Belt support roll, belt rotation device using the same, and processing system

Abstract

To appropriately adjust shifting of a belt in a width direction by enabling three-dimensional oscillation with a structure simpler than when a belt support roll two-dimensionally oscillates about the oscillation axis of the axial center.SOLUTION: A belt support roll 1 for rotatably supporting an endless belt 11 comprises: a roll body 2 on which the belt 11 is wound; holding means 3 that extends in the axial direction of the roll body 2 and rotatably holds both ends of the roll body 2; and support means 4 that is provided in the longitudinal center of the holding means 3 and that movably supports the roll body 2 and the holding means 3. The support means 4 has a movable region including a first direction component D1 intersecting a bisector of a center angle within an angle range in which the belt 11 is wound on the roll body 2 and a second direction component D2 along the bisector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a belt support roll, and a belt rotating device and a processing system using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] As conventional belt rotating devices, for example, those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are already known. Patent document 1 discloses a belt conveying device having first and second adjustment members provided on both sides of one tension member in the belt width direction and movable by receiving force from the belt, and an interlocking means for interlocking the movement of the first adjustment member with the movement of the second adjustment member, in which when the belt moves toward one end, the first adjustment member moves by receiving force from the belt, and the second adjustment member moves due to the interlocking means, causing one tension member to tilt relative to the other tension member. Patent document 2 discloses a belt conveying device in which an endless belt is rotatably stretched over a single rotating roll, which serves as a displacement roll (displaceable to hard axis X or soft axis Y) that displaces in accordance with the axial movement of the rotating roll of the endless belt. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-156044 A (Form for carrying out the invention, FIG. 4) [Patent Document 2] JP 8-192934 A (Embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technical problem that the present invention aims to solve is to enable a belt support roll to oscillate three-dimensionally with a simple configuration, compared to when the belt support roll oscillates two-dimensionally around a oscillating axis at the center of the axial direction, and to appropriately adjust the widthwise deviation of the belt. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A first technical feature of the present invention is a belt support roll that rotatably supports an endless belt, comprising: a roll body around which the belt is wound; holding means extending along the axial direction of the roll body and rotatably holding both ends of the roll body; and support means provided in the longitudinal center of the holding means and movably supporting the roll body and the holding means, wherein the support means has a range of motion that includes a first directional component that intersects with a bisector of a central angle of an angular range around which the belt is wound around the roll body, and a second directional component that is along the bisector.

[0006] A second technical feature of the present invention is a belt support roll having the first technical feature, characterized in that the support means is provided on the opposite side of the roll body from the roll body in the longitudinal center of the holding means, and includes a support shaft member having a spherical portion whose outer circumferential surface is formed into a spherical shape, and a bearing member that holds the spherical portion of the support shaft member rotatably in three dimensions. A third technical feature of the present invention is a belt support roll having the second technical feature, characterized in that the support means arranges the support shaft member on the holding means side and arranges the bearing member at a predetermined fixed position. A fourth technical feature of the present invention is a belt support roll having the third technical feature, characterized in that the support shaft member has a protruding portion protruding from the longitudinal center of the holding means, and a spherical portion extending into a spherical shape from a part of the protruding portion. A fifth technical feature of the present invention is a belt support roll having the fourth technical feature, characterized in that the support shaft member has the spherical portion at the end of the protrusion. A sixth technical feature of the present invention is a belt support roll having the second technical feature, characterized in that the bearing member has a spherical bearing surface that rotatably embraces and holds the spherical portion. A seventh technical feature of the present invention is a belt support roll having the second technical feature, characterized in that the bearing member is a cylindrical member having an inner circumferential bearing surface that circumscribes the spherical portion of the support shaft member. An eighth technical feature of the present invention is the belt support roll having the second technical feature, characterized in that the bearing member is detachable from the support shaft member.

[0007] A ninth technical feature of the present invention is a belt rotating device comprising an endless belt and a plurality of belt support rolls that rotatably support the belt, wherein one of the plurality of belt support rolls is a belt support roll having any one of the first to eighth technical features. A tenth technical feature of the present invention is a belt rotation device having the ninth technical feature, characterized in that it further comprises a detection means for detecting deviation of the belt in a width direction intersecting the rotation direction of the belt, and an inclination adjustment means for adjusting the inclination of the belt support roll in a direction to reduce the deviation of the belt depending on the detection result of the detection means. An eleventh technical feature of the present invention is a belt rotation device having the ninth technical feature, characterized in that it further comprises end receiving means that faces both ends of the belt in the width direction and is movable in the width direction of the belt, and that moves in response to a deviation of the belt in the width direction, and an inclination adjustment means that adjusts the inclination of the belt support roll in a direction to reduce the deviation of the belt depending on the amount of movement of the end receiving means. A twelfth technical feature of the present invention is a belt rotation device having the eleventh technical feature, characterized in that the inclination adjustment means comprises an interlocking means for inclining the belt support roll in conjunction with movement of the end receiving means, and an elastic support means for supporting both ends of the belt support roll in an elastically deformable manner, and the elastic support means adjusts the inclination of the belt support roll by an elastic return force due to elastic deformation of the elastic support means when the belt support roll is inclined by the interlocking means. A thirteenth technical feature of the present invention is a belt rotating device having the twelfth technical feature, characterized in that the end receiving means is provided coaxially with the belt support roll, and the elastic support means presses the end receiving means against both ends in the width direction of the belt with pressure. A fourteenth technical feature of the present invention is a belt rotating device having the ninth technical feature, characterized in that the belt support roll has a tension adjustment means for biasing the belt toward the second directional component. A fifteenth technical feature of the present invention is a belt rotating device having the ninth technical feature, characterized in that the belt rotating device further comprises a processing means for performing a predetermined processing on a processing object moving in contact with the belt.

