IP Library Granted Patent US 7,451,902
Granted Patent B2
US 7,451,902 · App. 11/044,050 · Granted Nov 18, 2008

Web transporting mechanism of printing apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,451,902
App. No.
11/044,050
Granted
Nov 18, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus has a buffer mechanism section for absorbing a fluctuation of the web length from a transporting section to a fixing section generated by a difference between a speed of transporting a web in the transporting section and a speed of transporting a web in the fixing section. The web transporting mechanism includes at least one brake member suppressing a motion of a movable buffer. The brake member has a drive means.

Claims (37)

1. A web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus for forming an image on a web to be transported comprising:

a transporting section for forming the image on the web;

web transporting means for transporting the web from the transporting section;

a web discharging mechanism located in a rear portion of the transporting section, for discharging the web on which the image is transported in the transporting section; and

a buffer mechanism giving a tension to the web, and absorbing a fluctuation of a web length from the transporting section to the web discharging mechanism generated by a difference between a web transporting speed of the transporting section and a web transporting speed of the web discharging mechanism,

wherein the buffer mechanism includes a movable buffer, a position of which is changed according to the web length,

wherein the web transporting mechanism includes at least one brake member, located in the buffer mechanism, for suppressing a motion of the movable buffer, and

wherein drive means is provided in the brake member,

wherein, before a transporting of the web is started, the brake member suppresses the motion of the movable buffer to reduce a shock generated immediately after a start of said transporting, and

wherein a suppression of the movable buffer by the brake member is released after said transporting is started.

2. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a brake force of the brake member is adjustable according to a state of transporting the web.

3. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the brake member is pushed to the movable buffer via a spring.

4. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the brake member is pushed to the movable buffer via a spring.

5. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the web transporting means comprises friction drive rollers.

6. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the web passes through friction drive rollers in the transporting section.

7. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a spring pushes the movable buffer to the web.

8. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the movable buffer further comprises a support member for supporting a pushing force of the brake member, and wherein the support member is arranged at a position opposed to the brake member.

9. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein a brake plate is placed between the brake member and the support member.

10. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the brake member contacts the brake plate by the drive means.

11. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the drive means comprises a solenoid by which a position of the brake member is linearly changeable.

12. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a control signal from the drive means drives the brake member according to a state of transporting the web.

13. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the spring is attached to the brake member.

14. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the brake member is pushed to the movable buffer via a spring.

15. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the spring is attached to the support member.

16. A web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus for forming an image on a web to be transported, comprising:

a transporting section for forming the image on the web;

at least a pair of friction drive rollers for transporting the web from the transporting section, wherein the web passes through the friction drive rollers in the transporting section;

a web discharging mechanism located in a rear portion of the transporting section, for discharging the web on which the image is transported in the transporting section; and

a buffer mechanism giving a tension to the web, and absorbing a fluctuation of a web length from the transporting section to the web discharging mechanism,

wherein the buffer mechanism includes a movable buffer, a position of which is changed according to the web length,

wherein the web transporting mechanism includes at least one brake member, located in the buffer mechanism, for suppressing a motion of the movable buffer, and

wherein a drive member is provided in the brake member,

wherein, before a transporting of the web is started, the brake member suppresses the motion of the movable buffer to reduce a shock generated immediately after a start of said transporting, and

wherein a suppression of the movable buffer by the brake member is released after said transporting is started.

17. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the movable buffer further comprises a support member for supporting a pushing force of the brake member, and

wherein the support member is arranged at a position opposed to the brake member.

18. The web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein a brake plate is placed between the brake member and the support member.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2009
From: RICOH PRINTING SYSTEMS, LTD.
To: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
Reel/Frame 022191/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2005
From: OHMURA, YUJI; ONOSE, TSUKASA; TERAKADO, TAKESHI; IWANAGA, HIDENORI
To: RICOH PRINTING SYSTEMS, LTD.
Reel/Frame 016235/0726 →