JP2005089058A - Conveyor device for sheet recording material and image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correct a gap of timings for a conveyer roller pair to grip and release a record material. <P>SOLUTION: The conveyer roller pairs 30, 31 are composed of capstan rollers 33, 35 and nip rollers 34, 36 respectively. The nip rollers 34, 36 can move between a gripping position and a releasing position. A pair of position sensors 63, 64 are arranged along conveyer route of a recording sheet 24. The nip roller 36 on a downstream side is moved toward the nipping position at a time T2 after a position sensor 64 on the downstream side detects a leading end of the recording sheet 24. The nip roller 36 on an upstream side is moved toward the release position at a time T3 after a position sensor 63 on the upstream side detects a trailing end of the recording sheet 24. A plurality of test prints 100 is formed with different values of T2 and T3. T2 and T3 are changed by observing a pattern on the test prints 100 and selecting optimum test print number. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for conveying a sheet-like recording material and an image recording apparatus for performing image recording using the conveying apparatus.

JP 2001-33883 A JP 2002-3002 A

  2. Description of the Related Art Photo printers that record an image on a photosensitive material by conveying a sheet-shaped photosensitive material in the sub-scanning direction and irradiating recording light in a main scanning direction perpendicular thereto are widely known. The photographic printer includes a plurality of conveyance roller pairs including a capstan roller and a nip roller, and the recording material is nipped and conveyed between the conveyance roller pair.

  In order to suppress the density unevenness of the recorded image due to the fluctuation of the conveyance speed, it is necessary to convey the photosensitive material precisely at the time of image recording. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the nip rollers provided respectively on the upstream side and the downstream side of the recording head that emits the recording light are movable between a clamping position for clamping the photosensitive material and a release position for releasing the clamping. It is described that the movement of each nip roller is started when the leading edge or the trailing edge of the photosensitive material reaches a predetermined position. Accordingly, the photosensitive material is sandwiched and released at a fixed timing according to the length of the photosensitive material and the conveyance speed, so that the image quality of the recorded image can be kept good.

  Patent Document 2 describes that the upstream and downstream nip rollers are moved by a single pulse motor. Further, by changing the moving speed of the nip roller in accordance with the length of the photosensitive material, the impact received by the photosensitive material when nipping and releasing by the conveying roller pair is reduced.

  The dimensions of the parts used in the photosensitive material conveyance mechanism and the nip roller movement mechanism are not completely the same in all apparatuses, and some processing errors occur in each apparatus. Due to this processing error, if the timing at which the nip roller is nipped or released from the photosensitive material deviates from the design value, the conveyance speed of the photosensitive material during recording varies. At this time, uneven density tends to occur in the image recorded on the photosensitive material.

  The thickness and curl characteristics of the photosensitive material vary depending on the type of photosensitive material. Even if the curl characteristics are constant, the amount of curling in the main scanning direction of the photosensitive material increases as the width of the photosensitive material increases. As a result, the timing at which the nip roller sandwiches the photosensitive material deviates from the design value, and density unevenness is likely to occur.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can convey a photosensitive material at an optimal timing according to variations in accuracy of components constituting the apparatus and characteristics of the photosensitive material, and can release the clamping. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus provided with the conveying apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an upstream roller pair and a downstream roller pair are arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the recording position with respect to the conveying direction of the sheet-like recording material, respectively. Each of the upstream movable roller constituting the pair and the downstream movable roller constituting the downstream roller pair is movable between a sandwiching position for sandwiching and conveying the recording material and a release position for releasing the sandwich of the recording material. The first moving mechanism for moving the upstream movable roller to the retracted position and the leading edge of the recording material have passed between the downstream roller pair before the trailing end of the recording material passes between the upstream roller pair. And a second moving mechanism for moving the downstream side movable roller to the clamping position, and at least one of the drive start timing of the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism can be changed.

  A first position sensor and a second position sensor are respectively arranged upstream of the upstream roller pair and the downstream roller pair with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording material, and the first position sensor passes through the rear end of the recording material. Waiting time (first waiting time) from when the first movement mechanism is driven until the second movement mechanism is driven after the second position sensor passes the leading edge of the recording material (second waiting time) ) Can be changed to change the drive start timing.

