JPH11160802A - Film carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure the flatness of a film at a scanning position. SOLUTION: A film 22A is carried by a pair of carrying rollers 414 and 418. Then, a film curving member 416 curves the film 22 so as to be concave along a direction nearly orthogonal to a scanning direction at a scanning position (r) where the film 22 carried by the pair of carrying rollers 414 and 418 is scanned along a width direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a film carrier, and more particularly, to a film carrier for transporting a film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a digital printer conveys an original, irradiates the conveyed original with light at a reading scanning position, and measures light reflected from the original with a line sensor, thereby obtaining the original. An image is read, and the read image data is subjected to image processing and printed.

In a digital printer that prints an image recorded on a negative film on photographic paper, the negative film is conveyed, and light is irradiated on the conveyed negative film at a reading scanning position, similarly to the digital printer. It is also conceivable that an image is read by measuring the light transmitted from the negative film with a line sensor, and the image is formed on the photographic paper by printing and exposing the photographic paper based on the read image data.

In this case, in order to form a high-quality image on photographic paper, it is necessary to ensure a high flatness of the negative film at the scanning position. That is, it is necessary that the negative film located at the scanning position is located on a plane that includes the scanning position and is perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0005]

However, since the negative film is wound up and stored in the cartridge, a curl (winding curl) which curves along the winding direction occurs. Further, the negative film has a gutter curl which curves along a gutter shape in the width direction due to its own weight. Since curling and gutter curling occur as described above, the flatness of the negative film cannot be secured at the scanning reading position.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to provide a film carrier capable of ensuring the flatness of a film at a scanning position.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a conveying means for conveying a film, and scanning of the film conveyed by the conveying means in a direction intersecting the conveying direction. At the scanning position where
Bending means for bending the film along a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning direction.

That is, the conveying means according to the present invention conveys the film, and the bending means scans the film conveyed by the conveying means at a scanning position where the scanning is performed along a direction intersecting the conveying direction. The film is curved along a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction. The scanning direction is preferably the film width direction.

Here, at the scanning position, scanning reading is performed along the scanning direction by the reading unit, and the bending unit may bend the film so that the side on which the reading unit is disposed is convex. . In this case, a regulating means for regulating the portion to be horizontal along the scanning direction may be arranged inside the portion of the film that is curved so as to be convex. As described above, the regulating means for regulating the portion so as to be horizontal along the scanning direction is arranged inside the portion curved so as to be convex of the film, so that the film is curved so as to be convex. It is possible to regulate the deflection or the like of the portion. Note that the bending means may be configured to bend the film so that the side on which the reading unit is disposed is concave.

The bending means may be a guide for guiding the entire area of the film along a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, or may be a guide for guiding the end of the film. As described above, if the bending means is a guide for guiding the end of the film, it is possible to prevent the image recorded on the film from being damaged by the bending means.

As described above, since the film is curved at a scanning position in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning direction, it is possible to correct the curl in the area of the film located at the scanning position. Therefore, it is possible to ensure flatness in the area of the film located at the scanning position.

[0012] In the second aspect of the invention, the conveying means for conveying the film, and the film conveyed by the conveying means, the scanning position in which the scanning is performed along a direction intersecting the film conveying direction, the upstream of the conveying direction. Pressing means for pressing the film on at least one of the side and the downstream side,
It has.

That is, the conveying means according to the present invention conveys the film, and the pressing means interposes a scanning position at which the film conveyed by the conveying means is scanned along a direction intersecting the film conveying direction. The film is pressed on at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction.

As described above, since the film is pressed on at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction across the scanning position, it is possible to correct the gutter curl in the area of the film located at the scanning position.

When the pressing means is located below the film, the pressing means presses a central portion of the film in the scanning direction. When the pressing means is located above the film, the pressing means: Press both ends of the film in the scanning direction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the conveying means for conveying the film, and the film conveyed by the conveying means are scanned along a direction intersecting the conveying direction. And a tension generating means for generating tension.

