JP4802464B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on continuous paper with feed holes.

The following Patent Documents 1 and 2 are conventionally known as image forming apparatuses using the continuous paper with feed holes.
(Patent Document 1: JP 2002-108122 A)
The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 stops the conveyance of continuous paper when the production operation is stopped, enters a print standby state, and conveys the continuous paper forward when the print standby time exceeds a certain time. Unfixed toner is fixed, and after the fixing is completed, a sheet transport process is performed in which the continuous sheet is retracted to return to the original print standby state.

(Patent Document 2: JP-A-7-144450)
This Patent Document 2 describes a tractor that can be shifted in the paper width direction during the conveyance of continuous paper.

JP 2002-108122 A JP 7-144450 A

  In the conventional image forming apparatus, when using another continuous sheet different from the currently mounted continuous sheet, it is necessary to switch another sheet to the tractor. For this reason, there has been a problem that the time required for the replacement operation of the image recording paper becomes long.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention has the following description (O01) as a technical problem.
(O01) In an image forming apparatus that uses continuous paper with feed holes, the time required for replacing the continuous paper used for image recording is shortened.

Next, the present invention devised to solve the above problems will be described. In order to facilitate correspondence with the constituent elements of the embodiments described later, the constituent elements of the present invention are not described. Add the code enclosed in parentheses.
The reason why the present invention is described in correspondence with the reference numerals of the embodiments described later is to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, and not to limit the scope of the present invention to the embodiments.

(Invention)
In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the following constituent elements (A01), (A02), (A03), (A06), and (A09).
(A01) The first continuous paper (P1, P3) is provided with tractor pins (6a) that rotate in engagement with feed holes (Pc) at both ends in the paper width direction of the first continuous paper (P1, P3). The image recording position and the plurality of first tractors (K1, K1) that are sequentially conveyed to the discharge tray and the feed holes (Pc) at both ends in the paper width direction of the second continuous paper (P2, P4) are rotated. A continuous paper transport device (SH) having a tractor pin (6a) and a plurality of second tractors (K2, K2) for sequentially transporting the second continuous paper (P2, P4) to the image recording position and the discharge tray. ,
(A02) the same image recording member capable of recording an image on each of the first continuous paper (P1, P3) passing through the image recording position (Q1) and the second continuous paper;
(A03) The continuous paper transport device (SH) capable of transporting the first continuous paper (P1, P3) and the second continuous paper (P2, P4) independently of each other;
(A06) After image recording is simultaneously performed by the image recording member on both the first continuous paper (P3) and the second continuous paper (P4), the first continuous paper (P3) and With one continuous sheet of the second continuous sheets (P4) retracted to the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the image recording position (Q1), only the other continuous sheet is discharged to the image recording position (Q1) and the second continuous sheet (P4). The continuous paper transport device (SH) capable of sequentially transporting to a tray (Th),
(A09) A position where the image recording member (Tr) is supported and the image recording member (Tr) is held at the image recording position (Q1), and the image recording member (Tr) is the image recording position ( Q1) is a movable frame (KF) that is movable between the first continuous paper (P3) and the second continuous paper (P4). The movable frame (KF) in which the image recording member (Tr) is moved to a position away from the image recording position (Q1) when retracted to the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction of (Q1).

(Operation of the present invention)
In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention having the structural requirements (A01), (A02) , (A03), (A06), and (A09) , the first continuous paper (P1, P3) is fed at both ends in the paper width direction. A plurality of first tractors (K1, K1) having tractor pins (6a) that fit and rotate in the holes (Pc) sequentially convey the first continuous paper (P1, P3) to the image recording position and the discharge tray. To do. A plurality of second tractors (K2, K2) having tractor pins (6a) that fit and rotate in feed holes (Pc) at both ends in the sheet width direction of the second continuous sheet are the second continuous sheets (P2, P4). ) Are sequentially conveyed to the image recording position and the discharge tray.
The same image recording member records an image on each of the first continuous paper (P1, P3) and the second continuous paper (P2, P4) passing through the image recording position (Q1).