  By changing the first waiting time and the second waiting time, a plurality of test prints in which a solid pattern is recorded on the leading end side and the trailing end side in the conveyance direction of the recording material may be created. It is preferable to record the print number on the test print and set the first waiting time and the second waiting time corresponding to the selected print number.

  It is preferable to record at least one of a display indicating the front end side and a display indicating the rear end side on the test print. Moreover, it is preferable to record information on the first waiting time and the second waiting time on each test print.

  A magazine with different ID numbers depending on the width and type of the recording material to be stored may be detachable, and the first waiting time and the second waiting time may be set for each ID number. The first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism are preferably driven by a single pulse motor.

  According to the present invention, the first moving mechanism that moves the upstream movable roller to the retracted position before the trailing end of the recording material passes between the upstream roller pair, and the leading end of the recording material is the downstream roller pair. And a second moving mechanism that moves the downstream movable roller to the clamping position after passing between the two, and at least one of the drive start timing of the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism can be changed. The photosensitive material can be clamped or released at an optimal timing in accordance with variations in the accuracy of the components constituting the lens and the characteristics of the photosensitive material.

  A first position sensor and a second position sensor are respectively arranged upstream of the upstream roller pair and the downstream roller pair with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording material, and the first position sensor passes through the rear end of the recording material. Waiting time (first waiting time) from when the first movement mechanism is driven until the second movement mechanism is driven after the second position sensor passes the leading edge of the recording material (second waiting time) ) Are changed, so that the drive start timing can be easily changed.

  In addition, since the first waiting time and the second waiting time are changed and a plurality of test prints having solid patterns recorded on the leading end side and the trailing end side in the recording material conveyance direction are created, the solid pattern on the test print is changed. By observing, the optimum drive start timing can be determined. Furthermore, since the print number is recorded on the test print and the first waiting time and the second waiting time corresponding to the selected print number are set, the drive timing can be set simply by selecting the print number. It can be performed.

  Different ID numbers are assigned to the magazines that store the recording materials depending on the width and type of the recording material, and the first waiting time and the second waiting time can be set for each ID number. The drive start timing can be easily set according to the type.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a printer device 10 constituting a photographic printer includes an upper magazine 11, a lower magazine 12, cutter devices 13 and 14, a back printing device 15, an image recording unit 16, and a sorting device 17.

  The upper magazine 11 and the lower magazine 12 are set up side by side in a recording paper loading chamber provided in the printer device 10, and each is a recording paper in which a sheet-like photosensitive recording paper 21 used as a recording material is wound into a roll shape. A roll 22 is accommodated. The photosensitive recording paper 21 is formed by coating at least the emulsion coating side (image recording side) surface of a substrate formed of base paper or the like with, for example, a composition in which a white pigment is mixed and dispersed in a resin containing polyester. . Further, a pair of paper feed rollers 23 is provided in the vicinity of the paper feed opening of the magazines 11 and 12, and when the paper feed roller pair 23 is rotated by a feed driving motor (not shown), the photosensitive recording paper 21 is pulled out from the recording paper roll 22. , And sent to the cutter devices 13 and 14.

  The magazines 11 and 12 are provided with unique ID numbers (magazine IDs) according to the width and type (medium thickness, Supreme, etc.) of the photosensitive recording paper 21. For example, 64 magazine IDs are provided, and when the magazines 11 and 12 are set, the magazine IDs are read, for example, optically or magnetically by a reader (not shown). By adjusting a setting value, which will be described later, for each magazine ID, it is possible to cope with a shift in transport timing due to a difference in paper width and type.

  The cutter devices 13 and 14 are respectively composed of fixed blades 13a and 14a and movable blades 13b and 14b arranged with the conveyance path of the photosensitive recording paper 21 interposed therebetween. When the leading edge of the photosensitive recording paper 21 is fed out from the cutter devices 13 and 14 by a predetermined length, a cutter driving mechanism (not shown) is activated to move the movable blades 13b and 14b toward the fixed blades 13a and 14a. The recording paper 21 is cut into a recording paper sheet 24 having a predetermined length. Instead of providing two cutter devices, a single cutter device may be arranged in the vicinity of the back printing device 15.

