Conveying device, printing device, liquid ejecting device

Abstract

To provide a conveyance device and a printing device suppressed in lowering of productivity.SOLUTION: In a conveyance device, when conveyance failure is detected at a sheet material P3 and conveyance of the sheet material P is stopped, in a stopped state of sheet materials P2, P10 and P3 from a downstream side in the conveying direction on a drum 31, an inching switch 81 is operated to start inching movement, and the sheet material P2 is conveyed toward a conveyor belt 401 of conveyance means 41. When the sheet material P2 is completely discharged to the conveyor belt 401, the inching operation is stopped, and a belt reverse switch 83 is operated, to thereby rotate the conveyor belt 401 of the conveyance means 41 in the reverse direction of the inching operation, the sheet material P2 is conveyed in the direction (direction of an arrow B) reverse to the conveying direction (direction of an arrow A), to discharge the same to a purge tray 91.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device, a printing device, Liquid ejection device Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] In a device for conveying sheet material, conveyance failure occurs when the sheet material floats, wrinkles, folds, etc. In some devices, when a condition that causes conveyance failure such as floating, wrinkles, or folds in the sheet material occurs (this is simply referred to as a "conveyance failure"), the conveyance of the sheet material is stopped and the succeeding sheet material is discharged to a tray section for predetermined purging.

[0003] Conventionally, a known device is provided with a first conveying path along which sheet material P is conveyed, a second conveying path along which sheet material P is conveyed to a tray section for purging, and a switching section that switches between the first conveying path and the second conveying path upstream of a conveying failure detection means, and that switches the conveying path of the sheet material using the switching section when a conveying failure is detected (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-091547 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in an apparatus that stops conveying sheet material when a conveying failure occurs, such as the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to be able to quickly remove sheet material that has stopped inside the apparatus from the apparatus so as to prevent a decrease in productivity.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to suppress a decrease in productivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the conveying device according to the present invention comprises: a conveying means for conveying the sheet material; a means for controlling the conveyance of the sheet material by the conveying means; a storage means provided so that the sheet material can be removed; a guide means for guiding the sheet material to be conveyed from the conveying means to the storage means; Equipped with The control means A condition that causes a transport failure of the sheet material has occurred. After the conveyance of the sheet material is stopped by the conveying means, the conveying direction of the sheet material is switched to the opposite direction to the direction in which the sheet material is discharged. and discharged into the storage means Control death, the conveying means is disposed downstream of a carrier rotor that carries and rotates the sheet material, a guide member for guiding the sheet material transferred from the carrier rotary body to the conveying means, The receiving means is disposed below the carrier rotor. The composition was as follows.

[0008] According to the present invention, a decrease in productivity can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a portion related to the control of a purge operation in the embodiment; [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are explanatory views illustrating an example of the operation of removing a sheet material stopped on a drum in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the sheet material removal action in a comparative example. [Figure 7] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a frame structure of a printing unit of the comparative example overlapped with one another; FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a printing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a portion related to the control of a purge operation in the embodiment; [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of the removal operation of a sheet material stopped on the drum in the embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating removal control by the transport control unit when removing a sheet material stopped on the drum in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a portion related to the control of a purge operation in a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating removal control by the transport control unit when removing a sheet material stopped on the drum in the embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the printing device, Figure 2 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of the area around the drum, and Figure 3 is a perspective explanatory diagram of the area around the outlet rotor.

[0011] The printing apparatus (printing system) 1 includes an input section 10 for inputting a sheet material P, a receiving section 20, a printing section (image forming section) 30, a drying section 40, a reversing mechanism section 60, and an output section 70.

[0012] The printing device 1 receives sheet material P carried in (supplied) from the carrying-in section 10 in the receiving section 20, applies liquid in the printing section 30 to perform the required printing, dries (fixes) the liquid adhering to the sheet material P in the drying section 40, and then discharges the sheet material P to the carrying-out section 70.

[0013] The loading section 10 is equipped with an input tray 11 (lower input tray 11A, upper input tray 11B) that stores multiple sheet materials P, and a feeding device 12 (12A, 12B) that separates and sends out the sheet materials P one by one from the input tray 11, and supplies the sheet materials P to the receiving section 20.