[0008] A sixteenth technical feature of the present invention is a processing system including a belt rotating device having the fifteenth technical feature, and a transport means for transporting a workpiece to the belt rotating device and for transporting the workpiece that has been processed by the belt rotating device. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to a first technical feature of the present invention, compared to when the belt support roll oscillates two-dimensionally around a oscillating axis at the center in the axial direction, it is possible to oscillate three-dimensionally with a simple configuration, and to appropriately adjust the widthwise deviation of the belt. According to the second technical feature of the present invention, a support means having an appropriate range of motion for the support means can be easily constructed with two parts. According to the third technical feature of the present invention, the support means can be disposed at an appropriate position based on the bearing member disposed at a predetermined fixed portion. According to the fourth technical feature of the present invention, when constructing the support shaft member, the shape of the support shaft member can be easily selected. According to the fifth technical feature of the present invention, it is possible to ensure a spherical portion with a larger proportion of the spherical surface compared to a case in which a spherical portion is provided midway through a protruding portion. According to the sixth technical feature of the present invention, a wide bearing surface for the spherical portion can be secured between the support shaft member and the bearing member, and the supporting load can be dispersed. According to the seventh technical feature of the present invention, the support shaft member and the bearing member can be detachable in the second direction component. According to the eighth technical feature of the present invention, it is possible to improve the ease of assembly of the support means and the ease of maintenance such as replacement. According to a ninth technical feature of the present invention, compared to a case in which a belt support roll oscillates two-dimensionally around a oscillating axis at the center in the axial direction, a belt rotation device can be easily constructed that allows the belt support roll to oscillate three-dimensionally with a simple configuration and that can appropriately adjust the widthwise deviation of the belt. According to a tenth technical feature of the present invention, by detecting deviation of the belt in the width direction, the inclination of the belt support roll can be dynamically adjusted, thereby reducing deviation of the belt in the width direction. According to an eleventh technical feature of the present invention, the inclination of the belt support roll can be adjusted depending on the amount of movement associated with the deviation of the belt in the width direction, thereby reducing the deviation of the belt in the width direction. According to a twelfth technical feature of the present invention, when the belt support roll is inclined in conjunction with the movement of the end receiving means, the inclination of the belt support roll can be adjusted by utilizing the elastic restoring force associated with the elastic deformation of the elastic support means. According to a thirteenth technical feature of the present invention, by utilizing elastic support means for adjusting the inclination of the belt support roll, it is possible to maintain a state of contact between both widthwise ends of the belt and the end receiving means. According to a fourteenth technical feature of the present invention, in addition to the three-dimensional rocking motion of the belt support roll, a function of applying tension to the belt can also be provided. According to the fifteenth technical feature of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately adjust the deviation of the belt in the width direction, and the belt can appropriately process the object to be processed. According to a sixteenth technical feature of the present invention, it is possible to construct a processing system including a belt rotation device that can appropriately adjust the widthwise bias of the belt and perform appropriate processing on the workpiece using the belt. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an embodiment of a belt rotating device including a belt support roll to which the present invention is applied; [Diagram 2] 1A is an explanatory diagram showing a typical use example I of the belt rotating device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a typical use example II of the belt rotating device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming system as a processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a fixing device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2A is a perspective explanatory diagram showing a belt unit as a belt rotating device of the fixing device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram cut along line BB in FIG. [Figure 6] 5(a) is a view taken along the arrow VI in FIG. 5(a), and FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view of a support structure for a correction tension roll. [Figure 7] FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing the behavior of the correction tension roll according to embodiment 1, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram showing the assembly and maintenance properties of the support structure of the correction tension roll according to embodiment 1. [Figure 8]Taking a belt unit in which a belt is tensioned between a correction tension roll and a fixed tension roll as an example, (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a first directional component D1, (b) is a schematic explanatory diagram showing (a) in three dimensions, (c) is an explanatory diagram showing a second directional component D2, (d) is a schematic explanatory diagram showing (c) in three dimensions, (e) is an explanatory diagram showing example 1 of the behavior of the belt when the correction tension roll is tilted in the second directional component D2, and (f) is an explanatory diagram showing example 2 of the behavior of the belt when the correction tension roll is tilted in the second directional component D2. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of a belt unit of a belt rotating device of a fixing device according to a first comparative example. [Figure 10] 1A is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of the support structure of the correction tension roll in modified form 1-1, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of the support structure of the correction tension roll in modified form 1-2. [Figure 11] FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of use (active steering method) of the fixing device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the position sensor in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the eccentric cam of the tilt adjustment mechanism in FIG. [Figure 12] 13(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation of the correction tension roll. [Figure 13] FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of a second use example (passive steering type) of the fixing device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example thereof. [Figure 14] 13(a) shows an example of the configuration of the passive steering system shown in FIG. 13(a), where (a) is an explanatory diagram seen from direction A in FIG. 13(a), and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing details of part B in FIG. 13(a). [Figure 15] 13(a) shows another example of the configuration of the passive steering system shown in FIG. 13(a), where (a) is an explanatory diagram seen from direction A in FIG. 13(a), and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing details of part B in FIG. 13(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Overview of the embodiment FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an embodiment of a belt rotating device including a belt support roll to which the present invention is applied. In the same figure, the belt rotation device 10 comprises an endless belt 11 and a plurality of belt support rolls 1, 12 that rotatably support the belt 11, and one of the plurality of belt support rolls 1, 12 (belt support roll 1 in this example) is configured as follows. Specifically, the belt support roll 1 comprises a roll body 2 around which the belt 11 is wound, a holding means 3 extending along the axial direction of the roll body 2 and rotatably holding both ends of the roll body 2, and a support means 4 provided in the longitudinal center of the holding means 3 and movably supporting the roll body 2 and the holding means 3, and the support means 4 has a range of motion that includes a first directional component D1 that intersects with the bisector of the central angle of the angular range in which the belt 11 is wound around the roll body 2, and a second directional component D2 that is along the bisector.

[0012] In such technical means, the present embodiment is applied to a belt support roll that rotatably supports a belt 11, and includes a roll body 2, a holding means 3, and a supporting means 4. The roll body 2 may be hollow or solid. The angle of winding of the belt 11 around the roll body 2 may be appropriately selected. The holding means 3 may have, for example, a plate-shaped long portion extending along the axial direction of the roll body 2, and may rotatably hold both ends of the roll body 2 on both sides of this long portion. The support means 4 may be provided in the center of the holding means 3 in the longitudinal direction, and may have a structure for supporting the roll body 2 and the holding means 3 in a three-dimensional movable manner.

[0013] The three-dimensional oscillation of the belt support roll 1 is caused by the alignment of the belt support roll 1 and the difference in tension and friction of the belt 11 at both ends in the axial direction. In particular, the present embodiment is effective in the case of multiaxial tensioning of the belt 11 and the case of reducing the diameter of the belt support roll 1. In the case where the belt 11 is stretched on multiple axes, it is easy for it to tilt three-dimensionally due to the influence of roll alignment and the like. Furthermore, when small diameter rolls are used as the belt support rolls 1, 12, if the wrap angle (belt wrap angle) of the small diameter roll is small, the belt walk controllability tends to decrease. Furthermore, the support means 4 is required to have a movable range including a first directional component D1 and a second directional component D2 as a three-dimensional movable support structure. Here, the "first directional component D1" refers to the directional component in which the belt 11 twists, and the "second directional component D2" refers to the directional component in which the belt 11 stretches.

[0014] Next, a representative or preferred embodiment of the belt support roll according to the first embodiment will be described. First, a representative embodiment of the belt support roll 1 includes a support shaft member 5 provided on the opposite side of the roll body 2 in the longitudinal center of the holding means 3, the support shaft member 5 having a spherical portion 5b whose outer circumferential surface is formed into a spherical shape, and a bearing member 6 that holds the spherical portion 5b of the support shaft member 5 so that it can rotate in three dimensions. In this example, from the viewpoint of ease of arrangement of the support means 4, it is preferable to arrange the support shaft member 5 on the holding means 3 side and arrange the bearing member 6 at a predetermined fixed position. In this case, a preferred embodiment of the support shaft member 5 is one having a protruding portion 5a protruding from the center in the longitudinal direction of the holding means 3, and a spherical portion 5b extending outward in a spherical shape from a part of the protruding portion 5a. Here, the location where the spherical portion 5b is formed may be an aspect in which the spherical portion 5b is provided midway through the protruding portion 5a, or an aspect in which the spherical portion 5b is provided at the end portion of the protruding portion 5a.

[0015] A representative embodiment of the bearing member 6 is one having a spherical bearing surface that rotatably embraces and holds the spherical portion 5b, but is not limited to this. A preferred embodiment of the bearing member 6 is a cylindrical member having an inner peripheral bearing surface that circumscribes the spherical portion 5b of the support shaft member 5. Furthermore, by using such a bearing member 6, it becomes possible to make the support shaft member 5 and the bearing member 6 detachable, which is also effective in terms of the ease of assembly of the support means 4 and ease of maintenance and replacement.