That is, the conveying means according to the present invention conveys the film, and the tension generating means passes through a scanning position where the film conveyed by the conveying means is scanned in a direction intersecting the conveying direction. Tension is generated in the portion of the film that is in the process.

As described above, since tension is generated in the portion of the film passing through the scanning position, curl and curl of the film can be corrected by the tension.

The conveying means conveys the film so as to be pulled downstream of the scanning position in the film conveying direction, and the tension generating means generates a resistance force in the direction opposite to the conveying direction on the film conveyed by the conveying means. By doing so, the tension may be generated. Further, the tension generating means may generate the tension by pressing the film.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a line CC of a digital printer.
The D scanner unit is shown. The line CCD scanner unit includes a light source 130 configured by a halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp, or the like, and irradiating the film 22 with light.
On the light exit side of the light source 130, a light diffusion box 136 that uses the light irradiated on the film 22 as diffused light is arranged in order.

The film 22 is scanned by a film carrier 14 (see also FIG. 2) disposed on the light exit side of the light diffusion box 136 (the center coincides with the optical axis in the film width direction). ) Is positioned so that the center of the screen of the film image curved in the above) coincides with the optical axis. The film carrier 14 is built in a substantially box-shaped housing.

Between the light source 130 and the light diffusion box 36, C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) dimming filters 114C, 114M, and 114Y are provided along the optical axis of the emitted light. The film 22 is provided in order.
The lens unit 14 that forms light transmitted through the film image along the optical axis on the side opposite to the light source 130 with the
0, the line CCDs 116 are arranged in order so that the film width direction is the longitudinal direction. Although FIG. 1 shows only a single lens as the lens unit 40, the lens unit 40 is actually a zoom lens including a plurality of lenses.

The line CCD 116 has a large number of photoelectric conversion elements such as CCD cells and photodiodes arranged in a line, and three sensing units provided with an electronic shutter mechanism are provided in parallel with each other at intervals. One of R, G, and B color separation filters is attached to the light incident side of the sensing unit (a so-called three-line color CCD). The line CCD 116 is arranged so that the light receiving surface of each sensing unit matches the image forming point position of the lens unit 40. In addition, a transfer section composed of a large number of CCD cells is provided in the vicinity of each sensing section corresponding to each sensing section, and charges accumulated in each CCD cell of each sensing section are transferred to the corresponding transfer section. Are transferred in order through. Although not shown, the line C
A shutter is provided between the CD 116 and the lens unit 40.

Next, referring to FIG.
4 will be described. Note that the film carrier 14 according to the present embodiment is applied to a film type of a predetermined standard. That is, there is no image in an area within a distance between a second conveying roller pair 414 and a third conveying roller pair 418, which will be described later, from each of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the film. Applies to existing films.

As shown in FIG. 2, the film carrier 14
Is configured so that the cartridge 402 containing the film 22 can be set at a predetermined position, and along the direction in which the film 22 is pulled out from the set cartridge 402,
Various transport roller pairs to be described later are arranged. In the following, the direction in which the film 22 is pulled out in the direction of arrow J shown in FIG.
The direction in which the cartridge 2 is rewound into the cartridge 402 and stored is referred to as a storage direction.

Along the pull-out direction J from the set position of the cartridge 402, the first conveying roller pair 404, the dust removing roller 406, and the dust from the surface of the magnetic recording layer (not shown) provided at both ends in the width direction of the film 22. Dust removing rollers 408 (a pair corresponding to both ends in the width direction of the film 22), a magnetic head (not shown) for reading magnetic information from the magnetic recording layer, and an illustration (not shown) for writing magnetic information to the magnetic recording layer. Magnetic information read / write sections 410 each having a magnetic head (not shown) (a pair corresponding to both widthwise ends of the film 22), a perforation sensor 412 provided on the film 22 for detecting a perforation and a bar code (not shown), a second transport roller Vs. 4
14. The surface of the film 22 becomes flat at the scanning position of the film image on the film 22 (actually, an elongated region having a small width in the length direction of the film 22) by correcting the warp along the width direction of the film 22. Film bending member 416 (to be described in detail later), third conveying roller pair 418, fourth conveying roller pair 420, and film 22
Are temporarily disposed in order.

