JP2007261706A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform suitable correction according to a degree of curling putted on a recording medium and to output a print with high quality. <P>SOLUTION: The printer provided with a conveying system for intermittently conveying the recording medium and a print head for performing printing relative to the recording medium in a line form in a direction crossing to a conveying direction is provided with a curl correction means for correcting the curling of the recording medium in a downstream side of the print head. The curl correction means is provided with a conveying mechanism constituted such that it repeats the conveying state in which the recording medium is conveyed for a predetermined time and the stopping state in which conveying of the recording medium is stopped and it can intermittently pressure-fit/convey the recording medium in synchronous with the conveying system. The means is constituted such that acceleration in the conveying state from the stopping state to a predetermined speed is varied according to the degree of curling of the recording medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer including a conveyance system that intermittently conveys a recording medium such as paper, and a print head that performs printing in a line shape in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction with respect to the recording medium, and in particular, pulled out from a roll. The present invention relates to a printer that prints on a recorded recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a printer that performs printing such as printing and drawing on a recording medium, an inkjet printer including a conveyance system that conveys the recording medium and a print head that performs printing on the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance system, A dot printer or the like is well known.

This type of printer includes a printer that prints on a sheet-like recording medium and a printer that pulls out a recording medium from a roll wound with a long recording medium and prints it on the drawn recording medium. Also, the transport system is configured to intermittently transport the recording medium, and the print head moves in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium to perform line-shaped printing on the recording medium (for example, , See Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-088388

  By the way, as described above, when printing on the recording medium pulled out from the roll, the recording medium is curled (curved) because the recording medium is wound in a wound state. There is a problem that the quality of the print is lowered. In particular, as the recording medium is consumed, printing is performed on a recording medium with a winding rod having a small curvature corresponding to the winding radius of the roll. In other words, when a roll is used, the printed recording medium is output in a curled state, and the degree of curl varies depending on the area used for printing. It was.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of performing an appropriate correction according to the degree of curling attached to a recording medium and outputting a high-quality print. .

  A printer according to the present invention is a printer including a conveyance system that intermittently conveys a recording medium, and a print head that prints a line in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction with respect to the recording medium. The curl correcting means for correcting the curl of the recording medium is provided on the side, and the curling correcting means repeats a conveying state in which the recording medium is conveyed for a predetermined time and a stopped state in which the conveying of the recording medium is stopped to synchronize with the conveying system. The recording medium is configured to be capable of intermittently crimping and conveying the recording medium, and configured to change the acceleration in the conveying state from the stopped state to a predetermined speed in accordance with the degree of curl of the recording medium. It is characterized by being. Here, “synchronize with the conveyance system” means that the operation start timing and the operation stop timing of the curl correction means (conveyance mechanism) are substantially the same timing as the conveyance system.

  According to the printer having the above-described configuration, the curl correcting unit that corrects the curl of the recording medium is provided, and the curl correcting unit repeatedly repeats a transport state in which the recording medium is transported for a predetermined time and a stop state in which the transport of the recording medium is stopped. A conveyance mechanism configured to intermittently press and convey the recording medium so as to synchronize with the conveyance system is provided, and the acceleration in the conveyance state from the stopped state to the predetermined speed is changed in accordance with the degree of curl of the recording medium. Therefore, correction according to the degree of curl (curvature) can be performed. Specifically, when the recording medium is transported for a predetermined time, when the acceleration is increased, the time to reach the predetermined speed is short and the time for transporting the recording medium at the predetermined speed within the predetermined time is long. On the other hand, when the acceleration is reduced, the time required to reach the predetermined speed is increased, and the time for transporting at the predetermined speed within the predetermined time is shortened, and the transport amount of the recording medium per unit time is reduced. As a result, when the degree of curl is small, the time required to correct the curl for the unit-length recording medium is shortened, while when the degree of curl is large, the curl is corrected for the unit-length recording medium. It takes a long time to make corrections according to the curl of the recording medium.

  Further, as one aspect of the present invention, the recording medium is configured to print on a recording medium drawn out from a roll wound with the recording medium, and the curl correcting unit is configured to calculate the acceleration in the transport state as the consumption amount of the recording medium, Or it is preferable to be comprised so that it may change according to the residual amount of a roll. In this way, when the remaining amount of the roll is large (the amount of recording medium used is small) and the curl of the curl attached to the recording medium is large (the degree of curling is small), the curling with respect to the recording medium is performed. Is effective for a short time (bending and stretching action), while the remaining amount of roll is small (a large amount of recording medium is used), and the curl of the curl attached to the recording medium is small (the degree of curling is large). In this case, the curl correcting action acts on the recording medium for a long time, and correction according to the curling of the recording medium can be performed.

  As another aspect of the present invention, a cutting unit for cutting the recording medium into a predetermined length may be further provided between the print head and the curl correcting unit. By thus providing the cutting means to cut the recording medium, the recording medium can be divided into an upstream side where the printing process is performed and a downstream side where the curl is corrected. As a result, even if there is a difference in the transport amount per unit time (predetermined time) between the recording medium transported by the curl correcting means and the recording medium transported by the upstream transport system, It is possible to prevent the conveyed recording medium from adversely affecting the upstream printing process.

