Conveying device, image forming device, and liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a conveyance device reduced in erroneous detection of a sensor caused by attachment of foreign matters to a background member arranged facing to the sensor.SOLUTION: A conveyance device has conveying means conveying a substrate, a position sensor detecting a position of the conveyed substrate, and a background member arranged facing to the position sensor. The background member can be withdrawn in the width direction of the substrate crossing the conveying direction of the substrate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a liquid ejecting apparatus. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an inkjet recording apparatus including: a belt conveying section having a conveying belt that conveys a recording medium; a recording section that is disposed opposite to the belt conveying section and ejects ink onto the recording medium conveyed by the belt conveying section; an end position detection sensor that is disposed upstream of the belt conveying section in a recording medium conveying direction and detects, using reflected light, the position of an end portion of the recording medium in a recording medium width direction intersecting with the recording medium conveying direction; a background member that is disposed opposite to a detection surface of the end position detection sensor and is rotatable about an axis extending along the recording medium width direction; and a rotation drive section that rotates the background member. [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-023014 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to reduce erroneous detection by a sensor caused by foreign matter adhering to a background member disposed opposite to the sensor. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0005] The present invention provides a conveying apparatus including: conveying means for conveying a base material; a position sensor that detects a position of the conveyed base material; and a background member disposed opposite to the position sensor, A holding member for holding the background member, and a mounting base for attaching the holding member so that it can be inserted and removed in a width direction intersecting the transport direction of the base material, wherein the background member is The aforementioned attachable and detachable in a width direction The mounting base includes a second restricting portion that restricts the position of the retaining member in the width direction, the second restricting portion being made of an elastic member, the retaining member includes a recessed portion that restricts the position of the retaining member in the width direction by contact with the elastic member, and a slope portion provided at a different position from the recessed portion and downstream of the recessed portion in the insertion direction of the retaining member, which pushes up the elastic member as the retaining member is inserted, the slope portion is inclined from a position that does not contact the elastic member when no external force is acting toward the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the retaining member, such that the amount of upward push-up of the elastic member increases. . [[Effect of the Invention]]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce false detections by sensors caused by foreign matter adhering to a background member positioned opposite the sensor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Overall configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of the image-making unit. [Figure 3] A schematic plan view illustrating the shifting motion of the register roller pair. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram of the image sensor's surrounding components. [Figure 5] Perspective view of the area around the image sensor. [Figure 6] A perspective view showing the mounting base with the retaining member attached. [Figure 7] Perspective view of the mounting base. [Figure 8] Perspective view of the retaining member. [Figure 9] Diagram illustrating the retaining member. [Figure 10] Diagram illustrating the retaining member and positioning mechanism. [Figure 11] An explanatory diagram showing an example of how the retaining member is implemented. [Figure 12] Diagram illustrating the installation of the sensor. [Figure 13] An overall configuration diagram showing an example of an inkjet-type image forming apparatus. [Figure 14] An overall diagram showing an example of a device for dispensing liquid. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0009] <Configuration of an image forming apparatus> FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. The illustrated image forming apparatus is a printer that forms images by electrophotography.

[0010] A printer 1000 includes an image forming unit 1, a primary transfer unit 2, a sheet supply unit 3, a secondary transfer unit 4, a fixing unit 5, a sheet return unit 6, a sheet discharge unit 7, an exposure unit 8, a toner container mounting unit 9, and the like. Among these, the image forming unit 1, the primary transfer unit 2, the secondary transfer unit 4, and the exposure unit 8 constitute "image forming means".

[0011] The image forming unit 1 includes a plurality (five in the present embodiment) of image forming units 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E. Hereinafter, when collectively referring to the plurality of image forming units, they are referred to as "image forming units 10". The image forming units 10A to 10E respectively form toner images of different colors. For example, the image forming unit 10B forms a yellow (Y) toner image, the image forming unit 10C forms a magenta (M) toner image, and the image forming unit 10D forms a cyan (C) toner image. The image forming unit 10E forms a black (K) toner image, and the image forming unit 10A forms a special color toner image other than Y, M, C, and K.

[0012] The special color is not necessarily limited to colored, and may include colorless such as clear toner, for example. Further, the number of image forming units 10 and the arrangement order of colors are not limited to the above. The number of image forming units may be four or less, or may be six or more. The arrangement order of the colors of the image forming units may be appropriately determined according to the specifications of the image forming units, toner characteristics, and the like.

[0013] The image forming unit 10 includes a photoreceptor module, a charging module, a developing module, and a cleaning module. Each of these modules will be described with reference to FIG. 2, leaving FIG. 1 for a moment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the image forming unit. Note that, since the image forming units 10A to 10E have substantially the same configuration, they are illustrated as the image forming unit 10 in FIG. 2.

[0014] The image forming unit 10 comprises a photoreceptor module 11, a charging module 12, a developing module 13, and a cleaning module 14.

[0015] The photoreceptor module 11 includes, for example, a cylindrical photoreceptor 110. The photoreceptor 110 is rotationally driven in a counterclockwise direction (the direction of the arrow) in FIG. 2.

[0016] The charging module 12 includes, for example, a charging roller 120. The charging roller 120 applies electric charge to the surface of the photoreceptor 110, and charges the surface of the photoreceptor 110 to a predetermined potential.