  The recording paper sheet 24 is conveyed toward the back printing device 15 along a plurality of feed roller pairs 25 and guide rails (not shown). In the back printing device 15, necessary information such as a film ID and a frame number is printed on the back surface (the surface opposite to the emulsion layer) of the recording paper sheet 24.

  The recording paper sheet 24 on which reverse printing has been performed is sent to the image recording unit 16 by a pair of feed rollers 26 and 27. The image recording unit 16 includes an exposure device 28 for irradiating the recording paper sheet 24 with recording light, and a transport mechanism that transports the recording paper sheet 24 in the image recording unit 16. The transport mechanism includes a first transport roller pair 30 that transports the recording paper sheet 30 to the exposure position, and a second transport roller pair 31 that transports the exposed recording paper sheet 24 to the belt conveyor 32.

  The exposure device 28 includes a known laser printer and an image memory. The image memory stores image data read by a film scanner (not shown) or from a recording medium such as a memory card (not shown). The laser printer irradiates the recording paper sheet 24 with laser light whose intensity is modulated based on the image data stored in the image memory, and records the image by exposure. The exposed recording paper sheet 24 is sent to the belt conveyor 32. When the recording paper sheet 24 is conveyed on the belt conveyor 32, the recording paper sheet 24 is distributed into a plurality of rows by the distribution device 17 and sent to a development processing device (not shown). In the development processing apparatus, after the color development, fixing, and washing processes are performed, a drying process is performed, and the printed photograph is sent out of the photographic printer.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows a transport mechanism in the image recording unit 16. The first conveying roller pair 30 includes a capstan roller 33 disposed so as to sandwich the upper surface of the guide plate 32 and a nip roller 34 that is a driven roller. Similarly, the second conveying roller pair 31 includes a capstan roller 35 disposed so as to sandwich the upper surface of the guide plate 32 and a nip roller 36 that is a driven roller. A transport motor 37 is connected to the capstan roller 33 on the first transport roller pair 30 side via a gear train (not shown). For example, a 5-phase pulse motor having a rotor tooth number of 100 teeth is used as the transport motor 37, and a drive pulse is given so as to always rotate at a constant speed. The capstan rollers 33 and 35 are provided with a steel belt 38 that is not stretched and contracted, and the two capstan rollers 33 and 35 are rotated at a constant speed by a single transport motor 37.

  When the transport motor 37 is driven and the capstan rollers 33 and 35 rotate, the recording paper sheet 24 sandwiched between the nip rollers 34 and 36 is transported at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow (sub scanning direction) in the figure. Then, when the recording paper sheet 24 passes through the exposure position 39, the exposure device 28 irradiates the laser beam in the main scanning direction (direction perpendicular to the drawing) perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction and performs exposure line by line. . The feed roller pair 27 (see FIG. 1) is provided with a one-way clutch, and the conveyance speed of the recording paper sheet 24 by the feed roller pair 27 is smaller than the conveyance speed by the first conveyance roller pair 30. Determined. For this reason, since the feed roller pair 27 becomes a free roller at the moment when the recording paper sheet is sandwiched between the first conveying roller pair 30, speed fluctuation due to the delivery of the recording paper sheet 24 can be kept low.

  The nip rollers 34 and 36 are rotatably held by the brackets 40 and 41 at both ends in the main scanning direction. The brackets 40 and 41 are guided so as to freely move up and down by guide plates (not shown), and are urged toward the capstan rollers 33 and 35 by compression springs 42 and 43, respectively. By urging the compression springs 42 and 43, the nip rollers 34 and 36 are pressed against the capstan rollers 33 and 35, and the recording paper sheet 24 is held.

  Guide pins 45a and 46a provided at one ends of the drive levers 45 and 46 engage with the engagement long holes 40a and 41a formed in the brackets 40 and 41, respectively. The drive levers 45 and 46 are rotatably attached to each other by an attachment shaft 48 so as to cross each other. Cam followers 50 and 51 attached to the other ends of the drive levers 45 and 46 are in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 52. When the eccentric cam 52 rotates, the other end sides of the drive levers 45 and 46 are pushed out, and the drive levers 45 and 46 rotate around the attachment shaft 48. As a result, the nip rollers 34 and 36 move in the vertical direction in the figure between a holding position for holding the recording paper sheet 24 and a release position for releasing the holding of the recording paper sheet 24.

