JP2001328311A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optimal portable printer by reducing the size and the weight. SOLUTION: A printer 1 is provided with a board 22 comprising a control board 22a and a power supply board 22b fixed substantially in L-shape and connected electrically with each other through a connector 23. More specifically, a charging circuit, a battery chip 34a, and a control circuit for generating heat from a thermal head 20 by supplying a large current are mounted collectively on one power supply board 22b disposed closely to the generating source. On the other hand, the control board 22a performing feed control of recording sheet or ink ribbon requiring a small current is disposed closely to the generating source, i.e., the actuator of feeding operation (including a recording sheet feed/ribbon feed mechanism 17, and the like), while mounting the components collectively on one control board 22a. More specifically, the printer 1 is realized by simply mounting such a main board 22 formed substantially in L-shaped.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device, and more particularly, to a printer device which is portable and can be reduced in size and weight.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, personal computers and video recording devices have become widespread, and various printer devices capable of recording images of these devices have been proposed, and their demand has been increasing. Therefore, there is a demand for an inexpensive printer device capable of producing high-quality printed images, and there is also a strong demand for a small, lightweight, and portable printer device so that printing can be performed anytime and anywhere as a mobile printer device.

Generally, in a thermal transfer type printer, for example, three color dyes of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are cyclically arranged in a predetermined order according to a video signal from an information source. By circulating the ink sheet for color hard copy applied to the recording medium and causing the thermal head to generate heat to sublimate the dye on the ink sheet, one-screen color printing is performed on recording paper (recording paper for thermal transfer). Further, in this printer device, the gradation is controlled by adjusting the amount of dye sublimating by controlling the time width (time length) of the current applied to the thermal head. After recording by such a method, the recorded recording paper is transported by the recording paper transport mechanism of the printer device. For example, the recording paper is sent out and accommodated in a paper discharge case to perform a recording process for one screen (one page). Will be completed.

[0004] In such a thermal transfer type printer, a small and lightweight portable device is strongly desired.
On the other hand, conventionally, a printer device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-157113 has been proposed.

[0005] In the printer device according to this proposal, the ink ribbon and the recording paper, each having the thermal transfer ink applied to the thin film, are transferred while being pressed between the thermal head and the platen roller, and are transferred to the heating resistor of the thermal head. An electric current is caused to generate heat, the thermal transfer ink of the ink ribbon is transferred to the recording paper by the heating resistor, and printing is performed. In the printer device, the temperature is measured by a thermistor, and the next printing start time is set. It is characteristic. This facilitates realization of a small-sized printing apparatus that has good thermal efficiency of the thermal head and can continuously print recording paper.

The thermal head used in the printer has a rod-shaped glass member attached to one end surface of the substrate. Further, a heating section having a plurality of heating resistors connected to the plurality of individual electrodes and the common electrode is formed along the rod-shaped glass member. Furthermore, by configuring the thermistor connected to the common electrode and a plurality of driving ICs connected to the plurality of individual electrodes and the common electrode on a substrate, the power consumption of the thermal head can be set low, and Since there is no need for a heat radiating plate as in the related art, the present invention can be applied to a small, lightweight and portable printer device.

[0007]

In order to realize a portable printer, it is important to reduce the size and weight as is well known. In addition to the AC power supply, it is also an important element for the portable that the printing operation can be driven only by the battery. Further, if a charging circuit for charging the battery is incorporated in the printer device, it is easy to use.
It is convenient.

However, in a conventional printer,
With the improvement of the thermal head and the configuration that does not require a heat sink,
Although the aim was to improve the printing performance and reduce the size and weight of the printer, it did not mention any specific mounting form or arrangement of the circuit board for reducing the size and weight of the entire apparatus. There is a problem that the size cannot be sufficiently reduced. In addition, the battery, which is an important component for portable use, and a charging circuit for charging the battery are not provided in the above-described printer, so that they are not satisfactory as a portable printer. Was.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a printer which is optimal for portable use by enabling reduction in size and weight of the apparatus itself. .