[0017] The developing module 13 includes, for example, a developing roller 130 that carries a two-component developer containing toner and a magnetic carrier. The developing roller 130 supplies toner to an electrostatic latent image formed by an exposure unit 8 described below exposing the surface of the photoreceptor 110 charged to a predetermined potential, thereby forming a toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 110.

[0018] The cleaning module 14 includes cleaning members such as a cleaning roller 140 and a cleaning blade 141, for example. The cleaning roller 140 and the cleaning blade 141 clean the surface of the photoreceptor 110 that has passed through a primary transfer unit 2 described below.

[0019] Returning to FIG. 1 again, the continuation of the overall configuration of the printer 1000 will be described.

[0020] The primary transfer unit 2 is disposed below the image forming unit 1. The primary transfer unit 2 includes a plurality of primary transfer rollers 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, an intermediate transfer belt 21, a secondary transfer counter roller 22, a belt cleaning mechanism 23, and the like. Hereinafter, when collectively referring to the plurality of primary transfer rollers, they are referred to as "primary transfer rollers 20".

[0021] The primary transfer roller 20 is positioned opposite each photoreceptor 110 of the imaging unit 10. The primary transfer roller 20 is positioned so as to be pressable against the photoreceptor 110 via the intermediate transfer belt 21, and by pressing the primary transfer roller 20 toward the photoreceptor 110, a primary transfer nip is formed between the photoreceptor 110 and the intermediate transfer belt 21. A primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 20, forming a primary transfer electric field within the primary transfer nip.

[0022] The intermediate transfer belt 21 is an endless belt composed of one or more layers of vinylidene fluoride, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyimide, polycarbonate, etc. The intermediate transfer belt 21 is stretched across multiple support rollers and moves in a clockwise direction in the figure.

[0023] The secondary transfer opposing roller 22, together with the secondary transfer roller 40 provided in the secondary transfer section 4 (described later), forms a secondary transfer nip.

[0024] The belt cleaning mechanism 23 cleans the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 after it has passed through the secondary transfer roller 40 (secondary transfer nip), which will be described later.

[0025] The sheet supply unit 3 is located at the bottom of the printer 1000. The sheet supply unit 3 includes a tray 30 for loading sheets S, a feeding mechanism 31 for feeding sheets S one by one from the tray 30, a pair of register rollers 32 and 33 for transporting the sheets S sent from the feeding mechanism 31 to the secondary transfer unit 4 at a predetermined timing, an image sensor 34, a background member 36, etc. The sheet supply unit 3 is an example of a "transport device", the pair of register rollers 32 and 33 is an example of a "transport means", the sheet S is an example of a "substrate", and the image sensor 34 is an example of a "position sensor". Details of the background member 36 will be described later.

[0026] The configuration of the register roller pair 32, 33 and the image sensor 34 will be described later, but in general terms, the register roller pair 32, 33 is configured to be able to shift in the main scanning direction (the sheet width direction intersecting the sheet transport direction). The image sensor 34 measures the position of the sheet S being transported by the register roller pair 32, 33 in the main scanning direction. If the sheet S is traveling at a position shifted from the reference position, the register roller pair 32, 33 grips the sheet S with its nip and shifts in the direction that eliminates the shift, aligning the sheet S with the reference position.

[0027] The secondary transfer section 4 is located below the primary transfer section 2. The secondary transfer section 4 includes a secondary transfer roller 40. The secondary transfer roller 40 is positioned opposite the secondary transfer opposing roller 22 of the primary transfer section 2 and is positioned to be pressable against the secondary transfer opposing roller 22 via an intermediate transfer belt 21. By pressing the secondary transfer roller 40 toward the secondary transfer opposing roller 22, a secondary transfer nip is formed between the secondary transfer roller 40 and the intermediate transfer belt 21. A secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 40, forming a secondary transfer electric field within the secondary transfer nip.

[0028] The fixing unit 5 is positioned downstream of the secondary transfer unit 4 in the sheet transport direction (left side in the figure). The fixing unit 5 includes a heating roller 50 and a pressure roller 51, etc. The heating roller 50 and the pressure roller 51 can be pressed against each other, and when they press against each other, they form a fixing nip. The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred in the secondary transfer unit 4 is heated and pressurized in the fixing nip, and the toner image is fixed to the sheet S.

[0029] The sheet discharge unit 7 is located downstream of the fixing unit 5 in the sheet transport direction (left side in the figure). The sheet discharge unit 7 is equipped with a switching mechanism 70 (71a, 71b, 71c), etc., for switching the destination of the sheet S, and the switching mechanism 70 transports the sheet S to the outside of the machine or toward the sheet return unit 6, which will be described later.

[0030] The sheet return section 6 is located below the sheet discharge section 7, the fixing section 5, and the secondary transfer section 4. The sheet return section 6 includes a return path 60 with multiple transport rollers. The end of the return path 60 merges with the sheet supply section 3, and the sheets S sent from the sheet discharge section 7 are transported again towards the secondary transfer section 4.

[0031] The exposure unit 8 is positioned above the image-forming unit 1. The exposure unit 8 scans the photoreceptor 110, which has been charged to a predetermined potential by the charging module 12 described above, with laser light L (see Figure 2) to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 110.

