rear end face. In this way, a particularly reliable transport movement can be achieved.

[0023] At least one substrate in the form of an identification pad, for example with a plurality of removable identification plates, can be supported on the guiding device. The substrate can be flat. In addition, the substrate can be rigid.

[0024] According to one aspect, a printing system is provided. The printing system includes a printer. In addition, the printing system further includes a transport device according to any of the above embodiments for transporting the substrate to and / or out of the printer. For the advantages, reference is made to the above description of the transport device.

[0025] According to one aspect, a method for transporting a substrate using a transport device according to any of the above embodiments is provided. The method includes the following steps: placing the substrate on the guiding device; and activating the drive to move the substrate along the guiding device. For the advantages, reference is again made to the above description of the transport device. Description of the Drawings

[0026] The inventive concept of the present invention will be further illustrated below by embodiments shown in the drawings. In the figures:

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a printing system for printing a substrate in the form of a printing medium is shown;

[0028] Figure 2 A view of a printing medium in the form of an identification pad with a plurality of removable identification plates is shown;

[0029] Figures 3 to 7 Shows according to Figure 1 Different views of the transport device of the printing system;

[0030] Figure 8shows a detailed view of a guiding device forming a fixed support in a transport device according to Figures 3 to 7 and of a printing medium placed thereon;

[0031] Figure 9 shows a detailed view of a printing medium placed on a transport device according to Figures 3 to 7 below a pressing element of a positioning device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 shows a printing system 3 for printing a plurality of individually printable substrates in the form of a printing medium. For this purpose, the printing system 3 includes a separating device 30 into which a stack of printing media can be inserted automatically or manually. A transport device 1 conveys the individual printing media output by the separating device 30 to a printer 32 of the printing system 3.

[0033] The printer 32 prints the individual printing media in succession. The printing media are conveyed from the printer 32 to a stacking device 31 by the transport device 1. The stacking device 31 stacks the individual printed printing media into a stack, which can then be removed from the stacking device 31 manually or automatically. Alternatively, the individual printing media can be output via the transport device 1 at a separate outlet 33.

[0034] Figure 2 shows an example of such a printing medium 2. The printing medium 2 includes a plurality of identification plates 20. The identification plates 20 are each molded on (at least) one of a plurality of connecting strips 21. The connecting strips 21 are parallel to one another and are arranged between two pairs of slide rails 22 serving as guiding devices together with the identification plates 20. The connecting strips 21 are fixed to the slide rails 22 here. The printing medium 2 is of one-piece design. For example, it is an injection-molded part. In particular, the printing medium 2 can be made of plastic or contain plastic. The individual identification plates 20 can be broken off from the connecting strips 21. Thus, the identification plates 20 printed by the printer 32 can be mounted, for example, on electrical or electronic components for marking. The identification plates 20 each have a latching element for latching with the corresponding component for this purpose.

[0035] The printing medium 2 can also be referred to as a pad or a card (referred to as "card" in English). It is plate-shaped and rigid. Due to the self-weight of the printing medium 2, the printing medium 2 does not bend or only bends slightly when held, for example, only on one side or at one corner.

[0036] The printing medium 2 has a length, a width, and a height. The height is less than the length and the width. The width is less than the length. The guiding device 22 extends along the length. The end face of the printing medium 2 extends along its width.

[0037] Depending on the shape and size of the required identification plates 20, the printing medium 2 can have a greater or smaller number of identification plates 20 and connecting strips 21 for holding the identification plates 20.

[0038] Figures 3 to 7 shows the transport device 1 and its working principle.

[0039] The transport device 1 includes a frame 10, a drive 11, and a positioning device 12.

[0040] The frame 10 is of an integral design and is currently an extruded profile. For example, the frame is made of or contains aluminum. The frame 10 is elongate and has long sides. At various positions (optionally all positions) along the long sides, the frame 10 has the same cross-sectional shape. The extruded profile can be designed to be particularly stable and robust.

[0041] The transport device 1 has two guiding devices 100A, 100B that extend longitudinally in the transport direction T and are spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction S perpendicular to the transport direction T. Generally, the guiding devices 100A, 100B can be fixed to or formed on the frame 10. In the illustrated example, the guiding devices 100A, 100B are formed on the frame 10 and are currently part of the frame 10.

[0042] The frame 10 includes a base from which two side faces extend. The side faces are arranged parallel to each other. One of the guiding devices 100A, 100B is formed at each open end portion of the side faces. Thus, the frame 10 generally has a U-shaped cross-section. The frame 10 forms a tray.

[0043] In the lateral direction S, one of the guiding devices 100A ( Figure 7 the guiding device 100A shown on the left in the figure) forms a fixed support. Thus, this guiding device 100A prevents the printing medium 2' placed thereon from moving (beyond the tolerance range) in the lateral direction S. The movement of the printing medium 2' placed thereon in the lateral direction S is restricted or completely prevented by the fixed support. The movement of the printing medium 2' in the transport direction T is permitted (and guided by the guiding device 100A).