  Furthermore, as another aspect of the present invention, the print head and the curl correcting means are disposed at an interval in the recording medium conveyance direction, and the recording medium is curved between the print head and the curl correcting means. It is preferable that an allowed recording medium buffer is provided. In this way, even if there is a difference in the conveyance amount between the recording medium being printed and the recording medium that is pressure-bonded and conveyed by the curl correcting means in a state where the recording medium straddles the curl correcting means and the print head. The difference in the transport amount can be absorbed by the curvature of the recording medium in the recording medium buffer unit, and the recording medium transported on the downstream side can be prevented from adversely affecting the print processing on the upstream side. it can.

  As described above, according to the printer of the present invention, it is possible to perform an appropriate correction according to the degree of curling attached to the recording medium, and to obtain an excellent effect that a high-quality print can be output. .

  Hereinafter, a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printer according to the present embodiment is supplied from a paper supply unit 1 for supplying paper P as a recording medium to be printed, and the paper supply unit 1. The print processing unit 2 that performs print processing on the paper P, the paper discharge unit 3 that discharges the printed paper P, and transports the paper P from the paper supply unit 1 to the paper discharge unit 3 (intermittent transport). The main transport system 4 is provided as a basic configuration.

  The paper supply unit 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to accommodate a sheet paper supply unit 10 configured to be able to supply a sheet-like paper (sheet paper) P and a roll R around which a long paper P is wound. And a roll paper supply unit 11 configured to be able to supply the paper P drawn from the roll R.

  The sheet paper supply unit 10 includes a paper tray 100 on which a plurality of stacked sheet papers P are placed, and a feeding mechanism 101 that sends out the sheet papers P on the paper tray 100 one by one. The delivery mechanism 101 is the uppermost sheet paper P among a plurality of stacked sheet papers P on a transport path (in the present embodiment) formed by the main transport system 4 (primary transport system 40 described later). It is configured to send out to the upstream side of the turn unit 400 described later.

  On the other hand, the roll paper supply unit 11 is provided in a housing constituting the exterior of the printer. The roll paper supply unit 11 is configured to be able to install a roll holder 110 that holds the roll R so as to be rotatable about an axis, and the paper P can be drawn out from the roll R held by the roll holder 110 in the longitudinal direction. It is like that. The roll holder 110 is driven by a drive source (not shown) installed in the roll paper supply unit 11 and rotates the held roll R forward and backward around the axis. That is, the roll paper supply unit 11 rotates the roll R forward to enable smooth paper P supply, and reverses the roll R to enable the paper P to be rewound.

  The print processing unit 2 includes print heads 20 a and 20 b for performing drawing and printing on the paper P that is transported on the transport path configured by the main transport system 4. As the print heads 20a and 20b according to the present embodiment, an ink jet type that ejects minute ink droplets toward the paper P is employed. The print heads 20a and 20b are provided so as to be able to reciprocate in the direction intersecting (orthogonal) the paper P transport direction. The print heads 20a and 20b are configured to eject ink droplets toward the paper P while moving in a direction intersecting the transport direction with respect to the paper P when the paper P is stopped in intermittent transport. Line-shaped printing is performed on the paper P. As a result, the printer can perform printing spreading in the surface direction on the paper P by intermittent conveyance of the paper P and line-like printing by the print heads 20a and 20b.

  The printer according to this embodiment is provided with two print heads 20a and 20b in order to increase the print processing capability. The two print heads 20a and 20b are provided in parallel on the transport path of the paper P (between a turn unit 400 described later and a primary transport roller pair 402 described later) with an interval in the transport direction of the paper P. In any case, the ejection surface for ejecting ink droplets is disposed toward the conveyance path through which the paper P is conveyed.

  Of the two print heads 20a and 20b, one of the print heads (in this embodiment, the print head on the downstream side in the transport direction of the paper P) 20a has a leading edge detection sensor S1 for detecting the leading edge of the paper P. Is provided. The two print heads 20a and 20b stand by at a position corresponding to the transport center of the paper P until the leading edge detection sensor S1 detects the leading edge of the paper P. That is, the paper P supplied from the paper supply unit 1 is transported with its center and the center of the transport path aligned regardless of the width in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and therefore transports the print head 20a. The front end of any paper P supplied from the paper supply unit 1 can be detected by the common front end detection sensor S1 at a position corresponding to the center of the path. In the present embodiment, the leading edge detection sensor S1 is arranged so that the leading edge of the paper P can be detected between the two print heads 20a and 20b.

  The printer according to the present embodiment also detects the width of the paper P by the leading edge detection sensor S1. That is, in the printer, the front end detection sensor S1 is provided for the print head 20a that reciprocates in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P. Therefore, the front end detection sensor S1 is operated while moving the print head 20a. Thus, an edge in the width direction of the paper P is detected, and based on this, the width of the supplied paper P (the width of the roll R set in the roll paper supply unit 11) is grasped. . The printer displays the result on a display (not shown), and the operator can set the output form and size of the print based on the display (detection result).

  The printer according to the present embodiment includes dot print means 50 for performing information such as processed images, so-called collection value print (CVP), on the back surface of printed paper P (print). . The dot printing means 50 is provided on the downstream side of the print processing unit 2 so that printing can be performed on the paper P on the transport path formed by the main transport system 4 (secondary transport system 41 described later). Has been placed. Similar to the print processing unit 2, the dot print means 50 operates when the intermittently transported paper P is in a stopped state, and performs a collection value print made up of numbers, alphabets, symbols, or combinations thereof. It has become.

