JPS646101B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a copying machine, a printer, and a printer that perform multicolor recording.
The present invention relates to a paper conveyance path switching device used in a facsimile machine or the like to switch the conveyance path of recording paper so that it passes only through the recording sections necessary for recording.

Some copiers, printers, facsimiles, and the like perform multicolor recording by thermal transfer using a plurality of ink donor sheets. In such a thermal transfer type multicolor thermal recording device, a plurality of recording sections each having an ink donor sheet supply roll are arranged in series corresponding to the number of recording colors, and the ink donor sheet is fed out from the supply roll of each recording section. One sheet of recording paper is sequentially superimposed on an ink donor sheet, and a thermal transfer recording process is performed each time to perform multicolor recording.

By the way, such a multicolor thermal recording device is equipped with a function that allows the recording color to be selected depending on the document. For example, in a multicolor thermal recording device that can record in two colors, black and red, it is possible to create recorded images in one color, black or red, or to create images in black and red. It's summery.

As a conventional multicolor thermosensitive recording device,
During recording, ink donor sheets are fed out from all the supply rolls and a sheet of recording paper is sequentially superimposed on them, and thermal transfer recording is performed only in the recording section corresponding to the color desired to be recorded, thereby recording only in the desired color. There is one that allows you to create pictures. However, such an apparatus has the disadvantage that even when monochrome recording, for example black, is performed, an ink donor sheet for recording other colors such as red is wasted, making it uneconomical.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional multicolor thermosensitive recording device that eliminates these drawbacks. In this device, two sets of a B-color recording section 2 for recording black and an R-color recording section 3 for recording red are provided in the middle of a main paper transport path 1 from a paper tray (not shown) to an output tray. The recording units are arranged in series.
In the B color recording section 2, a B color ink donor sheet 4 fed out from a B color supply roll (not shown) is placed between a B color thermal head 5 and a B color back roller 6.
After passing sequentially between the color cross roller 6 and the B color drive roller 7, it is wound up on a B color winding roll (not shown). In the R color recording section 3, an R color ink donor sheet 8 fed out from an R color supply roll (not shown) is placed between an R color thermal head 9 and an R color back roller 10.
After passing sequentially between the 0 and R color drive rollers 11, it is wound up by a winding roll (not shown). A bypass conveyance path 12 is provided in the main conveyance path 1 between the front stage of the B color recording section 2 and the rear stage of the R color recording section 3 . A first switching mechanism 13 is provided at the starting point of the bypass conveyance path 12 .
The first switching mechanism 13 has a switching member 14 that is operated by a drive source (not shown) such as a solenoid that is controlled by a mode switching signal (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Therefore, it is now possible to selectively switch between a state in which the bypass conveyance path 12 is shut off and the main conveyance path 1 is opened, and a state in which the main conveyance path 1 is shut off and the bypass conveyance path 12 is opened. ing. B color recording section 2 in main conveyance path 1
A first auxiliary conveyance path 15 is provided toward the middle of the bypass conveyance path 12 from the latter stage. A second switching mechanism 16 having the same configuration as the first switching mechanism 13 is provided at the starting point of the first auxiliary conveyance path 15 . From the middle of the bypass conveyance path 12 toward the front stage of the R color recording section 3 in the main conveyance path 1,
A second auxiliary conveyance path 17 is provided. A third switching mechanism 18 having the same configuration as the first switching mechanism 13 is provided at the starting point of the second auxiliary conveyance path 17 .

When two-color recording is performed, the first and second
By the action of the switching mechanisms 13 and 16, the recording paper 19 sent out from the paper tray is sent to the B color recording section 2 via the main conveyance path 1, and then to the R color recording section 3 via the main conveyance path 1. After that, the paper is conveyed through the main conveyance path 1 and then discharged onto the discharge tray. When black monochrome recording is performed, the first to third switching mechanisms 13,
16 and 18, the recording paper 19 is sent to the B color recording section 2 via the main conveyance path 1, and then the first
The auxiliary conveyance path 15 and the bypass conveyance path 12 are then discharged onto the discharge tray. When red monochrome recording is performed, the first and third switching mechanisms 1
3 and 18, the recording paper 19 is sent to the R color recording section 3 via the bypass conveyance path 12, the second auxiliary conveyance path 17, etc., and is then discharged to the output tray via the main conveyance path 1. .