[0010] A printer device according to the present invention is provided on a bottom surface side of the printer device and has a control circuit having a control circuit for controlling at least one of sheet feed control and ink ribbon feed control, and on one side of the printer device. A power board provided with a battery section connected thereto and having a charging circuit for charging a rechargeable battery connected to the battery section; and a connection for electrically connecting the control board and the power board. Means.

According to the present invention, a control board having a control circuit for controlling at least one of paper feed control and ink ribbon feed control is provided on the bottom side of the printer device. A power board having a charging circuit for charging a rechargeable battery connected to the section is provided on one side of the printer device, and the control board and the power board are electrically connected by the connection means. With such a configuration, it is possible to obtain a substrate and an arrangement form thereof most suitable for miniaturizing the device structurally.

[0012]

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a printer device according to the present invention, and showing the entire configuration of the device.

As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 1 according to the present embodiment has a main body cover 2 for accommodating various mechanical mechanisms and components required for a printing function, a board, and the like, and a lower portion of the main body cover 2. A main body of the apparatus 1 is formed by forming a housing with the main body bottom 3 attached to the main body.

A paper cassette mounting opening for mounting a paper cassette 5 capable of accommodating a plurality of recording papers 6 is provided on a main body cover 2 on the front side (the front left side in FIG. 1) of the apparatus 1. 2a is formed. The paper feed cassette 5 is detachably mounted via the paper feed cassette mounting opening 2a.

An opening / closing cover 4a for closing the sheet cassette mounting opening 2a when the sheet cassette 5 is removed from the apparatus is provided at a corresponding position on the bottom 3 of the main body so as to be openable and closable. The opening / closing lid 4a is provided with a locking means 4c for holding the closed state when the lid is closed, and a locking means provided at a position corresponding to the locking means 4c and the main body cover 2 (FIG. (Not shown), the opening / closing lid 4a is locked.

An opening 2f is formed on a right side surface of the main body cover 2 when viewed from the front side. An ink cassette insertion opening 2b for mounting the ink cassette 7 around which the ink ribbon 7a is wound is provided in the main frame 12b exposed through the opening 2f and disposed inside the apparatus.
Are formed. The ink ribbon 7a is formed by sequentially and repeatedly applying a plurality of thermal transfer inks such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and transparent overcoat ink (OP). That is, a plurality of inks are sequentially placed on a film-shaped substrate (Y, M,
C, OP).

An opening / closing lid 4b for closing the opening 2f is provided on the main body cover 2 so as to be openable and closable.
Locking means 4d is provided for maintaining the closed state when closed as in the case of the opening / closing lid 4a. The opening / closing lid 4b is locked by the locking means 4d and a locking means (not shown) provided at a corresponding position of the main body cover 2.

A battery mounting groove 2c for detachably mounting a battery 8 as a driving power supply means required for carrying is formed on the rear side (rear right side in the figure) of the main body cover 2. ing. A mounting portion 8a formed on the mounting surface of the battery 8 fits into the battery mounting groove 2c and is mounted thereto. The engagement of the locking portion 8c provided on the upper portion of the battery mounting portion 8a with the locking means (not shown) provided at a corresponding position of the battery mounting groove 2c engages the battery 8. It is possible to keep the state.

On the surface of the mounting portion 8a of the battery 8, a plurality of battery pieces 8b for supplying the power stored in the battery 8 to the inside of the device 1 are provided.
When the battery 8 is mounted in the battery mounting groove 2c, the section 8b comes into contact with a battery section (not shown) provided on the back side of the apparatus 1 to be electrically connected to the battery 1 so that the apparatus 1 Power can be supplied to the inside.