  The paper discharge unit 3 includes a discharge tray 30 for receiving the paper P processed by the print processing unit 2, and the paper P is sequentially discharged onto the discharge tray 30.

  The main transport system 4 according to this embodiment is transported by a primary transport system (transport system) 40 that intermittently transports the paper P supplied from the paper supply unit 1 to the downstream side, and the primary transport system 40. It is comprised with the secondary side conveyance system 41 which conveys the paper P intermittently downstream, and the conveyance path | route of the paper P from the said roll paper supply part 11 to the paper discharge part 3 is formed by these.

  The primary side conveyance system 40 according to the present embodiment is configured to convey the paper P to the downstream side of the print processing unit 2 (upstream side of the cutting unit 5 described later). The primary side conveyance system 40 is a turn unit that switches the conveyance direction of the paper P from the paper supply unit 1 (paper P fed out from the sheet paper supply unit 10 and paper P drawn out from the roll R of the roll paper supply unit 11). 400, a guide roller 401 provided between the roll paper supply unit 11 (roll R) and the turn unit 400 and guiding the paper P drawn from the roll R to the turn unit 400, and switching of the transport direction by the turn unit 400. The transported paper P is disposed between the primary side transport roller pair 402 that transports by pressure toward the downstream side (secondary side transport system 41), the turn unit 400, and the primary side transport roller pair 402, and is transported. A guide plate (not numbered) for guiding one surface (lower surface) of the paper P is provided.

  The turn unit 400 includes a main roller 400a around which the paper P is wound, and two sub rollers 400b and 400b provided around the outer periphery of the main roller 400a. The turn unit 400 is configured such that the sub rollers 400b and 400b are in pressure contact with the main roller 400a, and the main roller 400a is driven to rotate by being driven by the servo motor Ms. As a result, the turn unit 400 is pressure-bonded to the main roller 400a and the sub rollers 400b and 400b in a state where the paper P is wound around the main roller 400a. It is configured to be able to. Note that the turn unit 400 according to the present embodiment is configured to change the transport direction of the paper P supplied from below to a substantially horizontal direction.

  The guide roller 401 is a rotatable free roller, and as a result of winding the paper P drawn from the roll R, the paper P is put on the turn unit 400 (between the main roller 400a and the upstream sub-roller 400b). It is arranged to guide. In the present embodiment, a guide plate (not numbered) that is curved in the drawing direction of the paper P is provided so as to face the outer peripheral surface (part) of the guide roller 401, and the paper P is guided by the guide plate. Thus, the paper P can be smoothly wound around the guide roller 401.

  The primary side conveyance roller pair 402 is provided so that the other conveyance roller 402b is in pressure contact with one conveyance roller 402a, and the drive from the drive source Ms is transmitted to the one conveyance roller 402a. It is like that. In the present embodiment, it is configured to be driven by a servo motor Ms that drives the main roller 400a, and the turn unit 400 and the primary-side transport roller pair 402 are rotationally driven in synchronization with each other, and the paper P Can be conveyed downstream.

  The guide plate is provided so as to face the two print heads 20a and 20b, and guides the paper P while keeping the distance between the discharge surface of the print heads 20a and 20b and the paper P substantially constant. Is provided.

  The primary side conveyance system 40 having the above configuration repeats the conveyance state in which the paper P is conveyed in the longitudinal direction for a predetermined time and the stop state in which the conveyance of the paper P is stopped by the turn unit 400 and the primary side conveyance roller pair 402. Is intermittently conveyed. In the transport state in which the paper P is transported, the primary-side transport system 40 accelerates (slows up) at a constant acceleration from the stop state (transport speed 0) to a predetermined speed, and then from the predetermined speed to the stop state (transport speed 0). It decelerates (slows down) at a constant deceleration.

  The secondary-side transport system 41 is composed of a plurality of pairs (three sets in the figure) of secondary-side transport rollers 410, 60a, and 60b arranged at intervals in the transport direction of the paper P. The paper P sent out from the print processing unit 2 is conveyed by pressure to the paper discharge unit 3. Each of the secondary-side transport roller pairs 410, 60a, 60b is provided so that the other transport rollers 411b, 65b, 66b are in pressure contact with one of the transport rollers 411a, 65a, 66a. The drive from the drive sources Mp1, Mp2 is transmitted to the rollers (in the present embodiment, one of the transport rollers 411a, 65a, 66a on the lower side of the transport path).

  Since the printer according to the present embodiment is configured to perform printing on the long paper P drawn from the roll R, in addition to the above configuration, a cutting unit for cutting the paper P into a predetermined size. 5 and curl correction means 6 for correcting curl of the paper P drawn from the roll R.

  The cutting means 5 is provided on the downstream side of the print processing unit 2 (between the primary side transport system 40 and the secondary side transport system 41). The cutting means 5 is provided with a pair of cutting blades (not numbered) provided across the conveyance path, and is configured so that the long paper P can be cut into a sheet by contacting and separating from each other. Has been. The cutting means 5 may include a cutting blade that can move in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P, and cut the paper P by the movement of the cutting blade.