[0014] The printing unit 30 includes a drum 31, which is a carrier member (rotating body) that carries the sheet material P received by the receiving unit 20 on its circumferential surface and rotates, and a liquid ejection unit 32 that ejects liquid toward the sheet material P carried on the drum 31.

[0015] The printing section 30 also includes an entrance rotor 34 that receives the sheet material P sent from the upstream side and transfers the sheet material P between the entrance rotor 34 and the drum 31, and an exit rotor 35 that receives the sheet material P transported by the drum 31 and transfers it to the drying section 40.

[0016] The inlet rotor 34 receives the sheet material P, which is transported along the transport path (hereinafter referred to as the "intake path") 201 of the upstream receiving section 20 by a pair of transport rollers 202 or the like, by gripping the leading edge of the sheet material P at the receiving position with a gripper 341, which is a gripping means provided on the outer periphery.

[0017] The sheet material P is conveyed as the inlet rotor 34 rotates, and the conveyed sheet material P is delivered to the drum 31 at a position facing the drum 31.

[0018] When the sheet material P is transported through the carry-in path 201, the transport speed is adjusted by the transport roller pair 202 to adjust the timing between the gripper 341 of the entrance rotor 34 and the leading edge position of the sheet material P. The sheet material P is transported to the receiving position a while correcting the inclination and transport position of the sheet material P in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction by the skew detection means and the correction means.

[0019] Additionally, a width detection means for detecting the width of the sheet material P and a length detection means for detecting the length of the sheet material P are disposed on the carry-in path 201. This stops the printing operation when the measured value differs from the set sheet size, thereby preventing the ejection of liquid onto the drum 31.

[0020] Grippers 311, which are gripping means, are also provided on the surface of the drum 31, and the leading edge of the sheet material P is gripped by the grippers 311. A plurality of suction holes are formed in a dispersed manner on the surface of the drum 31, and a suction means generates a suction airflow that flows inward from required suction holes of the drum 31.

[0021] As a result, the sheet material P transferred from the inlet rotor 34 to the drum 31 has its leading edge grasped by the gripper 311, and is adsorbed and supported on the peripheral surface of the drum 31 by the suction airflow from the suction means, and is transported as the drum 31 rotates.

[0022] The liquid ejection section 32 is equipped with ejection units 33 (33A to 33D) including liquid ejection heads that are liquid ejection means. For example, ejection unit 33A ejects cyan (C) liquid, ejection unit 33B ejects magenta (M) liquid, ejection unit 33C ejects yellow (Y), and ejection unit 33D ejects black (K) liquid. In addition, ejection units that eject special liquids such as white, gold (silver), etc. can also be used.

[0023] 2, the printing section 30 is provided with caps 38 that cap the ejection surfaces (nozzle surfaces) of the ejection units 33 of the liquid ejection section 32. The ejection units 33 are arranged so that they can advance and retreat in the directions of the arrows, and the caps 38 are arranged so that they can move in the axial direction of the drum 31. During capping, the ejection units 33 move in a direction away from the circumferential surface of the drum 31, and the caps 38 move below them to perform capping.

[0024] The ejection operation of each ejection unit 33 of the liquid ejection section 32 is controlled by a drive signal corresponding to the printing information. When the sheet material P carried on the drum 31 passes through an area facing the liquid ejection section 32, liquid of each color is ejected from the ejection unit 33, and an image corresponding to the printing information is formed (printed).

[0025] In this embodiment, the printing unit is provided with a liquid ejection unit, but the printing unit may be a unit other than a liquid ejection unit, for example, a unit that performs printing by an electrophotographic method.

[0026] The sheet material P on which the image has been formed is delivered from the drum 31 to the exit rotator 35. The exit rotator 35 receives the sheet material P from the drum 31 with a gripper 351, which is a gripping means provided on the outer periphery. Then, as the exit rotator 35 rotates, the sheet material P is delivered to a conveying means 41 of the drying section 40.

[0027] Along the circumferential surface of the outlet rotor 35, a guide member 36 is arranged to guide the sheet material P transferred from the drum 31 to the conveyor belt 401 of the conveying means 41 by the outlet rotor 35.

[0028] The drying section 40 includes a conveying means 41 that conveys the sheet material P delivered from the outlet rotator 35, and a heating means 42 that heats the sheet material P conveyed by the conveying means 41. The conveying means 41 includes an endless conveying belt 401, and a driving roller 402 and a driven roller 403 around which the conveying belt 401 is wound. The conveying belt 401 can be rotated in forward and reverse directions by driving the driving roller 402 to rotate in forward and reverse directions.