[0016] A typical example I of the use of the belt rotating device 10 as a measure to prevent belt deviation is, as shown in FIG. 2(a), an embodiment equipped with a detection means 13 for detecting deviation in the width direction intersecting the rotation direction of the belt 11, and an inclination adjustment means 14 for adjusting the inclination of the belt support roll 1 in a direction to reduce the deviation of the belt 11 depending on the detection result of the detection means 13. Furthermore, a representative example II of use of the belt rotating device 10 as a measure to prevent belt deviation is an embodiment as shown in FIG. 2(b), which includes end receiving means 15 that faces both ends of the belt 11 in the width direction and is movable in the width direction of the belt 11, and moves in response to deviation of the belt 11 in the width direction, and an inclination adjustment means 16 that adjusts the inclination of the belt support roll 1 in a direction to reduce deviation of the belt 11 depending on the amount of movement of the end receiving means 15.

[0017] In usage example II shown in Figure 2(b), the inclination adjustment means 16 includes an interlocking means (not shown) that inclines the belt support roll 1 in conjunction with the movement of the end receiving means 15, and an elastic support means (not shown) that supports both ends of the belt support roll 1 in an elastically deformable manner, and it is preferable that the elastic support means adjusts the inclination of the belt support roll 1 by an elastic return force due to elastic deformation of the elastic support means when the belt support roll 1 is inclined by the interlocking means. In this example, from the viewpoint of maintaining good contact between both widthwise ends of the belt 11 and the end receiving means 15, it is preferable that the end receiving means 15 is provided coaxially with the belt support roll 1 and that the elastic support means presses the end receiving means 15 against both widthwise ends of the belt 11 with pressure.

[0018] Furthermore, the belt support roll 1 of this type of belt rotating device 10 is suitable for use as a steering roll, but is not limited thereto, and may have a tension adjustment means (not shown) for biasing the belt 11 toward the second directional component D2. In this case, the belt support roll 1 can be used as a tension roll (tension applying roll) for applying tension to the belt 11 in addition to being used as a steering roll.

[0019] This type of belt rotating device 10 can be used for various purposes. In this case, it is sufficient to have a processing means (not shown) that performs a predetermined process on a processing target (not shown) that moves in contact with the belt 11. Examples of the processing means include a heating means, a cooling means, or a transfer means that transfers an image held on the belt 11 to a medium as the processing target. Furthermore, a processing system may be constructed that includes this type of belt rotating device 10 (equipped with a processing means) and a transport means (not shown) that transports the workpiece to the belt rotating device 10 and transports the workpiece that has been processed by the belt rotating device 10.

[0020] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. First embodiment -Overall configuration of image forming system- FIG. 3 shows the overall configuration of the processing system according to the first embodiment. In the figure, the processing system is configured as an image forming system 20 that includes an image creating means for creating an unfixed image on a medium S, and a fixing device as a belt rotating device for fixing the unfixed image created on the medium S. In this example, the image forming system 20 is a so-called tandem type image forming system of an intermediate transfer type, and is equipped with each component as an image forming means and a fixing device in a common unit (not shown). Of course, the image forming means and the fixing device may be configured as separate units, and multiple units may be combined.

[0021] In this example, the image forming system 20 has a plurality of image forming units 22 (22a to 22d) in which toner images of each color component (four colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) in this example) are formed by electrophotography. A belt-shaped intermediate transfer body 23 is disposed at a location corresponding to each image forming unit 22. A primary transfer device 24 (a primary transfer roll in this example) is disposed on the back of the intermediate transfer body 23 corresponding to each image forming unit 22. Furthermore, a secondary transfer device 25 (a secondary transfer roll in this example) 25 is disposed at a part of the intermediate transfer body 23, which secondary transfers each color component toner image, which has been primarily transferred from each image forming unit 22 to the intermediate transfer body 23 by the primary transfer device 24, onto a medium S such as paper. A fixing device 60 is disposed downstream in the transport direction of the medium S to which the color component toner image has been transferred, and fixes an unfixed toner image (corresponding to an unfixed image) on the medium S. In this embodiment, the image forming units 22, the intermediate transfer body 23, the primary transfer device 24, and the secondary transfer device 25 correspond to an image forming unit that forms an unfixed image on the medium S.

[0022] <Image forming section> Here, each image forming unit 22 has a drum-shaped photoconductor 30 that rotates in a predetermined direction, and around this photoconductor 30, there are provided a charging device 31 that charges the photoconductor 30, an exposure device 32 such as a laser scanning device that writes an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 30 charged by the charging device 31, a developing device 33 that develops the electrostatic latent image written on the photoconductor 30 by the exposure device 32 with a corresponding color toner, and a cleaning device 34 that cleans off any residue on the photoconductor 30 after the toner image developed by the developing device 33 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 23 by the primary transfer device 24. <Around the intermediate transfer body> The intermediate transfer body 23 is stretched over a plurality of tension rolls 41 to 45, and is rotated in a predetermined direction, for example with the tension roll 41 as a drive roll. The tension roll 44 also serves as an opposing roll to the secondary transfer roll of the secondary transfer device 25, and generates a secondary transfer electric field required for secondary transfer between the secondary transfer roll and the opposing roll. Furthermore, an intermediate transfer cleaning device 46 is disposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer body 23 corresponding to the tension roll 45.

[0023] <Media transport system> Furthermore, a medium supplying device 50 is provided below the intermediate transfer body 23, and the medium S supplied from this medium supplying device 50 is transported along a transport path 51 that passes through a secondary transfer device 25 and reaches a fixing device 60. The transport path 51 is also provided with an appropriate number of transport rolls 52, a transport belt 53 that transports the medium S from the secondary transfer device 25 to the fixing device 60, guide plates 54 and 55 that guide the medium S to a secondary transfer portion by the secondary transfer device 25 and a fixing portion of the fixing device 60, and discharge rolls 56 for discharging the medium S to a medium discharge portion (not shown).

[0024] -Overall configuration of the fixing device- Next, the fixing device 60 used in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the same figure, the fixing device 60 includes a fixing belt 61 made of a heat-resistant material that moves in a circulating manner, a pressure roll 62 that is arranged in contact with the surface portion of the fixing belt 61 that faces the fixing area, a pressure pad 63 that is arranged in contact with the back surface of the fixing belt 61 that faces the pressure roll 62 and forms a contact area CN where the medium S is sandwiched and transported between the pressure roll 62 and the fixing area of ​​the fixing belt 61, a heating roll 64 that stretches the fixing belt 61 in a circulating manner on the downstream side of the contact area CN in the movement direction of the fixing belt 61 and contacts and heats the fixing belt 61, and a correction stretching roll 65 that stretches the fixing belt 61 in a circulating manner on the upstream side of the contact area CN in the movement direction of the fixing belt 61 and serves as a belt support roll that corrects any deviation of the fixing belt 61. In this embodiment, the fixing belt 61 , the pressure pad 63 , the heating roll 64 and the correction tension roll 65 are integrated into a belt unit, which is disposed opposite the pressure roll 62 .