  The curl correcting unit 6 is provided on the downstream side of the print processing unit 2 (in the present embodiment, on the downstream side of the dot printing unit 50 and on the upstream side of the paper discharge unit 3). The curl correcting means 6 repeatedly presses and conveys the paper P so as to synchronize with the primary-side transport system 40 by repeatedly carrying the paper P for a predetermined time and stopping when the paper P is stopped. Conveying mechanisms 60a and 60b configured to be possible are provided. Specifically, the curl correcting means 6 includes two sets of correction conveying roller pairs 60a and 60b as conveying mechanisms provided at intervals in the conveying direction of the paper P, and the correction conveying roller pair 60a, And a decal roller 60c disposed between the two 60b.

  Of the two pairs of correction conveyance roller pairs 60a and 60b, the correction conveyance roller pair 60a on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P is the main conveyance system 4 (of the primary conveyance system 40) on the upstream side. Along with the primary-side transport roller pair 402 and the secondary-side transport roller pair 410 on the upstream side of the secondary-side transport system 41, they are arranged on a linear transport path (horizontal transport path in the figure). On the other hand, the correction roller pair 60b on the downstream side has a virtual line (not shown) connecting the axes of the conveyance rollers 66a and 66b with the conveyance rollers 65a and 65b in the correction roller pair 60a on the upstream side. A portion that is substantially parallel to an imaginary line (not shown) that connects the axes of each other and that presses the paper P in pressure contact with each other is located on one side of the imaginary line with respect to the upstream conveyance path (this embodiment). Is arranged so as to be displaced downward).

  Each of the correction conveying roller pairs 60a and 60b is configured to be capable of intermittently crimping and conveying the paper P by repeating the conveyance state in which the paper P is conveyed in the longitudinal direction for a predetermined time and the stopped state in which the conveyance of the paper P is stopped. Yes. That is, the correction conveying roller pair 60a, 60b (conveying mechanism) according to the present embodiment uses the secondary conveying system 41 together with the secondary conveying roller pair 410 on the upstream side of the correcting conveying roller pair 60a, 60b. It also functions as a secondary conveying roller pair that constitutes. The two pairs of correction conveying rollers 60a and 60b are configured to be driven by separate and independent drive sources Mp1 and Mp2. A pulse motor is employed for each of the drive sources Mp1 and Mp2 in order to operate each of the correction conveying roller pairs 60a and 60b in synchronization with each other.

  One (upstream side) straightening roller pair 60a has an endless belt or chain B stretched between one conveying roller 65a and one conveying roller 411a of the upstream secondary conveying roller pair 410. The drive of the pulse motor Mp1 is transmitted through the via. The other (downstream) correction conveyance roller pair 60b is configured such that the drive of the pulse motor Mp2 is transmitted to one roller 66a via the gear G. As a result, the secondary conveyance roller pair 410 on the other side (upstream side) of the secondary conveyance system 41 and the one correction conveyance roller pair 60a are mechanically synchronized with each other and the other correction conveyance roller. The pair 60b is configured to be electrically synchronized. That is, the transport roller pairs 410, 60a, and 60b that constitute the secondary transport system 41 operate in synchronism electrically and mechanically.

  The decurling roller 60c is composed of a rotatable free roller, and is provided between the two pairs of correction conveying rollers 60a and 60b. The decurling roller 60c is set so as to bend the paper P in a direction opposite to the curl as a result of the paper P straddling between the correction conveying roller pairs 60a and 60b being wound. In the present embodiment, as described above, the downstream correction conveyance roller pair 60b is provided to be displaced downward with respect to the upstream correction conveyance roller pair 60a. Guide means 61 is provided for guiding the paper P that has passed through the conveyance roller pair 60a to the downstream correction conveyance roller pair 60b via the decurling roller 60c.

  The guide means 61 includes a first guide plate 61a provided from the other conveyance roller 65b (upper conveyance roller in the drawing) 65b of the upstream correction conveyance roller pair 60a to the upstream side of the decurling roller 60c, and an upstream side. From one conveyance roller (lower conveyance roller in the figure) 65a of the correction conveyance roller pair 60a to the upstream side (lower conveyance roller in the figure) of the downstream conveyance roller pair 60b via the decurling roller 60c. 66a) and a second guide plate 61b provided over the same.

  The first guide plate 61a has a guide surface (not numbered) for guiding the leading end of the paper P conveyed from the upstream and guiding the paper P onto the outer peripheral surface of the decurling roller 60c located on the lower side. Is formed. On the other hand, the second guide plate 61b guides the paper P guided (direction changed) on the first guide plate 61a so as to be wound around the outer periphery of the decurling roller 60c, and the guided (direction changed) tip. A guide surface (not numbered) is provided that guides the section so as to be guided between the transport rollers 66a and 66b of the pair of downstream transport rollers 60b.