The continuous paper transport device (SH) transports the first continuous paper (P1, P3) and the second continuous paper (P2, P4) independently of each other.
The continuous sheet conveying device (SH) records images on both the first continuous sheet (P3) and the second continuous sheet (P4) simultaneously with the image recording member, and then performs first recording. Only one of the continuous sheets (P1, P3) and the second continuous sheet (P2, P4) is retracted upstream of the image recording position (Q1) in the sheet conveyance direction. Can be sequentially conveyed to the image recording position (Q1) and the discharge tray (Th).
The movable frame (KF) supports the image recording member (Tr), the position where the image recording member (Tr) is held at the image recording position (Q1), and the image recording member (Tr) It can be moved between a position away from the image recording position (Q1). When one of the first continuous paper (P3) and the second continuous paper (P4) is retracted to the upstream side of the image recording position (Q1) in the paper conveyance direction, the movable frame (KF ) Is moved to a position where the image recording member (Tr) is separated from the image recording position (Q1).

( Embodiment 1 of the present invention)
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is characterized in that the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes the following structural requirements (A04).
(A04) The first tractor (K1, K1) or the second tractor (K2, K2) capable of adjusting the position in the paper width direction.
(Operation of Form 1 of the Present Invention)
In the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention having the configuration requirement (A04), the position of the first tractor (K1, K1) or the second tractor (K2, K2) in the sheet width direction can be adjusted. . Therefore, it is possible to form images on sheets having various widths. The width of the first continuous paper (P1) conveyed by the first tractor (K1, K1) and the width of the second continuous paper (P2) conveyed by the second tractor (K2, K2) are combined. When the width is equal to or smaller than the width of the image recording position (Q1), the first continuous paper (P1) and the second continuous paper (P2) can be simultaneously formed in parallel while simultaneously forming images.
The first continuous paper (P1, P3) conveyed by the first tractor (K1, K1) and the second continuous paper (P2, P4) conveyed by the second tractor (K2, K2) are one continuous. Image formation can be performed using the other continuous sheet in a state where the sheet is retracted. It is possible to easily exchange the continuous paper used for the image formation and the continuous paper to be retracted.

( Embodiment 2 of the present invention)
The image forming apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention, Oite the to Embodiment 1 of the present invention or, characterized by comprising a structure following requirements (A05).
(A05) The first tractors (K1, K1) arranged so that the positions in the paper width direction of the first continuous paper (P3) and the second continuous paper (P4) at the image recording position (Q1) overlap with each other, and Second tractor (K2, K2).
(Operation of Form 3 of the Present Invention)
In the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention having the structural requirement (A05), the first tractor (K1, K1) and the second tractor (K2, K2) are the first at the image recording position (Q1). The first continuous paper (P3) and the second continuous paper (P4) are arranged so that the positions in the paper width direction overlap each other.
In this case, the first continuous paper (P3) conveyed by the first tractor (K1, K1) and the second continuous paper (P4) conveyed by the second tractor (K2, K2) retreat one continuous paper. In this state, image formation can be performed using the other continuous paper. The continuous paper used for the image formation and the continuous paper to be retracted can be easily exchanged.

( Embodiment 3 of the present invention)
The image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in the present invention or the first or second embodiment of the present invention, the following configuration requirement (A07) is provided.
(A07) The first tractors (K1, K1) arranged so that the positions in the paper width direction of the first continuous paper (P1) and the second continuous paper (P2) at the image recording position (Q1) do not overlap with each other; The second tractor (K2, K2).
(Operation of Form 3 of the Present Invention)
In the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention having the configuration requirement (A07), the first tractor (K1, K1) and the second tractor (K2, K2) are the first at the image recording position (Q1). The first continuous paper (P1) and the second continuous paper (P2) are arranged so that the positions in the paper width direction do not overlap. In this case, the first continuous paper (P1) and the second continuous paper (P2) can be simultaneously recorded in parallel while simultaneously recording images on the continuous paper (P1, P2).

( Embodiment 4 of the present invention)
The image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention is characterized in that, in Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the following configuration requirement (A08) is provided.
(A08) The continuous paper transport device (SH) capable of sequentially transporting the first continuous paper (P1) and the second continuous paper (P2) simultaneously to the image recording position (Q1) and the discharge tray (Th).
(Operation of Form 4 of the Present Invention)
In the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention having the configuration requirement (A08), the continuous paper transport device (SH) records the first continuous paper (P1) and the second continuous paper (P2) at the same time. It can be sequentially conveyed to the position (Q1) and the discharge tray (Th).

