JP3178090B2 - Printing apparatus and recording paper control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a so-called POS printer for printing on a cut sheet such as a form sheet, and an optimum control of the transfer of the cut sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A paper feed mechanism of a conventional printer prints a form at a position distant from a print line of a printing section in a paper traveling direction by a paper feed unit including a pair of paper feed rollers and a paper holding roller. Paper feed.

[0003]

However, in the conventional structure, in the case of a pair of paper feed units, the position where the form is disengaged from the engagement portion with the paper feed roller is the limit of the paper feed, and the paper feed to the print portion is limited. Depending on the position of the feed roller, the printing front margin becomes large or the printing rear margin becomes large, and it has not been possible to reduce both the printing front margin and the printing rear margin for various forms.

Conventionally, in such a type of printer, the mechanism has to be complicated and large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve such a drawback, and a printer capable of printing both a leading margin and a trailing margin on various forms with one printer is provided. The purpose is to provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer which is optimal for a compact and lightweight POS printer by sharing a drive source for transporting the recording paper and also using a common opening and closing mechanism for a transporting section of the recording paper. An object of the present invention is to provide an optimal control method for the printer.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a first recording paper transport section disposed on a recording paper insertion side, a second recording paper transport section disposed immediately before a printing section in a recording paper transport direction, and a printing apparatus. A third recording paper transport section disposed on the recording paper discharge side of the first recording section, first, second, and third recording paper driving rollers disposed respectively in the first, second, and third recording paper transport sections; And a motor for commonly driving the first, second, and third recording paper driving rollers and a recording paper capable of shielding / releasing a path in a recording paper transport direction provided between the first recording paper transport unit and the printing unit. A path shielding unit, a recording paper detector installed between the path shielding unit and the first recording paper transport unit, and a recording paper path of each of the first, second, and third recording paper transport units. A printing apparatus comprising first, second, and third transfer unit opening / closing mechanisms that open and close.

Further, the present invention provides a recording paper detecting step for detecting that a recording paper has been set, a step of closing the first recording paper transport unit after detecting the recording paper, and simultaneously releasing the recording paper path blocking means. A recording paper transporting step of transporting the recording paper to a printable recording position, a step of detecting whether the recording paper has passed a position at which the recording paper can be transported by the second recording paper transporting part between the recording paper transporting steps, A second recording paper transport unit and a process of closing the printing unit after the recording paper can be transported by the second recording paper transport unit;
A process of transferring the recording paper by the second recording paper transport unit while controlling the printing, a process of detecting whether the leading end of the recording paper can be transported by the third recording paper transport unit, and a transport by the third recording paper transport unit Recording paper control for a printing apparatus, comprising: a step of closing a third transfer unit opening / closing mechanism after the printing is enabled; and a step of transferring recording paper by a third recording paper transfer unit while controlling printing. Is the way.

[0009]

According to the above construction of the present invention, the leading edge margin of a slip paper or a card as a form (the margin on the form from the leading edge of the form to the printing start position in the paper feed direction) or the trailing edge margin of the printing (Margin from the print end position to the back of the form)
It is possible to provide a recording paper transport mechanism of a printer and an optimal control method for transporting the recording paper to reduce the number of recording papers.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the printer according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a right side view showing power transmission by a gear train and a belt in a view from a direction A in FIG. 6. 1 to 4 show the operation when the printer is used as a slip printer.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 20 denotes a motor serving as a driving source for transferring the recording paper, 19 denotes an intermediate gear for transmitting rotation, 8 denotes a first recording paper driving roller, 5 denotes a second recording paper driving roller,
Reference numeral 14 denotes a third recording paper driving roller, respectively. The rotation of the motor by a belt or the like is such that these driving shafts 8a, 5a,
14a, which are integrated with these drive shafts.
The second and third drive rollers rotate. Each drive roller is provided with a corresponding recording roller, which is a driven roller, on the shaft. At least 2 recording paper
Roll paper can be inserted from the direction of arrow 51A, and slip paper such as cut-sheet paper can be inserted from the direction of arrow 52A. As the motor 20, a step motor is generally used.