  The curl correcting means 6 having the above-described configuration includes a conveying state in which two pairs of correction conveying rollers 60a and 60b (in the present embodiment, the entire secondary-side conveying system 41) conveys the paper P in the longitudinal direction for a predetermined time. The paper P is configured to be intermittently conveyed so as to be synchronized with the primary-side conveyance system 40 by repeating the stopped state in which the conveyance of the paper P is stopped. Note that “synchronize with the primary side conveyance system 40” means that the start timing and the operation stop timing of the correction conveyance roller pair 60a, 60b (pulse motors Mp1, Mp2) are the primary side conveyance system 40 (servo At the same timing (predetermined time) as the conveyance state and stop state of the primary side conveyance system 40 and the conveyance state and stop state of the curl correction means 6 at substantially the same timing as the operation start timing and operation stop timing of the motor Ms). It means that there is. Further, the two pairs of correction conveying rollers 60a and 60b correspond to the curled state of the paper P based on the remaining amount of the roll R (paper P consumption) in the upstream roll paper supply unit 11. Thus, the acceleration in the conveyance state from the stopped state (conveyance speed 0) to the predetermined speed is controlled to be small.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the curl correcting means 6 according to the present embodiment conveys the paper P while accelerating the paper P while accelerating to the predetermined speed Vset, and maintaining the predetermined speed Vset. A constant-speed conveyance A2, a conveyance state A in which a series of operations of the decelerating conveyance A3 that conveys the paper P while decelerating from the predetermined speed Vset to the stop state (conveyance speed 0) is continuously performed within a predetermined time T, and the paper The paper P is intermittently conveyed by alternately repeating a stop state in which the conveyance of P is stopped for a predetermined time. Since the paper P wound in a roll shape has a smaller winding radius as it is closer to the core, the drawn paper P is more curled toward the core (the curvature (radius) of the curl is smaller). In view of the tendency, the curling state of the paper P being conveyed is grasped based on the remaining amount of the roll R (consumption amount of the paper P), and the conveying state A (accelerated conveying A1) is matched to the curled state. The time acceleration (acceleration when slowing up from a conveyance speed of 0 to a predetermined speed) is reduced.

  That is, on the premise that the accelerated transport A1, the constant speed transport A2, and the decelerated transport A3 are performed during the predetermined time T, the acceleration time T2 in a state where the predetermined amount of the paper P is consumed is longer than the acceleration time T1 in the initial stage. Further, the acceleration time (T1...) Is increased in accordance with the curl state so that the acceleration time T3... In the state where the paper P is consumed is further increased, and the time (X axis) and speed (Y axis) are determined. The inclination (gradient) of the line indicating the obtained acceleration is reduced. As a result, as the curl curvature decreases, the amount of transport of the paper P per unit time in the curl correction means 6 (between the two pairs of correction transport rollers 60a and 60b) decreases. The contact time with the decurling roller 60c with respect to the length is increased, and a bending action and a stretching action according to the size of the curl are imparted to the paper P.

  The change in acceleration (acceleration with respect to the correction conveyance roller pair 60a and 60b) in the above-described conveyance state A (accelerated conveyance A1) may be gradually reduced as the paper P is consumed. Each time a predetermined amount of paper P is consumed, the acceleration is decreased by a predetermined amount.

  Here, the setting of the acceleration at the time of the accelerated conveyance A1 will be specifically described. In the printer, the relationship between the curl of the paper P and the winding diameter of the roll R (the remaining amount of the roll R) is set in advance, and the roll R The relationship between the remaining amount (curl state) and the corresponding acceleration is tabulated. In this embodiment, a curl state is set for each predetermined range (predetermined curvature range), and a table is set in which optimum acceleration is associated with each remaining range of the roll R corresponding to each range. The table is stored in a storage unit (not shown) in a control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of the printer.

  The actual winding diameter of the roll R (the remaining amount of the roll R (paper P)) is the outer diameter associated with the consumption of the paper P from the outer diameter of the initial roll R (the total length of the paper P made into the roll R). By subtracting the decrease (cumulative transport amount that is the total consumption amount of paper P), it is grasped. The accumulated transport amount of the paper P can be obtained from the size of the output print, but in the present embodiment, an encoder is attached to any of the transport rollers constituting the main transport system 4 and obtained from the encoder. The accumulated transport amount is calculated based on the pulse.

  As a result, the control means compares the actual roll diameter of the roll R (the remaining amount of the roll R) with the data in the table, and an appropriate acceleration corresponding to the degree of curl is extracted. The means 6 (correction roller pair 60a, 60b) is driven. In this embodiment, since each of the two pairs of correction conveying rollers 60a and 60b is driven by the pulse motors Mp1 and Mp2, by adjusting the frequency of the pulses input to the pulse motors Mp1 and Mp2, The acceleration in the accelerated conveyance A1 is adjusted to the extracted acceleration.

  Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the printer according to the present embodiment is configured so that the curl correction means 6 (correction transport roller pair 60a, 60b) corresponds to the curl state of the paper P and the acceleration in the transport state A as described above. In view of the fact that there is a difference in the transport amount of the paper P per unit time between the primary side transport system 40 and the secondary side transport system 41 (curl correction means 6). The correction means 6 is arranged at a predetermined interval with respect to the print processing unit 2 to absorb the difference in the transport amount of the paper P between the print processing unit 2 (downstream print head 20a) and the curl correction means 6. A paper buffer unit (recording medium buffer unit) 45 is provided.

  The paper buffer unit 45 does not restrain at least one surface side of the paper P, that is, allows the paper P to be bent. The paper P is not cut by the cutting unit 5 and the curl correcting unit 6 And the print processing unit 2, the difference in the conveyance amount generated between the primary side and the secondary side is absorbed by the curvature of the paper P. In the present embodiment, the cutting means 5 and the dot printing means 50 are provided between the curl correction means 5 and the printing means 2 (print head 20a). It is provided between the dot print means 50 (the uppermost transport roller pair 410 of the secondary side transport system 41).