The above-described image forming apparatus of the present invention has the following effect (E01).
(E01) In an image forming apparatus that uses continuous paper with feed holes, the time required for replacing the continuous paper used for image recording can be shortened.

Next, specific examples (examples) of the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.

FIG. 1 is a main part explanatory view of an image forming apparatus provided with a continuous paper conveying apparatus with feed holes according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a front view of main parts in a state where a movable frame KF has moved to an upper position.
In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus U has a photoreceptor PR on which a toner image is formed. The surface of the rotating photoconductor PR is uniformly charged by the charging roll CR. On the surface of the charged photoconductor PR, an electrostatic latent image is formed by a laser beam L emitted from a ROS (latent image forming apparatus) having a laser diode LD and an optical system having a rotary polygon mirror KK. The electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image by a developing device D. The toner image is transferred to a sheet that passes through a transfer region Q1 facing a transfer roll (image recording member) Tr. Residual toner on the surface of the photoreceptor PR after the transfer is cleaned by a cleaner CL.

  In FIG. 1, the movable frame KF includes a front plate F1 and a rear plate F2 (see FIG. 3B) that are arranged apart from each other in the vertical direction on the screen, and a connection plate (not shown) that connects the plates KF1 and KF2. It can be rotated around the rotation axis KFa. An axis KFb is rotatably supported on the movable frame KF, and the outer peripheral surface of the cam C is in contact with the lower surface of the axis KFb. The cam shaft Ca of the cam C is rotatably supported by a fixed frame (not shown). The cam shaft Ca can be rotated by a movable frame vertical movement motor M1. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the cam C raises the axis KFb. In this state, the movable frame KF rotates around the rotation axis KFa and is held at the raised position.

  On the movable frame KF, a driving roll Rd, a driven roll Rf, a tension roll Rt, and a transfer roll Tr that rotatably support the paper transport belt B are rotatably supported. By rotating the drive roll Rd, the paper transport belt B can be rotated. The sheet conveying belt B is pressed against the surface of the photoreceptor PR with the transfer roll Tr. The transfer region Q1 is formed by the pressure contact region between the paper transport belt B and the photoconductor PR.

(Tractor for paper feed)
2 is an explanatory view of the tractor shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, FIG. 2A is a view showing a state in which a continuous sheet is conveyed by the tractor, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the tractor shown in FIG. 2A.
1 and 2, the first and second rotary shafts A1d and A2d are rotatably supported by the front frame F1 and the rear frame F2 of the movable frame KF, and the first fixed shaft A1r and the second fixed shaft A2r are provided. Fixedly supported. A pair of tractors K and K1 are supported by the first rotating shaft A1d and the first fixed shaft A1r so that the position thereof can be adjusted in the axial direction. A pair of tractors K2, K2 are supported by the second rotating shaft A2d and the second fixed shaft A2r so that the position of the tractors K2, K2 can be adjusted in the axial direction.
In FIG. 1, the pair of tractors K1 and K1 are used for transporting continuous paper P1 accommodated in the paper feed tray TR1, and the pair of tractors K2 and K2 are continuous paper P2 accommodated in the paper feed tray TR2. Used to transport.

  In FIG. 2A, the leading edge of the continuous paper P1 with feed holes is indicated by P1a. The continuous paper P with feed holes is formed with a fold line (a portion where a small hole (or a slit or the like is formed along a straight line) P1b every time a predetermined distance is separated in the paper transport direction. Further, feed holes P1c are formed on both sides of the continuous paper P with feed holes in the paper width direction at a constant interval a along the paper transport direction and at the same position in the paper transport direction.

In FIG. 2A, the front (X side) tractor K1 of the pair of front and rear tractors K1 and K1 disposed apart in the paper width direction is fixedly supported by a fixed shaft A1r. The rear (−X side) tractor K1 is slidably and fixedly supported on the fixed shaft A1r and the rotary shaft A1d, and the position of the tractor K1 can be adjusted on the fixed shaft A1r according to the width of the continuous paper used. is there.
Each tractor K1, K1 has a tractor frame 1. Bearings 2 and 3 are attached to the tractor frame 1, and the rotation shaft A 1 d and the fixed A 1 r are supported by the bearings 2 and 3 so as to be rotatable with respect to the tractor frame 1.