On the other hand, a memory card 9, such as a smart media, on which an image information signal to be printed is recorded, is detachably attached to the center of the opposite side of the body cover 2 where the ink cassette insertion slot 2b is provided. A possible memory card connector (not shown) is provided. By attaching the memory card 9 via the memory card connector (not shown), an image information signal necessary for printing from the memory card 9 is fetched.

A DC plug 10 for converting a normal alternating current (AC) power supply to a direct current (DC) power supply and supplying the same to the inside of the apparatus 1 is detachably attached to the rear end of the same side surface. Is provided with a DC connector (not shown). AC plug 1 connected to an outlet (not shown)
0a, a general AC power supply is taken in, and this taken-in AC power supply is inserted into the AC plug or this AC plug 1
The DC power is converted by an AC / DC converter (not shown) provided between the DC plug 10a and the DC plug 10. The converted DC power is supplied from the DC plug 10 as drive power for the device 1 into the device.

Further, in the printer device 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to not only capture an image information signal by the memory card 9 but also capture an image information signal from, for example, a personal computer or a video recording / reproducing device. . That is, the PC connector 11 connected to the above-described personal computer, video recording / reproducing device, or the like can be detachably attached to the front side of the side of the main body cover 2 where the memory card connector (not shown) is provided. A PC connector (not shown) is provided. Therefore, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, various image information signals can be taken in by the PC connector 11 connected to various image devices in addition to the memory card 9, so that the use range of the printer is expanded. It is possible to

The paper cassette 5 used in the printer 1 can store a plurality of recording papers 6, and has a removable cover 5a on the upper surface. The cover 5a is formed by cutting out the leading end portion of the sheet feeding cassette 5 on the insertion side, and the uppermost layer of the plurality of recording papers 6 stored through the cutout portion is exposed. Paper cassette 5
Is inserted, the sheet cassette 5 is positioned by its leading end. Then, a paper feed roller (not shown) arranged inside the apparatus 1 abuts on one sheet of recording paper 6 exposed from the notch portion of the cover 5a, and the paper feed roller is driven to rotate, thereby One recording sheet 6 can be reliably conveyed into the apparatus.

Next, the configuration inside the printer will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the internal configuration of the printer shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 1 of the present embodiment has a main body cover 2 and a main body bottom 3 as described above.
Are combined to form a housing that is a main external part of the device 1. Inside the housing, a main frame 12 to which various mechanisms are attached, which are main components of the apparatus, and a substrate formed on a bottom surface of the main frame 12 and having a shape characteristic of the present embodiment. 22
Are provided.

The main frame 12 has a pair of side plates 12a and 12b made of a lightweight metal plate, and these side plates 12a and 12b.
Each of the auxiliary plates 12c and 12d is attached to the rear side of the base plate 12b and is also formed of a lightweight metal plate, and includes guide plates 13a and 13b and a metal plate 12e. The guide plates 13a and 13b are arranged at a lower portion between the side plates 12a and 12b, and are similarly formed of a lightweight metal plate so that the rear side is bent into a U-shape, and are conveyed during printing. This is for guiding the recording paper 6 by contacting the surface thereof. The metal plate 12e is also made of a lightweight metal plate. The metal plate 12e is provided with the auxiliary plate 12
c, 12d and the guide plate 13a,
The thermal head 2 is arranged in a U-shaped space (inside the apparatus) formed by the U-shaped 13b.
A thermal head driving mechanism 21 for driving the zero is mounted.

The one side plate 12b shown on the right side of the drawing is provided with the ink cassette insertion slot 2b for inserting the ink cassette 7 as described above. This side plate 12b
On the front side between the recording paper 6 and the other side plate 12a, the recording paper 6 is rotated while holding the recording paper 6 with the thermal head 20 at the time of printing, thereby applying pressure necessary for a printing operation to the recording paper 6 and 6 is provided. Further, the platen roller 1
A pinch roller 15 and a grip roller 40 (see FIG. 6), which are a pair of upper and lower rotating rollers for carrying the recording paper 6 necessary for printing during printing, and a pair of rotating rollers 15 and 40. The paper feed roller (also referred to as a rubber roller) 18 disposed on the front side also
It is arranged on the front side between 2a and 12b.

