JPH05318832A - Recording head - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a recording head capable of conducting printing by a plurality of colors and capable of minimally inhibiting the generation of a sound during printing operation. CONSTITUTION:A recording head has a head body 11 capable of being moved in the main scanning direction to recording paper, a plurality of heads 12a-12d having a plurality of recording elements and being installed to the head body 11 at every color and ink ribbons 13 mounted in response to each or the heads 12 at every color, and printing is performed onto recording paper by specified colors by the recording elements of each head 12a-12d while reciprocating and moving the head body in the main scanning direction. Accordingly, the images of various colors can be printed by a dot impact type recording head.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording head, and more particularly to a recording head capable of reducing the capacity of a power source used and suppressing the generation of sound during a recording operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent development and popularization of OA equipment,
Printers are used as accessories for office computers and word processors in each office. A recording head is mounted in the printing portion of such a printer, and an example of the structure of such a recording head is shown in FIG. 6, for example.

This recording head has a front yoke 1 and a rear yoke 2 for forming an electromagnetic circuit, a permanent magnet 3 attached and fixed to one end side of the yokes 1 and 2, and a permanent magnet 3 facing each other. Between the core 4 fixed to the rear yoke 2 at a position, the electromagnetic coil 5 wound around the core 4 and electrically connected to the control circuit and the drive circuit, and between the yoke body 1 and the permanent magnet 3. Nested leaf spring 6
And a print pin 7 as a recording element attached to the tip of the leaf spring 6. The yoke main body 1 has a pin through hole 8 at the tip thereof, and the print pin 7 projects forward of the yoke main body 1 through the pin through hole 8. Further, a second through hole 9 is provided at a portion (lower side position in FIG. 6) of the pin through hole 8 of the yoke main body 1 on the base end side. Then, a chip 10 is attached to a portion of the leaf spring 6 corresponding to the second through hole 9, and the chip 1 is attached.
0 projects forward of the yoke body 1 through the second through hole 9. A plurality of sets (for example, 24 sets) of the magnetic members 3, 4, 5, the leaf springs 6, and the print pins 7 are provided for one recording head, and the tips of the print pins 7 for the number of sets face the platen surface. As a result, one head assembly is constructed.

The operation of the recording head having such a configuration will be described. When the current is not conducted to the electromagnetic coil 5, the leaf spring 6 is attracted to the core 4 by the action of the permanent magnet 3 and the print pin 7 is in the retracted position.

Under this condition, a current is passed through the electromagnetic coil 5 in a direction to cancel the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 3. When the attractive force of the permanent magnet 3 is completely canceled by the electromagnetic action generated by this current, the leaf spring 6 separates from the core 4 by its own repulsive force, and pushes the printing pin 7 forward vigorously. Print on recording paper. When the current to the electromagnetic coil 3 is cut off, the leaf spring 7 is again attracted to the surface of the yoke 1 by the permanent magnet 3.

[0006]

However, such a conventional recording head has one head assembly and prints while the recording head moves from one end to the other end in the main scanning direction. Printing is performed by hitting the pins on the recording paper, and when moving in the next main scanning direction, the recording paper and the recording head are moved relatively in the sub-scanning direction to perform printing. Regarding, there is a problem that normally, only black printing is possible. Further, there is a problem in that a plurality of print pins 7 are simultaneously activated during the printing operation, and a loud sound is generated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to perform printing with a plurality of colors and to minimize the generation of sound during the printing operation. Is to provide.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a head body movable in the main scanning direction with respect to a recording sheet, and a plurality of heads attached to the head body for each color. Color ribbons provided corresponding to each head for each color, a plurality of recording elements that are provided in each head to move forward and backward with respect to the recording paper, and print operation, and a printing operation that is attached to the head body and prints on the recording elements A recording head that has a driving member for performing the above-mentioned operation and prints on a recording paper in a predetermined color by the recording element of each head while reciprocating the head main body in the main scanning direction.

Corresponding recording elements may be arranged between the heads in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction at pitch intervals deviating from the multiple of the printing pitch in each scanning direction by a predetermined dimension. For each of the plurality of heads, the plurality of recording elements are arranged in the main scanning direction at a pitch interval that is deviated from the multiple of the printing pitch in the main scanning direction by a predetermined dimension, and the driving member is arranged in the main scanning direction of the recording head. For each recording element that reached the print position while moving in the direction
It is also possible to drive the other recording elements so that the operation is completed with a time difference between the operation of one recording element and the next operation.

[0010]

As described above, since the plurality of recording elements are arranged at the pitch interval deviating from the multiple of the printing pitch P in the main scanning direction by a predetermined dimension, a plurality of recording elements are moved while the recording head is moving in the main scanning direction. Each recording element reaches the printing position individually, and the print command timing pulse is applied to each recording element so that one recording element operates and the other recording element completes its operation while causing a time difference while the other operates. It is distributed to and output. For this reason, the power for driving the printhead is also dispersedly supplied, and a large amount of power supply is not required at one time, so that the capacity of the power supply circuit can be reduced. Further, since the plurality of recording elements are dispersed to perform the printing operation, the sound generated during the printing operation is extremely small.

