Transport device for transporting substrates

Abstract

A transport device (1) for transporting substrates (2; 2') comprises a frame (10), two guides (100A, 100B) that are fastened to or formed on the frame (10), extend in an elongate manner in a transport direction (T) and are spaced apart from one another in a lateral direction (S), wherein, with regard to the lateral direction (S), one of the guides (100A) forms a fixed bearing and the other of the guides (100B) forms a floating bearing, and a drive (11) by means of which a substrate (2; 2') supported on the guides (100A, 100B) is able to be displaced along the guides (100A, 100B).

Description

[0001] Transport device for transporting substrates

[0002] The invention relates to a transport device for transporting substrates, a printing system with such a transport device and a method for transporting substrates.

[0003] Substrates to be processed, especially in the form of print media to be printed by a printer, are typically transported to the printer one after the other. Various methods are known for this.

[0004] WO 2020 / 174017 A1, for example, describes the transport of substrates in the form of marker cards to a printer by means of round belts.

[0005] However, such round belts typically exhibit relatively high elasticity. Furthermore, the round belt can slip relative to the drive rollers, and the substrates can also slip relative to the round belt. This makes it difficult to ensure precise positioning of the substrates in the printer with such transport devices, which can compromise print quality. Variations in the dimensions of the substrates due to manufacturing tolerances can further exacerbate these problems.

[0006] DE 10 2007 011 179 A1 describes a central guide positioned in the center of a substrate. This requires additional alignment in the printing area using external positioning pins, which requires complex mechanics. Even small tolerance-related deviations in the substrate's dimensions from an ideal design can cause the positioning pins to miss holes in the substrate, which can lead to errors during the printing process.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to improve the accuracy of transporting substrates in a simple manner.

[0008] This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.

[0009] Accordingly, a transport device for transporting substrates comprises a frame, two guides fastened or formed on the frame, extending longitudinally along a transport direction and spaced apart from one another in a lateral direction, wherein with respect to the lateral direction one of the guides forms a fixed bearing and the other of the guides forms a loose bearing, and a drive by means of which a substrate mounted on the guides can be displaced along the guides and thus along the transport direction.

[0010] This design allows the substrates, which may be printable media, to be transported securely supported along the transport direction and, at the same time, precisely positioned laterally. The one-sided floating bearing can compensate for even relatively large manufacturing tolerances. This ensures precise and repeatable positioning of flat substrates under, for example, a printing device, even when taking into account relatively large tolerances of the transported substrates and the associated deviations from the ideal design. Furthermore, the improved accuracy of substrate transport can be achieved with a particularly simple structure that, for example, does not require any positioning pins to be inserted perpendicular to the transport direction. Furthermore, no carriage is required to hold the substrate, so the moving mass can be kept low.As a result, only minor vibrations are generated by the displacement, which allows for particularly good print image quality as well as more dynamic positioning with low energy consumption.

[0011] The transport device can comprise a positioning device for positioning a substrate mounted on the guides, e.g., in the lateral direction and / or in a vertical direction perpendicular thereto. This can further improve the accuracy of the positioning. For example, alignment with the guide forming the fixed bearing is achieved. A printer, for example, is arranged on the positioning device.

[0012] For example, the positioning device includes a hold-down element arranged on one of the guides and oriented at an angle to the lateral direction. This angled alignment allows for linear contact with a transported substrate. This enables precise positioning both laterally and vertically, while also preventing ink smearing.

[0013] Optionally, a sloped mounting surface is provided for mounting the hold-down element on the frame. This allows for direct attachment of the hold-down element with a minimum of components. At least one hold-down element can have a chamfered insertion. This allows even curved or twisted substrates to be transported safely without jamming.

[0014] The angled hold-down element can be arranged on the guide forming the fixed bearing. This enables particularly precise positioning.

[0015] The positioning device optionally includes a hold-down element arranged on the guide forming the floating bearing and / or aligned parallel to the lateral direction. This allows the substrate to be transported and positioned precisely, compensating even for larger manufacturing tolerances.