The first to fourth transport roller pairs 404, 414,
418 and 420 are drive rollers 404A, 414A, 4
18A, 420A and driven rollers 404B, 414B,
418B and 420B.

The film carrier 14 is provided with a motor 430 serving as a driving force source for the driving rollers 404A, 414A, 418A, and 420A.
The drive shaft 432 of the 30 and the drive shaft 434 of the second transport roller pair 414 are connected by a multi-stage transmission mechanism 440 including a plurality of pulleys having different diameters, an endless belt, and the like.

Endless belts 452 and 454 are wound around the drive shaft 434 of the second pair of transport rollers 414, of which the endless belt 452 is on the drive shaft 456 of the first transport roller pair 404, and the endless belt 454 is the 3 transport rollers pair 4
18 are respectively wound around the drive shafts 458.
An endless belt 460 is wound around a drive shaft 458 of the third conveying roller pair 418.
Reference numeral 60 is wound around the drive shaft 462 of the fourth transport roller pair 420. As a result, the drive shaft 434 of the second conveying roller pair 414 is rotationally driven by the driving force of the motor 430, so that the drive shafts 456, 458, and 462 are also rotationally driven. Accordingly, the rotation speed of the drive shafts 456, 458, and 462 is changed by changing the rotation speed of the drive shaft 434 of the second conveying roller pair 414 by the multi-stage transmission mechanism 440 while keeping the rotation speed of the motor 430 constant. Is also changed so that the transport speed of the film 22 can be changed.

The one-way clutch 30 is provided between the drive roller 418A and the position where the endless belt 454 is wound around the drive shaft 458 of the third transport roller pair 418. The one-way clutch 30 transmits the driving force of the motor 430 to the driving roller 414A when transporting the film 22 in the drawing direction J, and transmits the driving force of the motor 430 to the driving roller 414A when transporting the film 22 in the housing direction K. The drive roller 414A is made to function as a driven roller without transmission.

By the way, in the housing of the film carrier 14, slit holes (not shown) for scanning light are formed directly above and below the above-mentioned scanning position. That is, the film 22 conveyed in the film carrier 14
At the scanning position, scanning light (dimmed) is irradiated along the optical axis from below, and the transmitted light is applied to a line CCD 116 disposed above the film carrier 14.
Is configured to reach.

Although not shown, the cartridge 4
02 is set at the position shown in FIG. 1, the leading end of the film 22 is pulled out of the cartridge 402, and the first
A film feeding mechanism for automatically feeding the sheet to the holding portion of the pair of conveying rollers 404 is also built in the film carrier 14.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the film bending members 416 are disposed at both ends in the width direction of the film 22 between the second pair of conveying rollers 414 and the third pair of conveying rollers 418. . Since the film bending members 416 arranged at both ends in the width direction of the film 22 have the same configuration, the film bending member 416 arranged on the left side in the drawing direction J will be described. The description of the right film bending member 416 is omitted.

The film bending member 416 causes the passing film 22 to be bent at a first bending angle in a direction opposite to the curl direction of the film 22 once between the second conveying roller pair 414 and the third conveying roller pair 418. Thereafter, at a scanning position r, which will be described later, the paper curls in the winding curl direction at a second bending angle greater than or equal to the first bending angle, and again conveys at a first bending angle in a direction opposite to the curl direction. The first member 32A is arranged at a position sandwiching the end of the film 22 from below, and the second member 32A is arranged at a position sandwiching the end of the film 22 from above so that a conveyed path K3 is formed. It is configured to include a member 34A and a third member 38A. The film transport paths outside the second transport roller pair 414 and the third transport roller pair 418 are connected to the film transport paths K1 and K2.
Called.