The above-mentioned platen roller 14, pinch roller 15, grip roller 40, paper feed roller 18, ink ribbon supply reel 7b and ink ribbon take-up reel 7c are driven to rotate on the side plate 12a on the left side in the drawing. Paper feed / ribbon feed mechanism 17 is attached.

Two motors 16 and 19 are used as a drive source of the recording paper feed / ribbon feed mechanism 17.
The one motor 16 is a stepping motor that transmits a rotational force to the grip roller 40 and that can control the feed amount by drive control means (not shown) for the entire recording paper feeding operation of the apparatus 1. The other motor 19 is
It is a DC motor that supplies a rotating force for winding up the ink ribbon of the ink cassette 7 and for feeding paper by the feed roller 18.

The stepping motor 16 is installed inside an auxiliary plate 12d arranged on the rear side. This motor is supported by a gear 17a, and includes another gear 17b meshing with the gear 17a, a toothed belt (timing belt) 17c, a gear 17d, a toothed belt (timing belt) 17e, and a gear 17f. This mechanism transmits a rotational force coaxially to the gear 17f through a mechanism, and transmits a rotational force necessary for a printing operation to the grip roller 40 which is axially supported by the gear 17f.

On the other hand, the DC motor 19 is installed outside the side plate 12a, and is used for winding up the ink ribbon and for feeding the paper.
8, for supplying a rotational force to the ink ribbon take-up reel 7c and the paper feed roller 18. DC
The motor 19 transmits a rotational force to a paper feed roller 18 attached between the side plates 12 a and 12 b via a gear mechanism 19 a meshing with the rotation shaft of the motor 19, and One sheet of recording paper 6 is fed. Further, the motor 19 transmits a rotating force to a rotating member 19b interlocked with the gear mechanism 19a, and rotates the ink ribbon take-up reel 7c to which the rotating member 19b fits, so that the ink ribbon 7a necessary for printing is formed. Winding up.

A thermal head 20 and a thermal head driving mechanism 21 are disposed inside the U-shaped portions of the guide plates 13a and 13b between the auxiliary plates 12c and 12d. The thermal head 20 is provided with a heating element on the surface on the platen roller 14 side, and performs one screen color printing on the recording paper 6 (recording paper for thermal transfer) by sublimating the dye of the ink ribbon 7a of the ink cassette 7. Things. The thermal head 20 is attached to a support member 20a formed integrally with the coaxial shaft 20b.
The vertical movement can be performed by the rotation by. One side surface of the support member 20a is a spring 20d.
As a result, the thermal head driving mechanism 21 is always urged. At the time of printing standby or at the end of printing, the rotation shaft 20b is rotated by the bias of the spring 20d, and the thermal head 20 moves upward. The rotating shaft 20b is attached to auxiliary plates 12c and 12d on both side surfaces.

In the thermal head drive mechanism 21, a motor 21a is used as a drive source for moving the thermal head 20 in the vertical direction. This motor 2
Reference numeral 1a denotes a DC motor, which is a U-shaped guide plate 13.
It is arranged inside the rear of the main frame 12 above a and 13b. The motor 21a is attached to a back plate 12e attached to both side plates 12a, 12b via a support member 21b. In addition, the motor 21a transmits a rotational force so as to rotate the first cam 21d mounted coaxially via a gear 21c meshing with the rotation shaft of the motor. This first cam 21
d is a second cam 20c that is rotatably provided at a corresponding position of a support member 20a that supports the thermal head 20.
And the support member 20a rotates about the rotation shaft 20b, thereby enabling the vertical movement of the thermal head 20 necessary for the printing operation.