  Timing pulleys 4 and 5 are mounted on the rotary shaft A1d and the fixed shaft A1r, respectively. Belt support members (rotating body support members) (1 to 5) for rotatably supporting a pin belt (rotating body with pins) 6 by the tractor frame 1, the bearings 2 and 3, and the timing pulleys 4 and 5 are provided. It is configured. 2A and 2B, a plurality of tractor pins 6a are provided on the outer periphery of a pin belt (rotary body with pins) 6 at a constant interval a. The tractor pin 6a can be fitted into the feed hole Pb.

In FIG. 2, the rotation shaft A1d of each of the tractors K1 and K1 and the pulley 4 rotate integrally. The timing pulley 5 of the rear tractor K1 is freely rotatable with respect to the fixed shaft A1r, and the timing pulley 5 of the front tractor K1 is formed integrally with a gear G1a (see FIG. 2A). 5 and the gear G1a are connected to the fixed shaft A1r via an electromagnetic clutch C1a. When the electromagnetic clutch C1a is off, the timing pulley 5 and the gear G1a of the front tractor K1 are free to rotate with respect to the fixed shaft A1r. However, when the electromagnetic clutch C1a is on, the timing pulley of the front tractor K1. 5 and the gear G1a are non-rotatably coupled to the fixed shaft A1r.
The gear G1b fixed to the front end of the rotation shaft A1d rotates integrally with the rotation shaft A1d. A timing pulley TP1 is attached to the rear end of the rotation shaft A1d via an electromagnetic clutch C1b. When the electromagnetic clutch C1b is off, the timing pulley TP1 is free to rotate with respect to the rotation axis A1d. However, when the electromagnetic clutch C1b is on, the timing pulley TP1 rotates integrally with the rotation axis A1d.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus provided with the continuous sheet conveying device with feed holes according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The movable frame KF and the tractor driving member in FIG. FIG. 3B is a top view of FIG. 3A.
1 and 3, the front frame F1 and the rear frame F2 of the movable frame KF support a paper cueing roll R1 having a transport drive roll R1a and a transport driven roll R1b, and the transport drive roll R1a is It can be rotated forward and backward by a driving device (not shown).

  In FIG. 3, tractors K2 and K2 are configured similarly to the tractors K1 and K1. That is, the tractor K2 includes the tractor frame 1, the bearings 2, 3, the timing pulleys 4, 5, and the pin belt (rotary body with pins) 6 similar to the tractor K1. The tractors K2 and K2 are supported by the rotating shaft A2d and the fixed shaft A2r in the same state as the tractors K1 and K1 are supported by the rotating shaft A1d and the fixed shaft A1r.

That is, a gear G2a that rotates integrally with the timing pulley 5 of the front tractor K2 is provided at the front end of the fixed shaft A2r that supports the tractors K2 and K2, and the timing pulley 5 and the gear G2a are The fixed shaft A2r is connected via an electromagnetic clutch C2a. When the electromagnetic clutch C2a is off, the timing pulley 5 and the gear G2a of the front tractor K2 are free to rotate with respect to the fixed shaft A2r. However, when the electromagnetic clutch C2a is on, the pulley 5 of the front tractor K2 is turned on. And the gear G2a is non-rotatably connected to the fixed shaft A2r.
Further, the gear G2b fixed to the front end of the rotation shaft A2d rotates integrally with the rotation shaft A2d. A timing pulley TP2 is attached to the rear end of the rotary shaft A2d via an electromagnetic clutch C2b. When the electromagnetic clutch C2b is off, the timing pulley TP2 is free to rotate with respect to the rotation axis A2d. However, when the electromagnetic clutch C2b is on, the timing pulley TP2 rotates integrally with the rotation axis A2d.

