JP2004255809A - Ink ribbon switching device of printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ribbon switching device wherein an ink ribbon can be loaded to a printer without opening a pressing section of a printing medium and each color section of the ink ribbon can be switched in a condition that the ribbon cassette is fixed. <P>SOLUTION: There is disclosed the ink ribbon switching device 20 that switches the multicolor ink ribbon 13 by moving it in the width direction thereof on a region opposite to a dot impact type printer head 11. The ink ribbon switching device 20 comprises a ribbon holder 22 for positioning the ink ribbon on the region opposite to the print head 11 relative to the printer head 11, a ribbon switching link 21 for supporting the ribbon holder at at least the side of the printer head to be movable in the width direction of the ink ribbon, and a driving means 15 for moving the ribbon switching link to the width direction of the ink ribbon. The ribbon holder is supported by the ribbon switching link to be detachable along an impact section of the printer head. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink ribbon holder in a dot impact printer, and more particularly to a technique for switching each color portion of a two-color ink ribbon to a printer head.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a dot impact printer capable of two-color printing, a two-color ink ribbon divided into, for example, two colors of black / red in a width direction is used, and the ink ribbon is perpendicular to a printer head in a longitudinal direction. By moving them in different directions, each color portion is opposed to the printer head, and printing of each color is performed.
[0003]
Here, when such a two-color ink ribbon is mounted on the printer head, a mechanism is provided near the printer head of the dot impact printer to open the presser for the print medium of the printer, and the presser is released. In this state, it is necessary to mount the two-color ink ribbon on the printer head.
At that time, it is necessary to accurately position and attach the two-color ink ribbon to the printer head, and if the two-color ink ribbon is shifted with respect to the printer head, the ink ribbon may become entangled with the printer head, There is a possibility that a trouble such as printing at the boundary between the respective color portions of the ink ribbon may occur.
[0004]
On the other hand, Patent Literature 1 discloses a ribbon switching device in which an ink ribbon accommodated in a ribbon cassette is guided to a leading end of a printer head by a ribbon guide unit, and a printing color is switched by moving the ribbon cassette up and down. An apparatus is disclosed.
In this ribbon switching device, a cassette holder is detachably and swingably supported by using a cassette holder, so that the cassette holder is rotated by a predetermined angle by a driving means via an adjustment lever, and the ink ribbon is rotated. Are arranged to face the printer head so as to switch the printing color.
At this time, by adjusting the mutual position between the cassette holder and the adjustment lever, each color portion of the ink ribbon correctly faces the printer head, and color mixing of printing is prevented.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163873 discloses that a multi-color ink ribbon is used to arrange two rows of needles on a printer head, so that two-color printing is performed simultaneously when printing by moving the printer head. Is disclosed.
In this multicolor printing apparatus, a ribbon cassette that similarly accommodates an ink ribbon is detachably and swingably supported by a cassette holder, and the cassette holder is swung to reciprocate the ink ribbon in the direction of movement of the printer head. By doing so, two color portions of the ink ribbon are opposed to the printer head, and the printing color is switched.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2668251 (page 1-2, FIG. 3)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-05-162427 (page 2-3, FIG. 1-2)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the two patent documents 1 and 2 described above, both the ribbon cassette accommodating the ink ribbon and the cassette holder itself are swung when the respective color portions of the ink ribbon are switched.
For this reason, a complicated mechanism for swinging the cassette holder is required, so that the cost is increased, and a space for the mechanism is required, so that the entire printer is enlarged.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and it is possible to mount an ink ribbon without opening a press portion of a print medium, and to fix each color portion of an ink ribbon with a ribbon cassette fixed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a ribbon switching technique capable of performing the switching.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, an ink ribbon switching device for a printer according to claim 1 of the present invention relates to a printer having an ink ribbon having different color portions divided into a plurality in the width direction with respect to a dot impact type printer head. An ink ribbon switching device for a printer, which moves in the width direction in an area facing a head and switches each color, comprising: a ribbon holder for positioning an ink ribbon in an area facing the printer head with respect to the printer head; A ribbon switching link that supports at least the printer head side of the holder so as to be movable in the width direction of the ink ribbon; and a driving unit that moves the ribbon switching link in the width direction of the ink ribbon. Removably supported along the impact surface of the printer head with respect to the switching link That it is constituted.