Further, 21f engaged with the third cam 21e
The rotation shaft 21g rotates in accordance with the movement of. The rotation of 21 g is linked to the linear movement of the slider 24. The other end of the slider 24 is disposed inside the side plate 12b and is engaged with a rotating member 15a which is pivotally supported by the pinch roller 15 and moves the roller in a predetermined direction. In other words, with such a configuration, it is possible to move the pinch roller 15 in a predetermined direction in conjunction with the vertical operation of the thermal head 20 during a printing operation, and the pinch roller 15 is held between the pinch roller 15 and the grip roller 40. The contact and non-contact with the recording paper 6 can be performed according to the recording feed operation.

By the way, the printer 1 of the present embodiment
Then, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, as shown in FIG. 2, a substrate 22 configured in an optimal shape for reducing the size and weight of the apparatus itself is disposed between the main frame 12 and the main body bottom 3. It is supposed to be.

The structure, mounting form, and arrangement of the substrate 22, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a side view for explaining the arrangement of the substrate 22 arranged in the printer shown in FIG. 1 and explaining the concept of the apparatus. 4 and 5 are views for explaining the configuration of the substrate. FIG. 4 is a configuration perspective view of the substrate as viewed from the front. FIG. 5 is a configuration perspective view of the substrate viewed from the rear.

The substrate 22 is disposed on the bottom side of the printer 1 as shown in FIG. The board 22 includes a control board 22a and a power supply board (hereinafter, referred to as a power board). The control board 22a includes a circuit group necessary for performing a printing operation, for example, an IC circuit 31 for controlling a recording paper feed.
a (see FIG. 4) and IC circuit 3 for controlling ink ribbon feeding
1b (see FIG. 4).
The power board 22b is attached to the control board 22a so as to be disposed on one side of the printer device 1 and includes a battery section 34a (see FIG. 5) for electrically connecting to the battery section 8b of the battery 8. The charging circuit element 3 capable of charging the battery 8 connected to the battery piece 34a
7 is provided. As described above, since a rechargeable battery required for portable use can be attached and a charging circuit for charging the battery is also provided, an optimal printer device for portable use can be realized.

The control circuit board 22a and the power board 22b are connected to the control circuit board 22a as shown in FIG.
By connecting one end of the power board 22b via a connector device 23 as a connecting means provided on one end of the power board 22b, both connected boards are formed in a substantially L-shape. In this case, the connector device 23 of the control board 22a
When assembling the power board 22b to the control board 22a using, the L-shape may be maintained by directly inserting the board end face of the power board 22b into the connector 23 device, or As shown in FIG. 3, a connector device may be provided on both substrates 22a and 22b, and the connector devices may be connected to each other so that the L shape is maintained.

The substrate 22 having such a shape is
As shown in FIG. 3, the package is arranged and mounted near the exterior inside the housing composed of the main body cover 2 and the main body bottom 3.

The substrate 22 used in the present embodiment is
As shown in FIG. 4, on the control board 22a, there are provided a group of circuits necessary for a printing operation, for example, an IC circuit 31a for controlling the recording paper feed and an IC circuit 3 for controlling the ink ribbon feed.
1b, although not shown, a circuit such as a video signal processing circuit is mounted. A memory card connector 9a for removably mounting the memory card 9 and a PC connector 11a for removably mounting the PC connector 11 are provided at the side end of the control board 22a. further,
A plurality of connectors 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 3 for electrically connecting to various electronic components (not shown) mounted on the control board 22a are provided on the front end of the control board 22a.
0d, 30e, 30f, and 30g are provided.

These circuits and connectors are electrically connected by a printed pattern 31c provided on the control board based on a required wiring form.

On the other hand, the power board 22b
The connector 23 forms an L-shape with the control board 22a, but the connector 23 electrically connects to various electronic components on the control board side. The power board 22b is provided with a notch 33 near the center where the power board 22b is joined to the control board 22a. The notch 33 has a battery section for electrically connecting to the battery section 8b of the battery 8. The connection member 34 having the 34a is attached.