  The movable frame KF has a stepping motor M2 that can rotate forward and backward, and a timing pulley 11 that is mounted on the output shaft of the stepping motor M2. The timing pulley 11 and the timing pulleys TP1 and TP2 on the rotary shafts A1d and A2d are connected by a timing belt 12. Therefore, when the stepping motor M2 rotates, the timing pulley 11, the timing belt 12, and the timing pulleys TP1 and TP2 rotate. In this state, for example, when the electromagnetic clutch C1b on the rotation axis A1d is turned on, the rotation axis A1d rotates. When the electromagnetic clutch C1b is turned off, the timing pulley TP1 freely rotates on the rotation axis A1d.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the main part of the image forming apparatus provided with the continuous sheet conveying apparatus with feed holes according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The movable frame KF and the tractor driving member in FIG. FIG. 4B is a top view of FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4B is a front view of the main part in a state where two different continuous sheets are set and only one continuous sheet is conveyed.
In FIG. 4, the positions of the tractors K1 and K1 are different from those in FIG. 3 according to the width of the continuous paper P3 conveyed by the tractors K1 and K1. Similarly, the positions of the tractors K2 and K2 are arranged at positions different from those in FIG. 3 according to the width of the continuous sheet P4 conveyed by the tractors K2 and K2.
Since the paper widths of the continuous papers P3 and P4 are larger than the paper widths of the papers P1 and P2 in FIG. 3, the toner images cannot be transferred while passing through the transfer region Q1 in parallel. Therefore, one of the continuous sheets P3 and P4 is conveyed to form a toner image.

A fixing device F having a pair of fixing rolls Fh and Fp (a heating roll Fh and a pressure roll Fp) is disposed on the downstream side of the driving roll Rd in the sheet conveyance direction. The toner image transferred onto the continuous paper P1 to P4 and the like when passing through the transfer area Q1 is heated and fixed when passing through the fixing area Q2 which is a pressure contact area between the pair of fixing rolls Fh and Fp. The continuous sheets P1 to P4 on which the toner images are fixed are discharged to the discharge tray Th through the backup roll R2 (see FIG. 1) having the backup drive roll R2a and the backup driven roll R2b.
The tractors K1, K1, K2, K2, the cueing roll R1, the paper conveying belt B, the backup roll R2, and the like constitute a paper conveying device SH.

  Cue sensors SN1 and SN2 are arranged on the downstream side of the paper cueing roller R1, and a retract sensor SN3 is arranged on the upstream side of the fixing device F in the paper conveyance direction (see FIG. 1). The cueing sensors SN1 and SN2 are arranged on both sides of the central portion in the paper width direction, separated in the paper width direction. That is, the cueing sensor SN1 is disposed at a position where the continuous sheets P1, P3, P4 can be detected, and the cueing sensor SN2 is disposed at a position where the continuous sheets P2, P4 can be detected.

(Operation of Example 1)
(When inhaling paper)
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention during sheet suction.
(When inhaling only continuous paper P1)
In FIG. 5, when the continuous paper P1 is sucked, the cam C is rotated to a position where the shaft KFb is raised. In the state of FIG. 1, the movable frame KF is rotated about the rotation axis KFa and held at the raised position. In the first embodiment, the pair of fixing rolls Fh and Fp are separated from each other during continuous sheet suction, and the pair of driving rolls R2a and driven rolls R2b of the backup roll R2 are also separated from each other.

In this state, the electromagnetic clutches C1a and C2b are turned off, the electromagnetic clutches C2a and C1b are turned on, and the stepping motor M2 is turned on. At this time, the continuous paper P1 is fed through the timing belt 12, the timing pulley TP1, and the tractors K1 and K1. After the continuous paper P1 passes through the cueing rollers R1 and passes through the cueing sensors SN1 and SN2, the stepping motor M2 stops and the continuous paper P1 also stops. The stop position of the continuous paper P1 is the home position of the continuous paper P1.
Since the electromagnetic clutch C2a is turned on when the continuous paper P1 is sucked, the gear G2a is fixed to the fixed shaft A2r, and the gear G2b meshed with the gear G2a and the rotary shaft A2d to which the gear G2b is fixed are also unrotatable. It becomes. Therefore, the timing pulley TP2 that rotates together with the timing belt 12 runs idle on the rotation axis A2d. For this reason, the rotating shaft A2d and the tractors K2, K2 do not rotate.
With the continuous paper P1 stopped at the home position, the electromagnetic clutch C1a is turned on to hold the rotational positions of the tractors K1, K1.

(When inhaling continuous paper P2)
When sucking the continuous paper P2 (see FIG. 3) after sucking the continuous paper P1, the electromagnetic clutches C2a and C1b are turned off, the electromagnetic clutches C1a and C2b are turned on, and the stepping motor M2 is turned on.
In this case, only the continuous paper P2 (see FIG. 3) is sucked in the same manner as the continuous paper P1, and at this time, the continuous paper P1 is held in a stopped state.