[0025] - Fixing belt - The fixing belt 61 has a base material made of a heat-resistant resin material, such as polyimide (PI) resin, with an elastic layer of silicone rubber or the like laminated on the surface of the base material, and a release layer made of a fluorine-based resin laminated on the surface of the base material, and generally has low thermal conductivity in the thickness direction and surface direction. -Pressure roll- The pressure roll 62 is made of a metal roll 62a and an elastic material 62b such as urethane rubber laminated around the periphery of the metal roll 62a, and a protective layer 62c is laminated on the surface of the elastic material. In this embodiment, the pressure roll 62 is a metal roll 62a rotatably supported at both ends by bearings. The pressure roll 62 is driven to rotate by a drive mechanism 66.

[0026] -Pressure pad- The pressure pad 63 functions as a receiving member that is placed in contact with the rear surface of the fixing belt 61, and has a plate-shaped pad body 63a made of a liquid crystal polymer or the like, and a holder base 63b consisting of a roughly rectangular hollow pipe that holds it. In this example, the pad body 63a has a harder hardness than the elastic material of the pressure roll 62, and when a contact area CN is formed between the fixing belt 61 and the pressure roll 62, the contact area CN is configured to bite into the pressure roll 62 side. In this example, the pressure roll 62 functions as a drive roll of the fixing device 60, so that the fixing belt 61, which is sandwiched in the contact area CN between the pressure roll 62 and the pressing pad 63, rotates following the pressure roll 62.

[0027] -Heating roll- The heating roll 64 incorporates one or more (three in this example) heat sources 64b such as halogen lamps in the roll body 64a, and both ends of the shaft of the roll body 64a are rotatably held by bearings (not shown). The heating roll 64 transfers heat to the fixing belt 61 by bringing the peripheral surface of the roll body 64a into contact with the rear surface of the fixing belt 61, heating the fixing belt 61 for fixing processing in the contact area CN. Here, it goes without saying that the heating roll 64 may be configured, instead of a heat source such as a halogen lamp, to have a heat generating resistive layer formed on the roll body 64a via an insulating layer, and to heat the heat generating resistive layer. In this embodiment, the pressure roll 62 functions as a drive roll, but instead of the pressure roll 62, the heating roll 64 may function as a drive roll.

[0028] -Correction tension roll- The correction tension roll 65 not only tensions the fixing belt 61 so as to be circulative, but also functions as a so-called steering roll that is tiltable and corrects deviation of the fixing belt 61 . <Example of the correction tension roll configuration> As shown in Figures 4, 5(a)(b), and 6(a)(b), the correction tension roll 65 includes a roll body 71, for example made of a metal, around which the fixing belt 61 is wound, a holding frame 72, for example made of a metal, which extends along the axial direction of the roll body 71 and serves as holding means for rotatably holding both ends of the roll body 71, and a support base 73, which is provided in the longitudinal center of the holding frame 72 and serves as support means for movably supporting the roll body 71 and the holding frame 72.

[0029] <Roll body and holding frame> In this example, the roll body 71 has a rotation shaft 71a at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Meanwhile, the holding frame 72 has a plate-shaped base frame member 72a on the back side of the roll body 71, which is arranged in contact with the fixing belt 61, in a state of not contacting the roll body 71, and a pair of side frame members 72b are formed on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the base frame member 72a. The side frame members 72b of the holding frame 72 are provided with an insertion hole through which the rotation shaft 71a of the roll body 71 is inserted, and the rotation shaft 71a of the roll body 71 is rotatably held in the insertion hole via a bearing 72c.

[0030] <Support stand> In this example, the support base 73 is composed of a support shaft member 74 provided on the opposite side of the roll body 71 in the longitudinal center of the base frame material 72a of the holding frame 72, and a bearing member 75 provided at a predetermined fixed position and rotatably receiving the support shaft member 74. Here, the support shaft member 74 is molded integrally from, for example, SUS, and has a cylindrical rod-shaped protruding portion 74a protruding from the back surface of the longitudinal center of the base frame material 72a of the holding frame 72, and a spherical portion 74b formed in the middle of this protruding portion 74a so that the outer peripheral surface protrudes into a spherical shape. In this example, the base end of the protruding portion 74a of the support shaft member 74 is fixed to the longitudinal center of the base frame material 72a of the holding frame 72. The fixing method here may be appropriately selected from a variety of methods such as screw fixing, caulking, welding, etc. The bearing member 75 is, for example, a cylindrical member 75a that is integrally molded from PPS and has an inner peripheral bearing surface 75b that circumscribes the spherical portion 74b of the support shaft member 74. The cylindrical member 75a has a flange portion 75c formed on the periphery on the fixing portion side, and the flange portion 75c is fixed to the fixing portion by a fastener (not shown). Incidentally, the tip of the protruding portion 74a of the support shaft member 74 is disposed so as to penetrate through an inner peripheral bearing surface 75b of a cylindrical member 75a of the bearing member 75, but is disposed so as not to come into contact with a fixed portion not shown.

[0031] <Function of the support structure of the correction tension roll> 7(a), the support base 73 of the correction tension roll 65 has an outer portion of a spherical portion 74b of a support shaft member 74 circumscribed on an inner peripheral bearing surface 75b of a cylindrical member 75a, which is a bearing member 75. Therefore, the support shaft member 74 can swing in any direction three-dimensionally with respect to the bearing member 75, with the spherical portion 74b as a swing fulcrum. In other words, since the center line of the support shaft member 74 of the support base 73 is a swing axis passing through the swing fulcrum of the spherical portion 74b, it is understood that the correction tension roll 65 is capable of rotational movement in a plane perpendicular to the swing axis, as well as rotational movement in a direction tilted away from the perpendicular plane.

[0032] 7(a), if a direction intersecting a bisector of a central angle θ of an angle range in which the fixing belt 61 is wound around the roll body 71 is defined as a first directional component D1, and a direction along the bisector is defined as a second directional component D2, the first directional component D1 means a direction in which the fixing belt 61 twists. The second directional component D2 means a direction in which the fixing belt 61 expands and contracts. Therefore, in this example, it can be said that the support base 73 of the correction tension roll 65 has a range of motion that includes a first directional component D1 and a second directional component D2. Therefore, the correction tension roll 65 can perform a three-dimensional tilting operation when correcting the deviation of the fixing belt 61, and there is no concern that the deviation correction operation (steering operation) of the fixing belt 61 will be defective.

[0033] <Additional information on the first directional component D1 and the second directional component D2> Now, as shown in FIG. 8(a), a belt unit in which a belt 80 is stretched between a tiltable correction tension roll 81 and a non-tiltable fixed tension roll 82 is taken as an example to further explain the first directional component D1 and the second directional component D2. Fig. 8(a) shows a case where one end of the correction tension roll 81 is inclined toward the first directional component D1. When this case is displayed three-dimensionally, it becomes as shown in Fig. 8(b). This is only a geometric parameter of how much the belt 80 is twisted, and friction, etc. are not related. Moreover, Fig. 8(c) shows a case where one end of the correction tension roll 81 is inclined toward the second directional component D2. This case can be three-dimensionally displayed as shown in Fig. 8(d). This is determined by the balance between the external force (friction force between the roll / belt) that tries to deform the belt 80 and the internal force (restoring force) that tries to maintain the belt 80 in its original shape.