[0016] The guide forming the fixed bearing can comprise a guide rail. The guide rail can extend over a height perpendicular to the transport direction and perpendicular to the lateral direction. The substrate can rest on this guide rail and be guided securely.

[0017] Optionally, the guide rail features a tapered section in its cross-section. This ensures that even substrates manufactured with significant inaccuracies are correctly positioned on the guides.

[0018] The guide forming the floating bearing can be designed as a flat guide surface. This design is particularly easy to manufacture and robust, and also allows for the compensation of larger tolerances.

[0019] Optionally, the frame is designed as an extruded profile. This allows for particularly simple production. The pressing direction corresponds, for example, to the transport direction.

[0020] The frame can be constructed in one piece, particularly from the same material. This allows for simple production of the transport device as well as a robust and reliable design.

[0021] The frame optionally features one or more drive guides for the drive. This allows the frame to fulfill multiple functions at once, requiring very few components. For example, the drive includes a slider. The slider can be designed to push a substrate mounted on the guides, e.g., at a rear end. This enables a particularly reliable transport movement.

[0022] At least one substrate in the form of a sign mat, e.g., with several break-out labels, can be mounted on the guides. The substrate can be flat. Furthermore, the substrate can be rigid.

[0023] According to one aspect, a printing system is provided. The printing system comprises a printer. Furthermore, the printing system comprises the transport device according to any embodiment described herein for transporting substrates to and / or away from the printer. Regarding the advantages, reference is made to the above information regarding the transport device.

[0024] According to one aspect, a method for transporting a substrate using a transport device according to any embodiment described herein is provided. The method comprises the following steps: arranging a substrate on the guides; and activating the drive to move the substrate along the guides. Regarding the advantages, reference is again made to the above information regarding the transport device.

[0025] The concept underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. They show:

[0026] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a printing system for

[0027] Printing on substrates in the form of print media;

[0028] Fig. 2 is a view of a printing medium in the form of a sign mat with several break-out identification plates;

[0029] Fig. 3 to 7 different views of a transport device of the printing system according to Fig. 1;

[0030] Fig. 8 a detailed view of a guide forming a fixed bearing of the

[0031] Transport device according to Figs. 3 to 7 with a printing medium deposited thereon; and Fig. 9 shows a detailed view of a printing medium deposited on the transport device according to Figs. 3 to 7 under a hold-down element of a positioning device.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a printing system 3 for printing on several individually printable substrates in the form of print media. For this purpose, the

[0033] Printing system 3 a separating device 30 into which a stack of print media can be fed automatically or manually.

[0034] Transport device 1 transports individual print media output by the separating device 30 to a printer 32 of the printing system 3.

[0035] The printer 32 prints the individual print media one after the other. From the printer 32, the print media are transported to a stacking device 31 by means of the transport device 1. The stacking device 31 stacks the individual printed print media into a stack, which can then be removed manually or automatically from the stacking device 31. Alternatively, individual print media can be output to a separate output 33 by means of the transport device 1.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows an example of such a printing medium 2. The printing medium 2 comprises a plurality of identification plates 20. The identification plates 20 are each formed on (at least) one of a plurality of webs 21. The webs 21 are arranged parallel to one another and with the identification plates 20 between two pairs of runners 22 serving as guides. The webs 21 are each fixed to the runners 22. The printing medium 2 is formed in one piece. For example, it is an injection-molded part. In particular, the printing medium 2 can consist of a plastic or comprise a plastic. The individual identification plates 20 can be broken off from the webs 21. For example, an identification plate 20 printed with the printer 32 can be attached to an electrical or electronic component in order to identify it. For this purpose, the identification plates 20 each have locking elements for locking onto a respective component.

[0037] The print medium 2 can also be referred to as a mat or card. It is plate-shaped and rigid. Due to its own weight, the print medium 2 does not bend, or only slightly, when held, for example, only on one side or corner.

