DE3511386A1 - PRINTER WITH ONE OR MORE PRINTING STATIONS - Google Patents

Description

description

The invention relates to a printer in the preamble of claim 1 mentioned Art.

Interchangeable printheads allow one printer to be used for different printing processes.

A printer of the generic type is already known which, by exchanging the print head can be used either for type printing or for needle printing (DE-AS 22 32 590). The printhead is detachable Can be mounted on a carriage that can be adjusted in the direction of the line by means of a stepper motor. Of all functional elements of the printing system only the printhead is replaceable; the platen, the ink carrier device and the transport and guide means are arranged in a stationary manner in the printer housing. For this Reason can only be used in the known printer printing processes which are arranged in a stationary manner on this Functional elements are turned off. These are essentially just the two mechanical processes the type print and the needle print. Both methods are effective, as a result but also very noisy procedures that are not tolerated or not at many workplaces be allowed. The application of the quiet printing process, e.g. B. Ink mosaic printing or thermal printing, is not possible with the known printer, since with this method other ink carrier devices and other counter pressure bearings are required. Another disadvantage of the known arrangement is also found therein seen that the two printheads provided are each controlled in very different ways, so that the control device must also be replaced, which is relatively expensive and is expensive.

It is the object of the invention to create a printer of the generic type, which with simple Means can be switched to different printing processes, both punchable and quiet Printing processes should be possible.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features contained in the characterizing part of claim 1 solved.

Due to the fact that the entire printing system, which in addition to the print head also includes the platen, the transport and guide means for the line feed and the ink carrier device comprises, designed as a conversion kit is, there is the possibility, for example, a dot matrix print head with a substantially fixed Platen and ribbon as well as a thermal print head with rotating platen and Use thermal transfer tape or other combinations, as will be discussed. The restriction on mosaic print heads on the other hand leads to the fact that the control device, which is required for all mosaic printing processes is designed essentially the same, at least to a large extent not exchanged needs, so that in this respect there is a great simplification compared to the known device.

Above all, the invention can be used to great advantage in printers with several printing stations for example, in the case of cash register printers with one printing station each for receipt, journal and receipt. Here can the printer in its basic equipment can be produced in large numbers, with the equipment of the various printing stations individually according to the customer's request at any time up to immediately before delivery can be set. In addition, the user himself can also select individual printing stations from Switch from one printing process to another without having to buy a completely new printer. The printing stations, for example, are designed in such a way that all components which are part of the printing systems belong, are interchangeable. In order to facilitate the exchange process, at least some of the printing systems are included forming functional elements are each combined to form an interchangeable assembly as a whole.

The design and arrangement is such that this assembly is easily accessible and simple can be assembled or dismantled. The components that are common to all usable printing systems can, however, be arranged in a stationary manner in the printer housing. This is especially true for printers with several printing stations, for example, the possibility of using the predominantly used in each case Printing stations with the low-noise thermal printing system, the less frequently used printing stations with to equip the cheaper needle printing system, which also allows the production of copies.

The printing systems can in principle be autonomous, i. H. with all the functional elements that are important for their function be provided. However, individual functional elements that can be used for several printing systems can also be used are assigned to the printer housing, then according to the invention individual, operationally with these Functionally connected functional elements of the components arranged in the printer housing interchangeable assembly when inserting the latter automatically with these components in connection step.

In a practical embodiment of the invention it is provided that a printing system with one on one in the printer housing in the line direction movable carrier attachable serial print head and one on the exchangeable assembly designed, stationary during operation writing surface as a platen is provided. The interchangeable assembly can also contain other functional elements, such as Contain parts of the guide and transport means for the print carrier, as detailed below will. Instead of the serial print head, however, according to the invention, one can also be stationary in the printer housing arranged, designed as a thermal writing strip print head can be provided, with the exchangeable Assembly is then provided as a pressure platen a rotatable screaming roller. The platen rotates during transport of the print carrier, so that the writing strip is generally not lifted from the print carrier needs to become.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the interchangeable assembly between a Operating position in which the platen is in contact with the write head, and a lift-off position in which the platen is lifted from the write head, is adjustably arranged on the printer housing. In order to on the one hand, the threading of the print carrier is made easier.

tert, on the other hand, an access to the print head, for example for the purpose of an inspection, created.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the conversion kits also include writing tape cassettes so that Optionally, cassettes designed for operation with needle print heads or with thermal transfer print heads can be used.

Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the claims and the drawing and the corresponding character description.

Several embodiments of the invention are shown in this drawing and described below.
It shows

Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically a printer with three printing stations wherein a replaceable assembly is provided with means for guiding and transporting of tape-shaped printing carriers of two parallel printing stations;

FIG. 2 schematically shows a longitudinal section through a printer according to FIG. 1, the upper printing stations being equipped with needle print heads; FIG.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a representation according to FIG. 2, the upper printing stations being equipped with a thermal writing strip as a print head; FIG.

FIG. 4 shows, in a partial perspective view, a printing system according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a partial perspective illustration of a printing system according to FIG. 3; FIG.

FIG. 6 shows, in a perspective partial illustration, another exemplary embodiment of a printing system according to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows, in a perspective partial representation, an exemplary embodiment of the printing station shown at the bottom in FIG. 1; FIG.

Fig. 8 is a view according to Fig 7, wherein said printing station is equipped with a thermal print bar.

Fig. 9 to 11 schematically show various operating positions of the printing station of Fig. 8.

The printer 2 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a printer housing 4, in which a large part of all functional elements of the printer is housed, as well as an attachment 6 which can be placed on the printer housing 4 and which contains further functional elements combined into an interchangeable assembly, as further is explained in more detail below. The device shown is a cash register printer with three printing stations 8, 10 and 12. In the printing station 8, a receipt is issued which can be printed on tape-shaped paper and torn off by means of a tear-off device 14. In the printing station 10, a continuous journal strip is printed out. This is also printed on tape-shaped paper and wound onto a take-up reel 16. The printing stations 8 and 10 are arranged parallel to one another and are printed by a common print head 18 which can be moved in the direction of arrow 20. If the print head 18 is a dot matrix print head or a thermal transfer print head, the printing ink is transferred from an ink ribbon 22 to the print media 24 or 26 for receipt or journal. The ink ribbon 22 runs out of an ink ribbon cassette 28, is guided over the various printing stations and then runs back into the ink ribbon cassette 28. The printing station 12 is used to print an approximately sheet-shaped print carrier 30, which serves as a payment receipt. A print head 32 is used to print on the print carrier 30, which is also displaceable in the direction of the arrow 20 and is preferably arranged with the print head 18 on a common carrier. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the ribbon 22 is guided in such a way that it can also serve as an ink carrier for the printing station 12. If the upper printing stations or the lower printing station work according to a method in which a ribbon is not required, the ribbon ίο or the printhead in this station is offset perpendicular to the line direction so that the printhead is next to the path of the ribbon.

The attachment 6 contains guide and transport means for the printing media 24 and 26 as well as the printing platen, against which the print media rest during the printing process. These functional elements are each different, depending on whether the printing systems used in stations 8 and 10 are z. B. is about needle printing systems or thermal printing systems, as explained in more detail below will. The entire article with the functional elements contained therein, combined to form an assembly, is interchangeable, so that the printer 2 with can be converted from one printing process to another in just a few simple steps. Besides, the Attachment 6 arranged pivotably about the axis 34, so that the threading of the arranged in the printer housing 4 Print media 24, 26 running off supply rolls and access to the print media in the printer housing 4 arranged functional elements, in particular the print heads 18, 32 and the ribbon cassette 28 will. In addition, when the attachment 6 is pivoted into the operating position shown, in each case Functional elements arranged in this attachment are coupled to functional elements arranged in the printer housing 4, as will be explained further below will.

The means of transport 36 and the platen 38 are arranged on a common frame 40 which is mounted in the printer housing 4 such that it can be adjusted in the direction of the arrow 42. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the pressure platen 38 is designed as a simple pressure bar with a flat writing surface, as is used, for example, in cooperation with needle print heads. The frame 40 with the means of transport 36 and the platen 38 are again designed as an exchangeable assembly. When the printing method of the printing station 12 is changed, the frame 40 and the print head 32 are exchanged.