[0011]

1 to 3 are views showing a first embodiment of a recording head according to the present invention. Of these, FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall structure of the recording head according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing an example of the arrangement of the print pins of the individual color heads, and FIG. 3 is the printing in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation timing of a pin.

The recording head according to this embodiment includes a head main body 11 movable in the main scanning direction with respect to a recording paper, and a plurality of color heads 12 mounted and supported on the head main body 11 for each color. , And an ink ribbon 13 provided on each of the heads 12 for each color. In this embodiment, a head similar to that shown in the description of the conventional example is used as the color-specific head 12. Therefore, it has print pins 7 as a plurality of recording elements that move forward and backward with respect to the recording paper to perform a printing operation, and a drive member that is attached to the head main body and causes the recording elements to perform a printing operation. Also,
As for the type of color, it is possible to print in each color of black, red, blue, and yellow. The color-specific head 12 includes a black head 12a for black printing, a cyan head 12b for red printing, a magenta head 12c for blue printing, and a yellow head 12d for yellow printing. Further, as the ink ribbon 13, a color ribbon 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d corresponding to a color to be printed by each head is wound around each color head 12.

In the present embodiment, the magnetic drive member constituted by the permanent magnet 3 and the electromagnetic coil 5, the leaf spring 6 and the printing pin 7 collectively constitute one printing assembly. A plurality of sets (for example, 24 sets) of this print assembly are provided for one color-specific head 12. Here, as regards the black head 12a as one color-specific head 12, as shown in FIG. 2, m print pins 7 are provided from 7a to 7m, and the plurality of print pins 7a to 7m are provided. 7 m are arranged in two rows, row A and row B, which extend in a direction slightly inclined from the vertical direction. A
Between the row and the row B, the printing pins 7a, 7 of one row
c, ... 7m-1 and the printing pins 7b, 7d, ... 7 of the other row
m is vertically offset from each other by a half pitch, and is staggered, and one print pitch P in the sub-scanning direction between adjacent print pins (for example, 7a and 7b) between both print pin rows.
Is formed.

Further, in the row A, the adjacent print pins (for example, 7a and 7c) are arranged with a pitch of 2 P / m in the main scanning direction. The same print pin arrangement is made in the row B as well.

Further, the main scanning direction interval between the print rows A and B is nP + P / m, where n: an arbitrary natural number P: print pitch on the recording paper.

The printing pin 7 is composed of a rod member having a relatively short size, and its tip has an extremely small diameter and is sharp. This printing pin 7
Protrudes forward from the leaf spring 6. Also,
The remaining head 12 for each color, that is, the cyan head 12
b, magenta head 12c, yellow head 12d
Has the same configuration.

The black head 12 is provided between the color heads 12, that is, between the black head 12a and the cyan head 12b adjacent thereto.
The print pin a (for example, 7a) and the corresponding print pin 7a of the cyan head 12b are arranged so as to be displaced by an integral multiple of one print pitch P in the main scanning direction. Similar head arrangement is performed between other color heads.

The operation of the recording head having the above structure will be described below. In the printing operation, in synchronization with the scanning of the recording head, color information indicating how many colors are to be printed and print data for a plurality of characters are transferred. As a result, one of the color-specific heads 12 is selected as the print head, and the print pin 7 of that head is activated. The rows A and B in which the printing pins 7 are arranged are, as described above, a multiple nP of the printing pitch P in the main scanning direction.
Are arranged at intervals of a predetermined dimension P / m from
Further, since the adjacent print pins in the same row are arranged at a pitch interval of 2 P / m in the main scanning direction, during the movement of the recording head in the main scanning direction, the plurality of print pins 7 are
When the moving speed of the recording head is V, the print pins 7a, 7b, 7c, ... Have a time difference of P / mV.
Each of the print pins 7a to 7m reaches the print position in the order of 7m-1 and 7m, and as a result, the print command timing pulse is applied to the print pins 7a to 7m.
It is distributed for every m and output.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation timing of the print pin 7 when it is activated. In FIG. 3, when the encoder output E1 is sent from the control circuit, 7a, 7
b, 7c, ... 7m-1, 7m are dispersed in this order, and print command timing pulses are applied to start up. In this embodiment, the printing operation when m = 24 is shown. As a result, the print pin 7a first reaches the predetermined print position, the print command timing pulse is applied, and the print operation is performed on the recording paper, and then the print pin 7b reaches the print position with a time difference of P / mV. Similarly, a print command timing pulse is applied to perform a printing operation on the recording paper. Hereinafter, this operation is continuously continued for the remaining print pins. Then, after the last print pin 7m finishes the printing operation, the next encoder output E2 is sent out where the first print pin 7a has advanced by one print pitch P from the previous print position, and the next encoder output E2 is sent in the same manner as above. Distributed printing operation is performed.