[0034] Next, the walk (deviation) of the belt 80 due to the second directional component D2 will be described. Note that the walk of the belt 80 due to the first directional component D1 has been known for some time, so a description thereof will be omitted here. Now, as shown in FIGS. 8(c) and 8(d), when one end of the correction tension roll 81 is inclined toward the second directional component D2, the belt 80 advances perpendicular to the axial direction of the correction tension roll 81. At this time, if the fixed tension roll 82 does not slip (denoted as Grip), the belt 80 is conveyed in the inclined direction of the belt 80 from the upstream correction tension roll 81, as shown in Fig. 8(e). Therefore, on the fixed tension roll 82 side, the belt 80 walks downward in the figure from the original position of the belt 80. On the other hand, when the fixed tension roll 82 slips (denoted as Slip), as shown in Fig. 8(f), the inclination of the belt 80 from the upstream correction tension roll 81 is maintained and the belt 80 is transported in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the fixed tension roll 82. Therefore, on the fixed tension roll 82 side, the belt 80 walks upward in the figure from the original position of the belt 80.

[0035] <Easy assembly and maintenance of correction tension rolls> In this embodiment, the support base 73 of the correction tension roll 65 has a spherical portion 74b formed in the middle of the protruding portion 74a as a support shaft member 74, and is arranged so that the aforementioned spherical portion 74b is circumscribed on the inner bearing surface 75b of a cylindrical member 75a as a bearing member 75. In this example, the support shaft member 74 is detachable in the swing axis direction with respect to the bearing member 75. This improves the ease of assembly when assembling the correction tension roll 65 and the ease of maintenance when replacing some of the parts of the correction tension roll 65. Furthermore, even when replacing the fixing belt 61 of the belt unit, the correction tension roll 65 can be easily removed, and therefore the workability of replacing the fixing belt 61 is improved.

[0036] Comparison form 1 In evaluating the tilting range of the correction tension roll 65 according to this embodiment, the tilting range of the correction tension roll 65' according to the first comparative example will be considered. FIG. 9 shows a belt unit of a fixing device 60' according to a first comparative example. In the figure, the belt unit of the fixing device 60' includes a fixing belt 61, a pressure pad 63, and a heating roll 64, similar to the first embodiment, but a correction tension roll 65' differs from that of the first embodiment. Note that the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here. In this example, the correction tension roll 65' has a roll body 71 and a holding frame 72, similar to the first embodiment, but has a support base 73' different from the first embodiment. In this example, the support base 73' has a cylindrical stud 76 protruding as a support shaft member from the back surface of the longitudinal center of the base frame material 72a of the retaining frame 72, and this is rotatably received by the inner bearing surface of a cylindrical member 77 as a bearing member.

[0037] In this comparative embodiment, a cylindrical stud 76 serving as a support shaft member of a support stand 73' is rotatable about a swing axis relative to a cylindrical member 77 serving as a bearing member. Therefore, the correction tension roll 65' is limited to rotating within a plane perpendicular to the swing axis. Therefore, the correction tension roll 65' according to the first comparative example cannot rotate in a direction (second direction component D2) tilted from a plane perpendicular to the swing axis. Therefore, when the correction tension roll 65' according to the first comparative example corrects the offset of the fixing belt 61, there is a concern that the offset correction operation (steering operation) of the fixing belt 61 may be poor with respect to the inclination of the second direction component D2.

[0038] -Transformation Form- In this embodiment, a support base 73 for the correction tension roll 65 is disclosed in which a support shaft member 74 is fixed to the holding frame 72 side, and a spherical portion 74b is formed in the middle of the protruding portion 74a as the support shaft member 74, and a cylindrical member 75a is used as the bearing member 75.However, this is not limited to this, and it is also acceptable to use the embodiment shown in modified form 1-1 or modified form 1-2. ◎Transformation form 1-1 FIG. 10(a) shows a belt unit of a fixing device 60 according to modified embodiment 1-1. In the figure, the belt unit of the fixing device 60 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, but the support base 73 of the correction tension roll 65 is different from that of the first embodiment. Note that the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here. In this example, the support base 73 of the correction tension roll 65 has a support shaft member 74 fixed to the back surface of the longitudinal center of the base frame material 72a of the holding frame 72, and a spherical portion 74b is formed at the tip of the protruding portion 74a of this support shaft member 74. A ball coupling 78 having a spherical bearing surface 78a is installed as the bearing member 75, and the spherical portion 74b of the support shaft member 74 is rotatably held on the bearing surface 78a of the ball coupling 78. Therefore, the support shaft member 74 can swing in any direction three-dimensionally with the spherical portion 74b as a swing fulcrum relative to the ball coupling 78 serving as the bearing member 75. In other words, since the center line of the support shaft member 74 of the support base 73 is an axis passing through the swing fulcrum of the spherical portion 74b, it can be understood that the correction tension roll 65 can rotate in a direction inclined from the perpendicular plane, in addition to rotating within a plane perpendicular to the swing axis, as in the first embodiment.

[0039] ◎Transformation form 1-2 FIG. 10B shows a belt unit of a fixing device 60 according to modified embodiment 1-2. In the figure, the belt unit of the fixing device 60 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, but the support base 73 of the correction tension roll 65 is different from that of the first embodiment. Note that the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here. In this example, the support base 73 of the correction tension roll 65 has a cylindrical member 75a fixed as a bearing member 75 on the back surface of the longitudinal center of the base frame material 72a of the holding frame 72, and a spherical portion 74b is formed at the tip of a cylindrical rod-shaped protrusion 74a as a support shaft member 74 at a predetermined fixed position, and the spherical portion 74b of the support shaft member 74 is circumscribed on the inner peripheral bearing surface 75b of the cylindrical member 75a. In this example, the positional relationship between the support shaft member 74 and the bearing member 75, which are components of the support base 73 in the first embodiment, is interchanged, and approximately the same function as in the first embodiment is achieved.

[0040] - Control system of fixing device - In Fig. 4, reference numeral 100 denotes a control device made up of a microcomputer including various processors. The term "processor" here refers to a processor in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.). In this example, the control device 100 has pre-installed heating and pressure processing programs for the fixing device in a memory (not shown), and inputs operation signals from an operation panel (not shown) and various information from various sensors into a processor, which executes the various programs and controls predetermined control signals to the heat source 64b of the heating roll 64, the drive mechanism 66, the tilt adjustment mechanism 90, etc. The tilt adjustment mechanism 90 tilts the correction tension roll 65 to correct the deviation of the fixing belt 61, and will be described in detail later.

[0041] - Fixing process of the fixing device - In this embodiment, when the fixing device 60 is in operation, the control device 100 drives the pressure roll via the drive mechanism 66 to cause the heat source 64b of the heating roll 64 to generate heat, thereby heating the fixing belt 61. Thereafter, the fixing device 60 heats and pressurizes the unfixed image G on the medium S when the fixing belt 61 heated by the heating roll 64 rotates and the medium S carrying the unfixed image passes through the contact area CN between the fixing belt 61 and the pressure roll 62.