[0010]
When the ink ribbon switching device of the printer is configured as described above, the ribbon cassette containing the ink ribbon is fixed and held in the printer housing, and only the region of the ink ribbon pulled out from the ribbon cassette facing the printer head is removed. By mounting the ribbon holder on the ink switching link of the printer head while being supported by the ribbon holder, the ink ribbon is mounted on the printer.
At this time, since the ribbon holder can be attached to the ribbon switching link along the impact surface of the printer head, it is not necessary to open the print medium presser located in the area between the printer head and the print medium. . Therefore, the press portion of the print medium has a simple configuration, and the cost can be reduced.
[0011]
Furthermore, when switching each color of the ink ribbon, the ribbon switching link is used not for the entire ribbon cassette as in the related art, but for only the ribbon holder that supports only the region of the ink ribbon drawn from the ribbon cassette facing the printer head. It is designed to move with respect to the head. Therefore, the movable portion for switching each color can be small, and the cost can be reduced.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an ink ribbon switching device for a printer, wherein the ribbon switching link is supported so as to be capable of translating in the width direction of the ink ribbon as a whole.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an ink ribbon switching device for a printer, wherein the ribbon switching link is swingably supported around a swing axis parallel to a longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon.
[0013]
If the ink ribbon switching device of the printer has such a configuration, the printer switching side of the ribbon switching link is moved in the width direction of the ink ribbon by the translational motion or the swinging motion.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink ribbon switching device for a printer, wherein the ribbon switching link includes a guide for guiding the ribbon holder to a mounting position when the ribbon holder is mounted.
[0015]
When the ink ribbon switching device of the printer is configured as described above, when the ribbon holder is mounted on the ribbon switching link, the ribbon holder is guided to the mounting position of the ribbon switching link by the guide, so that the mounting of the ribbon holder is easy. Can be performed.
[0016]
An ink ribbon switching device for a printer according to claim 5, wherein the ribbon holder or the ribbon switching link is provided with locking means for locking the ribbon holder to each other when the ribbon holder is mounted on the ribbon switching link. is there.
[0017]
When the ink ribbon switching device of the printer is configured as described above, when the ribbon holder is mounted on the ribbon switching link, it is held in the mounted state by the locking means, and the ribbon holder is accurately held at the mounting position. Will be. Therefore, at the time of switching between the colors of the ink ribbon, each color portion of the ink ribbon accurately faces the printer head, so that the printing of the color can be performed without any color mixing.
[0018]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the ink ribbon switching device for a printer, the ribbon holder is formed of an elastic material, and is provided with knobs near both side ends, so that both knobs of the ribbon holder approach each other. , The locking means is released by elastic deformation of the ribbon holder.
[0019]
When the ink ribbon switching device of the printer has such a configuration, when removing the ribbon holder from the ribbon switching link, the user holds the tabs near both side ends of the ribbon holder and presses them so as to approach each other. The locking means is released, so that the ribbon holder can be easily removed from the ribbon switching link.
[0020]
An ink ribbon switching device for a printer according to a seventh aspect is configured such that the driving means is a solenoid.
An ink ribbon switching device for a printer according to claim 8, wherein the driving means is an actuator.
An ink ribbon switching device for a printer according to a ninth aspect is configured such that the driving means is a motor.
[0021]
If the ink ribbon switching device of the printer is configured as described above, the ribbon switching link is moved in the width direction of the ink ribbon by these solenoids, actuators or motors as driving means, so that each color of the ink ribbon can be switched.
[0022]
Thus, according to the ink ribbon switching device for a printer according to the present invention, only the region of the ink ribbon pulled out of the ribbon cassette facing the printer head is supported along the impact surface of the printer head while being supported by the ribbon holder. By mounting the ribbon holder on the ink switching link of the printer head, the ink ribbon is mounted on the printer.
Therefore, it is not necessary to open the print medium press section located in the area between the printer head and the print medium in order to mount the ink ribbon. And the ink ribbon switching device can be mounted on a printer in which the presser for the print medium cannot be opened.