[0029] The drying section 40 dries the liquid that has been applied to the sheet material P in the printing section 30. This dries the liquid, such as water, in the liquid, causing the colorant contained in the liquid to be fixed on the sheet material P, and also suppressing curling of the sheet material P. The sheet material P that has passed through the drying section 40 is transported to the reversing mechanism section 60.

[0030] The reversing mechanism 60 includes a discharge path 61 for transporting the sheet material P transported from the drying section 40, and a reversing path 62 and a double-sided path 63 used when printing on both sides of the sheet material P. The reversing path 62 is also provided with a reversing purge tray 97 for purging.

[0031] The reversing path 62 receives the sheet material P from the discharge path 61, turns it over, and sends it out to the double-sided path 63. The double-sided path 63 is arranged to extend below the drying unit 40 and the printing unit 30, and feeds the sheet material P turned over in the reversing path 62 again to the carry-in path 201 of the receiving unit 20. One or more pairs of conveying rollers 601 are arranged in the discharge path 61, the reversing path 62, and the double-sided path 63.

[0032] The discharge section 70 is provided with a discharge tray 71 on which a plurality of sheet materials P are stacked. The sheet materials P conveyed from the reversing mechanism section 60 are successively stacked and held on the discharge tray 71.

[0033] Next, the configuration of the portion relating to the purge operation in this embodiment will be described.

[0034] In this embodiment, a transport drive source provided on the drum 31, which is a carrying rotor, is used, and the inlet rotor 34 and the outlet rotor 35 are connected to the transport drive source by gears, so that the drum 31, the inlet rotor 34, and the outlet rotor 35 are driven in conjunction with each other to transport the sheet material P. However, the inlet rotor 34, the drum 31, and the outlet rotor 35 may also be driven by individual drive sources.

[0035] In the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the entrance rotator 34 and the exit rotator 35 of the printing section 30 and the conveying means 41 of the drying section 40 constitute a conveying device according to the present invention.

[0036] The transport drive source provided for the drum 31 can be driven independently by operating the inching switch 81. As a result, even when the printing device 1 is stopped, the entrance rotor 34, the drum 31, and the exit rotor 35 can be rotated (inching operation) by manually operating the inching switch 81, and the stopped sheet material P can be discharged.

[0037] Incidentally, "inching" refers to an operation in which the drum 31 is rotated at a slower speed than during printing operation only when the inching switch 81 is pressed, and the rotation of the drum 31 is stopped when the inching switch 81 is released. This is performed by the user operating a button when the user wants to remove the sheet material P remaining on the drum 31. Incidentally, inching can also be performed automatically.

[0038] Further, below the drum 31 and between the inlet rotor 34 and the outlet rotor 35, a purge tray 91 is disposed as a storage means that is a purge discharge portion.

[0039] A purge path 92 is provided on the extension of the carry-in path 201, and extends obliquely downward from a receiving position where the entrance rotor 34 receives the sheet material P from the carry-in path 201. A purge discharge sensor 94 for detecting the sheet material P is disposed on the purge tray 91, and detects that the sheet material P to be purged has been discharged onto the purge tray 91.

[0040] Further, downstream of the receiving position where the inlet rotor 34 receives the sheet material P, a switching section 95 for switching the conveying path is provided, and a branching claw 96 is disposed at the switching section 95.

[0041] Furthermore, a purge switch 82 is provided to instruct the discharge of the sheet material P onto the purge tray 91, etc.

[0042] Near the position where the drum 31 receives the sheet material P from the inlet rotor 34, a transport failure detection means 112 is disposed to detect displacement of the sheet material P in the thickness direction on the circumferential surface of the drum 31. The transport failure detection means 112 detects transport failures such as folded edges, lifting, and wrinkles in the sheet material P. Note that the "transport failure" referred to here does not mean that the sheet material is actually unable to be transported, but rather means that the sheet material is in a state that causes transport failure.

[0043] That is, if the sheet P is tilted when it is attracted onto the drum 31, the leading edge of the sheet P will come off the gripper 311, causing the edge to bend, or the sheet to float or wrinkle. If the sheet material P enters the gap between the circumferential surface of the drum 31 and the head of the discharge unit 33 in this state, the head may be damaged due to interference between the sheet material P and the discharge unit 33.