[0042] - Fixing belt misalignment correction - <Necessity of Fixing Belt Misalignment Correction> In this example, the fixing device 60 has a belt unit that stretches the fixing belt 61 around a pressure pad 63, a heating roll 64, and a correction tension roll 65. In this example, due to the influence of the alignment of the heating roll 64 and the correction tension roll 65, the tension of the fixing belt 61, and the difference in the frictional force between the fixing belt 61 and the heating roll 64, etc. at both ends in the axial direction, the fixing belt 61 becomes biased in a cross direction (for example, the width direction) that crosses the rotation direction. At this time, a method is adopted in which the offset of the fixing belt 61 is corrected by appropriately tilting the correction tension roll 65.

[0043] <Method I for correcting the deviation of the fixing belt> In this example, as described above, the support structure of the correction tension roll 65 is devised so that the axial center of the correction tension roll 65 is supported as a swing axis, and a method is adopted in which the correction tension roll 65 can be tilted three-dimensionally. In this example, as shown in FIG. 11(a), method I for correcting offset of the fixing belt comprises disposing the aforementioned correction tension roll 65 (comprising a roll body 71, a holding frame 72 and a support base 73), disposing position sensors 91 (specifically 91a, 91b) as detection means for detecting the positions of both widthwise ends of the fixing belt 61, and providing an inclination adjustment mechanism 90 for adjusting the inclination attitude of the correction tension roll 65 based on the detection information from the position sensor 91. In this embodiment, a pair of biasing springs 110 for applying tension to the fixing belt 61 are provided on the rear surface of both ends of the holding frame 72 of the correction tension roll 65 in the longitudinal direction.

[0044] In this example, as shown in Figure 11 (b), the position sensor 91 is equipped with a light-projector 911 that irradiates measurement light downward across the space into which the widthwise end of the fixing belt 61 enters, and a light-receiver 912 such as a CCD array that receives light at a position opposite the light-projector 911, and detects that the amount of light received by the light-receiver 912 changes depending on the entry position of the widthwise end of the fixing belt 61, and sends this detection signal to the control device 100. In this example, as shown in FIG. 11(a), the tilt adjustment mechanism 90 has a plate-shaped cam receiver 95 that protrudes outward at one longitudinal end of the holding frame 72 of the correction tension roll 65, and an eccentric cam 96 is brought into contact with this cam receiver 95 and appropriately rotated by a drive motor 97.

[0045] 11(a) and 11(c), the eccentric cam 96 has a short diameter portion RS, a long diameter portion RL, and an intermediate diameter portion RM located between the short diameter portion RS and the long diameter portion RL, and when the intermediate diameter portion RM of the eccentric cam 96 is brought into contact with the cam receiver 95, the correction tension roll 65 is configured to maintain a horizontal initial position without tilt. As shown in FIG. 12(a), the correction tension roll 65 is configured to tilt obliquely upward on the right side in the figure as it moves from the intermediate diameter portion RM of the eccentric cam 96 toward the long diameter portion RL. As shown in FIG. 12(b), the correction tension roll 65 is configured so that the left side in the figure tilts obliquely upward as the eccentric cam 96 moves from the intermediate diameter portion RM toward the short diameter portion RS. In this example, the control device 100 determines the amount of deviation of the fixing belt 61 by receiving a detection signal from the position sensor 91. Then, the control device 100 calculates the amount of inclination of the correction tension roll 65 that is optimal for correcting the amount of deviation of the fixing belt 61, and sends a control signal based on this to the drive motor 97 of the inclination adjustment mechanism 90. Here, as shown in FIG. 12(a), in the case where the correction tension roll 65 tilts at an angle α diagonally toward the upper right in the figure, this is performed under the condition that the fixing belt 61 is biased to the left in the axial direction in the figure when it passes through the correction tension roll 65. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 12 (b), in the case where the correction tension roll 65 tilts diagonally toward the upper left in the figure at an angle β, this is performed under the condition that the fixing belt 61 is biased to the right in the axial direction in the figure when it passes through the correction tension roll 65. In this manner, method I for correcting the misalignment of the fixing belt 61 is an example of a so-called active steering method in which the misalignment of the fixing belt 61 is detected using a position sensor 91 and the correction tension roll 65 is actively tilted by an inclination adjustment mechanism 90.

[0046] <Effect of reducing the diameter of the correction tension roll 65> In recent years, the image forming system 20 has become smaller, and the fixing device 60 has also become smaller. When the fixing device 60 is made smaller, the heating roll 64 has a limit to how small it can be made due to its heat capacity. Therefore, the correction tension roll 65 tends to be made smaller in diameter. When the correction tension roll 65 is made smaller in diameter, the area of ​​contact with the fixing belt 61, i.e., the winding angle, becomes smaller. When the winding angle becomes smaller, even if the correction tension roll 65 is tilted to correct the deviation, the fixing belt 61 is less likely to move in the width direction, and the deviation correction performance becomes lower. When the deviation correction performance becomes lower, the deviation of the fixing belt 61 cannot be corrected, and there is a concern that the fixing belt 61 may be damaged. However, in this example, the movement direction of the correction tension roll 65 has not only the first directional component D1 (the twist direction component of the fixing belt 61) but also the second directional component D2 (the expansion / contraction direction component of the fixing belt 61), so that the ability to correct the deviation in the width direction of the fixing belt 61 is improved. Therefore, in this example, even if the diameter of the correction tension roll 65 is reduced, the correction performance of the fixing belt 61 can be maintained.

[0047] <Method for correcting deviation of fixing belt II> Unlike offset correction method I, offset correction method II of the fixing belt 61 employs a so-called passive steering method in which the correction tension roll 65 is tilted in response to the widthwise force (edge ​​force) caused by the offset of the fixing belt 61. In this example, the support structure for the correction tension roll 65 is not shown in Figures 13(a) and (b), but as described above, the roll body 71 is held via a holding frame 72, and the longitudinal center of the holding frame 72 is supported by a support base 73 (support shaft member 74 + bearing member 75), making it possible for the correction tension roll 65 to be tilted in three dimensions.

[0048] In this example, as shown in Fig. 13(a)(b) and Fig. 14(a)(b), the offset correction method II of the fixing belt 61 has edge guides 121 as end receiving means facing both ends of the fixing belt 61 in the width direction. The edge guides 121 penetrate the rotation shafts at both ends of the correction tension roll 65 and are provided so as to be movable along the rotation shafts. Therefore, when the edge guides 121 receive the offset of the fixing belt 61 in the width direction, they move along the direction of the rotation shaft of the correction tension roll 65. In this example, the edge guide 121 has a ring-shaped pulley 122 that moves along the rotation axis of the correction tension roll 65, and a guide protrusion 123 is formed on the upper part of the pulley 122 against which the end of the fixing belt 61 abuts, and an inclined portion 124 that slopes diagonally downward is formed on the outer side of the thickness direction of the pulley 122 of the guide protrusion 123.

[0049] Furthermore, in this example, an inclination adjustment mechanism 130 is provided as an inclination adjustment means for adjusting the inclination of the correction tension roll 65 in a direction to reduce the deviation of the fixing belt 61 depending on the amount of movement of the edge guide 121 . In this example, a front frame 131 and a rear frame 132 constituting a housing of the belt unit are provided on both axial sides of the correction tension roll 65. The inclination adjustment mechanism 130 rotatably supports a roller 134 via a bracket 133 on the inside of the front frame 131 and the rear frame 132, and abuts the roller 134 against the inclined portion 124 of the guide protrusion 123. The roller 134 functions as an interlocking means for tilting the correction tension roll 65 in conjunction with the movement of the edge guide 121 .