In this way, the conveyance path of the recording paper is switched so that it passes only through the recording section corresponding to the color to be recorded, and the ink donor sheet is fed out only from the supply roll corresponding to this recording section. A recording paper is superimposed only on the donor sheet to create a recorded image in only the desired colors.

However, in the switching mechanism of such an apparatus, switching is performed by moving the switching member 14 within the conveyance path, so that the conveyance path may bend as shown in FIG. 3, making it difficult to convey the recording paper smoothly. Furthermore, the recording paper is likely to get caught on the switching member 14, etc., and there is a risk that paper jams may occur. Furthermore, since it can only be connected to either one carry-in path or two carry-out paths, it cannot be used, for example, when there are two carry-in paths and two carry-in paths. As a result,
As the number of recorded colors increases, the number of switching mechanisms increases dramatically, and the conveyance path becomes complicated.

The present invention has been developed in view of these circumstances, and allows the paper to be conveyed smoothly without getting caught, and can also be used, for example, even when there are two carry-in paths and two carry-out paths. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a paper conveyance path switching device that can perform the following steps.

In the present invention, a paper path having a substantially arcuate cross section is formed in the switching member, and the paper transport path is switched by rotating the switching member to change the direction of the paper path, thereby achieving the above-mentioned object.

The present invention will be explained in detail with reference to Examples below.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a thermal recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In this figure, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted. The main transport path includes first and second main transport paths 2 that extend from a paper tray (not shown) to the first recording unit 2.
1, 22, and the first recording section 2 to the second recording section 3
The third and fourth main conveyance paths 23 and 24 leading to
from the recording section 3 to the output tray (not shown).
It consists of a main conveyance path 25. A first switching member 26 is provided between the first and second main conveyance paths 21 and 22.
is provided. In addition, the third and fourth main conveyance paths 2
A second switching member 27 is provided between 3 and 24. These switching members 26 and 27 both have the same structure and are made of round bars as shown in FIG. Paper passages 28 and 29 are formed in the switching members 26 and 27, each having an arcuate cross section perpendicular to the axis thereof and a slit-like hole having a width longer than the width of the paper in the axial direction. There is. The switching members 26 and 27 are arranged to be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction, and are adapted to be rotated by a drive source such as a step motor (not shown). A first bypass conveyance path 30 is provided between the switching members 26 and 27. Further, a second bypass conveyance path 31 is provided between the second switching member 27 and the fifth main conveyance path 25. That is, the first switching mechanism 26 is provided at the branching point of the transport path, and the second switching mechanism 27 is provided at the joining point and the branching point of the transport path.

The paper path 29 of the second switching member 27 passes approximately through the center of the switching member 27 and extends at both ends in the direction normal to the outer peripheral surface of the switching member 27. Further, the third and fourth main conveyance paths 23 and 24 and the first and second bypass conveyance paths 30 and 31 are both provided to extend in the normal direction of the outer peripheral surface of the switching member 27. Next, the relationship between the second switching member 27 and each conveyance path 23, 24, 30, 31 connected thereto will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Assuming that the angle between both ends of the paper path 29 is X, in the apparatus of this embodiment, the third and fourth
main conveyance paths 23 and 24, the third main conveyance path 23 and second bypass conveyance path 31 when black monochrome recording is performed, and the first bypass conveyance path 30 when red monochrome recording is performed. and the fourth main conveyance path 2
4 are set so that they are spaced apart by an angle X. In this positional relationship, the third main conveyance path 23 and the first bypass conveyance path 30 and the fourth main conveyance path 24 and the second bypass conveyance path 31
If the respective separation angles are Y ₁ and Y ₂ , it is clear that Y ₁ =Y ₂ . Therefore, these will be expressed as Y. To summarize the above, as shown in Figure 6, 2X+Y=360°. For example, if Y is 0°, then X = 180°, and if Y is the same as X, then X = Y =
It becomes 120°. Therefore, 120°<X<180°, 0°<Y<120
It is sufficient to satisfy the condition ゜. In this example, X=
It is set to 150°, Y = 60°.

