JP2002036688A - Ink ribbon feeding method and mechanism for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink ribbon feeding method and mechanism for a printer, capable of suppressing the generation of printing elongation. SOLUTION: A tension roller 50 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ink ribbon wound around a supply reel 34 until the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34 becomes a predetermined diameter to apply constant load to the drawing-out of the ink ribbon 32. By this constitution, even if the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34 is large, it can be prevented that the ink ribbon 32 is largely drawn out of the supply reel 34, and the generation of printing elongation can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and a mechanism for feeding an ink ribbon of a printer, and more particularly to a method and a mechanism for feeding an ink ribbon of a printer for printing on an object to be printed using an ink ribbon.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printer that performs printing using an ink ribbon supplies an ink ribbon between a print head and an object to be printed, and transfers the ink on the ink ribbon to the object by the print head. The printing is performed on the printing object. The ink ribbon is generally supplied from a supply reel, and the printed ink ribbon is wound up on a take-up reel. Both the supply reel and the take-up reel are mounted on a rotating shaft, and by driving a motor connected to the rotating shaft on the take-up reel side, the ink ribbon is pulled out of the supply reel, and the supply reel is taken up by the take-up reel. It is designed to be wound up. Each of the rotating shafts is provided with a torque limiter for feeding the ink ribbon at a constant tension, and each rotating shaft is rotated while receiving a certain resistance.

[0003]

The torque applied to the rotating shaft varies greatly depending on the winding diameter of the ink ribbon, and increases as the winding diameter of the ink ribbon increases. Therefore, in the supply reel, when the winding diameter of the ink ribbon is large, that is, when the supply of the ink ribbon is started, a large amount of the ink ribbon is pulled out, and as a result, there is a problem that print elongation occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink ribbon feeding method and a feeding mechanism for a printer which can suppress the occurrence of print elongation.

[0005]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, an ink ribbon fed from a supply reel is supplied between a print head and an object to be printed, and the ink of the ink ribbon is received by the print head. In the ink ribbon feeding method of a printer, which transfers a predetermined print data to a print material by transferring the print data to a print material and winds the printed ink ribbon around a take-up reel, the ink ribbon wound around the supply reel is provided. A roller is brought into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the ink ribbon wound around the supply reel until a winding diameter of the ink ribbon reaches a predetermined diameter to apply a certain load to the drawing of the ink ribbon. Provide a ribbon feeding method.

According to the present invention, the roller is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ink ribbon wound around the supply reel until the diameter of the ink ribbon wound around the supply reel becomes a predetermined diameter, and the ink is rolled up. Apply a certain load to the ribbon drawer. Thereby, even when the diameter of the ink ribbon wound around the supply reel is large, it is possible to prevent the ink ribbon from being pulled out much from the supply reel, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of print elongation.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an ink ribbon feeding method and a feeding mechanism of a printer according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a tag printer to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the tag printer shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tag printer 1
0 is a storage section 14 mainly storing the tag 12, a printing section 16 for printing on the tag 12, and a printing section 1 from the storage section 14.
6 includes a transfer mechanism 18 for transferring the tag 12 and a stacker 20 for collecting the printed tag 12.

The storage section 14 stores a large number of tags 12 before printing in a stacked state. At this time, the tags 12 are stacked such that the printing surface faces upward.

The transfer mechanism 18 takes out the tags 12 stored in the storage section 14 one by one from below and transfers them to the printing section 16. The transfer mechanism 18 includes three suction pads 22, 22, which are reciprocally movable along the width direction of the tag.
At 22, the lower surface of the tag 12 is sucked and transferred to the printing unit 16.

The printing unit 16 prints predetermined printing information on the upper surface of the tag 12 based on the printing information input from the operation panel 30. The printing unit 16 includes a thermal head 24
And a platen roller 26. The tag 12 transferred by the transfer mechanism 18 is attached to the thermal head 24.
And between the platen roller 26 and the thermal head 24 and the platen roller 26 to be conveyed in the pitch direction.