[0050] Further, a swingable swing arm 135 is provided on the outside of the front frame 131 and the rear frame 132, and a bearing 65b for holding a rotation shaft 65a of the correction tension roll 65 is movably accommodated in a recess of the swing arm 135. An elastic support spring 136 is provided as an elastic support means between the tip of the swing arm 135 and the upper edge of the front frame 131 (or the rear frame 132). The elastic support spring 136 biases the swing arm 135 upward around the swing fulcrum. At this time, as the swing arm 135 is lifted upward, the correction tension roll 65 is lifted upward, and the inclined portion 124 of the guide protrusion 123 of the edge guide 121 abuts against the roller 134. That is, in this example, the elastic support spring 136 is in a state in which the edge guide 121 is pressed against both ends of the fixing belt 61 in the width direction with a predetermined pressure.

[0051] Furthermore, in this example, the rotating shaft 65a of the correction tension roll 65 is movably housed together with the bearing 65b in the recess of the oscillating arm 135, and the rotating shaft 65a and the bearing 65b of the correction tension roll 65 are biased toward the fixing belt 61 by a biasing spring 110 so as to apply tension to the fixing belt 61.

[0052] According to the offset correction method II of the fixing belt 61 of this embodiment, when the correction tension roll 65 is in a neutral state where it does not tilt, as shown in Fig. 13(a), the edge guide 121 is pressed inward along the axial direction of the correction tension roll 65 by the biasing force of the elastic support spring 136. Therefore, the edge guide 121 is positioned by abutting against the end of the fixing belt 61 in the width direction. In this state, if the fixing belt 61 is shifted in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 13(b), the widthwise end of the fixing belt 61 presses the guide protrusion 123 of the edge guide 121. In this state, the roller 134 hits the inclined portion 124 of the edge guide 121, and the edge guide 121 moves outward. As a result, the edge guide 121 is pushed downward, and the right end of the correction tension roll 65 in the figure moves downward. Also, on the opposite side of the correction tension roll 65, the roller 134 moves obliquely downward along the inclined portion 124 due to the pressure of the elastic support spring 136, and the edge guide 121 is lifted. As a result, the correction tension roll 65 is inclined obliquely downward to the right. In this way, when the correction tension roll 65 is tilted, an elastic restoring force is generated in association with the elastic deformation of the elastic support spring 136, and the tilt of the correction tension roll 65 is automatically adjusted. At this time, the tilt of the correction tension roll 65 moves three-dimensionally around the swing fulcrum of the support stand 73 at the center in the axial direction, so that the deviation of the fixing belt 61 is appropriately corrected.

[0053] As an alternative configuration to the passive steering system shown in FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b), there is a configuration shown in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b). In this example, the edge guide 121 and the roller 134 are configured in the same manner as in the example shown in Fig. 14(a)(b). However, the other configuration is different from the example shown in Fig. 14(a)(b). A bearing holder 140 is provided on the outside of the front frame 131 and the rear frame 132, which is slidable along the biasing direction of the biasing spring 110 for applying tension, and the rotating shaft 65a and the bearing 65b of the correction tension roll 65 are accommodated in the recess of the bearing holder 140. Furthermore, an elastic support spring 136 is hooked in a tensioned state between the end of the rotating shaft 65a and the upper part of the front frame 131 (or the rear frame 132). In addition, the biasing spring 110 is provided in a compressed state between the bearing holder 140 and a part of the front frame 131 (or the rear frame 132), and the correction tension roll 65 is pressed against the fixing belt 61 by the bearing holder 140, thereby applying tension to the fixing belt 61. 13(a) and 13(b), the method configured in this manner also tilts the correction tension roll 65 so as to correct the deviation of the fixing belt 61. At this time, the inclination of the correction tension roll 65 moves three-dimensionally around the swing fulcrum of the support stand 73 at the center in the axial direction, so that the deviation of the fixing belt 61 is appropriately corrected.

[0054] (Additional Note) (((1))) A belt support roll that rotatably supports an endless belt, a roll body around which the belt is wound; a holding means extending along an axial direction of the roll body and rotatably holding both end portions of the roll body; a support means provided at a central portion of the holding means in a longitudinal direction thereof, and configured to movably support the roll body and the holding means; The support means has a range of motion that includes a first directional component that intersects with a bisector of a central angle of an angular range in which the belt is wound around the roll body, and a second directional component that is along the bisector. (((2))) In the belt support roll according to (((1)), The support means is provided on the opposite side of the roll body in the longitudinal center of the holding means, and is characterized in that it comprises a support shaft member having a spherical portion whose outer circumferential surface is formed into a spherical shape, and a bearing member that holds the spherical portion of the support shaft member rotatably in three dimensional directions. (((3))) In the belt support roll according to (((2)), 2. A belt support roll according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means has the support shaft member disposed on the side of the holding means, and the bearing member disposed at a predetermined fixed position. (((4))) In the belt support roll according to (((3)), The support shaft member has a protruding portion protruding from a central portion in a longitudinal direction of the holding means, and a spherical portion extending from a part of the protruding portion. (((5))) In the belt support roll according to (((4)), The support shaft member has the spherical portion at an end of the protrusion, the support shaft member being configured as a support member for supporting the belt. (((6))) In the belt support roll according to any one of (((2))) to (((5))), The belt support roll according to claim 1, wherein the bearing member has a spherical bearing surface that rotatably embraces and holds the spherical portion. (((7))) In the belt support roll according to any one of (((2))) to (((5))), 2. A belt support roll according to claim 1, wherein the bearing member is a cylindrical member having an inner peripheral bearing surface that circumscribes the spherical portion of the support shaft member. (((8))) In the belt support roll according to any one of (((2))) to (((7))), The belt support roll according to claim 1, wherein the bearing member is detachable from the support shaft member. (((9))) An endless belt; A plurality of belt support rolls that rotatably support the belt, A belt rotating device, characterized in that one of the plurality of belt support rolls is a belt support roll described in any one of ((1))) to (((8))). (((10))) In the belt rotation device described in (((9))), A detection means for detecting a deviation in a width direction of the belt that is perpendicular to the rotation direction of the belt; an inclination adjustment means for adjusting an inclination of the belt support roll in a direction to reduce the deviation of the belt depending on a detection result of the detection means; A belt rotating device comprising: (((11))) In the belt rotation device described in (((9))), an end receiving means that faces both ends of the belt in the width direction, is provided to be movable in the width direction of the belt, and moves when the belt is biased in the width direction; an inclination adjustment means for adjusting an inclination of the belt support roll in a direction to reduce the deviation of the belt depending on an amount of movement of the end receiving means; A belt rotating device comprising: (((12))) In the belt rotating device described in (((11))), The inclination adjustment means comprises an interlocking means for inclining the belt support roll in conjunction with the movement of the end receiving means, and an elastic support means for supporting both ends of the belt support roll in an elastically deformable manner, and the elastic support means adjusts the inclination of the belt support roll by an elastic return force due to elastic deformation of the elastic support means when the belt support roll is inclined by the interlocking means. (((13))) In the belt rotating device described in (((12))), The end receiving means is provided coaxially with the belt support roll, A belt rotating device, characterized in that the elastic support means presses the end receiving means against both ends of the belt in the width direction with a preload. (((14))) In the belt rotation device according to any one of (((9))) to (((13))), A belt rotating device, wherein the belt support roll has a tension adjusting means for biasing the belt toward the second directional component. (((15))) In the belt rotation device according to any one of (((9))) to (((14)), A belt rotating device comprising a processing means for performing a predetermined processing on an object to be processed which moves in contact with the belt. (((16))) A belt rotation device according to (((15))), a conveying means for conveying an object to the belt rotating device and for conveying the object that has been processed by the belt rotating device.