[0038] The print medium 2 has a length, a width, and a height. The height is smaller than the length and the width. The width is smaller than the length. The guides 22 extend along the length. The end faces of the print medium 2 extend across its width.

[0039] Depending on the required shape and size of the identification labels 20, the printing medium 2 can have a larger or smaller number of identification labels 20 and webs 21 for holding the identification labels 20.

[0040] Fig. 3 to 7 show the transport device 1 and its mode of operation.

[0041] The transport device 1 comprises a frame 10, a drive 11 and a positioning device 12.

[0042] The frame 10 is formed in one piece, in this case as an extruded profile. For example, the frame is made of aluminum or includes aluminum. The frame 10 is elongated and has a long side. At various (optionally all) points along the long side, the frame 10 has the same cross-sectional shape. Extruded profiles can be designed to be particularly stable and robust.

[0043] The transport device 1 has two guides 100A, 100B extending longitudinally along a transport direction T and spaced apart from one another in a lateral direction S perpendicular to the transport direction T. In general, the guides 100A, 100B can be attached to or formed on the frame 10. In the example shown, the guides 100A, 100B are formed on the frame 10 and, in this case, represent part of the frame 10.

[0044] The frame 10 comprises a base from which two side surfaces extend. The side surfaces are arranged parallel to one another. At the respective open end of the side surfaces, one of the guides 100A, 100B is formed. The frame 10 therefore has a generally U-shaped cross-section. The frame 10 forms a trough. With respect to the lateral direction S, one of the guides 100A (the guide 100A shown on the left in Fig. 7) forms a fixed bearing. This guide 100A therefore prevents any movement (exceeding tolerances) of a printing medium 2' placed thereon in the lateral direction S. Any movement of the printing medium 2' placed thereon in the lateral direction S is restricted or completely prevented by the fixed bearing. Movement of the printing medium 2' along the transport direction T is permitted (and guided by the guide 100A).

[0045] The guide 100A forming the fixed bearing has a guide rail 102. The guide rail 102 extends along the transport direction T. The guide rail 102 has a width along the lateral direction S and a height along a height direction H perpendicular to the lateral direction S and the transport direction T. A pair of runners 22 of the printing medium 2' surrounds the guide rail 102. The printing medium 2' can be placed on the transport device 1 such that the guide rail 102 is arranged between two runners 22 of the printing medium 2'.

[0046] As can be seen, for example, from Figs. 7 and 8, the guide rail 102 has a section 103 with a tapered cross-section. The tapered section 103 is formed by two surfaces of the guide rail 102 that extend at an angle to each other. This facilitates the placement of the printing medium 2'.

[0047] Furthermore, the guide rail 102 has a lateral edge 106, in the present case two such edges 106, from which the tapered section 103 extends.

[0048] The fixed bearing is rigid. It does not yield laterally, even during acceleration and braking. This prevents vibration, enabling improvements in print quality, repeatability, and debounce time.

[0049] The positioning device 12 in this case has two hold-down elements 120, 122, each in the form of a hold-down plate. The hold-down element 120 on the guide 100A forming the fixed bearing runs obliquely to the guides 100A, 100B. In this case, the hold-down element 120 is aligned at an angle to the plane spanned by the transport direction T and the lateral direction S. As can be seen in particular from Fig. 8, the hold-down element 120 rests against the printing medium 2' when the latter is located on the positioning device 12. The hold-down element 120 touches the printing medium 2' at a curvature 220 of an edge of the printing medium 2'. This creates a linear contact, highlighted by an oval in Fig. 8. This allows for jam-free sliding, does not impede the printing process, and allows for precise positioning.In this case, a force is introduced obliquely, with a component along the vertical direction H downwards and a component along the lateral direction against the pressure medium 2'. The hold-down element 120 presses a runner 22 of the pressure medium 2' against the guide rail 102, specifically against an edge 106 of the guide rail 102. This also creates a line contact there (again highlighted by an oval in Fig. 8).