On the inner surface of the power board 22b,
Charging circuit element 37 for charging the battery 8
And the thermal head 20 and the thermal head driving mechanism 2
A control IC circuit 38 for controlling 1 and the like is provided. Further, the side of the power board 22b is connected to the thermal head driving mechanism 21, a large-sized capacitor (not shown), and the like.
Connectors 32a and 32b are provided.

The connection member 34 and the charging circuit element 3
7. As shown in FIG. 5, the control IC circuit 38 and the like are electrically connected by a print pattern 37a provided on the power board based on a required wiring form.

Also, as shown in FIG.
On the outside of the connecting member 34 attached to the central portion of
At least three battery pieces 34a are provided so as to protrude. When the battery 8 is mounted in the battery mounting groove 2c of the main body cover 2, these connecting members 3
4 and the battery piece 8b of the battery 8 are brought into contact with each other to conduct electricity, so that the power of the battery 8 can be supplied into the main body of the printer device 1.

Therefore, as described above, the board 22 mounted on the printer 1 of the present embodiment has the control board 2
2a and the power board 22b are formed in a substantially L shape. Further, a control board 2 disposed on the bottom side of the printer device
A control system circuit including a recording paper feed control circuit and an ink ribbon feed circuit is mounted on 2a. On the other hand, a power board 22b disposed on the back side of the printer apparatus has a thermal board with relatively high power to be handled. A circuit for driving the head, a charging circuit, and the like are mounted.

That is, the power circuit board 22b, through which a large current flows, such as a charging circuit, a battery section 34a, and a control circuit for applying heat to the thermal head 20 to generate heat from the head, is connected to its source, that is, the side close to where the large current flows. And concentratedly mounted on the single power board 22b. On the other hand, a control board 22a that performs recording paper feed control or ink ribbon feed control that requires only a small current is provided with a source,
That is, it is arranged near an actuator (including the recording paper feeding / ribbon feeding mechanism 17 and the like) for performing the feeding operation and is centrally mounted on one control board 22a. Printer device 1
Inside, a printer device is realized by mounting only the main substrate 22 formed in an L shape by these two sheets. As a result, the length of the wiring can be reduced, the size and weight of the printer can be reduced, and an optimal printer for portable use can be configured.

Further, even in consideration of the substrate manufacturing process, since the substrate 22 is constituted by the two substrates 22a and 22b, the substrate manufacturing operation can be performed by sharing each of the substrates. That is, since the other substrate can be directly inserted into the connector and assembled, the mounting operation of the electronic components and the like on each substrate can be divided and performed before the assembly. Therefore, the assembling work is also facilitated, which greatly contributes to simplification of the manufacturing process and reduction of the manufacturing cost.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of the printer device when the substrate 22 having the above-described configuration is actually mounted.
The operation of the printer of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the uppermost recording paper 6 stored in the paper feed cassette 5 is fed by the paper feed roller 18 to the printer 1.
Transferred inside. At this time, since a member having a curved surface is provided at the base end of the paper feed cassette 5 on the printer device side, the recording paper 6 can be transported smoothly by the rotation of the paper feed roller 18.

A pinch roller 1 disposed in front of the inside of the apparatus
The guide plates 41a, 41b, and 41c that form the recording paper transport paths 43a and 43b to which the main frame 12 is attached are provided at a stage preceding the grip roller 5 and the grip roller 40. The recording paper 6 transported by the paper feed roller 18 is transported between the pinch roller 15 and the grip roller 40 via the transport path 43a formed while pushing up the tape member 42 attached to the guide plate 41c. You. At this time, whether or not the recording paper 6 is normally conveyed is detected by a sensor (not shown) attached near the recording and conveying path of the guide plate 41b. According to the detection result, the presence or absence of the start of the printing operation is determined by the main control unit provided on the control board 22a. When the sheet is not conveyed normally, the control section causes the display section 2e on the surface of the main body cover 2 to display an error or the like. Otherwise, the control section performs drive control to start the printing operation.