  A pulse motor 55 is connected to the rotating shaft 53 of the eccentric cam 52 via a gear train (not shown). The pulse motor 55 is driven by receiving a drive pulse from a controller 56 that controls the operation of the printer apparatus 10. When the pulse motor 55 is driven and its output shaft rotates, the eccentric cam 52 rotates clockwise about the rotation shaft 53. Since the rotation angle of the output shaft of the pulse motor 55 per drive pulse is determined in advance, the rotational position of the eccentric cam 52, that is, the movement position of the nip rollers 34 and 36 is determined by counting the number of drive pulses in the counter 57. Can be detected. An origin sensor 60 having a light emitting part and a light receiving part is disposed in the vicinity of the pulse motor 55, and this origin sensor 60 detects the passage of a protrusion 55 a formed on the output shaft of the pulse motor 55.

  First and second position sensors 63 and 64 for detecting the passage of the recording paper sheet 24 are arranged on the upstream side of the nip rollers 34 and 36. Each of the first and second position sensors 63 and 64 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The light emitting unit emits light downward in the figure, and the reflected light is detected by the light receiving unit. When the reflected light intensity changes, it is detected that the leading edge or trailing edge of the recording paper sheet 24 has passed.

  When the recording paper sheet 24 is not conveyed, the recording paper sheet 24 stops at the position where the projection 55a is detected by the origin sensor 60. At this time, since the eccentric cam 52 pushes down the other end side of the drive levers 45 and 46, the nip rollers 34 and 36 are both held in the retracted position. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the nip rollers 34 and 36 from being pressed against the capstan rollers 33 and 35 and deformed when the apparatus is not used.

  When the recording paper sheet 24 is conveyed and its leading end is detected by the first position sensor 63, the controller 56 applies a drive pulse to the pulse motor 55, and moves the eccentric cam 52 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. Rotate toward. As the eccentric cam 52 rotates, the drive lever 45 rotates counterclockwise in the figure. The upstream nip roller 34 gradually moves downward in the drawing and stops at the clamping position shown in FIG.

  When the recording paper sheet 24 is nipped and conveyed by the first conveying roller pair 30 and the leading end thereof passes the second position sensor 64, the eccentric cam 52 is moved clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. Rotate and rotate only the drive lever 46 on the downstream side. Only the nip roller 36 on the rear stage side gradually moves toward the clamping position while the upstream nip roller 34 is held at the clamping position. After the leading edge of the recording paper sheet 24 passes through the second conveying roller pair 31, the rear nip roller 36 reaches the clamping position shown in FIG. 4, and the recording paper sheet 24 enters the second conveying roller pair 31. The shock at the time can be eliminated.

  The recording paper sheet 24 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow in the figure at a constant speed while being sandwiched between the first and second conveying roller pairs 30 and 31. When the rear end of the recording paper sheet 24 passes through the first position sensor 63, the pulse motor 55 is driven and the eccentric cam 52 rotates from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. Only the drive lever 45 is rotated. As a result, the upstream nip roller 34 starts moving to the retracted position shown in FIG. 5 while the downstream nip roller 36 is held at the clamping position. Since the upstream nip roller 34 is separated from the recording paper sheet 24 before the trailing end of the recording paper sheet 24 passes through the first conveying roller pair 30, the impact when the recording paper sheet 24 passes through the first conveying roller pair 30. Can be eliminated.

  Thereafter, the recording paper sheet 24 is transported only by the downstream transport roller pair 31. When it is detected that the trailing edge of the recording paper sheet 24 has passed through the second position sensor 64, the controller 56 gives a drive pulse to the pulse motor 55, and the eccentric cam 52 is moved from the position shown in FIG. Rotate to the position shown in. While the upstream nip roller 34 is held at the clamping position, the downstream nip roller 36 starts moving to the retracted position, and the clamping by the second conveying roller pair 31 is released.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer device 10 includes a ROM 70, a RAM 71, a display 72, and an operation input unit 73, which are connected to the controller 56 via a data bus 74. The ROM 70 stores a program for driving and controlling the nip rollers 34 and 36 and is read by the controller 56 at the time of image recording. Further, the ROM 70 has a drive pulse speed (S1, S2 to be described later) supplied to the pulse motor 55 for moving the nip rollers 34, 36, and a drive pulse to be supplied to the pulse motor 55 in each movement stage of the nip rollers 34, 36. Initial values of various setting values such as the number of times (P1 to P4 described later), the time lag (T1 to T5 described later) from when the position sensors 63 and 64 detect the recording paper sheet 24 to when the pulse motor 55 is driven and stopped. Value data is stored.