[0050] The positioning device 12 thus serves to position the substrate 2' mounted on the guides 100A, 100B in the lateral direction S and in the vertical direction H perpendicular thereto.

[0051] An insertion bevel 121 of the hold-down element 120 allows a safe insertion even of curved print media 2'.

[0052] The hold-down element 120 is mounted directly on the frame 10, in this case screwed thereto, specifically on an inclined mounting surface 101 of the frame 10.

[0053] The other of the guides 100B (namely, the guide 100B shown on the right in Fig. 7, for example) forms a floating bearing. This guide 100B therefore allows free movement of the printing medium 2' placed thereon both along the transport direction T and along the lateral direction S. The guide 100B forming the floating bearing is designed as a flat guide surface, which in the example shown runs in a plane spanned by the transport direction T and the lateral direction S.

[0054] The combination of fixed bearing and floating bearing allows for large variations in the width (along the lateral direction S) of the 2' print media. The 2' print media are always precisely positioned on the fixed bearing and securely supported and mounted by the two guides 100A, 100B.

[0055] The positioning device 12 further comprises a hold-down element 122 arranged on the guide 100B forming the floating bearing and oriented parallel to the lateral direction S. This hold-down element 122 thus extends in a plane spanned by the transport direction T and the lateral direction S. It runs parallel to the flat guide surface of the guide 100B. The hold-down element 122 of the guide 100B forming the floating bearing also has an insertion bevel 123 for the printing medium 2'.

[0056] The positioning device 12 is arranged in a printing area D, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 4. In the assembled state, the printer 23 is arranged in the printing area D. The printing area D is arranged between an input area E and an output area A. In the input area E, print media 2' can be placed on the transport device 1 for printing. In the output area A, the printed print media 2' can be removed from the transport device 1. In the assembled state, this is done by means of the separating device 30 and the stacking device 31.

[0057] The hold-down elements 120, 122 enable the printing of the runners 22 and ensure continuous, well-positioned guidance across the entire printing area D. This allows for particularly good printing results.

[0058] By means of the drive 11, the printing medium 2' mounted on the guides 100A, 100B can be moved along the guides 100A, 100B and thus in the transport direction T. The drive comprises a slider 110, which is movable relative to the frame 10. For this purpose, the frame 10 has several drive guides 104, 105. Two drive guides 104 are formed on the opposite side surfaces of the frame 10. Furthermore, a drive guide 105 is formed at the base of the frame 10. Rollers 115 of the slider 110 are guided on the drive guides 104, 105 along the transport direction T.

[0059] The drive 11 comprises a motor 112. The motor 112 is here fastened to a longitudinal end of the frame 10, specifically to an end plate 15 fastened to the end of the frame 10. The motor 112 drives a belt 113 extending along the transport direction T. The belt 113 is guided around a roller 114 which is rotatably mounted on an end plate 14. This end plate 14 is fastened to the frame 10 at the end of the frame 10 opposite the motor 112. The slider 110 is fastened, for example, to the belt 113 and can be moved back and forth along the transport direction T by activating the drive 11, thus in this case by activating the motor 112. The slider 110 is designed to push the print medium 2' mounted on the guides 100A, 100B along the transport direction T.For this purpose, the slider 110 has at least one, here two, arms 111, which press against the printing medium 2' when the motor 112 is activated (see, for example, Fig. 6). The arms 111 each touch the printing medium 2' at a corner. As a result, the slider 110 acts on the lateral skids 22, preventing bending of the printing medium 2' as a result of the drive.

[0060] An optional cover 13 covers the belt 113 and parts of the slider 110, thus protecting them. The arms 111 of the slider 110 extend through side slots past the cover 13.

[0061] The described transport device 1 enables compensation of the manufacturing tolerances of the print media 2; 2', starting already when they are deposited on the transport device 1.

