JP2002127540A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small printer that has a wide range in adjustment and can correspond to various kinds of labels even when an electronic component having a low driving voltage is used therein. SOLUTION: In this printer 10, an electronic substrate 66 having a photosensor 64 mounted thereon is swingably supported on a horizontal plate 70 of a body 12 with a swinging shaft 68 therebetween. The swinging shaft 68 is provided in a longitudinal direction of a label continuous body 18. The electronic substrate 66 is urged upwardly by a spring 72. A restriction member 74 is supported to be slidable in a short side direction of the label continuous body 18 and has jaw sections 74A, 74A. Both of the edge sections of the electronic substrate 66 are pressed by the jaw sections 74A, 74A. As a result of the above structure, when the restriction member 74 is slidably moved, the electronic substrate 66 is swung so that the photosensor 64 is to be in close proximity to or away from the label continuous body 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer, and more particularly to a printer that starts printing by detecting an optical detection mark (hereinafter referred to as an eye mark) attached to a print-receiving medium with a sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printer for printing on a continuous label body in which a belt-shaped label is temporarily attached to a belt-shaped backing paper usually includes a photosensor. The photosensor has a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and detects a difference in light transmittance and reflectance of the label continuum by receiving light emitted from the light-emitting element to the label continuum by the light-receiving element. Thus, the eye mark printed on the mount is detected, and printing is started based on the detected timing. In addition, peeling control for peeling the band-shaped backing sheet from the band-shaped label and cutting control for cutting the label continuous body for each sheet are also performed based on the timing at which the photo sensor detects the eye mark.

The light transmittance and the reflectance of the label continuum differ depending on the type of the label continuum, for example, the color and material of the band-shaped backing paper and the printing state of the eye mark. In contrast, photosensors have a limited range of light transmittance and reflectance that can be detected with high sensitivity. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the detection range of the photo sensor according to the type of the label continuum. For example, in the case of a photosensor that drives an electronic circuit at 5 V and requires a voltage peak of 2.5 V or more,
Electrical adjustment using a variable resistor is performed in the remaining range of 2.5V.

[0004]

However, in recent years, a driving voltage of 3.3 V has become mainstream in electronic components, and a photo sensor is also required to cope with the driving voltage. , 2.5V or more, the target value can be adjusted only in the range of 0.8V. That is, because the range that can be electrically adjusted is narrow, it is difficult to follow special labels such as preprinted labels and labels from overseas third parties.

In particular, when a reflection type photosensor is used, there is an advantage that the printer can be reduced in size, but there is a disadvantage that the optical characteristics of the label continuum are easily affected.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a small-sized printer which has a wide adjustment range and can cope with various kinds of labels even when electronic components having a low driving voltage are used. The purpose is to:

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a reflection type sensor for detecting a portion to be detected of a band-like object, and a predetermined sensor is provided to the band-like object based on a timing detected by the sensor. A supporting member for swingably supporting the sensor so that the sensor advances and retreats with respect to the belt-like object, and a support member for urging the support member to swing the sensor. Biasing means, and regulating means for regulating the movement of the support member from the side opposite to the urging direction of the urging means, wherein the position of the sensor is adjusted by moving the regulating means. I have.

According to the present invention, the position of the sensor can be adjusted by moving the regulating means, and the sensor can be moved to a position with high sensitivity. Even if the adjustable range decreases,
We can cover that much. This makes it possible to handle various types of labels while driving the electronic component at a low voltage. Further, since the present invention uses a reflection type sensor, the size of the printer can be reduced.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments 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 a printer 10 according to the present embodiment, and shows a closed state in which a lid 14 is closed with respect to a main body 12. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the printer 10 in a closed state, and FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the printer 10 in an open state with the lid 14 opened.

As shown in these drawings, the printer 10 mainly includes a main body 12 and a lid 14.