[0032] The toner container mounting section 9 is located near the top of the exposure section 8. The toner container mounting section 9 detachably holds toner containers 90A to 90E, which contain the toner used by each imaging unit 10A to 10E. The toner container mounting section 9 and the imaging unit 1 are connected by a toner transfer mechanism, and the toner contained in the toner containers 90A to 90E is transferred to the imaging units 10A to 10E by the toner transfer mechanism. When it is time to replace the toner containers 90A to 90E, they are removed from the toner container mounting section 9 and replaced with new toner containers.

[0033] In the above configuration, when the printer 1000 receives image data from an external computer or the like, it starts a print job and begins driving the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the like. Then, in the image-forming unit 1, the charging roller 120 uniformly charges the surface of the rotating photoreceptor 110 to a predetermined charging potential.

[0034] On the surface of the charged photoreceptor 110, electrostatic latent images for each color are formed by optical scanning using laser light emitted by the exposure unit 8 based on image data. The electrostatic latent images are developed as toner images in the development module 13 and then sequentially transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 to form a toner image with each color superimposed. After the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21, the photoreceptor 110 is cleaned by the cleaning module 14, and any toner or other residue remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 110 is removed from the surface of the photoreceptor 110.

[0035] The sheet S, fed from the delivery mechanism 31 of the sheet supply unit 3, is transported until it hits the register roller pair 32,33. Once the sheet S hits the register roller pair 32,33, transport is temporarily stopped. The register roller pair 32,33 then resume transport in time with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 reaching the secondary transfer nip. Once transport from the register roller pair 32,33 resumes, the toner image is transferred to the sheet S at the secondary transfer nip in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21.

[0036] After secondary transfer, the sheet S moves to the fuser unit 5, where the fuser unit 5 fixes the toner image to the sheet S by applying heat and pressure to it. Subsequently, the sheet S moves to the sheet discharge unit 7, and according to the guidance of the switching mechanism 70, the sheet S is sent outside the machine or to the sheet return unit 6. The sheet return unit 6 is mainly used when the sheet S is inverted (front and back) and resent to the secondary transfer nip, where the toner image is secondarily transferred to the back surface of the sheet S, and then the sheet S is discharged from the sheet discharge unit 7.

[0037] After passing through the secondary transfer nip, the intermediate transfer belt 21 is cleaned by the belt cleaning mechanism 23, and any toner or other residue remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is removed from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21.

[0038] <Configuration of Registrar Pair> Figure 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating the shifting motion of the register roller pair.

[0039] As described above, the registration roller pairs 32 and 33 are configured to shift the sheet S in the main scanning direction (sheet width direction) while the sheet S is held between the nip.

[0040] For example, a Contact Image Sensor (CIS) is used as the image sensor 34, and the image sensor 34 measures the position of the sheet S being conveyed by the registration roller pair 32,33 in the main scanning direction. In other words, the image sensor 34 detects whether the sheet width edge of the sheet S is traveling along a reference position. A background member 36 is provided at a position opposite the image sensor 34. Details of the background member 36 will be described later.

[0041] If the sheet S is traveling at a position ΔL1 away from the reference position, the register roller pair 32,33 is shifted by ΔL1 to correct the position so that the edge of the sheet S is at the reference position. The sheet S is then transported toward the secondary transfer roller 40 while the above position correction is performed. This makes it possible to transfer the toner image to the correct position on the sheet S.

[0042] In this embodiment, the image sensor 34 is positioned near the downstream side of the sheet transport direction relative to the pair of register rollers 32 and 33. However, the image sensor 34 may also be positioned near the upstream side of the sheet transport direction relative to the pair of register rollers 32 and 33. Furthermore, the image sensor 34 may be provided in two or more locations along the sheet transport direction, and the register roller pair 32 and 33 may be shifted based on the output of each image sensor.

[0043] <Configuration around the image sensor> Next, the configuration around the image sensor will be explained using Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the image sensor's configuration, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the image sensor's configuration.

[0044] The aforementioned pairs of resist rollers 32 and 33 transport the sheet S in the sheet transport direction shown in Figures 4 and 5, and the sheet S is transported to the secondary transfer nip via the transport path formed by the upper guide plate 35a and the lower guide plate 35b. The image sensor 34 is positioned above the upper guide plate 35a with its sensor surface facing the transport path. On the other hand, below the lower guide plate 35b, a holding member 37 is provided to hold the background member 36, which will be described later.

[0045] The retaining member 37 is mounted on the mounting base 38, and the mounting base 38 is fixed to the housing frame or side plate of the printer 1000. This fixes the retaining member 37 in a predetermined position via the mounting base 38. The predetermined position is defined as the position where, when X1 is a virtual line parallel to the guide surface of the upper guide plate 35a and X2 is a virtual line parallel to the retaining surface of the retaining member 37, virtual lines X1 and X2 are approximately parallel, and the light emission / reading direction of the image sensor 34 is approximately perpendicular to virtual line X2. Note that the predetermined position is not limited to the above positional relationship and may be changed as appropriate, as long as it does not fall outside the light emission / reading area of ​​the image sensor 34.

[0046] <Configuration of mounting base and retaining member> The configuration of the mounting base and retaining member will be explained below using Figures 6 to 12.

[0047] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the mounting base with the retaining member attached.