  The printer according to the present embodiment has the above configuration. Next, the operation of the printer will be described.

  First, the case where the sheet paper P is supplied from the sheet paper supply unit 10 will be described. When the operator instructs to supply the sheet paper P, the printer is driven by the delivery mechanism 101, the primary main transport system 4, and the secondary main transport system 4, and the sheet paper P on the paper tray 100 is fed by the feed mechanism 101. Are sent one by one onto the conveyance path constituted by the primary-side conveyance system 40. Then, the sheet paper P is conveyed downstream via the turn unit 400, and the leading edge of the sheet paper P is detected by the leading edge detection sensor S1.

  Then, due to the detection of the detection sensor, the print heads 20a and 20b reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P, and the leading edge detection sensor S1 detects the width of the sheet paper P. Then, the size of the sheet paper P is recognized, and the print heads 20a and 20b print on the sheet paper P based on the image data received in advance. Also at this time, the primary side conveyance system 40 intermittently conveys the sheet paper P, and the print heads 20a and 20b perform line-like printing on the paper P in a stopped state in the intermittent conveyance. Then, printing on the sheet paper P is performed by cooperation between the intermittent conveyance and the reciprocation of the print heads 20a and 20b.

  Since the printer recognizes that the sheet paper P is supplied from the sheet paper supply unit 10 according to an instruction from the operator as described above, the printed sheet paper P is cut by the cutting means 5. Without passing through the cutting position.

  Then, the paper P reaching the secondary side conveyance system 41 is intermittently conveyed further downstream, and the collection value printing is performed by the dot printing means 50. The sheet paper P is further conveyed downstream and sent to the curl correcting means 6 and intermittently conveyed downstream by the curl correcting means 6. In this case, since the sheet paper P is not curled, the curl correcting means 6 (the two pairs of correction conveying rollers 60a and 60b) is at a predetermined speed with the maximum acceleration in the conveying state A accelerated conveyance A1). The sheet paper P is conveyed so that the amount of conveyance per unit time in the conveyance state A is maximized by accelerating to Vset. That is, the curl correction means 6 maximizes the acceleration in the transport state A of the paper P, thereby increasing the amount of movement of the paper P within the predetermined time T, thereby reducing the contact time between the sheet paper P and the decurling roller 60c. The sheet is shortened to prevent the sheet paper P having no curling from being excessively bent.

  Then, the sheet paper P that has passed through the curl correcting means 6 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 3 (on the discharge tray 30), and printing on the sheet paper P is completed.

  On the other hand, when the paper P is supplied from the roll paper supply unit 11, when the operator instructs to supply the roll paper P, the printer includes the roll holder 110, the primary main transport system 4, and the secondary main transport system 4. To drive. Then, the paper P drawn from the roll R is conveyed downstream via the guide roller 401 and the turn unit 400, and the leading edge of the paper P is detected by the leading edge detection sensor S1.

  Then, due to the detection, the print heads 20a and 20b reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P, the leading edge detection sensor S1 detects the width of the paper P, and the paper P (set) The size of roll R) is recognized. The print heads 20a and 20b print on the paper P based on the image data received in advance. At this time, the primary-side transport system 40 intermittently transports the paper P, and each print head 20a, 20b performs line-shaped printing on the paper P in a stopped state in the intermittent transport. The paper P is printed by cooperation between the intermittent conveyance of the paper P and the reciprocation of the print heads 20a and 20b.

  Then, as described above, the printer recognizes that the paper P is supplied from the roll paper supply unit 11 according to an instruction from the operator. Therefore, the paper that has been conveyed to the cutting unit 5 through the print processing unit 2. P is cut by the cutting means 5 when it passes through a predetermined length from the cutting position of the cutting means 5 to become a sheet-like paper P. At this time, the leading end portion of the paper P is in a state of being pressure-bonded to at least the secondary-side transport roller pair 410 at the uppermost stream of the secondary-side transport system 41. Then, the sheet P made into a sheet is intermittently conveyed by the secondary-side conveyance system 41, and the collection value printing is performed by the dot printing means 50.

  The paper P on which the collection value print has been applied is conveyed further downstream and sent to the curl correction means 6, but since the printer is recognized as the paper P drawn from the roll R, the paper P Each conveyance roller pair (upstream secondary conveyance roller pair 410 and correction conveyance roller pair 60a, 60b) constituting the secondary conveyance system 41 is in a conveyance state (accelerated conveyance) for a predetermined time T in intermittent conveyance. In A1), the acceleration from the stop state (conveyance speed 0) to the predetermined speed Vset is accelerated and conveyed A1 with the acceleration corresponding to the remaining amount of the roll R (paper P consumption), then the constant-speed conveyance A2 and the decelerated conveyance A3 is performed. As a result, the curl is not corrected under the same conditions over the entire length of the paper P drawn from the roll R, but correction according to the curl state is performed. To prevent the curling from being corrected by applying an excessive bending to the paper P having a small radius of curvature of the curl.

  The curling is corrected over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the cut paper P by repeatedly performing the transport state A and the stopped state, and the paper P that has passed through the curl correcting means 6 is the same as the sheet paper P. The paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 3.