[0044] The guiding device 100A forming the fixed support includes a guide rail 102. The guide rail 102 extends in the transport direction T. The guide rail 102 has a width in the lateral direction S and a height in the height direction H perpendicular to the lateral direction S and the transport direction T. A pair of slide rails 22 of the printing medium 2' surround the guide rail 102. The printing medium 2' can be placed on the transport device 1 such that the guide rail 102 is located between the two slide rails 22 of the printing medium 2'.

[0045] As Figure 7 and 8 shown, the guide rail 102 has a tapered section 103 in cross-section. The tapered section 103 is formed by two surfaces of the guide rail 102 that extend at an angle towards each other. This makes it easier to place the printing medium 2'.

[0046] In addition, the guide rail 102 has side edges 106, and there are currently two such edges 106 from which the tapering section 103 extends.

[0047] The fixed support is rigid. Even during acceleration and braking, it does not yield laterally. This avoids vibrations, thereby improving printing quality, repeatability, and anti-shake time.

[0048] The positioning device 12 currently has two pressing elements 120, 122, both in the form of pressure plates. The pressing element 120 on the guiding device 100A forming the fixed support extends obliquely with respect to the guiding devices 100A, 100B. Currently, the pressing element 120 is oriented at an angle with respect to the plane formed by the transport direction T and the lateral direction S. In particular, as Figure 8 shown, when the printing medium 2' is located at the positioning device 12, the pressing element 120 contacts the printing medium 2'. At this time, the pressing element 120 contacts the bent portion 220 of the edge of the printing medium 2'. At this time, there appears Figure 8 the linear contact highlighted by the ellipse in. This enables smooth sliding without jamming, does not affect the printing process, and enables precise positioning. During this process, the force is introduced in an inclined direction, having a component downward in the height direction H and a component in the lateral direction against the printing medium 2'. At this time, the pressing element 120 presses a slide rail 22 of the printing medium 2' against the guide rail 102, specifically against the edge 106 of the guide rail 102. In this way, a ( Figure 8 again highlighted by the ellipse in) linear contact is also formed.

[0049] Therefore, the positioning device 12 is used to position the substrate 2' supported on the guiding devices 100A, 100B in the lateral direction S and the height direction H perpendicular thereto.

[0050] The lead-in inclined surface 121 of the pressing element 120 can safely lead in even a bent printing medium 2'.

[0051] The pressing element 120 is directly mounted on the frame 10, currently fixed by screws, specifically on the inclined mounting surface 101 of the frame 10.

[0052] Another guiding device 100B (i.e., the guiding device 100B shown on the right in Figure 7 ) forms a floating support. Therefore, this guiding device 100B allows the printing medium 2' placed thereon to move freely in the transport direction T and the lateral direction S. The guiding device 100B forming the floating support is currently designed as a flat guiding surface, which extends in the plane formed by the transport direction T and the lateral direction S in the shown example.

[0053] By means of a combination of a fixed support and a floating support, relatively large variations in the width of the printing medium 2' (in the lateral direction S) can be tolerated. The printing medium 2' is always precisely positioned on the fixed support and is reliably supported and borne by two guiding devices 100A, 100B.

[0054] The positioning device 12 further includes a pressing element 122 which is arranged on the guiding device 100B forming the floating support and is oriented parallel to the lateral direction S. The pressing element 122 extends in the plane formed by the transport direction T and the lateral direction S. It extends parallel to the guiding surface of the guiding device 100B.

[0055] The pressing element 122 on the guiding device 100B forming the floating support also has an inlet ramp 123 for the printing medium 2'.

[0056] The positioning device 12 is currently arranged in the printing area D, in particular as Figure 4 shown. In the installed state, the printer 23 is arranged in the printing area D. The printing area D is arranged between the input area E and the output area A. In the input area E, the printing medium 2' to be printed can be placed on the transport device 1. In the output area A, the printed printing medium 2' can be removed from the transport device 1. In the installed state, this is accomplished by the separating device 30 and the stacking device 31.

[0057] By means of the pressing elements 120, 122, printing on the slide rail 22 can be achieved and continuous precise positioning guidance can be realized throughout the printing area D. This results in a particularly good printing effect.

[0058] By means of the drive 11, the printing medium 2' supported on the guiding devices 100A, 100B can be moved along the guiding devices 100A, 100B and thus in the transport direction T. The drive includes a pusher 110 which is movable relative to the frame 10. For this purpose, the frame 10 has a plurality of drive guiding devices 104, 105. Two drive guiding devices 104 are formed on opposite side surfaces of the frame 10. In addition, drive guiding devices 105 are formed on the base of the frame 10. The rollers 115 of the pusher 110 are guided along the transport direction T on the drive guiding devices 104, 105.

[0059] The drive 11 includes a motor 112. The motor 112 is currently fixed to one long-side end of the frame 10, specifically on the end plate 15 fixed to the end of the frame 10. The motor 112 drives a belt 113 extending in the transport direction T. The belt 113 is guided around a pulley 114, which is rotatably supported on the end plate 14. The end plate 14 is fixed to the opposite end of the frame 10 from the motor 112. A pusher 110 is fixed to the belt 113, for example, and can be moved back and forth in the transport direction T by activating the drive 11, i.e., in this case by activating the motor 112.