FIGS. 1 to 4 are diagrams for explaining the mechanism and operation of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the details will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 1 denotes a print head in which print elements 1a are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction, and printing is performed on a recording paper placed between the platen 2 and a platen 2 which are opposed to each other via an ink ribbon (not shown). The print head 1 employs, as an example, a so-called shuttle printer which is installed so as to be swingable in the left-right direction by a motor (not shown). Reference numeral 1b denotes a ribbon cassette containing an ink ribbon. Reference numeral 3 denotes a recording paper pressing roller disposed at a position facing the recording paper driving roller, and is supported by an arm 4. The platen 2 is similarly fixed to the arm 4, and the arm 4 is configured to be rotatable in the direction of arrow 4A about the fulcrum 4a by a plunger 28, which is a kind of power source. The operation end point of the arm 4 in the direction of the arrow 4B is determined by the contact between the driving roller 5 and the pressing roller 3, and in fact, the recording paper is interposed therebetween, so that the interval between the platen 2 and the print element 1a of the print head is Thickness is added. That is, the gap widens with thick recording paper, and decreases with thin recording paper. A print unit is formed by using the print head 1 and the platen 2 as main components. Platen 2, arm 4, plunger 2
8 constitutes a printing unit opening / closing mechanism 40 as a main component.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a recording paper driving roller, and reference numeral 9 denotes a recording paper pressing roller provided at a position facing the recording paper driving roller. The recording paper pressing roller 9 is supported by an arm 10 and is supported by the plunger 1.
8 is provided so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow 10A starting from 10a. The recording paper drive roller 8, the recording paper pressing roller 9, the arm 10, and the plunger 18 constitute a first recording paper transport unit 32 as a main component. The plunger 18, the arm 10, and the recording paper pressing roller 9 constitute a first transfer unit opening / closing mechanism 33. The arm 4 supports a recording paper pressing roller 3 that is opposed to the recording paper driving roller 5 and is driven in common with the printing unit opening and closing mechanism. A second transfer unit opening / closing mechanism 30 is formed by using the recording paper pressing roller 3, the arm 4, and the plunger 28 as main components, and the second recording unit is formed by adding a recording paper driving roller 5 to these components as a main component. A paper transfer section 31 is formed.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a power switching lever, and the lever 13 can swing in directions of arrows 13A and 13B around a fulcrum 13a. The lever 13 and the arm 4 are engaged by the arm engaging portion 4b, and the movement of the lever spring 15 in the direction of the arrow 13A is restricted. The lower end of the lever is further engaged with the arm 10, and when the plunger 18 is being sucked, the locking portion 10c of the arm 10 is
3 is configured to be able to penetrate into the trajectory of the tip of the lever 3 and restrict the operation of the lever 13 in the direction of the arrow 13A. At the other end of the lever 13, a recording paper driving roller 14 is disposed so as to be supported by a driving shaft 14a.

A pressing roller 16 is disposed at a position facing the recording paper driving roller 14, and is configured to be able to hold and discharge the recording paper during this time.

The lever 13 is moved by an arrow 1 by a lever spring 15.
It is urged in the direction of 3A and is in contact with the arm engaging portion 4b. The force relationship by the spring force at the contact point is a relation of arm spring force> lever spring force, and the lever 13 follows the movement of the arm 4, and the arm engagement portion 4b of the contact point
When the arm 10 is released from the lock state and the arm 10 is not locked, the recording paper driving roller exerts the paper pressing force.

A third recording paper transport section 34 is formed by using the lever 13, the recording paper driving roller 14, and the recording paper pressing roller 16 as main components. Arm 4, plunger 2
8, a lever 13, and a recording paper driving roller are main components to form a third transfer unit opening / closing mechanism.

The printing section opening / closing mechanism 40 changes the distance between the printing head 1 and the platen 2 of the printing section. The printing section opening / closing mechanism 40 and the transfer section opening / closing mechanism 30 include a driving source and an arm 4 serving as a transmission member. Is shared.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a recording paper guide for forming a recording paper transport path, and a notch 22a through which the platen 2 penetrates.
Is provided.