[0023]
Furthermore, instead of moving the entire ribbon cassette to switch the colors of the ink ribbon as in the conventional ink ribbon switching device, only the area of the ink ribbon that is pulled out of the ribbon cassette and faces the printer head is removed. Each color of the ink ribbon is switched by holding the ribbon switching link by a holder and moving the ribbon switching link. Therefore, since only the ribbon switching link and the ribbon holder are moved for switching the colors of the ink ribbon, the operating portion can be small, and the switching of each color of the ink ribbon can be easily performed by a simple mechanism.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, an embodiment of an ink ribbon switching device for a printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a dot impact printer incorporating an embodiment of an ink ribbon switching device for a printer according to the present embodiment.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 1, the dot impact printer 10 includes a printer head 11, a ribbon cassette 12, and an ink ribbon switching device 20 arranged to face the printer head 11.
[0026]
The printer head 11 has a well-known structure, is supported so as to be able to reciprocate in the left-right direction in the drawing, and has an impact portion (shown in the drawing) provided with a number of wires whose front side can protrude according to print data. )).
[0027]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer head unit 11 includes a protector 11a for pressing a print medium against a platen (not shown) during printing.
This protector 11a is not configured to be openable unlike the protector in the conventional printer.
[0028]
The ribbon cassette 12 is fixedly held by a cassette support portion 12a in a housing (not shown) of the printer 10, and is arranged along the left-right trajectory of the printer head 11.
The ribbon cassette 12 contains, for example, a black / red two-color ink ribbon 13 inside.
[0029]
The ink ribbon 13 is divided into two parts in the width direction, and is composed of a black part 13a and a red part 13b (see FIG. 2).
Here, the ink ribbon 13 is pulled out from one end of the ribbon cassette 12, for example, the left end 12b in FIG. 1, is drawn out along the longitudinal direction outside the ribbon cassette 12, and is moved from the other end 12c into the inside of the ribbon cassette 12. Return to the endless circulation.
[0030]
The ink ribbon switching device 20 includes a ribbon switching link 21 provided on the printer head 11 side, and a ribbon holder 22 detachably attached to the ribbon switching link 21.
[0031]
The ribbon switching link 21 is supported on the printer head 11 so as to be swingable around the rotation shaft 14.
Further, the ribbon switching link 21 includes a guide 21a for the ribbon holder 22 so that the ribbon holder 22 can be accurately introduced to the mounting position.
In the illustrated case, the guide 21a is formed as a slope formed on both end faces of the printer head 11.
Further, the ribbon switching link 21 is provided with a solenoid 15 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) as a driving means, and is swung around the rotation shaft 14 by the operation of the solenoid 15. .
[0032]
The ribbon holder 22 is formed of an elastic material such as a resin material so as to be elongated in the longitudinal direction. When the ribbon holder 22 is attached to the ribbon switching link 21, the vicinity of the center of the ink ribbon 13 pulled out from the ribbon cassette 12 is provided. This region 13c is inserted into slits 22a and 22b provided at both ends so as to support this region.
[0033]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the ribbon holder 22 includes hooks 22c, 22d, and 22e as locking means for locking the ribbon switching link 21 at a plurality of positions (three positions in the drawing). ing.
Thus, when the ribbon holder 22 is mounted on the ribbon switching link 21 by the guide 21a, the hooks 22c, 22d, and 22e respectively engage with the locking portions provided on the ribbon switching link 21 side. Thereby, the ribbon holder 22 is fixedly held at the correct mounting position with respect to the ribbon switching link 21.
[0034]
Further, the ribbon holder 22 has knobs 22f and 22g at both ends.
As shown in FIG. 4, the knobs 22f and 22g function as grips when the ribbon holder 22 is mounted on the ribbon switching link 21.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the ribbon holder 22 is detached from the ribbon switching link 21, the knobs 22f and 22g hold both the knobs 22f and 22g, as shown by an arrow X in FIG. To approach each other.
As a result, the entire ribbon holder 22 bends based on its elasticity, and the hooks 22c, 22d, and 22e are disengaged from the corresponding engagement portions on the ribbon switching link 21 side as indicated by the arrow Y in FIG. Thus, the ribbon holder 22 can be easily removed from the ribbon switching link 21.
[0035]
Next, the operation of the ink ribbon switching device 10 of the printer according to the present embodiment will be described.