[0044] Therefore, when a transport failure is detected by the transport failure detection means 112, the transport drive of the sheet material P is stopped before the sheet material P enters the gap between the circumferential surface of the drum 31 and the head of the most upstream discharge unit 33A.

[0045] Further, a first sensor 113 and a second sensor 114 constituting sheet material detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet material P at the switching section 95 are arranged.

[0046] The first sensor 113 is disposed upstream of the switching unit 95. Here, the first sensor 113 is disposed upstream of the entrance rotator 34 at a position where it can detect the presence or absence of the sheet material P on the carry-in path 201.

[0047] The second sensor 114 is disposed downstream of the switching unit 95. Here, the second sensor 114 is disposed at a position where it can detect the presence or absence of the sheet material P on the circumferential surface of the inlet rotor .

[0048] When both the first sensor 113 and the second sensor 114 detect the sheet material P, it means that the sheet material P is present across the switching section 95. Therefore, based on the detection results of the first sensor 113 and the second sensor 114, control is performed so that the conveying path can be switched from the drum 31 side to the purge path 92 side by the branch claw 96 when there is no sheet material P across the switching section 95.

[0049] Next, the configuration of the portion that conveys the sheet material P in the direction opposite to the discharge direction by the conveying means 41 will be described.

[0050] When the conveying of the sheet material P is stopped due to predetermined conditions, the conveying means 41 is controlled by the conveying control means 801 described later to switch the conveying direction of the sheet material P so that it is conveyed in the direction opposite to the discharge direction (direction of arrow A) (direction of arrow B).

[0051] As described above, the conveying means 41 is disposed downstream of the drum 31, which is a rotating carrier that rotates while carrying the sheet material P. A purge tray 91 is disposed below the drum 31 as a storage means for storing the sheet material P that is conveyed in the reverse direction by the conveying means 41.

[0052] In this way, by rotating the conveying belt 401 of the conveying means 41 in the opposite direction to the discharge direction (direction of arrow B), the sheet material P on the conveying belt 401 is transported to and stored in a purge tray 91 as a storage means.

[0053] When the conveyor belt 401 moves in a direction to convey the sheet material P in the direction of the arrow A, this is called forward drive, and when the conveyor belt 401 moves in a direction to convey the sheet material P in the direction of the arrow B, this is called reverse drive.

[0054] Here, the purge tray 91 is positioned at a position where the stored sheet material P can be easily removed from the apparatus, which makes it easier to remove the sheet material P, shortens the takt time during which the apparatus is stopped, and suppresses a decrease in productivity.

[0055] A belt reversal switch 83 is disposed near the conveying means 41 as an instruction means for instructing movement of the conveying belt 401 in the reverse direction (the direction of arrow B). When the belt reversal switch 83 is pressed, the conveying means 41 drives the drive roller 402 in the reverse direction, thereby moving the conveying belt 401 in the reverse direction (the direction conveying in the direction of arrow B), and conveys the sheet material P toward the purge tray 91.

[0056] Also, as shown in Figure 3, when the conveying belt 401 is moved in the reverse direction and the sheet material P is conveyed in the direction opposite to the discharge direction (arrow A direction) (arrow B direction), a guide section 98 is provided as a guide means for guiding the sheet material P to the purge tray 91.

[0057] This prevents the sheet material P from traveling backward toward the outlet rotor 35 or the drum 31 when the conveyor belt 401 is moved in the direction of the arrow B to convey the sheet material P to the purge tray 91 .

[0058] In this embodiment, the guide portion 98 is provided integrally with the guide member 36, but the guide portion 98 and the guide member 36 may be separate bodies.

[0059] Next, the portion relating to the control of the purge operation will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

[0060] The transport control means 801 controls the normal transport operation as well as the transport operation during the purge operation.

[0061] The transport control means 801 also serves as a means for controlling, when transport of the sheet material P is stopped due to a predetermined condition, switching the direction in which the transport means 41 transports the sheet material P to a direction (arrow B direction) opposite to the direction (arrow A direction) in which the sheet material P is discharged. The direction in which the sheet material is discharged is the direction in which the sheet material P heads toward the discharge section 70, and the opposite direction is the direction in which the sheet material P heads toward the purge tray 91.