Next, the order of the printing mechanism and the process will be described in detail. When the slip paper 12 which is the recording paper is fed, the slip paper 12 passes over the first recording paper transport section 32 which is normally opened from the slip paper insertion section 52, and the path shielding means for determining the stop position of the slip paper 12 is provided. Insert up to the home stopper 7. Immediately before the home stopper 7, there is a sensor 6 which is a kind of a recording paper detector, and detects that paper has been inserted. According to the signal of the sensor 6, the plunger 18 is externally provided.
Is energized. By being energized, the plunger 18
Is transmitted to the arm 10 rotatably locked to the plunger 18, and the arm 10 urges the recording paper pressing roller 9 to the recording paper driving roller 8 so that the slip paper can be transported. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, since the lever portion 7b of the home stopper 7 is located within the rotation locus of the arm 10, when the plunger 18 is sucked, the movement of the arm 10 causes the home stopper 7 to be released and the slip paper 12 to move.
Can be transported.

Next, by rotating the motor 20 and the drive roller 8, the slip paper 12 is fed to the second recording paper transport section.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the distance between the recording paper driving roller 8 and the recording paper driving roller 5 is fixed.
The transfer amount of the recording paper can be easily detected by the step rotation speed of the motor 20, and the slip paper 12 can be easily detected by a predetermined paper feed amount.
Is passed through the opening of the second recording paper transport unit, and the power is supplied to the plunger 28 of the second transport unit opening / closing mechanism 30 from the outside. Due to the operation of the energized plunger 28, the arm 4 rotates toward the drive roller 5 against the arm spring 41,
The slip paper 12 is sandwiched and pressed. As the arm engaging portion 4b moves, the lever 13 follows the arm engaging portion 4b and rotates in the direction of arrow 13A. However, when the plunger 18 is energized, the arm 13 is within the rotation trajectory of the lever 13, so that the lever 13 does not move, and the third recording paper transport unit remains open.

When the second transfer unit opening / closing mechanism is closed with the slip paper in the state shown in FIG. 2, the printing unit opening / closing mechanism is also closed at the same time, and the platen 2 faces the printing element 1a with a predetermined gap and is ready for printing. Becomes As shown in FIG. 3, when the slip paper 12 is fed until it passes through the opening of the third recording paper transport section while being subjected to printing control, the arm 10 is turned off by turning off the power supply to the plunger 18.
It operates in the B direction, and the operation lock of the lever 13 by the arm 10 is released. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the lever 13 is actuated by the lever spring 15 in the direction of the arrow 13B, and presses the slip paper 12 between the recording paper drive roller 14 and the press roller 16.

As described above, the slip paper 12 is first transferred by the recording paper driving roller 8 and the recording paper pressing roller 9, then by the driving roller 5 and the pressing roller 3, and by the driving roller 14 and the pressing roller 16.

However, in general, in such a driving method, the slack of the slip paper 12 between the respective driving rollers poses a problem. In this case, when the motor 20 rotates, all the driving rollers rotate simultaneously by the transmission mechanism. Further, since each transfer section is closed after the slip paper 12 passes, no slack of the slip paper 12 occurs between the drive rollers.

The energization and non-energization timings of the plungers 18 and 28 are determined by the paper detection signal of the sensor 6.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control device for controlling the mechanical unit of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. Numeral 60 denotes a CPU that controls the mechanical unit and the like, and numeral 61 stores a control program and various data. ROM, 62 indicates RAM, and 64 indicates an interface for receiving data from the host computer.

Reference numeral 100 denotes a mechanism, 1 denotes a print head, 1
Reference numerals 8 and 28 denote plungers, reference numeral 20 denotes a motor serving as a power source for transferring the recording paper, and reference numeral 6 denotes a recording paper detecting sensor.
Reference numeral 71 denotes a print head control circuit, 72 and 73 denote plunger control circuits, 74 denotes a motor control circuit, and 75 denotes a recording paper detection circuit.