The first member 32A has a convex surface whose both ends are continuous with the film transport paths K1 and K2. Note that the top of the convex surface is located above the plane of the film transport paths K1 and K2.

The second member 34A has both ends continuous with the film transport paths K1 and K2, and the lower surface thereof has the first member 32A.
Has a concave surface corresponding to the convex surface. Also, for example, points P, Q, and R in FIG. 3B are replaced with points P, Q, and R in FIG.
The second member 34A is located at a predetermined distance L1 where the concave surface and the convex surface are sufficiently thicker than the thickness of the film 22.
(E.g., 0.5 mm to 0.6 mm). Further, the center of the second member 34A is cut out in a rectangular shape.

The third member 38A is arranged at a position of the second member 34A cut out in a rectangular shape.
The points S and T in FIG. 3A are located at the points S and T in FIG. 4C, and the predetermined distance L2 (0) that is shorter than the predetermined distance L1 and slightly larger than the thickness of the film 22 with the convex surface. 0.4 mm or less, preferably about 0.2 mm). The third member 38A is the first member 32
A is urged by a weak urging force of the spring 40A.

The above-mentioned left end 22AB of the film 22 is located within the convex surface of the first member 32A corresponding to the lower surface of the third member 38A.

The film bending member 41 shown in FIG.
6 is formed in an upward convex shape (convex toward the line CCD 116), but may be formed in a downward convex shape when a pressing roller is employed as described later.

Here, the first member 32A and the first member 32
The scanning position r is set between the tops of B, and the film carrier 14 is provided with holding rollers 42A and 42B at a position separated by a predetermined distance from the scanning position r. The upper portions of the pressing rollers 42A and 42B are located at the same position as the convex surface of the first member 32A.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the cartridge 402 is set at the position shown in FIG.
02, the leading end of the film 22 is pulled out and automatically sent out to the holding portion of the first transport roller pair 404.

When the leading end of the film 22 is automatically sent out to the holding portion of the first conveying roller pair 404, a leading end detection sensor (not shown) disposed near the first conveying roller pair 404 detects the leading end of the film 22. To detect. This allows
A controller (not shown) operates the motor 430. When the motor 430 is operated, the driving shaft 434 of the second conveying roller pair 414 is rotationally driven by the driving force of the motor 430, and the driving shafts 456, 458, 462 are rotationally driven, and the first conveying roller pair 404, the second conveying roller Vs 41
4. Third transport roller pair 418, fourth transport roller pair 420
As a result, the film 22 is transported in the drawing direction J, and is transported in the order of the transport paths K1, K3, and K2.

Until the film 22 is transported along the transport path K 1 and reaches the second transport roller pair 414, dust is removed from the surface of the magnetic recording layer provided on the film 22 by the dust removal roller 408. Then, the magnetic information read / write unit 410 reads magnetic information from the magnetic recording layer and writes magnetic information to the magnetic recording layer, and the perforation sensor 412 detects perforations and bar codes provided on the film 22. You.

When the film 22 is transported along the transport path K3, an image located at the scanning position r of the film 22 is pre-scanned by the line CCD 116.
At this time, the transport is controlled based on the magnetic information read by the magnetic information read / write unit 410 and the perforations and bar codes detected by the perforation sensor 412.

When the film 22 is transported in the pull-out direction J, the one-way clutch 30 transmits the driving force of the motor 430 to the driving roller 414A.

On the other hand, when a rear end detection sensor (not shown) arranged on the transport path K2 detects the rear end of the film 22, it is determined that the pre-scanning of all the images on the film 22 has been completed. 430 is actuated in the opposite direction. When the motor 430 operates in the reverse direction, the first transport roller pair 404 and the second transport roller pair 41
4. Third transport roller pair 418, fourth transport roller pair 420
As a result, the film 22 is transported in the accommodation direction K, and is transported in the order of the transport paths K2, K3, and K1.