[0062] When the transport failure detection means 112 detects a transport failure, the transport control means 801 stops the operation of the drum 31, the transport belt 401, and the transport roller pair group 803 (transport roller pair 202, transport roller pair 601, etc.) via the transport system drive unit 802, thereby stopping the transport operation.

[0063] When the inching operation is instructed by the inching switch 81, the conveying control means 801 controls the inching operation to drive the drum 31 and the inlet rotor 34 and outlet rotor 35 that move in unison with it via the conveying system drive unit 802.

[0064] When a purge operation is instructed, and the sheet material detection means 115 (first sensor 113, second sensor 114) detects that there is sheet material P at the switching section 95, the conveying control means 801 displays on the display means 811 an instruction to perform an inching operation.

[0065] When a purge operation is instructed, the conveying control means 801, after the sheet material detection means 115 (first sensor 113, second sensor 114) detects that there is no sheet material P in the switching section 95, switches the branch claw 96 via the switching drive section 812 so that the sheet material P is conveyed to the purge path 92, and conveys the sheet material P.

[0066] When a transport failure is detected and the transport operation is stopped, the transport control means 801 controls operations such as transporting the required remaining sheet material P to the discharge section 70, discharging it to the inverted purge tray 97, and discharging it to the purge tray 91.

[0067] When the belt reversal switch 83 is operated, the conveying control means 801 moves the conveying belt 401 of the conveying means 41 in the reverse direction, conveying the sheet material P in the direction opposite to the discharge direction (direction of arrow B), and sending the sheet material P to the purge tray 91.

[0068] Next, an example of the operation of removing a sheet material stopped on the drum in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining this operation.

[0069] Here, for example, when a conveyance failure is detected in the sheet material P3 and the conveyance of the sheet material P is stopped, the sheets P2, P10, and P3 are stopped on the drum 31 from the downstream side in the conveyance direction.

[0070] First, as shown in Fig. 5(a), the inching switch 81 is operated to perform an inching operation (inching operation) to convey the sheet material P2 toward the conveyor belt 401 of the conveying means 41. Then, as shown in Fig. 5(b), the inching operation is stopped when the sheet material P2 is completely discharged onto the conveyor belt 401.

[0071] Next, the belt reversal switch 83 is operated to rotate the conveying belt 401 of the conveying means 41 in the direction opposite to the inching operation, as shown in Figure 5(c), and the sheet material P2 is conveyed in the direction opposite to the conveying direction (direction of arrow A) (direction of arrow B) and discharged into the purge tray 91.

[0072] The same operation is then repeated for the sheets P10 and P3, and the sheets P10 and P3 stopped on the drum 31 are conveyed to the purge tray 91 in sequence.

[0073] As a result, the sheet material P stopped inside the apparatus can be quickly transferred to the purge tray 91 which can be removed outside the apparatus, and a decrease in productivity can be suppressed.

[0074] A comparative example will now be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the sheet material removal action in the comparative example, and Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the frame structure of the printing unit superimposed thereon.

[0075] In this comparative example, as exemplified by sheet material P2, sheet material P stopped on drum 31 is transferred by conveying means 41 to drying section 40 and removed by inching operation.

[0076] However, even if the printing operation is stopped, the sheet material P cannot be removed from the conveyor belt 401 in the drying unit 40 until the temperature of the heating means 42 in the drying unit 40 has sufficiently dropped. Therefore, when the conveyance of the sheet material P in the device is stopped due to a conveyance failure, the waiting time until the sheet material P can be removed becomes long, resulting in a decrease in productivity.

[0077] In this case, it is also conceivable to use the portion of the conveyor belt 401 downstream of the outlet rotor 35 as a discharge area 900 and remove the sheet material P in the discharge area 900.

[0078] 7, however, the frame structure 901 of the printing unit 30 is disposed to the side of the discharge area 900, making it impossible to ensure sufficient space for removing the sheet material P. This makes it difficult to remove the sheet material P, resulting in increased downtime and reduced productivity.

[0079] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the sheet material P is conveyed by the conveying means 41 in the direction opposite to the discharge direction and discharged to a purge tray 91, which allows the sheet material P to be easily removed from the apparatus. This makes it possible to easily remove the sheet material P that has stopped inside the apparatus from inside the apparatus, thereby suppressing a decrease in productivity.