Print head control circuit 7 with CPU at the center
1 together with the print control means, the plunger control circuit 72,
73 constitutes a transfer unit control means, a motor control means together with a motor control circuit, and a recording paper detection means together with the detection circuit 75.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a recording paper control method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

Immediately after print data is received from the interface and printing is started in step 200, the printing device mechanism is initialized (initialized). In step 201, the setting of slip paper is detected by a sensor. When the sensor is turned off and the recording paper set is confirmed, the plunger control circuit 72 is driven in step 202 to suck the plunger 18. Accordingly, the process shifts to step 203 to start slip transfer. When the slip paper is transported by a predetermined amount (step 204) and passes through the second recording paper transport section and reaches the printing section, the plunger control circuit 73 is driven in step 205 and the plunger 28 is sucked. The number of steps is executed by the CPU 60 down-counting the number of steps of the step motor stored in the ROM 61 in advance. Printing control is started in step 205, and printing of a predetermined amount (step 207) and transfer of a predetermined step (step 208) are repeated until the sensor is turned on. When the sensor is turned on in step 209, the energization of the plunger 18 is turned off and released in step 210. After this, a predetermined step is performed to determine whether the print data has ended or the end of the slip paper (bottom) has been reached.
Step 2 while comparing with the number of steps stored in M
Before the slipping paper passes through the printing section, step 2 is repeated.
At step 13, the print control is stopped, and at step 214, the print sheet is transported by a predetermined number of steps to discharge the slip sheet, and the printing is completed.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a plunger is used as a power source for the transfer unit opening / closing mechanism and the printing unit opening / closing mechanism, but this may be another power source such as a motor.

As described above, the slip paper guided to the printing section by the first recording paper transport section is fed by the second recording paper transport section and the third recording paper transport section before and after the printing section, and the recording paper is fed. It is possible to print efficiently from the leading end to the trailing end.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to print efficiently without leaving a margin from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the recording paper with a very simple printing mechanism. It was possible to provide a printer that can generally handle irregular recording paper.

Further, the printer can be reduced in size and weight by a simple mechanism. Further, since the power mechanism of the recording paper control unit is shared as much as possible, the control circuit is simplified and a single host computer can be used as a POS terminal. It was a perfect fit for connecting a printer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism and operation of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a mechanism and operation of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism and operation of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a mechanism and operation of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a right side view showing a power transmission by a gear train and a belt in a view from a direction A in FIG. 6 which is an overall perspective view of the printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view showing the overall configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control device that controls a mechanism of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a recording paper control method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Motor 1 ... Print head 40 ... Printing part opening / closing mechanism 32 ... 1st recording paper transport part 31 ... 2nd recording paper transport part 34 ... 3rd recording paper Transfer section 6 ... Recording paper detector (sensor) 7 ... Route blocking means (home stopper) 12 ... Slip paper 18 ... Plunger 28 ... Plunger

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-56-137484 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 13/00-13/32