FIG. 2 shows, in a very simplified, schematic representation, a section through the printer 2 according to FIG. 1. All printing stations 8, 10 and 12 are designed as needle printing stations. The upper printhead 18 interacts with a platen 44 which is arranged on the underside of the attachment 6 and is designed as a flat writing surface. The attachment 6 also contains guide channels 46, 48 (see also FIG. 1) for the print media 24, 26 as well as counter rollers 50, which interact with driven transport rollers 52 arranged in the printer housing and convey the printing paper running off the supply rollers 54. As FIG. 2 shows, the attachment 6 can be pivoted into a lift-off position, shown in dashed lines, in which the platen 44 formed on the underside of the attachment 6 is lifted from the print head 18 and the counter rollers 50 are lifted from the transport rollers 52. This position enables threading of the tape

7 8

shaped pressure carriers 24, 26 in the guide channels 46 against which the counter rollers 50 rest. The printhead or 48 as well as an access to the in the printer housing 18 can be arranged over one of the two print carriers 24,26 Functional elements. Move de line width in the direction of arrow 20

The lower one can also be designed as a needle print head. On the axis 78 of the transport rollers 52 te print head 32 for printing the print carrier 30 5 gear wheels 82 are arranged, which when converting the acts with the one on the frame 40, serve as printing stations to a rotatable platen-pressure bar designed platen 38 to ze to drive, as described with reference to FIG . In addition, 40 are driven on the frame.

plane transport rollers 36 are arranged, which with in Fig. 5 shows in a perspective view a

Counter rollers 56 arranged in the printer housing .

work. The frame 40 is in the direction of the arrow ger 24,26 run from the supply rollers 54 between the

42 adjustable. The transport rollers 52 and the associated counter-rollers are in a lower lifting position

Platen 38 from the print head 32, the transport 50 through to the rollers designed as platen

rollers 36 lifted from the counter rollers 56, so that the platen 70, and from there by the not shown

Print carrier 30 up to the abutment against the stop 58 15 provided guide channels of the attachment 66 to the outside,

can be introduced. The adjustment option in The drive of the platen 70 takes place via the

Direction of arrow 42 is also used to lift sen connected pulleys 71, belt 72 on

of the platen from the print head 32 for the axis 74 of the counter rollers 50 arranged belts

transport, as described in more detail further below, as well as those arranged on the same axis.

will practice. 20 named gears 80, each with gears 82

FIG. 3 shows an arrangement according to FIG. 2, in which the transport rollers 52 are in engagement on the axis 78,

however, the printing stations 8,10 for a thermal printing in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is

procedures are converted. The printing station 12 is therefore the axis 74 made up of two coaxial ones that are plugged into one another

against still formed with a needle pressure system, each of which with one of the gears 80

so that it is not described again here; one of these axes is used to drive the

the must. Platen for the receipt, the other to drive the

Instead of a needle print head, FIG. 3 shows a print roller for the journal.

Thermal print head designed thermal print head The thermal write bar 60 is also divided into two parts,

60 is provided, which is pivotable about an axis 62, a part for printing on the print carrier 24,

is stored in the printer housing. A compression spring 64 holds the other part for printing on the print carrier 26

the print head 60 is in constant contact with the train-determined, as Fig. 5 shows,

arranged platen. Fig. 6 shows a modification of the arrangement according to

The attachment 66 corresponds in its shape and in its Fig. 5. The printing station 84 occupies the entire dimensions essentially of the attachment 6 of the printer. The print carrier 86 consists of FIG. 2. It also contains guide channels 68.70 for the two layers 88.90. It runs in turn from a supply print carrier 24, 26 as well as a roller 92 (not shown in this figure) via a transport roller 94 and a counter-roller which is used as a writing position and which, with a pressure platen 96 formed in the printer housing, brings together ordered, driven transport rollers to the outside only act over the entire width of the print carrier 86. This arrangement corresponds to the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, designed as a thermal writing strip, and therefore does not need to be described again here. Active paper existing position 88 and indirectly in one

A thermal transfer process is used as the platen for the print head 60 by means of a thermal transfer process on the back of the platen 70, which via a drive belt 72 with layer 88 arranged dyes, the layer 90, the one arranged on the axis 74 of the counter rollers as a tear-off receipt, the layer 90 as is continuously drive-connected on pulley 76. In addition, 45 wrapped journal is used. The drive of the writing whales are on the axis 74 of the counter rollers as well as on the ze 96 in turn via a belt drive 100 and axis 78 of the transport rollers each came together - a gear connection 102 is arranged by the driven mende gear wheels 80, 82, which the transport roller 94 from as not described in more detail to drive movement of the transport rollers in a suitable need.