[0080] Next, a printing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 is a schematic explanatory view of the printing device, and Figure 9 is a perspective explanatory view of the vicinity of the outlet rotor.

[0081] In this embodiment, a third sensor 131 is provided as sheet material detection means for detecting the sheet material P on the conveyor belt 401 of the conveying means 41. The third sensor 131 is disposed between the position where the sheet material P is handed over from the outlet rotor 35 to the conveyor belt 401 and the drying section 40.

[0082] Also, a fourth sensor 132 is provided as sheet material detection means for detecting the sheet material P conveyed in the direction opposite to the direction in which the sheet material P is discharged (the direction of arrow B) above the purge tray 91. In this embodiment, the fourth sensor 132 is attached to the guide member 98 as shown in FIG.

[0083] Next, the portion relating to the control of the purge operation will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

[0084] In this embodiment, the conveyance control means 801 receives the detection results of the third sensor 131 and the fourth sensor 132, which serve as sheet material detection means. Based on these detection results, the conveyance control means 801 controls the rotation and stopping of the drum 31, and the movement and stopping and switching of the movement direction (circulation direction) of the conveyance belt 401 via the conveyance system drive unit 802.

[0085] It should be noted that this embodiment does not include the belt reverse switch 83 of the first embodiment, but the rest is the same as the first embodiment.

[0086] Next, an example of the operation of removing a sheet material stopped on the drum in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining this operation.

[0087] Here, for example, when a conveyance failure is detected in the sheet material P3 and the conveyance of the sheet material P is stopped, the sheets P2, P10, and P3 are stopped on the drum 31 from the downstream side in the conveyance direction.

[0088] First, as shown in FIG. 11(a), when the inching switch 81 is pressed down, the drum 31 and the conveyor belt 401 of the conveyor means 41 are driven to rotate forward, and the sheet material P2 is conveyed toward the conveyor belt 401 of the conveyor means 41.

[0089] 11(b), when a predetermined time has elapsed since the third sensor 131 detected the leading edge of the sheet material P2, the forward rotation of the drum 31 and the conveyor belt 401 of the conveying means 41 is stopped. Here, the predetermined time is the time required for the trailing edge of the sheet material P to be transferred onto the conveyor belt 401.

[0090] Next, as shown in Figure 11(c), the conveying belt 401 of the conveying means 41 is rotated in the reverse direction to convey the sheet material P2 to the purge tray 91, and when the fourth sensor 132 detects the rear end of the sheet material P2, the drive of the conveying belt 401 of the conveying means 41 is stopped.

[0091] The same operation is then repeated for the sheets P10 and P3, and the sheets P10 and P3 stopped on the drum 31 are conveyed to the purge tray 91 in sequence.

[0092] This allows the sheet material P stopped inside the apparatus to be quickly transferred to the purge tray 91 from which it can be removed outside the apparatus, thereby preventing a decrease in productivity.

[0093] Next, the removal control of the transport control means 801 when removing the sheet material stopped on the drum will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

[0094] First, when the inching switch 81 is pressed down, the conveyance control means 801 starts driving the drum 31 and the conveyance belt 401 of the conveyance means 41 in the forward direction (step S1, hereinafter simply referred to as "S1"). As a result, the sheet material P is conveyed toward the conveyance belt 401.

[0095] Thereafter, the conveyance control means 801 determines whether or not the third sensor 131 has detected the leading edge of the sheet material P (S2). Here, when the third sensor 131 detects the leading edge of the sheet material P, the conveyance control means 801 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the third sensor 131 detected the leading edge of the sheet material P (S3). As described above, the predetermined time is the time required for the rear edge of the sheet material P to be transferred onto the conveyor belt 401, so when the predetermined time has elapsed, the sheet material P will have been completely transferred onto the conveyor belt 401.

[0096] Therefore, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the third sensor 131 detected the leading edge of the sheet material P, the conveyance control means 801 stops the forward rotation of the drum 31 and the conveyance belt 401 of the conveyance means 41 (S4).

[0097] Thereafter, the conveyance control means 801 starts reverse driving of the conveyance belt 401 (S5), whereby the sheet material P on the conveyance belt 401 is conveyed toward the purge tray 91 in the direction opposite to the discharge direction.