  In the RAM 71, when the above various setting values are changed, values after the change are recorded. Various displays such as a setting value change screen and a print selection screen are displayed on the display 72. The user can change the set value or select an image to be printed by operating the operation input unit 73 including a mouse and a keyboard.

  The operation of the transport mechanism having the above configuration will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. If the first position sensor 63 does not detect the leading edge of the recording paper sheet 24 even if the recording paper sheet 24 is not being transported or is being transported, the origin sensor 60 causes the output shaft of the pulse motor 55 to be at the origin position. Then, the pulse motor 55 stops. At this time, the nip rollers 34 and 36 are both held at the retracted position, and the outer peripheral surface of the rollers is prevented from being deformed.

  When the recording paper sheet 24 is conveyed and its leading end is detected by the first position sensor 63, the pulse motor 55 starts to drive after the time T1, thereby moving the upstream nip roller 34 toward the nipping position. The speed of the drive pulse applied to the pulse motor 55 (corresponding to the moving speed of the nip roller 34) increases at a constant rate and takes a constant value at the speed S1. Thereafter, the speed of the drive pulse decreases at a constant rate and becomes zero when the nip roller 34 reaches the clamping position. The number of driving pulses to the pulse motor 55 until the nip roller 34 reaches the clamping position is determined in advance to be P1, and the number of driving pulses applied to the pulse motor 55 is counted by the counter 57 so that the nip roller 34 can be reliably Can be stopped at the clamping position.

  The recording paper sheet 24 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the first conveying roller pair 30 in the sandwiched state. When the leading edge of the recording area of the recording paper sheet 24 reaches the exposure position 39, the exposure device 28 is driven, and an image is exposed and recorded in the recording paper sheet 24 line by line. When the second position sensor 64 detects the leading edge of the recording paper sheet 24, the pulse motor 55 starts to rotate after time T2, and the downstream nip roller 36 moves toward the nipping position. The speed of the drive pulse applied to the pulse motor 55 (corresponding to the moving speed of the nip roller 36) increases at a constant rate and takes a constant value at the speed S2. Thereafter, the speed of the drive pulse decreases at a constant rate, and becomes 0 when the nip roller 36 reaches the clamping position (when the number of supply pulses reaches P2).

  As is apparent from FIG. 6, the drive pulse speed S2 in the drive sequence for moving the downstream nip roller 36 to the clamping position is smaller than the drive pulse speed S1 for moving the upstream nip roller 34 to the clamping position. Yes. For this reason, the impact when the downstream nip roller 36 contacts the recording paper sheet 24 during image recording can be kept low, and the exposure unevenness can be reduced.

  Image recording is performed in a state where the recording paper sheet 24 is nipped and conveyed between the first and second conveyance roller pairs 30 and 31. When the first position sensor 63 detects the trailing edge of the recording paper sheet 24, the pulse motor 55 starts rotating after time T3, and the upstream nip roller 34 moves toward the release position. The speed of the drive pulse applied to the pulse motor 55 (corresponding to the moving speed of the nip roller 34) increases at a constant rate and takes a constant value at the speed S2. Thereafter, the speed of the drive pulse decreases at a constant rate, and becomes 0 when the nip roller 34 reaches the release position (that is, when the number of supply pulses reaches P3), and the nip roller 34 stops. Similar to the stage of moving the downstream nip roller 36 to the clamping position, the drive pulse speed in this movement stage is also set small. For this reason, since the impact at the moment when the nip roller 34 is separated from the recording paper sheet 24 is reduced, it is possible to effectively suppress exposure unevenness due to fluctuations in the conveyance speed.