When two-color recording is performed, the mode switching signal controls the step motor for switching the transport path, and the first and second switching members 26 and 27 are switched to the state shown in FIG. 4. When the recording paper 19 is sent out from the paper tray in this state, it sequentially passes through the first main conveyance path 21, the paper passage 28 of the first switching member 26, and the second main conveyance path 22, and is transferred to the first recording medium. 2, and then sequentially passes through the third main conveyance path 23, the paper path 29 of the second switching member 27, and the fourth main conveyance path 24, and then reaches the second recording section 3.
After that, the paper is sent to a discharge tray via the fifth main conveyance path 25.

When switching from two-color recording to black monochrome recording, the mode switching signal controls the step motor for switching the conveyance path, and the switching member 2
7 is clockwise from the state shown in Figure 4 at an angle of X+Y.
It rotates and is switched to the state shown in FIG. When the recording paper 19 is sent out from the paper tray in this state, it is sent to the first recording section 2 in the same manner as described above, and then transferred to the third main conveyance path 23 and the paper path of the second switching member 27. 29, the second bypass conveyance path 31 and the fifth main conveyance path 25 in order and are discharged to the discharge tray.

When switching from two-color recording to red single-color recording, the mode switching signal controls the step motor for switching the transport path, and the first switching member 26 is switched, and the first switching member 26 is switched.
7 is rotated clockwise by an angle X from the state shown in FIG. 4, and is switched to the state shown in FIG. When the recording paper 19 is sent out from the paper tray in this state, it passes through the first main transport path 21, the paper path 28 of the first switching member 26, and the first bypass transport path 3.
0, the paper passes sequentially through the paper path 29 of the second switching member 27 and the fourth main transport path 24, is sent to the second recording unit 3, and is then discharged to the output tray via the fifth main transport path 25. .

Paper path 2 of first and second switching members 26 and 27
8 and 29 are arcuate, so the recording paper 19 can be conveyed smoothly, and there are no places where it can get caught, so paper jams do not occur. Since the connected transport paths are both on the same straight line, the recording paper 19 can also be transported smoothly.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the paper path of the switching member is substantially arc-shaped, the paper can be conveyed smoothly without being caught.

Further, since the paper conveyance path is switched by rotating the switching member and changing the direction of the paper path, it can be used even when there are two carry-in paths and two carry-out paths, for example. As a result, even if the number of recording colors increases, the number of switching members does not increase dramatically, and the conveyance path does not become complicated.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional thermal recording device, FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing one state and another state of the switching mechanism in the A circle part of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 5 is a perspective view of a switching member, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing two other states of the switching member. 2, 3... Recording section, 4, 8... Ink donor sheet, 5, 9... Thermal head, 19... Recording paper, 21-25... Main transport path, 26, 27...
Switching member, 28, 29...paper path, 30, 31
...Bypass transport route.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of recording units, a plurality of conveyance paths for selectively conveying paper to each of these recording units, and a branch point or a connection point of these conveyance paths perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction. a switching member that is rotatable about an axis; and a sheet of paper that is provided on the switching member and has a cross section perpendicular to the axis that is substantially arc-shaped, and that both ends thereof extend in the radial direction of the switching member. A paper conveyance path switching device comprising: a passage; and means for rotating the switching member for switching the conveyance path for the paper passage.