[0048] The retaining member 37 has a generally elongated rectangular shape and is supported on the mounting base 38 so as to be movable in the insertion / removal direction indicated by the arrow relative to the mounting base 38. The retaining member 37 has a background member 36 made of a sheet material on its upper surface (the surface facing the image sensor 34) to prevent reflection of light from the image sensor 34. The retaining member 37 also has a handle portion 37a and a positioning portion 37b.

[0049] The handle portion 37a is provided at one end of the retaining member 37 in the longitudinal direction, and the operator can remove the retaining member 37 from the mounting base 38 by grasping the handle portion 37a and pulling the retaining member 37.

[0050] The positioning portions 37b are provided at both ends of the holding member 37 in the short direction, and by engaging with the pressing members 38b provided on the mounting base 38, they position the holding member 37 relative to the mounting base 38.

[0051] The mounting base 38 includes a pressing member 38a and a pressing member 38b. The pressing member 38a is provided on the mounting base 38 so as to be able to contact the rear side (opposite the handle portion 37a) of the retaining member 37 (the upper surface of the retaining member 37 in this embodiment). The pressing member 38b is provided on the mounting base 38 so as to be able to engage with the positioning portion 37b provided on the front side (the side with the handle portion 37a) of the retaining member 37.

[0052] As described above, this embodiment is a sheet supply unit 3 comprising a pair of register rollers 32, 33 for transporting a sheet S, an image sensor 34 for detecting the position of the transported sheet S, and a background member 36 positioned opposite the image sensor 34, wherein the background member 36 is removable in the width direction of the sheet S, which intersects with the transport direction of the sheet S.

[0053] Furthermore, as described above, the system includes a holding member 37 for holding the background member 36, and a mounting base 38 for attaching the holding member 37 so that it can be inserted and removed in the width direction of the sheet S.

[0054] This allows the background member 36, which is positioned opposite the image sensor 34, to be removed from the machine, and if foreign matter (such as paper dust if the sheet S is paper) is attached to the background member 36, it can be cleaned. As a result, false detections by the image sensor 34 caused by foreign matter adhering to the background member 36 can be reduced.

[0055] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the mounting base.

[0056] The mounting base 38 is a component that is fixed to the housing frame or side panel of the printer 1000. In the mounting base 38, the retaining member 38b is supported across the side wall 38c and the side wall 38d, and an opening 38e is formed below the retaining member 38b. By inserting the holding member 37 through this opening 38e in the insertion direction, the holding member 37 is attached to the mounting base 38, resulting in the state shown in Figure 6.

[0057] The side walls 38c and 38d are examples of the "first restricting portion," and the side walls 38c and 38d restrict the position of the retaining member 37 so that the retaining member 37 does not shift position in the sheet transport direction when the retaining member 37 is mounted on the mounting base 38.

[0058] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the retaining member.

[0059] The holding member 37 comprises a background member 36, a handle portion 37a, and a positioning portion 37b, as described above. The positioning portion 37b has an outer shape in which a slope portion 371 and a recessed portion 372 are formed in a continuous manner.

[0060] When the retaining member 37 is attached to the mounting base 38, as the retaining member 37 is inserted through the opening 38e described above, the pressing member 38b makes contact with the slope portion 371 and then the recess portion 372 in that order, and the retaining member 37 is positioned when the pressing member 38b engages with the recess portion 372.

[0061] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the retaining member; Figure 9(a) shows the configuration of the retaining member provided on the rear side of the mounting base, and Figure 9(b) shows the configuration of the retaining member provided on the front side of the mounting base.

[0062] The pressing members 38a and 38b are made of leaf springs, which are an example of elastic members. When the retaining member 37 is mounted on the mounting base 38, the pressing members 38a and 38b press the retaining member 37 in the direction of the arrows, respectively, to prevent the retaining member 37 from lifting up relative to the mounting base 38.

[0063] The pressing members 38a and 38b are examples of the "second restricting part," and the pressing members 38a and 38b restrict the position of the retaining member 37 so that the retaining member 37 does not shift position in the sheet width direction when the retaining member 37 is mounted on the mounting base 38.

[0064] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram of the retaining member and the positioning part. Figure 10(a) shows the retaining member in the process of being installed, and Figure 10(b) shows the retaining member after it has been installed.

[0065] The positioning portion 37b of the retaining member 37 has a slope portion 371 and a recessed portion 372. The height of the slope portion 371 and the recessed portion 372 is set higher than the natural position of the pressing member 38b (the spring position when no external force is applied), as shown by the dashed line in the figure. As a result, the slope portion 371 and the recessed portion 372 act in a direction that pushes the pressing member 38b upward when the retaining member 37 is attached, and the reaction force makes it possible to press the retaining member 37 against the mounting base 38.

[0066] The slope section 371 has a slope that rises from left to right in the illustration, followed by a slope that descends from left to right.

[0067] The recessed portion 372 is set to be lower than the highest point of the slope portion 371 (the point where the slope changes from an upward slope to a downward slope) and to be at a height that coincides with the contact surface of the pressing member 38b when the holding member 37 is attached to the mounting base 38.

[0068] By providing the slope portion 371, a sudden increase in load when the retaining member 37 pushes up the pressing member 38b can be prevented, and the force required by the operator to insert and remove the retaining member 37 can be reduced.