  As described above, the printer according to the present embodiment can perform a long print that extends over the print processing unit 2 (primary conveyance system 40) and the curl correction unit 6 (secondary main conveyance system 41). However, even in this case, each conveyance roller pair (upstream secondary conveyance roller pair 410, 60a, 60b and each correction conveyance roller pair 60a, 60b) constituting the secondary conveyance system 41 is In the transport state (accelerated transport A1) for a predetermined time T in intermittent transport, the acceleration from the stopped state (transport speed 0) to the predetermined speed Vset is accelerated at an acceleration corresponding to the remaining amount of roll R (paper P consumption). After carrying A1, the constant speed carrying A2 and the decelerating carrying A3 are performed. Accordingly, the curl is not corrected under the same conditions over the entire length of the paper P drawn from the roll R, and the process according to the curled state of the drawn paper P is performed. It is prevented that excessive bending is applied to the large paper P to bend the crease, or curling is not corrected by applying an excessive bending to the paper P having a small curl radius of curvature.

  In this case, there is a difference between the transport amount of the paper P by the secondary-side transport system 41 and the transport amount of the paper P by the primary-side transport system 40. However, the paper buffer unit 45 (the cutting means 5 and the most upstream two) The distance between the pair of transport rollers 410 on the next side allows the paper P to bend, so that the difference in the transport amount is absorbed by the curvature of the paper P itself, which affects the upstream printing process. Is prevented. When the leading end side of the paper P is transported by the secondary-side transport system 41 (including the curl correction means 6), when the length from the leading end of the paper P to the cutting position of the cutting means 5 reaches a preset length, the cutting is performed. The paper P is cut by the means 5. Then, the cut downstream paper P is continuously conveyed intermittently and is curled by the curl correcting means 6 and then discharged onto the discharge tray 30 of the paper discharge unit 3. The printer is provided with a trailing edge detection sensor Se that detects the trailing edge of the paper P between the guide roller 401 and the roll paper supply unit 11, and prints on the paper P from the roll R as described above. As a result of repeating, when the rear end of the paper P is detected by the rear end detection sensor Se, it is notified that the roll R (paper P) has been consumed, and the operator is prompted to replace the roll R.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, printing on the sheet paper P is possible. Therefore, when the paper P supplied from the state in which the paper P is supplied from the roll R is switched to the sheet paper P, the operator , The paper P is rewound onto the roll R so that the leading edge of the paper P on the transport path is located upstream of the joining position with the sheet paper supply unit 10, and the sheet paper supply unit 10 A sheet paper P supply path is secured.

  As described above, the printer according to the present embodiment includes the curl correcting unit 6 that corrects the curl of the paper P. The curl correcting unit 6 is provided at intervals in the transport direction of the paper P, and the paper P is arranged in the longitudinal direction. Two sets of paper P can be intermittently crimped and conveyed so as to be synchronized with the primary-side conveyance system 40 by repeating the conveyance state A for conveying for a predetermined time in the direction and the stopped state where conveyance of the paper P is stopped. A pair of correction conveying roller pairs 60a and 60b (secondary conveying roller pair 60a and 60b) and a paper between the two correction correction roller pairs 60a and 60b and between the correction conveying roller pairs 60a and 60b. Since the decurling roller 60c that curves P to the side opposite to the curl is provided, the curling of the paper P is corrected by giving the paper P a bending action on the side opposite to the curl. Door can be.

  The curl correcting means 6 is configured such that the acceleration in the transport state A from the stop state to the predetermined speed Vset becomes small corresponding to the consumption amount of the paper P or the remaining amount of the roll R. Can be corrected according to the curvature. Further, since the cutting means 5 is provided to cut the paper P, the paper P can be divided into a downstream side where the curl is corrected and an upstream side where the printing process is performed. As a result, even if there is a difference in the transport amount per unit time between the transport by the curl correction means 6 and the transport of the paper P by the main transport system 4 (primary transport system 40) on the upstream side. Further, it is possible to prevent the paper P conveyed on the downstream side from adversely affecting the print processing on the upstream side.

  Further, the print head 20a and the curl correcting means 6 are arranged at an interval in the transport direction of the paper P, and a paper buffer section that allows the paper P to bend between the print head 20a and the curl correcting means 6. 45 is provided, the difference in transport amount between the paper P being printed and the paper P transported on the downstream side of the print head 20a can be absorbed by the curvature of the paper P. An adverse effect can be prevented.

  Therefore, even if the printer according to the present embodiment performs printing on the paper P pulled out from the roll R, the degree of curl is almost the entire length of the paper P (for any region of the paper P). Accordingly, it is possible to perform an appropriate correction, and it is possible to provide an excellent effect that a high-quality print can be provided.

  The printer of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the curl state is set for each predetermined range (predetermined curvature range), and the conveyance state by the curl correction means 6 is obtained from a table in which the optimum acceleration is associated with each remaining range of the roll R corresponding to each range. Although the acceleration at A is extracted, for example, the acceleration of the accelerated transport A1 may be continuously reduced in cooperation with the consumption of the paper P. Even if it does in this way, correction according to curl can be performed and there can exist an effect | action and effect similar to the said embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, two print heads 20a and 20b are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that at least one print head is provided. The print heads 20a and 20b are not limited to inkjet heads. For example, the print heads 20a and 20b may be dot prints on paper P or transfer heads that transfer ink ribbon ink onto paper P. Good. In other words, the print head may be any print head that intermittently conveys the paper P and performs printing while moving in the direction crossing the conveyance direction of the paper P when the paper P is stopped.