th ratio on the platen 70 transferred. FIG. 7 shows a perspective illustration of a

Attachment 66 is again as in FIG. 2 around the swivel printing station 12 according to FIGS . 1 to 3. Corresponding

axis 34 pivotably arranged so that the gearwheels components are versed with corresponding symbols

80 and 82 when pivoting the attachment 66 in the hen. The platen 38 and the transport rollers

operating position shown in engagement with each other 36 are arranged on a common frame 40,

long. 55 which is displaceable in the direction of arrows 42 in the printing

The thermal print head 60 is always arranged against the core housing. The frame 40 can depending on

Platen 70 or the type of printing system used against it, two or three different

Print carrier 24, 26 if it is a pure different positions. In the case of a needle

Thermal printing without the use of an ink carrier printing system according to FIG. 2 or 3 as well as with one

of or the like. The arrangement is so 60 ink mosaic printing system there are two positions,

met that the thermal printhead 60 is above the

Ribbon 22, which is still used for the lower platen 38 from the print head 32 as well as the

Printing station 12 is needed is. Transport rollers 36 lifted from the counter rollers 56,

Fig. 4 shows again in a perspective view so that a print carrier up to abutment on the stops

Details of an arrangement according to FIG. 2. The 65 gene 58 can be introduced. In a company

the transport rollers 36 lie on both print media 24 for the receipt and 26 for the frame 40

the journal run in each case from assigned supply ro-

len 54 from, are guided over the transport rollers 52, Neten print carrier, while the platen

38 has a sufficient distance from the print head 32 for the line transport of the print carrier at which the print carrier can be printed. The print head 32 may be a needle print head, then between this pressure head 32 and the printing medium a Färbband must be arranged, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the print head can also be formed as an ink mosaic printing head, an ink ribbon can be omitted.

If the printing station 12 is to be converted to a thermal printing process, the frame 40 with all the functional elements arranged on it and combined to form an exchangeable assembly is exchanged for a frame 104 which has the functional elements required for the thermal printing process, such as Fig. 8 shows. The platen 106 is designed as a rotatable platen which is coupled to the axis of the transport rollers 110 via a gear train 108. A thermal writing bar, against which the platen 106 can be placed from below, is again used as the print head 112. In this case, the frame 104 can assume three positions, namely an inoperative position, a transport position and an operating position.

FIGS. 9 to 11, the possible positions schematically show the frame 104. In Fig. 9 there is this frame 104 in its lower non-operating position, in which the transport rolls are lifted 110 from the counter rollers 56, the platen roller 106 by the write spline 112. In Fig. 11, the frame 104 is moved upwards so far that the transport rollers 1 10 bear against the counter-rollers 56, so that a transport of a printing medium located between the two roller systems is possible. As can be seen from FIG. 11, the platen 106 is not yet in contact with the writing strip 112 in this position. In FIG. 10, the frame 104 is in its upper operating position, in which the platen 106 rests against the writing strip 112 so that a print medium located between these can be printed. As can be seen from FIG. 10, the counter rollers 56 are resiliently mounted in the feed direction of the frame 104 so that they can join in the movement of the transport rollers 110 from the position shown in FIG. 11 to the position shown in FIG. In contrast, there is also the possibility of rotating the frame 104 from the position it occupies in FIG. 11 about the axis 114 of the transport rollers 110 clockwise until the platen 106 rests against the writing bar 112. The possibility of lifting the platen from the writing strip during the transport of the print carrier is particularly necessary when using a thermal transfer process in which a sensitive color pigment carrier is arranged between the platen 106 and the print carrier.