  Thereafter, the recording paper sheet 24 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the second conveying roller pair 31 in the nipping state. When the second position sensor 64 detects the trailing edge of the recording paper sheet 24, the pulse motor 55 starts to rotate after time T4, and the nip roller 36 on the downstream side moves toward the release position. The speed of the drive pulse applied to the pulse motor 55 (corresponding to the moving speed of the nip roller 36) increases at a constant rate and takes a constant value at the speed S1. The speed of the drive pulse decreases at a constant rate, becomes zero when the nip roller 36 reaches the release position (that is, when the number of supply pulses reaches P4), and the nip roller 36 stops. In the stage where the downstream nip roller 36 is moved to the release position, the driving of the pulse motor 55 is stopped when the number of drive pulses counted after the origin sensor 60 detects the protrusion 55a reaches P5. The operation is controlled.

  Through the above operation, one recording sheet 24 passes through the exposure unit 16. When the next recording paper sheet 24 reaches the exposure unit 16, the same operation as described above is performed, and the recording paper sheet 24 is held down while suppressing the impact caused by the nipping and releasing operations by the nip rollers 34 and 36. Transport.

  Due to factors such as the dimensional error of each component constituting the driving mechanism of the capstan rollers 33 and 35 for conveying the recording paper sheet 24 and the moving mechanism of the nip rollers 34 and 36, and the difference in thickness and curl characteristics of the recording paper sheet 24, The timing at which the nip rollers 33 and 35 are nipped in the recording paper sheet 24 or the nipping is released may deviate from the design value. At this time, uneven density tends to occur in the image recorded on the recording paper sheet 24.

  Therefore, the setting values T2 and T3 can be changed, so that the timing at which the nip rollers 33 and 35 sandwich and release the recording paper sheet 24 can be adjusted. As shown in FIG. 7, a setting value change screen is displayed on the display 72, and the operator can change the setting value by operating the operation input unit 73.

  The operator first selects a magazine ID that reflects the change in the setting value. The magazine ID is selected by clicking either the all magazine ID 80 or the used magazine ID 81. When all the magazine IDs 80 are selected, the change of the setting value is reflected on all the magazine IDs used in the printer apparatus 10. On the other hand, when the used magazine ID 81 is selected, the change in the setting value is reflected only in the magazine ID currently used.

  Next, the magazine used for the test print and the test print length are designated. The test print length is designated by clicking the print length designation box 82 and selecting a desired print length. In the magazine selection area 83, a column for selecting either the upper magazine 11 or the lower magazine 12, and the paper width and paper type information read from the ROM 70 corresponding to the selected magazine ID are displayed. A print button 84 is provided beside the magazine selection area 83. By clicking the print button 84, a test print is created.

  As shown in FIG. 8, on the test print 100, a leading end side solid pattern 101 and a trailing end side solid pattern 102 are recorded on both ends in the sub-scanning direction. In addition, indications 103 and 104 indicating “front end side” and “rear end side” are recorded in the vicinity of the solid patterns 101 and 102, respectively, so that the front end side solid pattern 101 can be easily identified. Further, in a non-recorded area of the test print 100 (area between the solid patterns 101 and 102), the print information 105 representing the test print number and the values of T2 and T3 determined corresponding to each number is recorded. The The print information 105 may be recorded using the back printing device 15.

When the print button 84 is clicked, nine test prints 100 are created while changing the values of T2 and T3. When the values of T2 and T3 when creating the Nth (N = 1 to 9) test print are T2 (N) and T3 (N), the initial values stored in the ROM 70 are T2 (5), As T3 (5), the values of T2 and T3 are increased or decreased by 1 msec as N increases or decreases. That is,
T2 (N) = T2 (5) + (N-5)
T3 (N) = T3 (5) + (N-5)
It is. Data representing the values of T2 (N) and T3 (N) is recorded in the ROM 70. Of course, the increase / decrease width of T2 and T3 is not limited to 1 msec, and an arbitrary value can be determined.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, when the print button 84 is clicked, the variable N is initialized to 1 (step S10). Next, the values of T2 (1) and T3 (1) are read from the ROM 70 (step S12), and the conveyance of the recording paper sheet 24 is started (step S14). While the recording paper sheet 24 is being conveyed, recording is performed in the order of the leading end solid pattern 101, the print information 105, and the trailing end side solid pattern 102 (steps S16, S18, S20), and the first test print 100 is discharged (step S16). S22). Then, it is determined whether or not the variable N is 9, that is, whether all the test prints 100 have been created (step S24). If not, 1 is added to the variable N (step S26), and steps S12 to S12 are performed. The operation up to S24 is repeated. When all the test prints 100 are created, the test print creation is terminated.