Here, an ink ribbon 32 is interposed between the thermal head 24 and the tag 12, and the ink ribbon 32 is fed in synchronization with the travel of the tag 12. When the ink on the ink ribbon 32 is transferred by the thermal head 24, predetermined print information is printed on the surface of the ink.

By the way, as described above, the thermal head 2
The ink ribbon 32 fed between the tag 4 and the tag 12 is supplied from a supply reel 34, and the ink ribbon 32 used for printing is wound on a take-up reel 36.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the structure of the feeding mechanism 38 for the ink ribbon 32. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the supply reel 34 and the take-up reel 36 are attached to a supply-side rotation shaft 40 and a take-up-side rotation shaft 42, respectively.

The supply-side rotating shaft 40 has an ink ribbon 32
Is attached, and the ink ribbon 32 pulled out from the supply reel 34 is connected to the thermal head 24 and the tag 1 via a guide roller 44.
2 is supplied. And this thermal head 2
The ink ribbon 32 used for printing in step 4 is guided to a take-up reel 36 via a guide roller 46, and the take-up reel 36
It is wound up.

Here, a motor (not shown) is attached to the take-up rotating shaft 42 to which the take-up reel 36 is attached, and by driving this motor, the take-up rotary shaft 42 rotates. . And, this winding-side rotating shaft 4
The rotation of 2 causes the ink ribbon 32 to be pulled out from the supply reel 34, fed to the thermal head 24, and taken up by the take-up reel 36.

The supply-side rotating shaft 40 and the winding-side rotating shaft 4
2, a torque limiter (not shown) is attached to the ink ribbon 32 for feeding the ink ribbon 32 with a constant tension, and the ink ribbon 32 rotates while receiving a certain resistance.

Incidentally, the torque applied to the supply-side rotary shaft 40 changes according to the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34. If the tension of the ink ribbon 32 to be pulled out is constant, the winding diameter is reduced. The larger the value, the larger. Therefore, if the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 32 is large, a large torque is generated on the supply-side rotating shaft 40, and as a result, the ink ribbon 32 is pulled out more and print elongation occurs.

In order to prevent such printing elongation, a tension applying mechanism 48 is provided on the supply side of the ink ribbon 32.
Is provided. The tension applying mechanism 48 reduces the torque applied to the supply-side rotating shaft 40 by applying a predetermined load to the drawing of the ink ribbon 32, and is configured as follows.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the structure of the tension applying mechanism 48. As shown in FIG.
A tension roller 50 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the roller. This tension roller 5
0 is fixed to the rotating shaft 52. One end of the rotating shaft 52 is rotatably supported by a bearing 55 provided on the moving frame 54, and the other end is connected to a torque limiter 56 provided on the moving frame 54. This torque limiter 56
Gives a certain resistance to the rotation of the rotating shaft 52, and the rotating shaft 52 rotates against this resistance. A one-way clutch (not shown) is provided in the torque limiter 56 so that the ink ribbon
2 is prevented from being pulled back.

The moving frame 54 has moving shafts 5 on both sides.
8, 58 are fixed. The moving shafts 58, 58
Guide holes 62 formed on both side surfaces of the fixed frame 60.
It is inserted in. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide holes 62 are formed along the radial direction of the supply-side rotary shaft 40.
Slide 2 inside. Then, the guide holes 62, 62
When the moving shafts 58 slide in the inside, the moving frame 54 moves along the radial direction of the supply-side rotating shaft 40.

The fixed frame 60 includes a cover 6 for covering the printing section 16.
The cover 64 is fixed to the inner surface of the hinge 6.
8 rotatably supported by the apparatus main body 10a. Then, when the cover 64 is closed, the tension roller 50 moves the ink ribbon 3 wound around the supply reel 34.
2 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface.

The moving frame 54 provided with the tension roller 50 is urged in the direction of the supply-side rotary shaft 40 by springs 66 provided on the upper surface thereof. Thus, when the cover 64 is closed, the tension roller 50 always comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34.

Then, as described above, the tension roller 50
Is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34, so that a predetermined load is applied when the ink ribbon 32 is pulled out from the supply reel 34. By applying such a load, a predetermined tension can be applied to the fed ink ribbon 32, and the ink ribbon 32 can be prevented from being pulled out too much from the supply reel 34.