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Claims (18)

Claims 1. Printer for printing on print media, wherein the printing system assigned to a print carrier comprises at least one print head and, as further functional elements, a print counter bearing, transport and guide means for the line feed of the print carrier and an ink carrier device and wherein at least the print head is designed as an exchangeable unit, since characterized in that the entire printing system is designed as an exchangeable conversion kit, at least some of the functional elements (44, 50; 36, 38) forming a printing system being combined to form an exchangeable assembly, and printing systems with mosaic print heads (18, 32, 60 , 112) of different types, e.g. B. ink mosaic, needle or thermal print heads and with adapted further functional elements (44,50; 36,38) are provided for insertion into the printer. 2. Printer according to claim 1, characterized in that the platen (z. B. 44; 38) and the transport and guide means (e.g. 50, 52; 46, 48; 36, 56) are combined into an exchangeable assembly eats are. 3. Printer according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the printing system has a serial print head (18, 32) and comprises a platen (44, 38) designed as a writing bar with a flat writing surface. 4. Printer according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the printing system comprises a stationary in the printer housing (4) arranged as a thermal writing strip print head (60, 112) and a rotatable platen as a platen (70, 106) . 5. Printer according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the platen (44, 70, 106) and the transport and guide means (50, 52, 46, 48; 80, 82, 68, 70) comprehensive interchangeable Assembly between an operating position in which the platen (44, 70, 106) rests on the printhead (18, 60, 1 12) and a lift-off position in which the platen (44, 70, 106) from the printhead (18, 60, 112) is lifted, is adjustable on the printer housing (4). 6. Printer according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the print head (18, 60) is arranged in the upper region of the printer housing (4) with upwardly directed writing elements and that the replaceable assembly can be placed on the printer housing (4) Attachment (6, 66) is designed with guide and transport devices essentially formed on its underside, as well as a platen (44, 70) for the print carrier (24, 26) . 7. Printer according to claim 6, characterized in that the attachment (6, 66) about an axis parallel to the line direction (34) can be pivoted on the printer housing (4) and that when the attachment (6, 66) is pivoted into one on the Printer housing (4) in the operating position resting on the latter, counter rollers (50) arranged in the printer housing (4) come into engagement with transport rollers (52) arranged in the printer housing (4). 8. Printer according to claim 7, characterized in that the platen (70, 96) is designed as a rotatable platen which can be coupled to the transport rollers (52, 94) and that when the attachment (66) is pivoted into its operating position with the transport rollers (52 , 94) connected drive gear means (82, 102) come into drive connection with drive gear means (71, 100) arranged on the platen. 9. Printer according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the print head (32, 112) is arranged in the lower region of the printer housing with downwardly directed writing elements and that the exchangeable assembly is located below the print head (32, 112) in the printer housing vertically adjustable frame (40, 104) or the like, which on the one hand carries transport rollers (36), (110) which work together with counter rollers (56) arranged in the printer housing and on the other hand carries the platen (38, 106). 10. Printer according to claim 9, characterized in that the frame (40) between an inoperative position, in which the transport rollers (36) or the pressure platen (38) from the drive rollers (56) and the print head (32) are lifted into an operating position in which the transport rollers (36) are in engagement and the platen (38) a certain writing distance from Print head (32) has, is adjustable. 11. Printer according to claim 9, characterized in that the frame (104) between an inoperative position in which the transport rollers (110) and the platen (106) are lifted from the drive rollers (56) and the print head (112) , via a transport position in which the platen (106) is lifted but the transport rollers (110) are in engagement, to an operating position in which the platen (106) rests on the print head (112) and the transport rollers (110) with the counter rollers (56) are in engagement, is adjustable. 12. Printer according to claim 11, characterized in that the frame (104) in addition to its vertical movement about the axis (114) of the transport rollers (110) is pivotable. 13. Printer according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the counter rollers (56) are resiliently mounted in the pressure direction. 14. Printer according to one of claims 9 and 11 to 13, characterized in that the counter-pressure bearing (106) is designed as a rotatable platen which is coupled to the transport rollers (110). 15. Printer according to one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the platen (38) is designed as a writing bar fixedly arranged in the frame (40). 16. Printer according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the functional elements assigned to the printing systems are writing tape cassettes (28) and that optionally for operation with needle print heads or with thermal transfer print heads certain cassettes can be used. 17. Printer according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that individual, operationally functionally cooperating with components (52, 82) arranged in the printer housing (4) Functional elements (50, 80) of the interchangeable assembly when inserting the latter automatic table with these components (52, 82) in connection. 18. Printer according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that in the printer housing (4) several printing stations (8, 10, 12) with separate printing systems for printing ribbon-shaped and / or individual approximately sheet-shaped print carriers (24, 26, 30) are provided.