  By changing the value of T2, the clamping timing of the nip roller 36 of the second transport roller pair 31 changes, so that the density unevenness characteristic of the leading end solid pattern 101 changes for each print number. Similarly, by changing the value of T3, the release timing of the nip roller 34 of the first transport roller pair 31 changes, and thus the density unevenness characteristic of the rear end solid pattern 101 changes. The operator observes the solid patterns 101 and 102 and extracts the number of the test print in which the solid pattern having the smallest density unevenness is recorded for each of the leading end side and the trailing end side. Then, each of the leading end number selection box 85 and the trailing end number selection box 86 is clicked to select an optimal number, and the setting button 87 is clicked to record the changed setting value in the RAM 71. . Since the setting value is changed by selecting the optimal test print 100 number, an operator who is not familiar with the structure of the apparatus can easily change the setting.

  The set value may be changed not only for the selected magazine ID but also for an arbitrary magazine ID. In this case, the ID selection box 88 is clicked to select a magazine ID whose setting is to be changed. Then, selection boxes 89 to 92 for selecting T2, T3, P1, and P5 are clicked to select a desired value. The operator may be allowed to input an arbitrary value. Further, the test print 100 may be created based on the set value that is selected or input. After selection, by clicking the setting button 93, the setting value corresponding to the selected magazine ID is recorded in the RAM 71, and the change of the setting value is reflected.

  The current value for energizing the pulse motor 55 can also be changed. A motor current value selection box 94 is clicked, and a desired value is selected from a plurality of values. By clicking the setting button 95, the changed setting value is recorded in the RAM 71.

  The mechanism for moving the nip roller is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and for example, the mechanism described in FIGS. 10 and 11 can be applied. In this example, the upstream nip roller 111 and the downstream nip roller 112 are moved up and down in the figure by the rotation of the cam unit 113 so that the recording paper sheet is sandwiched between the capstan roller (not shown) or the recording paper sheet. Release the pinch.

  The cam unit 113 includes a drive cam 115, a first cam 116 and a second cam 117 arranged in the axial direction of the nip rollers 111 and 112. A timing belt 120 is stretched between the driving cam 115 and the two pulleys 118 and 119. When the pulse motor 121 connected to the pulley 118 is driven, the timing belt 120 rotates and the driving cam 115 rotates. It rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. At this time, the first cam 116 and the second cam 117 fixed to the drive cam 115 rotate counterclockwise in the drawing.

  The first and second cam followers 123 and 124 urged toward the cam unit 113 are in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the first cam 116 and the second cam 117, respectively. The first cam follower 123 and the upstream nip roller 111 are supported by a base member 125 and are rotatable about a rotation shaft 125 a attached to the base member 125. Similarly, the second cam follower 124 and the downstream nip roller 112 supported by the base member 126 are rotatable about the rotation shaft 126a.

  When the pulse motor 121 is driven and the cam unit 113 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing, the first cam follower 123 moves in the radial direction of the cam unit 113 while slidingly contacting the first cam 116. Along with this movement, the upstream nip roller 111 moves between a nipping position where the recording paper sheet is nipped with a capstan roller (not shown) and a release position away from the capstan roller. Similarly, when the second cam follower 124 moves while being in sliding contact with the second cam 117, the downstream nip roller 112 moves between the clamping position and the release position.

  Even in the moving mechanism having such a configuration, the density unevenness characteristics can be improved by changing the values of T2 and T3 to adjust the timing of nipping and releasing by the nip rollers 111 and 112.