(Operation when printing on one of continuous sheets P1, P2 or P3, P4)
FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram when printing is performed on either the continuous paper P1 of FIG. 3 or the continuous paper P3 of FIG. 4 in the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment.
In FIG. 6, the pair of fixing rolls Fh and Fp are held in a pressure contact state, but the pair of driving rolls R2a and driven rolls R2b of the backup roll R2 are separated.
In the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1 having the above-described configuration, only one of the two continuous sheets of FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 is sucked and the other continuous sheets are not sucked. In this state, the image can be recorded while only the sucked continuous paper is conveyed.

For example, when forming a toner image on the continuous paper P1 in FIG. 3 or the continuous paper P3 in FIG. 4, the stepping motor M2 is rotated with the electromagnetic clutches C1a and C2b turned off and the electromagnetic clutches C1b and C2a turned on. When driven, the tractors K2 and K2 are held in a stopped state, the pin belts 6 of the tractors K1 and K1 rotate, and the continuous paper P1 or P3 is taken out from the paper feed tray TR1 and conveyed. While conveying the continuous paper P1 or P3, a toner image for each continuous paper P1 or P3 is simultaneously formed on the surface of the photoreceptor PR, and the toner image is simultaneously formed on the continuous paper P1 or P3 passing through the transfer region Q1. Can be transferred.
The toner image transferred onto the continuous paper P1 or P3 is heated and fixed when passing through a fixing region Q2 which is a pressure contact region of the pair of fixing rolls Fh and Fp having the heating roll Fh and the pressure roll Fp, and the pair of toner images is transferred. Is discharged to the discharge tray Th through the backup roll Rb.

(Operation when printing on two continuous sheets P1 and P2 simultaneously)
In the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, when toner images are simultaneously formed on narrow continuous sheets P1 and P2, the narrow continuous sheets P1 and P2 are simultaneously transferred as shown in FIG. 3B. Set to pass through the area. When the stepping motor M2 is rotationally driven with the electromagnetic clutches C1a and C2a turned off and the electromagnetic clutches C1b and C2b turned on, the pin belts 6 of the tractors K1, K1 and K2, K2 are rotated, and the continuous paper P1 , P2 are taken out from the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 and conveyed. While conveying the continuous papers P1 and P2, toner images for the continuous papers P1 and P2 are simultaneously formed on the surface of the photoreceptor PR, and the toner images are simultaneously formed on the continuous papers P1 and P2 passing through the transfer region Q1. Can be transferred.
The toner images transferred onto the continuous papers P1 and P2 are heated and fixed when passing through a fixing region Q2 that is a pressure contact region of the pair of fixing rolls Fh and Fp having the heating roll Fh and the pressure roll Fp. Is discharged to the discharge tray Th through the backup roll Rb.

(Operation when printing stops)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation when printing is stopped in the first embodiment.
For example, when simultaneous printing is performed on two continuous sheets P1 and P2 or when printing is performed on one of the continuous sheets P1 to P4, all the toner images to be printed are transferred to the continuous sheet. The stepping motor M2 is stopped, and the movable frame KF is rotated downward about the rotation axis KFa by the movable frame vertical movement motor M1 and the cam C. At this time, the paper transport belt B and the transfer roll Tr are separated from the photoconductor PR.
Note that immediately before the movable frame KF is rotated downward, the pair of fixing rolls Fh and Fp are opened to prevent damage to the continuous paper due to heat, and instead, the pair of driving rolls R2a of the backup roll R2. Then, the driven roll R2b is brought into pressure contact to hold the tension of the sheet.
Note that when printing is performed again in this state, an operation opposite to the operation when the printing is stopped is performed.

(Paper evacuation)
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the sheet is retracted.
(Paper evacuation when switching paper after printing one sheet)
For example, in the case of switching to the continuous paper P2 after printing only on the continuous paper P1 of FIG. 3, the pair of fixing rolls Fh and Fp, the pair of rolls R2a and R2b of the backup roll R2, and the pair of rolls of the indexing roll R1. R1a and R1b are opened, and the movable frame KF is rotated downward.
The electromagnetic clutch C1a is turned off and C1b is turned on, the stepping motor M2 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the front end of the continuous paper P1 passes through the cueing sensors SN1 and SN2. , SN2 is retracted to the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction. Thereafter, the electromagnetic clutch C1a is turned on to maintain the rotational positions of the tractors K1, K1, and then the electromagnetic clutch C1b is turned off.
Next, the electromagnetic clutch C2a is turned off and the electromagnetic clutch C2b is turned on, and the continuous paper P2 is sucked by the tractors K2 and K2.