[0098] Therefore, the conveyance control means 801 determines whether or not the fourth sensor 132 has detected the trailing end of the sheet material P being conveyed toward the purge tray 91 (S6). When the fourth sensor 132 detects the trailing end of the sheet material P being conveyed toward the purge tray 91, it means that the sheet material P has been transferred to the purge tray 91, so the conveyance control means 801 stops the reverse driving of the conveyor belt 401 (S7).

[0099] Thereafter, the transport control means 801 notifies the user by displaying on the display means 811 that the sheet material P on the purge tray 91 should be removed (S8).

[0100] In this way, the sheet material P stopped on the drum 31 can be automatically and quickly moved to the purge tray 91, making the sheet material removal operation easier than in the first embodiment.

[0101] Next, a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of the printing apparatus that is involved in controlling the purge operation.

[0102] In this embodiment, the transport control means 801 includes a counter means 831 that counts the number of sheets P on the drum 31. The counter means 831 counts the number of sheets P on the drum 31, for example, based on the count value of the number of sheets P detected by the first sensor 113 or the second sensor 114 and the number of sheets P that can be supported on the drum 31 from the entrance rotor 34 to the exit rotor 35. The rest is the same as in the second embodiment.

[0103] Next, the removal control of the transport control means 801 when removing the sheet material stopped on the drum will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

[0104] First, when the inching switch 81 is pressed down, the transport control means 801 determines whether or not the sheet number count value of the counter means 831 is greater than "0" (S11).

[0105] Here, when the sheet number count value of the counter means 831 is greater than "0", the conveyance control means 801 starts forward rotation of the drum 31 and the conveyance belt 401 of the conveyance means 41 (S12). As a result, the sheet material P is conveyed toward the conveyance belt 401.

[0106] Thereafter, the conveyance control means 801 determines whether or not the third sensor 131 has detected the leading edge of the sheet material P (S13). Here, when the third sensor 131 detects the leading edge of the sheet material P, the conveyance control means 801 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the third sensor 131 detected the leading edge of the sheet material P (S14). As described above, the predetermined time is the time required for the rear edge of the sheet material P to be transferred onto the conveyor belt 401, so when the predetermined time has elapsed, the sheet material P will have been completely transferred onto the conveyor belt 401.

[0107] Therefore, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the third sensor 131 detected the leading edge of the sheet material P, the conveyance control means 801 stops the forward rotation of the drum 31 and the conveyance belt 401 of the conveyance means 41 (S15).

[0108] Thereafter, the conveyance control means 801 starts reverse driving of the conveyance belt 401 (S16), whereby the sheet material P on the conveyance belt 401 is conveyed toward the purge tray 91 in the direction opposite to the discharge direction.

[0109] Next, the transport control means 801 determines whether or not the fourth sensor 132 has detected the leading edge of the sheet material P being transported toward the purge tray 91 (S17). When the fourth sensor 132 has detected the leading edge of the sheet material P being transported toward the purge tray 91, the transport control means 801 determines whether or not the fourth sensor 132 has detected the trailing edge of the sheet material P being transported toward the purge tray 91 (S18).

[0110] Then, when the fourth sensor 132 detects the rear end of the sheet material P being transported toward the purge tray 91, it means that the sheet material P has been transferred to the purge tray 91, so the transport control means 801 decrements (-1) the sheet number count value of the counter stage 831 (S19) and then stops the reverse drive of the transport belt 401 (S20).

[0111] Thereafter, the conveyance control means 801 determines whether or not the sheet number count value of the counter means 831 is greater than "0" (S21). If the sheet number count value of the counter means 831 is greater than "0", this means that the sheet material P remaining stopped on the drum 31 remains, so the conveyance control means 801 returns to step S12 and repeats the above-mentioned process.

[0112] Then, when the sheet count value of the counter means 831 is not greater than "0" in step S21, i.e., when it becomes "0", it means that all of the sheet materials P stopped on the drum 31 have been transferred to the purge tray 91, and the transport control means 801 notifies the user by displaying on the display means 811 that the sheet materials P on the purge tray 91 should be removed (S22).

[0113] In this way, the sheet materials P stopped on the drum 31 can be counted and all the sheet materials P can be automatically and quickly moved to the purge tray 91, making the sheet material removal work easier than in the first and second embodiments.