When the printing operation is started, the recording paper 6 is nipped by the pinch roller 15 and the grip roller 40. The control unit, that is, the recording paper feed control IC circuit 31a provided on the control board 22a,
The driving of the recording paper feed / ribbon feed mechanism 17 is controlled,
The rotation of the grip roller 40 provided with a non-slip means on its surface controls the conveyance of the recording paper 6 during printing. That is, the leading end of the recording paper 6 is
The recording paper 6 is conveyed through a recording paper conveyance path 44 formed by the recording head 6 and the thermal head 2.
The conveyance of the recording paper 6 is controlled so as to reach a print start point between the recording paper 6 and the platen roller 14.

At the time of printing, the recording paper 6 and the ink ribbon 7a are separated from the thermal head 20 and the platen roller 1 by the rotation of the grip roller 40 and the pinch roller 15.
4 while being pressed. At the time of transfer, a control circuit provided on the power board 22b causes a current to flow through the heating element of the thermal head 20, thereby dissolving or sublimating the thermal transfer ink on the ink ribbon 7a, transferring the ink to the recording paper 6, and performing printing. Will be At the same time, at the time of printing, the ink ribbon 7a feed required at the time of printing is controlled by the ink ribbon feed control circuit.

In this case, when printing the first color yellow (Y) of the ink ribbon 7a on the recording paper 6, the recording paper 6 is moved to the left side in the figure by the pinch roller 15 and the grip roller 40, and this recording is performed. Paper 6 and ink ribbon 7
is transferred while being pressed between the thermal head 20 and the platen roller 14, and an image information signal corresponding to yellow (Y) is supplied to a heating element (not shown) of the thermal head 20.

The leading end of the recording paper 6 at this time is in a recording paper transport path 44 composed of a U-shaped guide plate 13a and a guide plate 13b of the same shape provided inside the guide plate 13a. On the other hand, the first end of the recording paper 6 is printed while the tape member 42 attached to the guide plate 41c is pushed down via the conveyance path 43a and transferred to the recording paper conveyance path 43b.

The position of the thermal head 20 at the time of printing is, for example, three positions (a position moved upward, a position moved downward as shown in the figure, and an intermediate position between them) in a standby state. The switching operation can be performed by the thermal head driving mechanism 21 so as to be at the (partial position). In accordance with the printing operation, the position is controlled by a control IC circuit 38 provided on the power board 22b.

When the printing of the first color yellow (Y) on the recording paper 6 is completed, the control IC circuit 38
Drives and controls the thermal head drive mechanism 21 to move the thermal head 20 away from the platen roller 14 and to the partial position. Furthermore, the pinch roller 1
The recording paper 6 is returned to the rear of the printer device 1 (to the right in the figure) by the grip 5 and the grip roller 40, and the above operation is repeated to repeat the second color magenta (M), the third color cyan (C),
Color printing is performed by sequentially superimposing the respective colors on the recording paper 6 in the order of the transparent overcoat (OP).

The recording paper 6 is held by the grip roller 40 and the pinch roller 15 until the printing of each color is started.
As a result, the paper is transported to the rear side of the printer device 1 (to the right in the drawing). At this time, the leading end of the recording paper 6 is transported while being guided into the recording paper transport path 44 with the U-shaped guide plates 13a and 13b, and the trailing end of the recording paper 6 is detected by a sensor (not shown). You. Then, by the rotation control by the pinch roller 15 and the grip roller 40 based on the detection result, the rear end of the recording paper 6 is set at the print start position of the thermal head 20 and the platen roller 14.