[0055] The belt support roll of (((1))) enables the belt support roll to oscillate three-dimensionally with a simple configuration compared to a case in which the belt support roll oscillates two-dimensionally around a oscillating axis at the center in the axial direction, and makes it possible to appropriately adjust the widthwise deviation of the belt. According to the belt support roll of (((2))), a support means having an appropriate range of motion for the support means can be easily constructed from two parts. According to the belt support roll of (((3))), the support means can be disposed at an appropriate position based on the bearing member disposed at the predetermined fixed portion. According to the belt support roll of (((4))), the shape of the support shaft member can be easily selected when constructing the support shaft member. According to the belt support roll of (((5))), it is possible to ensure a spherical portion with a larger proportion of the spherical surface compared to the case where a spherical portion is provided midway through the protruding portion. According to the belt support roll of (((6))), a wide bearing surface for the spherical portion can be secured between the support shaft member and the bearing member, and the supporting load can be dispersed. According to the belt support roll of (((7))), the support shaft member and the bearing member can be detachable in the second component direction. According to the belt support roll of (((8))), the ease of assembly of the support means and the ease of maintenance such as replacement can be improved. The belt rotation device of (((9))) enables the belt support roll to oscillate three-dimensionally with a simple configuration compared to a case in which the belt support roll oscillates two-dimensionally around a oscillating axis at the center of the axial direction, and makes it easy to construct a belt rotation device that can appropriately adjust the widthwise deviation of the belt. According to the belt rotation device of (((10))), by detecting the deviation of the belt in the width direction, the inclination of the belt support roll can be dynamically adjusted, thereby reducing the deviation of the belt in the width direction. According to the belt rotation device of (((11))), the inclination of the belt support roll can be adjusted depending on the amount of movement associated with the deviation of the belt in the width direction, thereby reducing the deviation of the belt in the width direction. According to the belt rotation device of (((12))), when the belt support roll is tilted in accordance with the movement of the end receiving means, the inclination of the belt support roll can be adjusted by utilizing the elastic restoring force associated with the elastic deformation of the elastic support means. According to the belt rotating device of (((13))), by utilizing elastic support means that adjusts the inclination of the belt support roll, it is possible to maintain a state of contact between both widthwise ends of the belt and the end receiving means. According to the belt rotating device of (((14))), in addition to the three-dimensional rocking motion of the belt support roll, it is also possible to provide a function of applying tension to the belt. According to the belt rotation device of (((15))), it is possible to appropriately adjust the deviation of the belt in the width direction, and the belt can appropriately process the object to be processed. According to the processing system of (((16))), it is possible to appropriately adjust the widthwise offset of the belt, and it is possible to construct a processing system including a belt rotating device that can perform appropriate processing on the workpiece with the belt. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1...belt support roll, 2...roll body, 3...holding means, 4...support means, 5...support shaft member, 5a...projection portion, 5b...spherical portion, 6...bearing member, 10...belt rotation device, 11...belt, 12...belt support roll, 13...detection means, 14...tilt adjustment means, 15...end receiving means, 16...tilt adjustment means, D1...first directional component, D2...second directional component

Claims

1. A belt support roll that rotatably supports an endless belt, a roll body around which the belt is wound; a holding means extending along an axial direction of the roll body and rotatably holding both end portions of the roll body; a support means provided at a central portion of the holding means in a longitudinal direction thereof, and configured to movably support the roll body and the holding means; The support means has a range of motion that includes a first directional component that intersects with a bisector of a central angle of an angular range in which the belt is wound around the roll body, and a second directional component that is along the bisector.

2. 2. The belt support roll according to claim 1, The support means is provided on the opposite side of the roll body in the longitudinal center of the holding means, and is characterized in that it comprises a support shaft member having a spherical portion whose outer circumferential surface is formed into a spherical shape, and a bearing member that holds the spherical portion of the support shaft member rotatably in three dimensional directions.

3. The belt support roll according to claim 2, 2. A belt support roll according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means has the support shaft member disposed on the side of the holding means, and the bearing member disposed at a predetermined fixed position.

4. The belt support roll according to claim 3, The support shaft member has a protruding portion protruding from a central portion in a longitudinal direction of the holding means, and a spherical portion extending from a part of the protruding portion.

5. The belt support roll according to claim 4, The support shaft member has the spherical portion at an end of the protrusion, the support shaft member being configured as a support member for supporting the belt.

6. The belt support roll according to claim 2, The belt support roll according to claim 1, wherein the bearing member has a spherical bearing surface that rotatably embraces and holds the spherical portion.

7. The belt support roll according to claim 2, 2. A belt support roll according to claim 1, wherein the bearing member is a cylindrical member having an inner peripheral bearing surface that circumscribes the spherical portion of the support shaft member.

8. The belt support roll according to claim 2, The belt support roll according to claim 1, wherein the bearing member is detachable from the support shaft member.

9. An endless belt; A plurality of belt support rolls that rotatably support the belt, A belt rotating device, comprising a belt support roll according to any one of claims 1 to 8 as one of the plurality of belt support rolls.

10. The belt rotating device according to claim 9, A detection means for detecting a deviation in a width direction of the belt that is perpendicular to the rotation direction of the belt; an inclination adjustment means for adjusting an inclination of the belt support roll in a direction to reduce the deviation of the belt depending on a detection result of the detection means; A belt rotating device comprising:

11. The belt rotating device according to claim 9, an end receiving means that faces both ends of the belt in the width direction, is provided to be movable in the width direction of the belt, and moves when the belt is biased in the width direction; an inclination adjustment means for adjusting an inclination of the belt support roll in a direction to reduce the deviation of the belt depending on an amount of movement of the end receiving means; A belt rotating device comprising:

12. The belt rotating device according to claim 11, The inclination adjustment means comprises an interlocking means for inclining the belt support roll in conjunction with the movement of the end receiving means, and an elastic support means for supporting both ends of the belt support roll in an elastically deformable manner, and the elastic support means adjusts the inclination of the belt support roll by an elastic return force due to elastic deformation of the elastic support means when the belt support roll is inclined by the interlocking means.

13. The belt rotating device according to claim 12, The end receiving means is provided coaxially with the belt support roll, A belt rotating device, characterized in that the elastic support means presses the end receiving means against both ends of the belt in the width direction with a preload.

14. The belt rotating device according to claim 9, The belt rotating device according to claim 1, wherein the belt support roll has a tension adjusting means for biasing the belt toward the second directional component.

15. The belt rotating device according to claim 9, A belt rotating device comprising a processing means for performing a predetermined processing on an object to be processed which moves in contact with the belt.

16. The belt rotating device according to claim 15 ; a conveying means for conveying an object to the belt rotating device and for conveying the object that has been processed by the belt rotating device.

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