A supply shaft 16 is provided on the main body 12, and the label continuous body 1 wound in a roll shape is provided on the supply shaft 16.
8 is set. As shown in FIG. 4, the label continuum 18 is formed by temporarily attaching a large number of label pieces L to the belt-shaped mount B via the pressure-sensitive adhesive 20 at equal intervals, and is wound around a paper tube 22 or the like. I have. On the back surface of the band-shaped backing sheet B, a detection mark 24 displayed for each label piece L is printed. In the present embodiment, the detection mark 24 is formed at a substantially central position in the width direction of the band-shaped backing sheet B, but may be formed at an end position. Further, a label continuum 1 without a band-shaped backing B
8. The detection mark 2 on the back of a so-called linerless label
4 may be printed directly.

The label continuous body 18 is set in a state where the label continuous body 18 is fitted to the supply shaft 16 in a state where the cover is opened as shown in FIG. . As shown in FIG. 2, the platen roller 28 is disposed so as to face the thermal head 32 provided on the lid 14 when the lid 14 is closed.
The label continuum 18 is set between the thermal head 32 and the platen roller 28 while being pressed. By controlling the heat generation of the thermal head 32 while rotating the platen roller 28, the label continuum 1 is controlled.
8 is printed. The printed label continuous body 18 is separated from the label piece L by turning the band-shaped backing sheet B by the peeling pin 30, passes between the guide roller 36 and the pressing roller 38, and passes through the backing sheet passage 40 and the backing sheet discharge port 42 to the outside. Is discharged. The label piece L separated from the band-shaped mount B is issued from the label issuing port 34 in FIG. The pressing roller 28 is elastically pressed against the guide roller 36 by a spring 44. The pressing roller 28 is separated from the guide roller 36 by releasing the set plate 46, so that the band-shaped backing sheet B can be set.

On the other hand, the cover 14 is spring-loaded (not shown) from the closed state of FIG. 2 to the open state of FIG.
Is displaced. A leaf spring material 50 is attached to the lid body 14 by fastening members 52, 52 such as screws, and a pair of label pressing rollers 54, 54 are attached to the tip of the leaf spring material 50. Each of the label pressing rollers 54 has a shaft 5 supported at the lower end of the leaf spring material 50.
8 rotatably supported. Further, the label pressing rollers 54, 54 are in the closed state of FIG.
The configuration is such that the label guide surface 26 formed by the substrate 60 provided on the bottom of the main body 12 is elastically urged.

The substrate 60 has a through hole 60A formed at a position where the label pressing roller 54 is elastically urged, and a transparent resin plate 62 is adhered to the through hole 60A. Resin plate 6
A photosensor 64 for detecting the eye mark 24 of the band-shaped backing sheet B is provided below the second base sheet 2.

The photo sensor 64 is arranged to face the label continuum 18. The photo sensor 64 is
The light emitting device includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element (not shown). The light emitting element emits light to the label continuum 18 and the light reflected by the label continuity 18 is received by the light receiving element. Then, the eye mark 24 is detected because the reflectance of the eye mark 24 printed on the band-shaped mount B is different from that of the band-shaped mount B. The thermal head 32 and the platen roller 28 are controlled based on the timing at which the eye mark 24 is detected, and printing is started. Thereby, printing is reliably performed at a predetermined position of the label L.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are longitudinal sectional views showing a supporting structure of the photo sensor 64, and FIG.
It is a top view which shows the support structure of FIG.

As shown in these figures, the photo sensor 6
The electronic substrate 66 on which the electronic component 4 is mounted is supported by the frame 70 of the main body 12 via the swing shaft 68, and can swing about the swing shaft 68. The swing shaft 68 is provided in the longitudinal direction of the label continuous body 18 as shown in FIG.
Therefore, even if the electronic substrate 66 is swung, the position of the photo sensor 64 does not shift in the longitudinal direction of the label continuous body 18, so that the eye mark 24 can be always detected at a constant timing.

Between the electronic board 66 and the frame 70,
A spring 72 is provided, and the spring 72 urges the electronic board 66 upward.