Here, the movable region of the tension roller 50 is limited, and when the diameter of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34 becomes smaller than a predetermined diameter, the tension roller 50 does not come into contact with the ink ribbon 32. Therefore, the tension is applied by the tension roller 50 until the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 32 reaches a predetermined diameter. After the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 32 reaches the predetermined diameter, each of the rotating shafts on the supply side and the winding side is rotated. 4
Ink ribbon 3 with load by torque limiters 0 and 42
2 is given a predetermined tension.

The operation of the tag printer 10 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration is as follows.

First, the ink ribbon 32 is mounted. That is, the cover 64 is opened, and the supply reel 34 around which the ink ribbon 32 is wound is attached to the supply-side rotation shaft 40, and the take-up reel 36 is attached to the take-up rotation shaft 42.
The ink ribbon 32 is stretched along a predetermined traveling route.
Then, the cover 64 is closed. When the cover 64 is closed, the tension roller 50 attached inside the cover 64 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34.

Further, with the mounting of the ink ribbon 32,
The tag 12 is set in the storage unit 14. At this time, the tag 12
Are set in the storage unit 14 in a state where many sheets are stacked. Then, print information to be printed on the tag 12 is input from the operation panel 30.

When the above preparation work is completed, the apparatus is operated. The tags 12 stored in the storage unit 12 are sequentially taken out from the lower side by the transfer mechanism 18, sent in the width direction, and transferred to the printing unit 16. The tag 12 transferred to the printing unit 16 is supplied between the thermal head 24 and the platen roller 26, and is conveyed in the pitch direction while being sandwiched between the thermal head 24 and the platen roller 26. Then, during the transport process, the ink of the ink ribbon 32 is transferred by the thermal head 24, and predetermined print information is printed on the surface. The tag 12 on which printing has been completed is
And fall by its own weight to be collected in the stacker 20.

Here, the ink ribbon 32 is fed by the tag 1
2 and is performed by driving a motor (not shown) connected to the winding-side rotating shaft 42. That is, by driving this motor, the take-up side rotating shaft 42 rotates, and as a result, the ink ribbon 32 is pulled out from the supply reel 34 and the ink ribbon 32
Is fed.

At this time, if the diameter of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34 is large, the ink ribbon 32 is pulled out too much from the supply reel 34 to cause print elongation. In this case, the tension roller 50 can prevent this.

That is, a tension roller 50 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34, and the tension roller 50 contacts the outer periphery of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34. When the ink ribbon 32 is in contact with the surface,
A predetermined load is applied when pulling out. By applying such a load, a predetermined tension can be applied to the fed ink ribbon 32, and the ink ribbon 32 can be prevented from being pulled out too much from the supply reel 34. Occurrence can be prevented.

Since the tension roller 50 is provided so as to be movable in the radial direction of the supply-side rotary shaft 40, when the diameter of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34 decreases, the tension roller 50 moves accordingly. . Therefore, even if the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 32 decreases, the tension roller 50 always contacts the outer peripheral surface of the ink ribbon 32.

The torque applied to the supply-side rotating shaft 40 changes according to the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34, and decreases as the winding diameter decreases.
Therefore, if the winding diameter is reduced to some extent, the problem that the ink ribbon 32 is pulled out too much from the supply reel 34 is eliminated.

On the other hand, the movable range of the tension roller 50 is regulated, and when the diameter of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34 becomes smaller than a predetermined diameter, the movement is regulated and the ink ribbon 32 Will not be in contact.

As described above, the tension roller 50 does not come into contact with the outer periphery of the ink ribbon 32 when the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34 becomes smaller than the predetermined diameter. When the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 32 wound around 34 decreases, the supply-side rotating shaft 4
Since the torque applied to zero becomes small, the problem that the ink ribbon 32 is pulled out too much from the supply reel 34 is also eliminated. Therefore, even after the tension roller 50 is no longer in contact with the outer periphery of the ink ribbon 32, it can be stably fed. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, without the tension roller 50, the ink ribbon 32
Is too much pulled out from the supply reel 34, so that the printing elongation becomes large as shown in "b" of FIG.
By providing a tension roller 50 to prevent the ink ribbon 32 from being pulled out too much from the supply reel 34,
An increase in print elongation as in “a” in FIG. 5 is prevented.