  In the above embodiment, the cutting means 5 or the dot printing means 50 is provided between the print processing unit 2 and the curl correction means 6, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the cutting means 5 and dot printing are not limited thereto. The means 50 may be provided as necessary. However, since a difference in the conveyance amount per unit time between the curl correction means 6 and the primary side conveyance system 40 occurs, the cutting means 5 is provided to divide the paper P into the upstream side and the downstream side as in the above embodiment. It is preferable to do so.

  In the above embodiment, the main transport system 4 is composed of the primary side transport system 40 and the secondary side transport system 41, and the primary side transport system 40 is maintained at a constant acceleration in the transport state. For example, the primary transport system 40 is also linked to the transport state of the paper P by the secondary-side transport system 41 (curl correction means 6), and the acceleration is reduced according to the curl state. You may comprise as follows.

  In the said embodiment, although the paper supply part 1 was comprised with the sheet paper supply part 10 and the roll paper supply part 11, it is not limited to this, Even if it has only the roll paper supply part 11 Good. That is, the present invention aims to correct the curl attached to the paper P, and therefore, any printer that includes at least the roll paper supply unit 10 may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the correction conveying roller pair 60a, 60b constituting the curl correcting means 6 constitutes a part of the secondary side conveying system 41 (secondary conveying roller pair), and in addition to this, on the upstream side Although the secondary-side transport roller pair 410 is separately provided, for example, the curl correcting means 6 (correction transport roller pair 60a, 60b) may be directly connected to the downstream side of the primary-side transport system 40. That is, the secondary side conveyance system 41 may be configured by only the curl correction means 6 (correction conveyance roller pair 60a, 60b).

  In the above embodiment, the cutting unit 5 or the paper buffer unit 45 is provided between the print processing unit 2 and the curl correction unit 6, but these may be appropriately provided as necessary. However, it goes without saying that it is preferable to provide the cutting means 5 and the paper buffer unit 45 in the same manner as in the above embodiment in view of the print processing in the print processing unit 2.

  In the above embodiment, the cutting unit 5 is provided between the print processing unit 2 and the curl correction unit 6, and the paper buffer unit 45 is also provided between the print processing unit 2 and the curl correction unit 6. When the paper buffer unit 45 is provided as in the above embodiment, the cutting unit 5 does not need to be provided between the print processing unit 2 and the curl correcting unit 6. That is, if the paper buffer unit 45 is provided, the difference in the transport amount of the paper P generated between the primary side and the secondary side can be absorbed by the curvature of the paper P, so that the cutting means 5 is located downstream of the curl correction means 6. It may be provided so that the long paper P can be cut. If the cutting means 5 is provided between the print processing unit 2 and the curl correcting means 6 and the paper P is cut by the cutting means 5 and then the upstream paper P is printed, the cutting is performed. Since the upstream side paper P is not affected by the conveyance of the downstream side paper P by the division of the paper P by the means 5, the paper buffer unit 45 is not necessarily provided in this case.

1 is an overall schematic diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram in the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a time chart for explaining control of curl correction means in the printer according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Paper supply part, 2 ... Print processing part, 3 ... Paper discharge part, 4 ... Conveyance system, 5 ... Cutting means, 6 ... Curling correction means, 10 ... Sheet paper supply part, 11 ... Roll paper supply part, 20a, 20b ... print head, 40 ... primary side conveyance system, 41 ... secondary side conveyance system, 45 ... paper buffer unit (recording medium buffer unit), 50 ... dot printing means, 60a, 60b ... correction conveyance roller pair (conveyance roller) Pair: transport mechanism), 60c ... decal roller, 61 ... guide means, 61a ... first guide plate, 61b ... second guide plate, 100 ... paper tray, 101 ... delivery mechanism, 110 ... roll holder, 400 ... turn unit, 400a ... Main roller, 400b ... Sub roller, 401 ... Guide roller, 402 ... Primary conveyance roller pair, 410 ... Secondary conveyance roller

Claims (4)

  In a printer comprising a conveyance system for intermittently conveying a recording medium and a print head for printing in a line in a direction crossing the conveying direction with respect to the recording medium, curling of the recording medium is performed downstream of the print head. The curl correcting means includes a curl correcting means for correcting the recording medium intermittently so as to synchronize with the transport system by repeating a transport state in which the recording medium is transported for a predetermined time and a stop state in which the transport of the recording medium is stopped. Characterized in that it has a transport mechanism configured to be capable of pressure-bonding transport, and is configured to change acceleration in a transport state from a stopped state to a predetermined speed in accordance with the degree of curl of the recording medium. .   The curl correcting means is configured to print on a recording medium drawn out from a roll on which the recording medium is wound, and the curl correcting means associates the acceleration in the conveyance state with the consumption amount of the recording medium or the remaining amount of the roll. The printer of claim 1, wherein the printer is configured to change.   The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium into a predetermined length between the print head and the curl correcting unit.   The print head and the curl correcting means are disposed at an interval in the recording medium conveyance direction, and a recording medium buffer unit that allows the recording medium to be curved is provided between the print head and the curl correcting means. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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