[0069] Furthermore, by setting the height of the recess 372 as described above, the retaining member 38b properly catches in the recess 372, thus preventing the retaining member 37 from coming loose due to vibration or other factors.

[0070] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the mounting of the retaining member.

[0071] The mounting base 38 is fixed, for example, to the side plate 3F that constitutes the sheet supply unit 3. The side plate 3F is provided with an attachment opening 3Fa facing the opening 38e of the mounting base 38. This allows the operator to access the handle portion 37a exposed through the attachment opening 3Fa and insert or remove the holding member 37 from the sheet supply unit 3.

[0072] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram of the mounted sensor.

[0073] The mounting base 38 may also be configured to include a mounting sensor 39 that detects the presence or absence of the retaining member 37 and whether the retaining member 37 is mounted on the mounting base 38.

[0074] The mounting sensor 39 outputs an ON signal when the retaining member 37 is inserted into the correct position on the mounting base 38, and if there is no ON signal output, it notifies the operator of the abnormality via the printer 1000's control panel or the like. This makes it possible to prevent forgetting to insert the retaining member 37, and to prevent poor image quality or sheet transport problems caused by forgetting to insert the retaining member 37.

[0075] <Examples of application to other devices, etc.> The image forming apparatus is not limited to electrophotographic printers as described above; it may also be an inkjet printer, for example. An example of such a printer will be described below.

[0076] <<Inkjet Printer>> Figure 13 is an overall configuration diagram showing an example of an inkjet-type image forming apparatus.

[0077] The printer 2000 comprises a supply unit 200, a printing unit 400, a drying unit 600, a straightening unit 700, and an output unit 800. The printer 2000 applies ink, which is an example of a liquid, to a sheet S supplied from the supply unit 200 in the printing unit 400 to perform the required printing, and dries the ink applied to the sheet S in the drying unit 600. After that, the straightening unit 700 straightens any warping or wrinkles that have occurred on the sheet S, and then outputs the sheet S to the output unit 800.

[0078] The supply unit 200 includes a tray 214 on which multiple sheets S are stacked, a feeding mechanism 215 that separates and feeds out the sheets S one by one from the tray 214, a pair of registration rollers 216 that feed the sheets S to the printing unit 400, an image sensor 34, and a background member 36, etc. The supply unit 200 is an example of a "conveying device", the pair of registration rollers 216 is an example of a "conveying means", the sheets S is an example of a "substrate", and the image sensor 34 is an example of a "position sensor".

[0079] The sheet S, which is fed out of the tray 214 by the feeding mechanism 215, is fed to the printing unit 400 when the register roller pair 216 is driven at a predetermined timing after its leading edge reaches the register roller pair 216.

[0080] The register roller pair 216 is configured to shift in the main scanning direction (the sheet width direction intersecting the sheet transport direction), similar to the register roller pairs 32 and 33 in the above-described embodiment. The image sensor 34 measures the position of the sheet S being transported by the register roller pair 216 in the main scanning direction. If the sheet S is traveling at a position shifted from the reference position, the register roller pair 216 shifts in the direction that eliminates the shift while gripping the sheet S with its nip, thereby aligning the sheet S with the reference position. The sheet S is transported toward the printing unit 400 while the position correction is performed as described above.

[0081] The printing unit 400 includes a carrying drum 415 that carries and transports a sheet S on its outer surface, and an inkjet unit 420 that discharges liquid onto the sheet S carried on the carrying drum 415. The printing unit 400 also includes a loading cylinder 414 that receives the fed sheet S and passes it to the carrying drum 415, and an unloading cylinder 416 that passes the sheet S transported by the carrying drum 415 to the drying unit 600.

[0082] The sheet S, transported from the supply unit 200 to the printing unit 400, is grasped at the tip by a gripper provided on the surface of the loading cylinder 414 and transported as the loading cylinder 414 rotates. The sheet S transported by the loading cylinder 414 is then transferred to the carrying drum 415 at a position opposite to the carrying drum 415.

[0083] A gripper is also provided on the surface of the support drum 415, and the leading edge of the sheet S is gripped by the gripper, and the sheet S is conveyed as the support drum 415 rotates.

[0084] The inkjet unit 420 comprises multiple inkjet modules 421, each having a liquid ejection head for applying ink to the surface of the sheet S, along the rotational direction of the support drum 415. The inkjet unit 420 includes inkjet modules 421C (cyan), 421M (magenta), 421Y (yellow), and 421K (black) for each ink color, and ejects four colors of ink to form an image on the sheet S. The inkjet unit 420 is an example of a "liquid ejection means".

[0085] The drying unit 600 includes a suction transport mechanism 630 that adsorbs and transports the sheets S transported from the printing unit 400, and a drying mechanism 620, etc., that dries the sheets S transported by the suction transport mechanism 630.

[0086] The sheets S transported from the printing section 400 are received by the suction transport mechanism section 630, then transported through the drying mechanism section 620, and then handed over to the straightening section 700, and finally handed over from the straightening section 700 to the discharge section 800.

[0087] In the case of the inkjet printer 2000 described above, the present invention can be applied to the image sensor 34 installed between the registration roller pair 216 and the feed cylinder 414. This makes it possible to clean the background member 36 if foreign matter (such as paper dust if the sheet S is paper) is attached to it, and as a result, false detections by the image sensor 34 caused by foreign matter attached to the background member 36 can be reduced.