When the printing of all the colors is completed, the printed recording paper 6 is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the recording paper conveyance path 43b by a paper feeding mechanism (not shown), and the printing operation is completed. I do.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the power circuit board 22b through which a large current flows, such as a charging circuit, a battery section 34a, and a control circuit for applying heat to the thermal head 20 to generate heat, is located close to its source. Side and concentratedly mounted on this one power board 22b. Further, the control substrate 22a for performing the recording paper feed control or the ink ribbon feed control requiring only a small current is connected to a source thereof, that is, an actuator (recording paper feed /
(Including the ribbon feed mechanism 17 and the like) and are mounted on one control board 22a in a concentrated manner. In the printer device 1, since the printer device is configured by mounting only the main substrate 22 formed in an L shape by these two sheets, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the printer device. In addition, it is possible to provide an optimal printer device for portable use.

Even when the manufacturing process of the substrate is taken into consideration, the substrate 22 is composed of the two substrates 22a and 22b. Can be easily performed, so that the manufacturing process can be simplified, which greatly contributes to cost reduction.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but is included in the present invention even when the above-described embodiment is applied.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the apparatus itself, and to realize an optimal printer apparatus for portable use. Further, since the structure of the substrate 22 used in the printer device 1 is a structure that is easy to manufacture, it is possible to simplify the manufacturing process and greatly contribute to a reduction in manufacturing cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a printer device according to the present invention and showing an overall configuration of the device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an internal configuration of the printer device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the apparatus showing an arrangement configuration of substrates mounted on the printer device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the substrate of FIG. 3 as viewed from the front.

5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the substrate of FIG. 3 as viewed from the rear.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the printer device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer device 2 ... Main body cover 2a ... Paper feed cassette mounting opening 2b ... Ink cassette insertion opening 2c ... Battery mounting groove 2d ... Operation panel 2e ... Display part 2f ... Opening 3 ... Main body bottom 4a, 4b ... Opening and closing cover 4c, 4d ... Locking means 5 ... Paper feeding cassette 5a ... Cover 6 ... Recording paper 7 ... Ink cassette 7a ・ ・ ・ Ink ribbon 7b ・ ・ ・ Ink ribbon supply reel 7c ・ ・ ・ Ink ribbon take-up reel 8 ・ ・ ・ Battery 8a ・ ・ ・ Mounting section, ink ribbon 8b ・ ・ ・ Battery section 8c ・ ・ ・ Locking section 9: Memory card (smart media) 9a: Memory card connector 10: DC plug 10a: AC plug 11: PC connector 11a: PC connector 12 ... -Main frames 12a, 12b ... side plates 12c, 12d ... auxiliary plates 13 ... guide plates 14 ... platen rollers 15 ... pinch rollers 17 ... recording paper feed mechanism 18 ... paper feed Roller 20: Thermal head 21: Thermal head drive mechanism 22: Substrate 22a: Control substrate 22b: Power substrate 23: Connector 34: Connection member 34a: Battery section

Claims (7)

[Claims] A control board provided on a bottom side of the printer device and having a control circuit for controlling at least one of paper feed control and ink ribbon feed control; and a battery provided on one side surface of the printer device. A power supply board having a charging circuit for charging a rechargeable battery connected to the battery piece, the connection means being electrically connected to the control board and the power supply board; A printer device, comprising: 2. The control board and the power board connect one end side of the control board and one end side of the power board to each other, and the two connected boards are substantially L-shaped. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the printer device is mounted on an exterior inside the printer device. 3. The connection between the control board and the power supply board, wherein a side face of the other board is directly inserted into a connector device provided on one board. The printer device according to the above. 4. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the control board and the power supply board is made by connecting connector devices provided on the respective boards. apparatus. 5. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply substrate is provided on a back side of the printer device. 6. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein said power supply substrate has a control circuit for controlling a thermal head. 7. The printer according to claim 6, wherein the thermal head is provided on an upper surface of the printer, and an actuator for feeding a sheet or an ink ribbon is provided on a bottom of the printer. The printer device according to 1.