First, when the ink ribbon is set in the printer, the ribbon cassette 12 is fixed and held in the casing of the printer 10 by the cassette support portion 12a, and as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ribbon holder 22 provided in the vicinity of the center is held in the guides 21 a of the ribbon switching link 21 attached to the printer head 11 by holding the grip portions 22 f and 22 g at both ends by hand. Insert
[0036]
When the ribbon holder 22 is pushed toward the printer head 11, when the ribbon holder 22 is inserted to the mounting position, the hooks 22c, 22d, and 22e engage with the corresponding locking portions on the ribbon switching link 21 side. Thus, the ribbon holder 22 is positioned at the correct mounting position with respect to the ribbon switching link 21 and is fixed and held.
In this case, since the ribbon holder 22 is attached to the ribbon switching link 21 not from the print medium side but from the side opposite to the printer head 11, the ribbon holder 22 can be attached to the ribbon switching link 21 without opening the protector 11a. It is possible to attach to.
[0037]
With the ribbon holder 22 attached to the ribbon switching link 21 in this manner, the solenoid 15 operates, and the ribbon switching link 21 swings clockwise around the rotation shaft 14 as shown in FIG. Then, the black portion 13 a of the ink ribbon 13 supported by the ribbon holder 22 faces the impact portion of the printer head 11. Therefore, in this state, when the printer head 11 is driven, the black portion 13a of the ink ribbon 13 is moved with respect to a print medium (not shown) disposed below the protector 11a and between the platen. By using and printing, black printing is performed.
[0038]
On the other hand, when the solenoid 15 is operated to swing the ribbon switching link 21 counterclockwise around the rotation shaft 14 as shown in FIG. 7, the ink ribbon 13 supported by the ribbon holder 22 is moved. Is opposed to the impact portion of the printer head 11. Therefore, in this state, when the printer head 11 is driven, the red portion 13b of the ink ribbon 13 is moved with respect to a print medium (not shown) disposed below the protector 11a and between the platen. By using and printing, red printing is performed.
[0039]
When the ribbon holder 22 is detached from the ribbon switching link 21, as shown in FIG. 4, the ribbon holder 22 provided near the center of the ink ribbon 13 pulled out from the ribbon cassette 12 is moved to the grip portions at both ends. With the hands 22f and 22g held by hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the knobs 22f and 22g are pressed in the arrow X direction so as to approach each other.
As a result, the hooks 22c and 22d of the ribbon holder 22 are respectively displaced in the arrow Y direction in FIG. 5 due to the entire elastic deformation of the ribbon holder 22, and the hooks 22c, 22d and 22e respectively correspond to the corresponding ribbon switching links 21. From each locking part. Accordingly, the ribbon holder 22 can be detached from the ribbon switching link 21 by separating the ribbon holder 22 from the ribbon switching link 21 from this state.
[0040]
Thus, according to the ink ribbon switching device 20 of the printer according to the present embodiment, when the ribbon holder 22 is attached or detached, the ribbon holder 22 is attached or detached without opening the protector 11a of the printer head 11. be able to. Therefore, the configuration is simplified, and the cost can be reduced.
In addition, since the colors 13a and 13b of the ink ribbon 13 can be switched only by swinging the ribbon switching link 21 and the ribbon holder 22, it is not necessary to swing the entire ribbon cassette 12 as in the related art. The configuration can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced.
Further, since the ribbon switching link 21 is formed so as to cover the printer head 11, even when the ink ribbon 13 needs to be replaced while the printer is in use, the user may erroneously change the printer head 11 during the replacement operation. , The ink ribbon 13 can be safely replaced without causing a burn.
[0041]
In the above-described embodiment, the ribbon switching link 21 is swung by the solenoid 15 when switching between the colors of the ink ribbon 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be configured to be swung by an actuator, a motor, or the like.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ribbon switching link 21 is swingably supported around the rotation shaft 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the portion (ribbon holder 22) that supports the ink ribbon 13 may include: It is clear that the printer head 11 may be configured to move with respect to the impact portion, and may be configured to be movable by translation instead of swinging.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the two-color ink ribbon 13 is used, and the operation of the solenoid 15 causes the respective color portions 13a and 13b of the two-color ink ribbon 13 to selectively reach the impact portion of the printer head 11, respectively. Although not limited to this, a multi-color ink ribbon of three or more colors is used, and each color portion of the multi-color ink ribbon is selectively printed by a driving means such as a solenoid. It is clear that the above-mentioned structure may be made to face the impact portion.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in a state in which only the region of the ink ribbon pulled out from the ribbon cassette facing the printer head is supported by the ribbon holder, the ribbon holder is attached to the printer head from the side opposite to the printer head. By attaching the ink ribbon to the ink switching link, the ink ribbon is attached to the printer.