It should be noted that, as described above, the tension roller 50
When the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34 becomes smaller than a predetermined diameter, the ink ribbon 32 does not come into contact, but the movable range of the tension roller 50 is set with reference to experimental data and the like. That is, since the print elongation becomes smaller as the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34 decreases, the print elongation does not occur even if the tension is not applied by the tension roller 50, or the print elongation does not occur. The tension roller 50 is brought into contact with the outer periphery of the ink ribbon 32 wound on the supply reel 34 until the winding diameter (predetermined diameter) becomes as large as possible.

As described above, according to the tag printer 10 of the present embodiment, a load is applied to the drawing by the tension roller 50 until the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 32 wound around the supply reel 34 becomes a predetermined diameter. Thus, the ink ribbon 32 can be stably fed from beginning to end. Thus, the occurrence of print elongation can be effectively prevented.

Although the present embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which the present invention is applied to a tag printer, the present invention is not limited to the tag printer, but can be applied to all thermal printers using an ink ribbon. it can.

Further, in the present embodiment, the tension applying mechanism 48 is installed inside the cover 64, but the installation position of the tension applying mechanism 48 is
It is not limited to four.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By applying a constant load to the drawing of the ink ribbon until the diameter of the ink ribbon wound on the supply reel becomes a predetermined diameter, even if the diameter of the ink ribbon wound on the supply reel is large, It is possible to prevent a large amount of the ink ribbon from being pulled out from the supply reel, and it is possible to prevent print elongation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a tag printer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the tag printer.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a configuration of an ink ribbon feeding mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a configuration of a tension applying mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between print elongation with and without rollers and the ink ribbon winding diameter.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: tag printer, 10a: apparatus body, 12: tag,
14: storage unit, 16: printing unit, 18: transport mechanism, 20:
Stacker, 22: suction pad, 24: thermal head,
26: platen roller, 28: outlet, 30: operation panel, 32: ink ribbon, 34: supply reel, 36: take-up reel, 38: feeding mechanism, 40: supply-side rotating shaft, 42
... Winding-side rotating shaft, 44 guide roller, 46 guide roller, 48 tension applying mechanism, 50 tension roller, 52 rotating shaft, 54 moving frame, 55 bearing, 56
... torque limiter, 58 ... moving axis, 60 ... fixed frame, 62
... Guide holes, 64 ... Cover, 66 ... Spring, 68 ...
Hinge

Claims (2)

[Claims] An ink ribbon fed from a supply reel is supplied between a print head and an object to be printed, and the print head transfers the ink of the ink ribbon to the object to be printed and transfers predetermined print data to the object to be printed. In the ink ribbon feeding method of a printer for printing and winding the printed ink ribbon on a take-up reel, the ink ribbon fed to the supply reel is wound until the diameter of the ink ribbon wound on the supply reel reaches a predetermined diameter. An ink ribbon feeding method for a printer, wherein a roller is brought into contact with an outer peripheral surface of a wound ink ribbon to apply a certain load to the drawing of the ink ribbon. 2. An ink ribbon fed from a supply reel is supplied between a print head and an object to be printed, and the print head transfers the ink of the ink ribbon to the object to be printed and transfers predetermined print data to the object to be printed. In an ink ribbon feeding mechanism of a printer that prints and winds the printed ink ribbon on a take-up reel, the ink ribbon feed mechanism is provided in parallel with the axis of the supply reel and movably provided in a radial direction of the supply reel. A roller that abuts the outer peripheral surface of the ink ribbon wound on the supply reel and applies a certain load to the drawer; and a roller having a predetermined diameter when the ink ribbon wound on the supply reel has a predetermined diameter. A regulating member for regulating movement and regulating the roller so as not to contact the outer peripheral surface of the ink ribbon. Structure.