[0062] In a method for transporting a substrate 2; 2' with the transport device 1, the method comprises the following steps: arranging the substrate 2; 2' on the guides 100A, 100B; and activating the drive 11 to move the substrate 2; 2' along the guides 100A, 100B in the transport direction T.

[0063] The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can in principle also be implemented in a completely different way.

[0064] List of reference symbols

[0065] 1 transport device

[0066] 10 frames

[0067] 100A, 100B guide

[0068] 101 Mounting surface

[0069] 102 guide rail

[0070] Section 103

[0071] 104, 105 Drive guide

[0072] 106 edge

[0073] 11 Drive

[0074] 110 sliders

[0075] 111 Arm

[0076] 112 engine

[0077] 113 belts

[0078] 114 roll

[0079] 115 roller

[0080] 12 Positioning device

[0081] 120 hold-down element

[0082] 121 insertion bevel

[0083] 122 hold-down element

[0084] 123 insertion bevel

[0085] 13 Cover

[0086] 14, 15 End plate

[0087] 2; 2' printing medium (substrate)

[0088] 20 Identification plate

[0089] 21 jetty

[0090] 22 runners

[0091] 220 curvature

[0092] 3 Printing system

[0093] 30 Separation device

[0094] 31 Stacking device

[0095] 32 printers

[0096] 33rd issue

[0097] A Output area

[0098] D Pressure range

[0099] E Input range H Height direction

[0100] S lateral direction

[0101] T Transport direction

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Transport device (1) for transporting substrates (2; 2'), comprising a frame (10) and characterized by: two guides (100A, 100B) fastened or formed on the frame (10), extending longitudinally along a transport direction (T) and spaced from one another in a lateral direction (S), wherein with respect to the lateral direction (S) one of the guides (100A) forms a fixed bearing and the other of the guides (100B) forms a loose bearing, and a drive (11) by means of which a substrate (2; 2') mounted on the guides (100A, 100B) can be displaced along the guides (100A, 100B).

2. Transport device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a positioning device (12) for positioning a substrate (2; 2') mounted on the guides (100A, 100B) in the lateral direction (S) and / or in a vertical direction (H) perpendicular thereto.

3. Transport device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the positioning device (12) has a hold-down element (120) arranged on one of the guides (100A) and oriented obliquely to the lateral direction (S).

4. Transport device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that an inclined mounting surface (101) is formed for mounting the hold-down element (120) on the frame (10).

5. Transport device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the at least one hold-down element (120) has an insertion bevel (121).

6. Transport device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the obliquely aligned hold-down element (120) is arranged on the guide (100A) forming the fixed bearing.

7. Transport device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the positioning device (12) has a hold-down element (122) arranged on the guide (100B) forming the loose bearing and aligned parallel to the lateral direction (S).

8. Transport device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide (100A) forming the fixed bearing has a guide rail (102) which extends over a height perpendicular to the transport direction (T) and to the lateral direction (S).

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

10. Transport device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide (100B) forming the movable bearing is designed as a flat guide surface.

11. Transport device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (10) is designed in the form of an extruded profile.

12. Transport device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (10) is formed in one piece.

13. Transport device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (10) has one or more drive guides (104) for the drive (11).

14. Transport device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive (11) comprises a slider (110) which is designed to slide a substrate (2; 2') mounted on the guides (100A, 100B).

15. Transport device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one substrate (2; 2') in the form of a sign mat with several break-out identification signs is mounted on the guides (100A, 100B).

16. Printing system (3) comprising: a printer (32) and the transport device (1) according to one of the preceding claims for transporting substrates (2; 2') to the printer (32) and / or away from the printer (32). A method for transporting a substrate (2; 2') with a transport device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, comprising the following steps: Arranging a substrate (2; 2') on the guides (100A, 100B); and - activating the drive (11) to move the substrate (2; 2') along the Guided tours (100A, 100B).

Images