[0088] In the electrophotographic printer 1000 and the inkjet printer 2000 described above, the configuration for forming an image on a sheet S that has been pre-cut to a predetermined size was used as an example, but the form of the substrate is not limited to this. The form of the substrate used for image formation may be, for example, a long continuous form such as continuous paper or roll paper.

[0089] Furthermore, the transport device of the present invention is not limited to inkjet printers used for image formation, but may also be applied to devices that dispense liquids for other purposes. An example is described below.

[0090] <<Electrode manufacturing equipment>> Figure 14 is an overall diagram showing an example of a liquid dispensing device, with Figure 14(a) being a schematic side view and Figure 14(b) being a schematic top view.

[0091] The illustrated liquid dispensing apparatus is a device for manufacturing electrodes included in electrochemical elements such as primary batteries, secondary batteries, or capacitors by applying a liquid composition to the surface of a substrate W to form a functional layer.

[0092] The electrode manufacturing apparatus, for example, uses a liquid composition to form a resin layer or an inorganic layer on the surface of an electrode element, which is an example of a substrate W. In other words, the electrode manufacturing apparatus uses a resin layer or an inorganic layer to form a resin layer or an inorganic layer on at least one of the surfaces of a metal foil or an composite layer coated on a metal foil. In this embodiment, the electrode element is the object onto which the liquid ink is dispensed in the electrode manufacturing apparatus, and refers to the precursor of the electrode formed by the application of the liquid ink.

[0093] In Figure 14, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 3000 includes a supply unit 200, a printing unit 400, a drying unit 600, and a discharge unit 800, etc.

[0094] The supply unit 200 includes a support roller 211 that supports the rolled substrate W, guide rollers 212 and 213 that transport the substrate W unwound from the support roller 211 to the printing unit 400, an image sensor 34, and a background member 36. The supply unit 200 is an example of a "transportation device", the guide roller 212 is an example of a "transportation means", the substrate W is an example of a "substrate", and the image sensor 34 is an example of a "position sensor".

[0095] The guide roller 212 is provided as a meandering correction roller that can rotate around the shaft 212a as a pivot point. The image sensor 34 measures the position of the substrate W being transported by the guide rollers 212 and 213 in the main scanning direction (the width direction of the substrate W intersecting the transport direction of the substrate W). If the substrate W is traveling at a position deviated from the reference position, the guide roller 212 is tilted in a direction that eliminates the deviation, and the substrate W is aligned with the reference position. The substrate W is transported toward the printing unit 400 while the position correction is performed as described above.

[0096] The printing unit 400 includes a transport unit 410 that transports the substrate W sent from the supply unit 200, and an inkjet unit 420 that ejects ink onto the surface of the substrate W transported by the transport unit 410. The printing unit 400 also includes an air intake unit 417 that sucks in air from inside the printing unit 400 to create negative pressure inside the printing unit 400.

[0097] The drying unit 600 includes a drying oven 610 for drying the ink on the surface of the substrate W sent from the printing unit 400, and guide rollers 611 for transporting the substrate W sent out of the drying oven 610. The drying oven 610 has the function of heating the ink on the surface of the substrate W to dry the residual solvent in the ink and to accelerate the curing of the ink.

[0098] The discharge section 800 includes guide rollers 811 and 812 for transporting the substrate W sent from the drying section 600, and a winding roller 813 for winding up the substrate W sent from the guide rollers 812.

[0099] In the printing unit 400, the inkjet unit 420 is equipped with multiple inkjet modules 421, each having multiple heads 101 that eject ink onto the surface of the substrate W, along the transport direction of the substrate W. The heads 101 are an example of "liquid ejection means".

[0100] The conveying unit 410 includes a belt 413 for conveying the base material W, a belt-driven roller 411 that wraps around and drives the belt 413, and a belt-driven roller 412 that stretches the belt 413 and moves along with it.

[0101] Since the belt 413 is circulated and conveyed by the rotation of the belt-driven roller 411, the base material W is conveyed at approximately the same speed as the rotation speed of the belt 413.

[0102] The intake section 417 creates negative pressure inside the printing section 400, thereby generating airflow within the printing section 400 and suppressing the floating of ink mist generated when ink is ejected by the print head 101.

[0103] In the case of the electrode manufacturing apparatus 3000 described above, the present invention can be applied to the image sensor 34 installed between the guide roller 212 and the guide roller 213. This makes it possible to clean the background member 36 if foreign matter (metal powder, resin powder, etc. that has fallen from the substrate (electrode element) W) is attached to the background member 36, and as a result, false detections by the image sensor 34 caused by the attachment of foreign matter to the background member 36 can be reduced.

[0104] Depending on the components of the ink ejected from the head 101, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 3000 may be configured to include a curing section (irradiation section) between the printing section 400 and the drying section 600, which hardens the ink layer on the surface of the substrate W into a resin layer using ultraviolet light. Examples of such inks include those having polymerizable compounds such as monomers as components.

[0105] In the electrode manufacturing apparatus 3000 described above, a configuration in which a liquid composition is applied to a long, continuous substrate W was used as an example, but the form of the substrate is not limited to this. The form of the substrate used may be, for example, a sheet that has been pre-cut to a predetermined size.