[0060] The pusher 110 is formed to push the printing medium 2' supported on the guiding devices 100A, 100B in the transport direction T. For this purpose, the pusher 110 has at least one, here two, arms 111, which, when the motor 112 is activated, press against the printing medium 2' (as can be seen in Figure 6 ). The arms 111 each contact a corner of the printing medium 2'. In this way, the pusher 110 acts on the side guide rails 22, thereby preventing the printing medium 2' from being bent by the drive.

[0061] An optional cover plate 13 covers parts of the belt 113 and the pusher 110, thereby protecting them. The arms 111 of the pusher 110 extend through slits in the upper side of the cover plate 13.

[0062] The illustrated transport device 1 can compensate for the manufacturing tolerances of the printing media 2; 2', starting from when they are placed on the transport device 1.

[0063] In a method of using the transport device 1 to transport a substrate 2; 2', the following steps are included: placing the substrate 2; 2' on the guiding devices 100A, 100B; and activating the drive 11 to move the substrate 2; 2' in the transport direction T along the guiding devices 100A, 100B.

[0064] The inventive concept of the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments and can in principle also be implemented in a completely different manner.

[0065] Explanation of reference numerals

[0066] 1 Transport device

[0067] 10 Frame

[0068] 100A, 100B Guiding devices

[0069] 101 Mounting surface

[0070] 102 Guide rail

[0071] 103 Tapered section

[0072] 104, 105 Drive guiding devices

[0073] 106 side

[0074] 11 driver

[0075] 110 pusher

[0076] 111 arm

[0077] 112 motor

[0078] 113 belt

[0079] 114 pulley

[0080] 115 roller

[0081] 12 positioning device

[0082] 120 pressing element

[0083] 121 guiding ramp

[0084] 122 pressing element

[0085] 123 guiding ramp

[0086] 13 cover plate

[0087] 14, 15 end plates

[0088] 2; 2' printing medium (substrate)

[0089] 20 identification plate

[0090] 21 connecting bar

[0091] 22 slide rail

[0092] 220 bending part

[0093] 3 printing system

[0094] 30 separating device

[0095] 31 stacking device

[0096] 32 printer

[0097] 33 output port

[0098] A output area

[0099] D printing area

[0100] E input area

[0101] H height direction

[0102] S lateral direction

[0103] T Transport direction

Claims

1. A transport device (1) for transporting a substrate (2; 2'), comprising a frame (10), characterized in that Further comprising: - Two guiding devices (100A, 100B) fixed to or formed on the frame (10), longitudinally extending in the transport direction (T) and arranged at intervals from each other in the lateral direction (S), wherein in the lateral direction (S), one of the guiding devices (100A) forms a fixed support and the other guiding device (100B) forms a floating support, and - A driver (11) through which a substrate (2; 2') supported on the guiding devices (100A, 100B) can be moved along the guiding devices (100A, 100B).

2. The transport device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Comprising a positioning device (12) for positioning the substrate (2; 2') supported on the guiding devices (100A, 100B) in the lateral direction (S) and / or in the height direction (H) perpendicular thereto.

3. The transport device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The positioning device (12) includes a pressing element (120) arranged on one of the guiding devices (100A) and inclinedly oriented relative to the lateral direction (S).

4. The transport device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, An inclinedly extending mounting surface (101) for mounting the pressing element (120) is formed on the frame (10).

5. The transport device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, At least one of the pressing elements (120) has an inlet bevel (121).

6. The transport device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The inclinedly oriented pressing element (120) is arranged on the guiding device (100A) forming a fixed support.

7. The transport device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The positioning device (12) includes a pressing element (122) arranged on the guiding device (100B) forming a floating support and oriented parallel to the lateral direction (S).

8. The transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The guiding device (100A) forming a fixed support includes a guide rail (102) that extends in a height perpendicular to the transport direction (T) and the lateral direction (S).

9. The transport device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The guide rail (102) has a tapered section (103) in cross-section.

10. The transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The guiding device (100B) forming a floating support is formed as a planar guiding surface.

11. The transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The frame (10) is formed as an extruded profile.

12. The transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The frame (10) is of an integral design.

13. The transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The frame (10) includes one or more driving guiding devices (104) for the driver (11).

14. The transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The driver (11) includes a pusher (110) that forms for pushing the substrate (2; 2') supported on the guiding devices (100A, 100B).

15. The transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least one substrate (2; 2'), in the form of an identification pad with a plurality of detachable identification plates, is supported on the guiding devices (100A, 100B).

16. A printing system (3), comprising: - A printer (32), and - The transport device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, for transporting the substrate (2; 2') to and / or from the printer (32).

17. A method of transporting a substrate (2; 2') using the transport device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising the following steps: - Placing the substrate (2; 2') on the guiding devices (100A, 100B); - Activating the driver (11) to move the substrate (2; 2') along the guiding devices (100A, 100B).

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