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] In a printing apparatus configured to be able to print on at least recording paper such as cut-sheet paper, a printing section, a first recording paper transport section disposed on a recording paper insertion side, and a recording paper transport direction. A second recording paper transport unit disposed immediately before the printing unit; a third recording paper transport unit disposed on the recording paper discharge side of the printing unit; and a first, second, and third recording paper transport unit. First, second, and third recording paper driving rollers disposed respectively; a motor that drives the first, second, and third recording paper driving rollers in common; the first recording paper transport unit; A recording paper path shielding means disposed between the printing section and the recording paper path for shielding / releasing a path in a recording paper transport direction; and a recording paper detection disposed between the path shielding means and the first recording paper transport section. And a first, second, and third opening and closing a recording paper path of the first, second, and third recording paper transport units. The third transfer unit opening / closing mechanism is engaged with the first and second transfer unit opening / closing mechanisms to be operated by the first and second opening / closing operations. A printing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A first power control unit for controlling the first electric power source, a second power control unit for controlling the second power source, a motor control unit for controlling the motor, After confirming the recording paper set by the recording paper detector, the power source is operated by the first power control means,
A control unit for closing the transfer unit opening / closing mechanism of the recording paper transfer unit, releasing the path shielding unit engaged with the opening / closing mechanism of the recording paper transfer unit, and enabling a recording paper transfer state; Control means for activating the second power source by the second power control means and starting recording paper transfer by a second recording paper transfer unit before the recording paper is transferred to a position before printing is started; After the bottom of the recording paper is detected by the container, the opening / closing mechanism of the first recording paper transport unit is operated, and the third transport unit opening / closing mechanism that is linked thereto is closed, and the recording paper is transported by the third recording paper transport unit. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for starting transfer. 3. A printing apparatus configured to be able to print on at least recording paper such as cut-sheet paper, wherein a printing unit includes a printing unit opening / closing mechanism configured to be able to open and close between a print head and a platen opposed thereto. And a transfer unit opening / closing mechanism disposed at a position where the recording paper is set and configured to open and close a recording paper transfer path between a first recording paper driving roller and a driven roller. A second recording paper transport unit configured to open and close a recording paper transport path between a second recording paper driving roller and a driven roller in conjunction with a printing unit opening and closing mechanism of the printing unit; A third recording paper transport unit disposed on the paper discharge side and configured to be able to open and close a recording paper transport path between a third recording paper driving roller and a driven roller; 2 to detect the presence or absence of recording paper positioned between the recording paper transport unit A recording paper path detector, a recording paper path shielding means positioned between the recording paper detector and the second recording paper transport section, and configured to be able to shield / release the recording paper transport path; A first electric power source of a transfer unit opening / closing mechanism of the recording paper transfer unit; a second electric power source of the printing unit opening / closing mechanism; and a drive common to the first, second, and third recording paper driving rollers. A motor serving as a source, wherein the recording paper path shielding unit is engaged with the first transport unit opening / closing mechanism to close the recording paper path when the recording paper path is closed, and the third transport unit The opening / closing mechanism is configured to engage with the first transfer unit opening / closing mechanism and the printing unit opening / closing mechanism, and to close when the printing unit opening / closing mechanism is closed and the first transfer unit opening / closing mechanism is opened. After the recording paper, which is a cut sheet, is set, the first transfer unit opening / closing mechanism is closed and the recording sheet is closed. When the recording paper is transferred to the printing unit and the printing unit opening / closing mechanism is closed and printing is started and the recording paper is transferred within a predetermined range, the first transfer unit opening / closing mechanism is opened to transfer the third recording paper. A printing apparatus, wherein a recording sheet is ejected by closing a recording sheet. 4. A printing section capable of printing on at least recording paper such as cut-sheet paper, a first recording paper transport section disposed on the recording paper insertion side, and a second recording paper transport section disposed immediately before the printing section in the recording paper transport direction. Recording paper transport section, a third recording paper transport section disposed on the recording paper discharge side of the printing section, and first and second recording paper transport sections disposed in the first, second, and third recording paper transport sections, respectively. 2. a third recording paper driving roller, a motor commonly driving the first, second, and third recording paper driving rollers, and recording provided between the first recording paper transport unit and the printing unit. A recording paper path shielding means capable of shielding / releasing a path in a paper transport direction; a recording paper detector installed between the path shielding means and the first recording paper transport unit; A first, second, and third transfer unit opening / closing mechanism set in a third recording paper transfer unit; and a printing unit opening / closing mechanism installed in the printing unit. A recording paper detecting method for detecting that recording paper has been set; and after detecting the recording paper, closing the first recording paper transport unit and simultaneously using the recording paper path blocking means. A recording paper transporting step of transporting the recording paper to a printable recording position; and a recording paper passing a position at which the recording paper can be transported by the second recording paper transporting unit between the recording paper transporting steps. A step of detecting whether or not the recording has been performed; and a step of closing the second recording paper transport unit and a printing unit after the transport by the second recording paper transport unit becomes possible. A step of transporting the recording paper by the paper transport unit, a process of detecting whether the leading end of the recording paper can be transported by the third recording paper transport unit, and a process of transporting the recording paper by the third recording paper transport unit. Closing the third transfer unit opening / closing mechanism Stroke and, recording paper control method for a printing apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a step of transferring the recording sheet by the third recording paper transport section while printing control that.