[0106] Furthermore, while the electrode manufacturing apparatus 3000 is exemplified as a so-called line-type apparatus configuration in which the substrate W is moved relative to a head 101 at a fixed position and ink is applied to the substrate W, it is not limited to a line-type configuration. The head 101 and the substrate W can move relative to each other, and for example, it may be a so-called serial-type apparatus configuration in which the head 101 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the substrate W relative to the substrate W that is fed intermittently and ink is applied to the substrate W. Alternatively, it may be a so-called flatbed-type apparatus configuration in which the head 101 is moved in the XY direction relative to the substrate held on a substrate placement table and ink is applied to the substrate.

[0107] Furthermore, when the electrode manufacturing apparatus 3000 is used as part of an energy storage device manufacturing apparatus, the energy storage device manufacturing apparatus includes, in addition to the electrode manufacturing apparatus 3000, a substrate processing unit for processing the substrate W toward cell formation, for example.

[0108] The substrate processing unit processes the substrate W on which the functional layer is formed, downstream of the liquid discharge head. The substrate processing unit may perform at least one of cutting, folding, and lamination. For example, if the substrate W is a continuous substrate that has not been cut, the substrate processing unit can cut the substrate W to produce a substrate laminate.

[0109] The substrate processing unit can wind or laminate the substrate W. If the insulating layer contains a material having a melting point or glass transition point, in the substrate processing unit, for example, one substrate laminate and another substrate laminate are bonded together at least partially by heating.

[0110] The base material processing unit, for example, has a base material processing device and performs cutting, zigzag folding, lamination, winding, and thermal bonding between base materials after lamination or winding according to the desired battery configuration. When processing the base material in the base material processing unit, it is preferable that the transport speed of the base material W be relatively slow in order to reduce damage such as wrinkles to the base material after processing.

[0111] The substrate processing step performed by the substrate processing unit is, for example, a step of processing the substrate W on which the functional film has been formed, downstream of the liquid discharge head. The substrate processing step may include at least one of a cutting step, a folding step, and a bonding step. <Supplement>

[0112] In this application, "liquid dispensing device" refers to a device that includes a liquid dispensing head or liquid dispensing unit and dispensing liquid by driving the liquid dispensing head. A liquid dispensing device includes not only devices that can dispense liquid onto objects to which liquid can adhere, but also devices that dispense liquid into air or into liquid.

[0113] This "liquid dispensing device" can also include means for supplying, transporting, and discharging materials to which liquid can adhere, as well as pre-treatment devices, post-treatment devices, etc. Examples of "liquid dispensing devices" include image forming devices that dispense ink to form images on paper, and three-dimensional molding devices that dispense molding liquid onto a powder layer formed in layers to create three-dimensional objects.

[0114] Furthermore, "devices that dispense liquid" are not limited to those that visualize meaningful images such as letters or figures through the dispensed liquid. For example, devices that form patterns that do not have meaning in themselves, or devices that create three-dimensional images, are also included.

[0115] The term "materials to which liquid can adhere" above refers to materials to which liquid can adhere, at least temporarily, including materials that adhere and solidify, or materials that adhere and penetrate. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, film, and cloth; electronic components such as electronic circuit boards and piezoelectric elements; powder layers; organ models; and inspection cells. Unless otherwise specified, it includes all materials to which liquid can adhere.

[0116] The materials referred to as "materials to which liquid can adhere" above include paper, thread, fibers, fabrics, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, current collectors such as aluminum foil and copper foil, or electrodes with an active material layer formed on a current collector, as long as liquid can adhere to them, even temporarily.

[0117] Furthermore, the "liquid" is not particularly limited, as long as it has the viscosity and surface tension to be dispensed from the head, but it is preferable that its viscosity becomes 30 mPa·s or less at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, or when heated or cooled. More specifically, examples include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions containing solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, polymerizable compounds, resins, surfactants and other functional materials, biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids and proteins, and calcium, edible materials such as natural pigments, active materials and solid electrolytes used as electrode materials, and inks containing conductive and insulating materials. These can be used, for example, in inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, liquids for forming components of electronic elements and light-emitting elements and electronic circuit resist patterns, 3D molding material liquids, electrodes, electrochemical elements, and the like.

[0118] Furthermore, "liquid dispensing devices" include devices in which the liquid dispensing head and the surface to which the liquid can adhere move relative to each other, but are not limited to these. Specific examples include serial-type devices in which the liquid dispensing head moves, and line-type devices in which the liquid dispensing head does not move.

[0119] Other examples of "devices that dispense liquids" include processing liquid coating devices that dispense processing liquid onto the surface of paper for purposes such as modifying the surface of the paper, and injection granulation devices that granulate fine particles of raw materials by spraying a composition liquid, in which raw materials are dispersed in a solution, through a nozzle.

[0120] The above is merely an example, and the present invention provides specific effects in each of the following embodiments.

[0121] Embodiment 1 is a conveying device (e.g., a sheet supply unit 3) comprising conveying means (e.g., a pair of resist rollers 32, 33) for conveying a substrate (e.g., a sheet S), a position sensor (e.g., an image sensor 34) for detecting the position of the conveyed substrate, and a background member (e.g., a background member 36) positioned opposite the position sensor, wherein the background member is removable in the width direction of the substrate, intersecting the conveying direction of the substrate.