When the film 22 is transported in the housing direction K, the one-way clutch 30 transmits the driving force of the motor 430 to the driving roller 414A without transmitting the driving force to the driving roller 414A.
14A functions as a driven roller.

When the film 22 is transported along the transport path K3, the image located at the scanning position r of the film 22 is fine-scanned by the line CCD as described above.

Here, a focus chart is displayed outside the transport path on the optical axis. Then, at the time of pre-scanning or fine scanning, the focus chart is read by the line CCD 116, and auto-focusing of the scanning position r is performed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the film 22 is conveyed in each of the drawing direction and the accommodation direction K,
Since the film 22 is transported along the transport path K3, the film 22 is curved by the film bending member 416 so as to be convex toward the line CCD, that is, once curved in the direction opposite to the curl direction of the film 22. Thereafter, the sheet is bent in the curl direction at the scanning position r, and is again conveyed in a direction opposite to the curl direction. That is, the film 22
Is curved and conveyed upwardly from the surfaces of the film transport paths K1 and K2, so that curls are removed.

Since the gap at both ends of the transport path K3 is a predetermined distance L1 sufficiently larger than the thickness of the film 22, the film 22 can easily enter the transport path K3.

Here, even if the leading end of the film 22 is broken, check tape, or cut off, when both ends of the film 22 pass through the top, the force (upward) due to the rigidity of the film 22 is third. Both ends of the film 22 pass over the top while the third member 38A is lifted upward, overcoming the weak urging force of the spring 40A on the member 38A.

When both ends of the film 22 pass through the top, that is, when the film 22 passes through the scanning position r, the film 22 is pressed by the pressing rollers 42A and 42B.
Is pressed in the width direction to correct gutter curl.

As described above, when the film passes through the scanning position, curl and curl of the film are corrected.

Therefore, the area of the film located at the scanning position is substantially located in a plane including the scanning position and perpendicular to the optical axis. That is, high flatness at the scanning position of the film can be obtained. Therefore, the reading performance of the film image is improved.

When the film is conveyed in the housing direction, the driving force of the motor 430 is not transmitted to the driving roller 414A by the one-way clutch, but is driven by the driving roller 414A.
Since A functions as a driven roller, the driving roller 414
A becomes a resistance, and the film 22 becomes the second conveying roller pair 41
4 will be pulled. Therefore, tension is generated in the film 22 between the second transport roller pair 414 and the third transport roller pair 418. When tension is generated in the film 22, the film 22 comes to adhere to the convex surface of the first member 32A. Therefore, the flatness is further improved.

The method of generating tension in the film is not limited to the direction using the one-way clutch. That is, instead of the third transport roller pair 418, as shown in FIG. 5, the radius r ₀ of the vertical cross section circle at the position corresponding to the end of the film 22 is larger than the radius of each roller of the second transport roller pair 414. A long inverted crown roller 418A1 may be employed. Thus, the inverted crown roller 418A1 is
Since the radius r ₀ of the vertical cross section circle at the position corresponding to the end of the film 22 is longer than the radius of each of the rollers 414 of the second conveying roller pair, the film 22 of the inverted crown roller 418A1 is
The peripheral speed at the position corresponding to the end of the second conveying roller pair 41
4, the film 22 is pulled by the second conveying roller pair 414. Therefore, tension occurs in the film 22.

As shown in FIG. 6, a tension roller device 50 may be provided at a position on the side of the third conveying roller pair 418 in the conveying path K3. That is, the tension roller device 50 is disposed along the width direction of the film 22 and has a length equal to or greater than the width of the film 22, a roller 56 that contacts the film 22, supports the roller 56 at one end, and has a spring 52 at the other end. And a retracting means such as a solenoid (not shown) for retracting the position of the roller 56 upward. That is, the support 5
4 is urged by a spring 52 to transmit the urging force to the roller 56, and the roller 56 pushes the film 22 downward. Thereby, tension is generated in the film 22. Note that, when the leading edge detection sensor detects the leading edge of the film 22, the leading edge of the film 22 is
By the time the time to reach the position elapses, for example,
Immediately before the leading end of the film 22 reaches the position of the roller 56, the retracting means retracts the roller 56 in the upward direction to facilitate the passage of the film 22.