(Evacuate one sheet after printing on two sheets simultaneously)
When printing on the two continuous sheets P1 and P2 is completed and only the continuous sheet P1 is retracted to the upstream side of the cueing sensors SN1 and SN2, the electromagnetic clutch C2a is turned on and the electromagnetic clutch C2b is turned off. Thus, the tractors K2 and K2 are stopped to hold the position of the continuous paper P2. Further, by turning off the electromagnetic clutch C1a and turning on the electromagnetic clutch C1b, the tractors K1 and K1 can be operated. In this state, by rotating the stepping motor M2 in the reverse direction, the continuous paper P2 is stopped, and only the continuous paper P1 is retracted to the upstream side of the cueing sensors SN1 and SN2.

(Example of change)
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Can be done. A modified example (H01) of the present invention is exemplified below.
(H01) The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a FAX, or a multifunction peripheral. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus but also to an inkjet recording image forming apparatus.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a main part of an image forming apparatus provided with a continuous sheet conveying device with feed holes according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. . 2 is an explanatory view of the tractor shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, FIG. 2A is a view showing a state in which a continuous sheet is conveyed by the tractor, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the tractor shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus provided with the continuous sheet conveying device with feed holes according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The movable frame KF and the tractor driving member in FIG. FIG. 3B is a top view of FIG. 3A. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the main part of the image forming apparatus provided with the continuous sheet conveying apparatus with feed holes according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The movable frame KF and the tractor driving member in FIG. FIG. 4B is a top view of FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4B is a front view of the main part in a state where two different continuous sheets are set and only one continuous sheet is conveyed. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention during sheet suction. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram when printing is performed on either the continuous paper P1 of FIG. 3 or the continuous paper P3 of FIG. 4 in the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation when printing is stopped in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the sheet is retracted.

Explanation of symbols

K1, K1 ... first tractor,
K2, K2 ... second tractor,
Pc ... feed hole,
P1, P3: First continuous paper,
P2, P4 ... second continuous paper,
Q1 ... image recording position,
SH: Continuous paper transport device,
Th ... discharge tray,
6a ... Tractor pin,

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus comprising the following structural requirements (A01), (A02), (A03), (A06), (A09);
(A01) A plurality of first tractors that have tractor pins that rotate by being fitted to feed holes at both ends in the sheet width direction of the first continuous sheet, and sequentially convey the first continuous sheet to the image recording position and the discharge tray. A plurality of second tractors having tractor pins that rotate by being fitted to feed holes at both ends of the second continuous paper in the paper width direction, and sequentially convey the second continuous paper to the image recording position and the discharge tray. Having a continuous paper transport device,
(A02) the same image recording member capable of recording an image on each of the first continuous paper and the second continuous paper passing through the image recording position;
(A03) The continuous paper transport device capable of transporting the first continuous paper and the second continuous paper independently of each other;
(A06) After image recording is simultaneously performed by the image recording member on both of the first continuous paper and the second continuous paper, one of the first continuous paper and the second continuous paper The continuous paper transport device capable of sequentially transporting only the other continuous paper to the image recording position and the discharge tray in a state where the continuous paper is retracted to the upstream side in the paper transport direction of the image recording position;
(A09) A movable frame that supports the image recording member and is movable between a position where the image recording member is held at the image recording position and a position where the image recording member is separated from the image recording position. When the one continuous sheet of the first continuous sheet and the second continuous sheet is retracted to the upstream side of the image recording position in the sheet conveyance direction, the position where the image recording member moves away from the image recording position The movable frame to be moved to. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, comprising the following constituent elements (A04):
(A04) The first tractor or the second tractor capable of adjusting the position in the paper width direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, comprising the following constituent (A05):
(A05) The first tractor and the second tractor arranged so that positions of the first continuous paper and the second continuous paper in the image recording position overlap in the paper width direction. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising the following constituent elements (A07):
(A07) The first tractor and the second tractor arranged so that positions of the first continuous paper and the second continuous paper in the image recording position in the paper width direction do not overlap. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, comprising the following structural requirements (A08):
(A08) The continuous paper transport device capable of sequentially transporting the first continuous paper and the second continuous paper simultaneously to the image recording position and the discharge tray.

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