In the printing operation, when other color information is input, a head different from the preceding head is selected, and the head prints a predetermined color. In this case, as described above, the print pins 7 corresponding to each other among the color-specific heads 12 are arranged so as to be displaced by an integral multiple of one print pitch P in the main scanning direction, so that different heads are provided. Even if is selected and printing is performed in another color, the embossing points of the printing pins 7 do not change on the recording paper, and it is possible to realize printing with neat colors on the same page.

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a second embodiment of the recording head according to the present invention. Also in this example,
Similar to the first embodiment, regarding each of the color-specific heads 12, the arrangement of the print pins 7 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

However, unlike the first embodiment, 4
All the corresponding print pins (for example, the print pin 7 of each color head) are provided between the two color heads 12a to 12d.
In a), it is arranged in the main scanning direction or the sub scanning direction with a shift of an integral multiple of one printing pitch plus (or minus) half pitch. That is, between the black head 12a, the cyan head 12b, the magenta head 12c, and the yellow head 12d, the print pins corresponding to the print pins 7a in the first embodiment (each of which is 1
7a, 17b, 17c, 17d), the black head 12a and the cyan head 12 are compared.
The print pin 17a and the print pin 17b are displaced from each other by b by an integer multiple of one print pitch P plus a half pitch in the main scanning direction, while at the same level or one print pitch (Q) in the sub scanning direction. And) are shifted by an integer multiple of. Further, between the black head 12a and the magenta head 12c, the print pins 17a and 17c are arranged on the same line in the main scanning direction or shifted by an integral multiple of one print pitch P, while in the sub scanning direction. Are offset by an integral multiple of one print pitch Q plus a half pitch. Further, between the black head 12a and the yellow head 12d, the print pins 17a and the print pins 17d are arranged so as to be shifted in the main scanning direction by an integral multiple of one print pitch P plus a half pitch. The print heads are also offset by an integral multiple of one print pitch Q plus a half pitch. The other printing pins have the same arrangement relationship.

The operation of the recording head having the above structure will be described below. In the printing operation, as in the first embodiment, in synchronization with the scanning of the recording head,
Color information about how many colors to print and print data for a plurality of characters are transferred. In this embodiment, when the color information and print data are input, all the heads 12a to 12d are activated and a printing operation is performed. Regarding each of the heads 12a to 12d, each head performs the distributed printing operation similar to that of the first embodiment. However, each head 12a-12d
Since the arrangement relationship among the heads is as described above, when all heads are simultaneously printed, the dots of black, red, blue, and yellow are displayed in one pixel 18 as shown in FIG. It is displayed in a divided form. Therefore, the sending of color data is controlled for each of the heads 12a to 12d, and only one pixel 18 prints red color and the other pixel prints yellow and blue. can do. And, by the image by the print that these colors are combined, black, red,
It is possible to recognize that an image with not only blue and yellow single colors but also mixed colors and intermediate colors is printed.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A head body that is movable in the main scanning direction with respect to the recording paper,
A recording head including a plurality of heads having a plurality of recording elements and attached to the head main body for each color, and a color ribbon provided corresponding to each head for each color, the head main body in the main scanning direction. Since the recording element of each head prints on the recording paper in a predetermined color while reciprocatingly moving, the image of various colors can be printed by the impact type recording head.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a recording head according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a print pin arrangement for one color-specific head of the recording head.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of operation timings of print pins in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a recording head according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a color-specific head array configuration of pixels obtained by the printing operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a recording head to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 Yoke 3 Permanent magnet 4 Core 5 Electromagnetic coil 6 Leaf spring 7 Printing pin 11 Head body 12 Color heads 13 Ink ribbon 17a to 17b Printing pin (recording element) 18 pixels

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A head body movable in the main scanning direction with respect to a recording sheet, a plurality of heads mounted and supported for each color on the head body, and a color ribbon provided corresponding to each head for each color. And a plurality of recording elements that are provided in each head to perform a printing operation by moving back and forth with respect to the recording paper, and a driving member that is attached to the head main body and causes the recording elements to perform the printing operation. A recording head that prints on a recording paper in a predetermined color by the recording element of each head while reciprocating in the direction. 2. Corresponding recording elements are arranged between the heads in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction at pitch intervals deviating by a predetermined dimension from a multiple of the printing pitch in each scanning direction. The recording head according to claim 1. 3. A plurality of recording elements for each of the plurality of heads are arranged in the main scanning direction at a pitch interval that is deviated from the multiple of the printing pitch in the main scanning direction by a predetermined dimension, and the driving member is For each recording element that has reached the printing position while the recording head is moving in the main scanning direction, the operation of one recording element is completed and the other recording elements are completed with a time lag until the next operation. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is driven as described above.