[0122] Embodiment 2 is characterized in that, in Embodiment 1, it comprises a holding member (e.g., a holding member 37) for holding the background member (e.g., a background member 36), and a mounting base (e.g., a mounting base 38) for attaching the holding member so that it can be inserted and removed in the width direction.

[0123] Embodiment 3 is characterized in that, in Embodiment 2, the mounting base (for example, mounting base 38) includes a first restricting portion (for example, side walls 38c, 38d) that restricts the position of the holding member (for example, holding member 37) in the transport direction.

[0124] Embodiment 4 is characterized in that, in Embodiment 2 or Embodiment 3, the mounting base (for example, mounting base 38) includes a second restricting portion (for example, pressing members 38a, 38b) that restricts the position of the retaining member (for example, retaining member 37) in the width direction.

[0125] Embodiment 5 is characterized in that, in Embodiment 4, the second restricting portion (e.g., pressing members 38a, 38b) is made of an elastic member, and the holding member (e.g., holding member 37) is provided with a positioning portion (e.g., positioning portion 37b) that restricts the position of the holding member in the width direction by contact with the elastic member.

[0126] Embodiment 6 is characterized in that, in Embodiment 5, the positioning portion (for example, positioning portion 37b) has a slope portion (for example, slope portion 371) that acts on the elastic member (for example, pressing members 38a, 38b) and a recess portion (for example, recess portion 372) that acts on the elastic member, wherein the height of the recess portion is lower than the highest point of the slope portion and substantially coincides with the contact surface of the elastic member when the holding member (for example, holding member 37) is mounted on the mounting base (for example, mounting base 38).

[0127] Embodiment 7 is characterized in that, in any of Embodiments 1 to 6, the conveying means (e.g., the resist roller pair 32, 33) is provided such that it can move the substrate (e.g., the sheet S) in the width direction.

[0128] Embodiment 8 is characterized in that, in any of Embodiments 1 to 7, it includes a mounting sensor (e.g., mounting sensor 39) that detects whether the holding member (e.g., holding member 37) is mounted on the mounting base (e.g., mounting base 38). [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 34 Image Sensors 35a Upper guide plate 35b Lower guide plate 36 Background material 37 Retaining member 37a Handle 37b Positioning section 371 Slope section 372 Recessed area 38 Mounting base 38a Retaining member 38b Retaining member 38c side wall 38d side wall 38e aperture 39. Mounting Sensors

Claims

1. A conveying means for transporting the substrate, A position sensor for detecting the position of the substrate being transported, A background member positioned opposite the position sensor, A holding member for holding the background member, A mounting base for attaching the holding member so that it can be inserted and removed in the width direction intersecting the transport direction of the base material, A conveying device comprising, The background member is removable in the width direction, The mounting base includes a second restricting portion that restricts the position of the retaining member in the width direction, The second restricting portion is made of an elastic member, The retaining member comprises a recessed portion that restricts the position of the retaining member in the width direction by contact with the elastic member, and a sloped portion provided at a different position from the recessed portion and downstream of the recessed portion in the insertion direction of the retaining member, which pushes up the elastic member as the retaining member is inserted. The conveying device is characterized in that the slope portion is inclined such that it pushes up the elastic member in an amount that increases, from a position where it does not contact the elastic member when no external force is acting, toward a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the holding member.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting base comprises a first restricting portion that restricts the position of the holding member in the conveying direction.

3. The conveying device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the height of the recess is lower than the highest point of the slope and substantially coincides with the contact surface of the elastic member when the holding member is mounted on the mounting base.

4. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying means is provided so as to be able to move the substrate in the width direction.

5. The transport device according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting sensor for detecting that the holding member is mounted on the mounting base.

6. An image forming means for forming an image on a conveyed substrate, A conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising:

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming means includes a secondary transfer unit, and the position sensor is provided on the upstream side of the transport direction of the substrate relative to the secondary transfer unit.

8. A liquid dispensing means for dispensing liquid onto a substrate being transported, A conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A device for dispensing liquid, characterized by being equipped with [a specific feature].

9. A conveying means for conveying a substrate, A position sensor for detecting the position of the substrate being transported, A background member positioned opposite the position sensor, A holding member for holding the background member, A mounting base for attaching the holding member so that it can be inserted and removed in the width direction intersecting the transport direction of the base material, A conveying device comprising, The background member is removable in the width direction, The mounting base includes a second restricting portion that restricts the position of the retaining member in the width direction, The second restricting portion is made of an elastic member, The retaining member comprises: a recessed portion that restricts the position of the retaining member in the width direction by contact with the elastic member; a sloped portion provided at a different position from the recessed portion and downstream of the recessed portion in the insertion direction of the retaining member, which pushes up the elastic member as the retaining member is inserted; and a first portion provided downstream of the sloped portion in the insertion direction of the retaining member. The slope portion is inclined in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the holding member, such that the amount of upward pressure applied to the elastic member increases. The conveying device is characterized in that the amount of upward pushing is greater at the lowest point of the recessed portion than at the first part, and greater at the highest point of the slope portion than at the lowest point of the recessed portion.

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