[0114] On the other hand, in step S13, when the third sensor 131 does not detect the leading edge of the sheet material P, the conveyance control means 801 determines whether or not a predetermined abnormality determination time has elapsed (S23). The abnormality determination time is the time until the leading edge of the sheet material P is detected when the sheet material P is normally conveyed by the rotation of the drum 31.

[0115] If the abnormality determination time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S13. On the other hand, if the abnormality determination time has elapsed without the third sensor 131 detecting the leading edge of the sheet material P, the transport control unit 801 determines that an abnormality has occurred (S26).

[0116] Similarly, in step S17, when the fourth sensor 132 does not detect the leading edge of the sheet material P, the conveyance control means 801 determines whether or not a predetermined abnormality determination time has elapsed (S24). The abnormality determination time is the time until the leading edge of the sheet material P is detected when the sheet material P is normally conveyed in the reverse direction by the reverse drive of the conveyor belt 401.

[0117] If the abnormality determination time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S17. On the other hand, if the abnormality determination time has elapsed without the fourth sensor 132 detecting the leading edge of the sheet material P, the transport control unit 801 determines that an abnormality has occurred (S26).

[0118] Similarly, in step S18, when the fourth sensor 132 does not detect the trailing edge of the sheet material P, the conveyance control means 801 determines whether a predetermined abnormality determination time has elapsed (S25). The abnormality determination time is the time from when the leading edge of the sheet material P is detected until when the trailing edge is detected when the sheet material P is normally conveyed in the reverse direction by the reverse driving of the conveyor belt 401.

[0119] If the abnormality determination time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S18. On the other hand, if the abnormality determination time has elapsed without the fourth sensor 132 detecting the rear end of the sheet material P, the transport control unit 801 determines that an abnormality has occurred (S26).

[0120] If it is determined in step S26 that an abnormality has occurred, the conveying control means 801 stops driving the conveying drum 31 or the conveying belt 401 (S27) and notifies the user of the state of the remaining sheet material P via the display means 811 (S28).

[0121] By making such an abnormality determination, it is possible to prevent the sheet material P from being conveyed while the conveyance abnormality is occurring. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1 Printing device 10 Loading area 20 Pretreatment section 30 Image forming unit 31 Drums 32 Liquid application section 34 Inlet rotor 35 Exit rotor 40 Drying section 41 Transportation 50 Unloading section 60 Reversing mechanism 70 Printing Department 91 Purge Tray 92 Purge Path 95 Switching section 131 Third sensor (sheet material detection means) 132 Fourth sensor (sheet material detection means) 401 Conveyor belt 801 Transport control means

Claims

1. a conveying means for conveying the sheet material; a means for controlling the conveyance of the sheet material by the conveying means; a storage means provided so that the sheet material can be removed; a guide means for guiding the sheet material being transported from the transport means to the storage means, the control means controls the conveyance means to change the conveying direction of the sheet material to a direction opposite to the direction in which the sheet material is discharged, after the conveyance of the sheet material is stopped due to the occurrence of a state that causes a conveyance failure of the sheet material, and to discharge the sheet material into the storage means; the conveying means is disposed downstream of a carrier rotor that carries and rotates the sheet material, a guide member for guiding the sheet material transferred from the carrier rotary body to the conveying means, The receiving means is disposed below the carrier rotor. A conveying device characterized by:

2. The guide means is provided integrally with the guide member.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1.

3. The conveying means includes a conveying belt that can rotate in forward and reverse directions.

3. The conveying device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. and an instruction means for instructing the conveyor belt to move in the reverse direction.

4. The conveying device according to claim 3.

5. a means for detecting the sheet material on the conveying means, The control means a predetermined time after the leading edge of the sheet material is detected, the movement of the sheet material by the carrier rotor and the conveying means is stopped; The direction in which the conveying means conveys the sheet material is switched to a direction opposite to the direction in which the sheet material is discharged, and the conveying means is driven and controlled.

5. A conveying device according to claim 1.

6. A means for counting the number of the sheet materials carried on the carrying rotary body is provided.

6. A conveying device according to claim 1.

7. The sheet material is conveyed in a direction opposite to the direction in which the sheet material is discharged.

7. A conveying device according to claim 1.

8. an image forming unit that prints on the sheet material; and a conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A printing device characterized by:

9. An image forming unit that prints on the sheet material; and a conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A liquid ejection device comprising:

Images