  In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given by using the conveyance mechanism of a system in which two nip rollers are moved using a single pulse motor, but the present invention is a system in which a pulse motor for driving each nip roller is provided. The present invention can also be applied to other transport mechanisms.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a printer apparatus. It is a top view which shows the structure of a conveyance mechanism schematically, and both an upstream and downstream nip roller are in a release position. FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing a configuration of a transport mechanism, with an upstream nip roller in a clamping position and a downstream nip roller in a release position. It is a top view which shows the structure of a conveyance mechanism roughly, and both an upstream and downstream nip roller are in a clamping position. FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing a configuration of a transport mechanism, where an upstream nip roller is in a release position and a downstream nip roller is in a clamping position. It is a timing chart showing the speed change of the drive pulse supplied to a pulse motor. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display display at the time of movement timing adjustment of a nip roller. It is a perspective view showing a test print. It is a flowchart explaining the preparation procedure of a test print. It is a perspective view which shows schematically another Example of a conveyance mechanism. It is a top view which shows the structure of the conveyance mechanism of FIG. 10 roughly.

Explanation of symbols

24 Recording paper sheet 28 Exposure device 30 First transport roller pair 31 Second transport roller pair 33, 35 Capstan roller 34, 36, 111, 112 Nip roller 55 Pulse motor 56 Controller 70 ROM
71 RAM
72 Display 100 Test print 101 Front end solid pattern 102 Rear end solid pattern

Claims (11)

An upstream roller pair and a downstream roller pair are arranged on the upstream side and downstream side of the recording position with respect to the conveyance direction of the sheet-like recording material, respectively, and the upstream movable roller and the downstream side constituting the upstream roller pair A sheet-like recording material conveying apparatus in which each of the downstream movable rollers constituting the pair of side rollers is movable between a nipping position for nipping and conveying the recording material and a release position for releasing the nipping of the recording material. In
A first moving mechanism for moving the upstream movable roller to a retracted position before the trailing end of the recording material passes between the pair of upstream rollers;
A second moving mechanism for moving the downstream movable roller to the clamping position after the leading edge of the recording material has passed between the pair of downstream rollers,
At least one of the drive start timings of the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism can be changed. A first position sensor and a second position sensor are respectively arranged on the upstream side of the upstream roller pair and the downstream roller pair with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording material,
A waiting time (first waiting time) from when the first position sensor passes the trailing edge of the recording material to when the first moving mechanism is driven, and the second position sensor passes the leading edge of the recording material. 2. The sheet recording material conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waiting time (second waiting time) from when the second moving mechanism is driven can be changed.   3. The sheet recording material conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first waiting time and the second waiting time can be set according to the width and type of the recording material. An upstream roller pair and a downstream roller pair are arranged on the upstream side and downstream side of the recording position with respect to the conveyance direction of the sheet-like recording material, respectively, and the upstream movable roller and the downstream side constituting the upstream roller pair Each of the downstream movable rollers constituting the pair of side rollers can be moved between a sandwiching position for sandwiching and transporting the recording material and a release position for releasing the sandwich of the recording material.
A first moving mechanism for moving the upstream movable roller to a retracted position before the trailing end of the recording material passes between the pair of upstream rollers;
A second moving mechanism for moving the downstream movable roller to the clamping position after the leading edge of the recording material has passed between the pair of downstream rollers,
An image recording apparatus, wherein at least one of driving start timings of the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism can be changed. A first position sensor and a second position sensor are respectively arranged on the upstream side of the upstream roller pair and the downstream roller pair with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording material,
A waiting time (first waiting time) from when the first position sensor passes the trailing edge of the recording material to when the first moving mechanism is driven, and the second position sensor passes the leading edge of the recording material. 5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a waiting time (second waiting time) from when the second moving mechanism is driven can be changed.   The first waiting time and the second waiting time are changed to create a plurality of test prints in which a solid pattern is recorded on the leading end side and the trailing end side of the recording material in the transport direction. 5. The image recording apparatus according to 5.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a print number is recorded on the test print, and the first waiting time and the second waiting time corresponding to the selected print number are set.   8. The image recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein at least one of a display indicating the leading end side and a display indicating the trailing end side is recorded on the test print.   The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein information on the first waiting time and the second waiting time is recorded in each test print.   The recording material is loaded, and a magazine with different ID numbers according to the width and type of the recording material is detachable, and the first waiting time and the second waiting time are set for each ID number. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image recording apparatus is made possible.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism are driven by a single pulse motor.

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