The film bending member 416 is omitted,
Roll curls and gutter curls may be corrected by the pressing rollers 42A and 42B shown in FIG. 3, the inverted crown roller 418A1 shown in FIG. 5, and the tension roller device 50 shown in FIG.

In the above embodiment, the pressing roller 4
2A and 42B are provided to hold down the film in the width direction to correct gutter curl, but the present invention is not limited to this.
As shown in FIG. 7, instead of the pressing rollers 42A and 42B, inside the portion r which is curved so as to be convex (convex toward the line CCD), the portion r is horizontal along the scanning direction. It is also possible to dispose a glass regulating means 60 that regulates such that

As described above, when the film is curved so as to be convex toward the line CCD, the regulating means 60 is disposed inside the portion r which is curved so as to be convex. It is on the street. That is, if the light is transmitted outside the portion r, the light transmitted through the film is read by the line CCD via the restricting means 60, and the reading accuracy is deteriorated. Further, as described above, when the film is held at both ends by the pair of film bending members 416, the portion r of the film bends inside the portion r, so that the bending is restricted from the inside of the portion r. To do that.

In the above-described embodiment, the image recorded on the film is scanned and read at the scanning position. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image may be scanned and recorded on the film at the scanning position. Good.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention, at the scanning position, the film is curved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning direction, so that the curl in the region of the film located at the scanning position can be corrected. Thus, there is an effect that flatness in a region of the film located at the scanning position can be ensured.

According to the present invention, the regulating means for regulating the portion so as to be horizontal along the scanning direction is arranged inside the portion curved so as to be convex on the film. This has the effect that the deflection or the like of the curved portion can be restricted.

According to the present invention, since the bending means is used as a guide for guiding the end of the film along the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, it is possible to prevent the image recorded on the film from being damaged by the bending means. Has the effect of being able to

According to the present invention, the film is pressed on at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the scanning position, so that the gutter curl in the film area located at the scanning position can be corrected. This has the effect that planarity in the region of the film located at the position can be ensured.

According to the present invention, since tension is generated in a portion of the film passing through the scanning position, curling and curling of the film can be corrected by the tension, and the area of the film located at the scanning position can be corrected. Has an effect that flatness can be secured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a line CCD scanner.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a film carrier.

3A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a film bending member, and FIG. 3B is a top view illustrating a schematic configuration of the film bending member.

4A is a diagram illustrating a third member of the film bending member, FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a second member of the film bending member, and FIG. (D) is a diagram showing a film transport path.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modification of the third conveyance roller.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another modification.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a regulating unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

416 Film bending member 404, 414, 418, 420 First to fourth transport roller pairs

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A transporting means for transporting a film, and at a scanning position where scanning is performed on a film transported by the transporting means in a direction intersecting the transporting direction, the film is moved along a direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction. A film carrier comprising: a bending means for bending a film. 2. In the scanning position, scanning reading is performed by a reading unit along the scanning direction, and the bending unit curves the film so that the side on which the reading unit is disposed is convex. The film carrier according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The image forming apparatus further comprises a regulating means disposed inside a portion of the film curved so as to be convex and regulating the portion to be horizontal along the scanning direction. The film carrier according to claim 2, wherein 4. The film carrier according to claim 1, wherein the bending means is a guide for guiding an end of the film along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. 5. A transporting means for transporting a film, and an upstream and a downstream in the transporting direction across a scanning position at which scanning is performed along a direction intersecting the transporting direction with respect to the film transported by the transporting means. A film carrier, comprising: pressing means for pressing a film on at least one side. 6. A transporting means for transporting a film, and a tension is applied to a portion of the film passing through a scanning position where scanning is performed along a direction intersecting the transporting direction with respect to the film transported by the transporting means. And a tension generating means for generating the tension.