A regulating member 74 is provided on the frame 70 so as to be slidable in the width direction of the label continuous body 18.
The restricting member 74 has flanges 74A, 74A for pressing both edges of the electronic board 66 from above. Spring 72
The electronic board 66 urged upward by the
The position is determined by being regulated by 4A and 74A. Therefore, when the regulating member 74 shown in FIG. 5 is slid as shown in FIG. 6, the electronic board 66 swings counterclockwise, and the position of the photo sensor 64 is adjusted downward. in this way,
By sliding the regulating member 74, the photo sensor 64 can be moved forward and backward with respect to the label continuous body 18. Note that the regulating member 74 is fixed to the frame 70 by screws or the like (not shown).

On the upper surface of the electric board 66, a scale is provided as a guide for determining the position of the regulating member 74. This scale display may be a number or a type of the label continuum 18.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 80 denotes a keyboard, and reference numeral 82 denotes a display panel. Reference numeral 84 denotes a handle, which is rotatably mounted on a pivot 86 as a fulcrum. When carrying the printer 10, the handle 84 can be easily carried by raising the handle 84 upward.

Next, the operation of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described.

Depending on the material and thickness of the band-shaped backing material B, the printing state of the eye mark 24, and the like, the label continuous body 18 has variations in optical and electrical characteristics. Therefore, label continuum 1
It is necessary to electrically adjust the photo sensor 64 in accordance with the optical and electrical characteristics of the photo sensor 64. However, when an electronic component (not shown) having a low driving voltage is used, there is a problem that the electrically adjustable range is greatly reduced. For this reason, the conventional device could not cope with various types of label continuum 18 when electronic components having a low driving voltage were used.

On the other hand, the printer 10 of the present embodiment
Since the photosensor 64 can move forward and backward with respect to the label continuum 18 by sliding the regulating member 74, it is possible to cope with various types of label continuum 18. That is, if the photo sensor 64 is moved to a position suitable for detection and the photo sensor 64 is mechanically adjusted, the reduced electrical adjustable range can be covered by mechanical adjustment. Thereby, even if an electronic component with a low drive voltage is used, it is possible to cope with various label continuous bodies 18.

Further, the printer 10 can adjust the position of the photo sensor 64 without tools by simply sliding the regulating member 74.

Further, the printer 10 includes the photo sensor 6
4 is simple in supporting structure. Therefore, if the reflection type photo sensor 64 is used, the size of the printer 10 can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, the eye mark 24 of the band-shaped backing sheet B is detected by the photo sensor 64. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the gap of the label L, the tag hole, etc. may be detected. Good.

In the above-described embodiment, printing is started based on the timing at which the photo sensor 64 detects the eye mark 24. However, the peeling control for peeling the band-shaped backing sheet B from the label L or the band-shaped label is simply performed. The cutting control for cutting each sheet may be performed based on the timing detected by the photo sensor 64.

In the above-described embodiment, the swing shaft 68
Are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the label continuous body 18, but the swing shaft 68 may be arranged in the short direction of the label continuous body 18 as shown in FIG.

[0031]

As described above, in the printer according to the present invention, the position of the sensor can be adjusted by moving the regulating means, and the sensor can be moved to a position with high sensitivity. Even if the range which can be electrically adjusted when using the 減少 is reduced, the range can be covered. This makes it possible to handle various types of labels while driving the electronic component at a low voltage. Further, since the present invention uses a reflection type sensor, the size of the printer can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the printer in a closed state.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the printer in an open state.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a roll body of a continuous label body.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a support structure of the photosensor.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a support structure of the photosensor.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a support structure of the photosensor.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a support structure in which the arrangement direction of the swing shaft is different from FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer, 12 ... Main body, 14 ... Lid, 18 ... Label continuous body, 64 ... Photosensor, 66 ... Electronic board, 68
… Swing shaft, 72… spring, 74… regulating member

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A printer comprising a reflection type sensor for detecting a detected portion of a band-shaped object, and performing a predetermined process on the band-shaped object based on a timing detected by the sensor. A support member for swingably supporting the sensor so as to advance and retreat, an urging means for urging the support member to oscillate the sensor, and an opposite side of the urging direction of the urging means And a regulating means for regulating the movement of the support member, wherein the position of the sensor is adjusted by moving the regulating means. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is supported so as to be swingable about a rotation axis disposed parallel to a longitudinal direction of the strip.