Therefore, it is not necessary to open the print medium press section located in the area between the printer head and the print medium in order to mount the ink ribbon. And the ink ribbon switching device can be mounted on a printer in which the presser for the print medium cannot be opened.
[0043]
Furthermore, since only the area of the ink ribbon pulled out of the ribbon cassette and facing the printer head is held by the ribbon switching link by the ribbon holder and the ribbon switching link is moved, each color of the ink ribbon is switched. The working part for switching each color of the ink ribbon is small, and the switching of each color of the ink ribbon is easily performed by a simple mechanism.
Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to mount the ink ribbon without opening the press portion of the print medium, and to perform switching of each color portion of the ink ribbon with the ribbon cassette fixed. It is possible to provide a ribbon switching device that can be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main part of a dot impact printer incorporating an embodiment of a ribbon switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a main part showing a state where a ribbon holder of a ribbon switching device in the printer of FIG. 1 is mounted on a ribbon switching link.
3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state where a ribbon holder of a ribbon switching device in the printer of FIG. 1 is mounted on a ribbon switching link.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a main part showing a state where the ribbon holder of the ribbon switching device in the printer in FIG. 1 is mounted on the ribbon switching link.
FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing a curvature due to elastic deformation of the ribbon holder when the ribbon holder of the ribbon switching device in the printer of FIG. 1 is detached from the ribbon switching link.
6 is a main part side view showing a printing state of a black portion of the ink ribbon in the printer of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a side view of a main part showing a printing state of a red portion of the ink ribbon in the printer of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Dot impact type printer 11 Printer head 11a Protector 12 Ribbon cassette 12a Cassette support part 13 Ink ribbon 13a Black part 13b Red part 14 Rotation axis 15 Solenoid (drive means)
20 Ink ribbon switching device 21 Ribbon switching link 21a Guide 22 Ribbon holders 22c, 22d, 22e Hook (locking means)
22f, 22g knob

Claims (9)

An ink ribbon switching device for a printer, in which an ink ribbon having different color portions divided into a plurality in the width direction is moved in a width direction in a region facing the printer head with respect to a dot impact type printer head, and each color is switched. And
A ribbon holder for positioning the ink ribbon in an area facing the printer head with respect to the printer head;
A ribbon switching link for supporting at least the printer head side of the ribbon holder so as to be movable in the width direction of the ink ribbon;
Driving means for moving the ribbon switching link in the width direction of the ink ribbon,
An ink ribbon switching device for a printer, wherein the ribbon holder is detachably supported along the impact surface of the printer head with respect to the ribbon switching link. 2. The ink ribbon switching device according to claim 1, wherein the ribbon switching link is supported so as to be capable of translating in the width direction of the ink ribbon as a whole. 2. The ink ribbon switching device according to claim 1, wherein the ribbon switching link is swingably supported around a swing axis parallel to a longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon. 5. An ink ribbon switching device for a printer according to claim 1, wherein said ribbon switching link includes a guide for guiding the ribbon holder to a mounting position when the ribbon holder is mounted. The ribbon holder or the ribbon switching link is provided with locking means for locking the ribbon holder to each other when the ribbon holder is mounted on the ribbon switching link. Printer ink ribbon switching device. The ribbon holder is formed of an elastic material, and has a knob near both ends,
6. An ink ribbon according to claim 5, wherein said locking means is released by elastic deformation of said ribbon holder when both tabs of said ribbon holder are pressed to approach each other. Switching device. 6. An ink ribbon switching device for a printer according to claim 1, wherein said driving means is a solenoid. 6. An ink ribbon switching device for a printer according to claim 1, wherein said driving means is an actuator. 6. An ink ribbon switching device for a printer according to claim 1, wherein said driving means is a motor.

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