JP2009179466A - Jamming detection mechanism of printer and platen-roller drive controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a jamming detection mechanism of a printer and a platen-roller drive controller capable of facilitating a simpler removing operation of printing paper from a platen-roller by detecting jamming of label paper in the platen roller and capable of executing various drive controls corresponding to a relative position of the printing paper around the platen-roller. <P>SOLUTION: Focusing on the facts that a first reflection type sensor for detecting a first position of the printing paper, a second reflection type sensor for detecting a second position are provided, the first reflection type sensor for detecting the first position of the printing paper where the printing paper is appropriately transported by the platen-roller, the second reflection type sensor for detecting the second position of the printing paper where the printing paper is wound around the platen-roller and transported are provided and jamming of the printing paper is determined as the printing paper is detected by the first reflection type sensor and the second reflection type sensor at the first position and the second position respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a jamming detection mechanism of a printer and a platen roller drive control device, and more particularly to a jamming detection mechanism and a platen roller drive of a printer that loads and prints a printing paper such as a label paper having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer or a tag. The present invention relates to a control device.

In a conventional printer, for example, a label printer, an adhesive is applied to the back side of a belt-like label base material, so even if a backing paper (release paper) is temporarily attached to the back side of the adhesive, it is laminated. The adhesive may ooze out from the side surfaces of the label substrate and the mount, and so-called jamming may occur in which a belt-like label is wound around the platen roller of the printer and becomes clogged.
In particular, when the label is wound in the form of a roll, the backing and label substrate are crushed even slightly by the winding force, so that the adhesive easily oozes out from the side surface of the label substrate and the backing, and jamming. There is a problem that it is easy to cause.
Furthermore, if the belt-like label is wound around the platen roller a plurality of times, the belt-like label is tightly wound around the platen roller, which makes it difficult to remove the belt-like label.

In addition, even for a label paper without a mount that is configured by omitting the mount, the same problem as described above may occur even if the platen roller is peeled off so that the label paper without the mount does not adhere. .
Of course, not only when the label paper is a belt-like continuous body, but also when single-sheet label paper is transferred and printed one by one, there is a problem similar to that described above.
Furthermore, not only label paper, but also printing paper such as a tag that does not have an adhesive layer formed on it, if the paper supply section is loaded in a roll shape, resulting in a roll-shaped curl In some cases, jamming similar to that described above may occur in the platen roller portion.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-1493

    The present invention has been considered in view of the above problems, and provides a jamming detection mechanism for a printer and a platen roller drive control device capable of detecting jamming of various types of printing paper such as label paper and a tag in a platen roller portion. The task is to do.

    Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer jamming detection mechanism and a platen roller drive control device capable of detecting jamming and simplifying the operation of removing printing paper from the platen roller.

    Further, the present invention provides a printer jamming detection capable of performing various kinds of drive control in accordance with the relative position or state of the printing paper around the platen roller by reversing the platen roller when removing the jammed printing paper. It is an object to provide a mechanism and a platen roller drive control device.

    That is, the present invention is provided with a first reflective sensor for detecting the first position of the printing paper and a second reflective sensor for detecting the second position, and these first reflective sensor and Focusing on the fact that the second reflective sensor detects jamming of the printing paper when the printing paper is detected at the first position and the second position, respectively. A printer jamming detection mechanism for detecting jamming of the printing paper onto the platen roller in a printer having a printing head that faces the printing head and sandwiching and transporting the printing paper. A first reflective sensor for detecting a first position where the printing paper is properly transported by the platen roller; A second reflection type sensor for detecting a second position where the printing paper is wound around the ten roller and transported, and the first reflection type sensor and the second reflection type sensor provide the printing paper. A jamming detection mechanism for a printer, wherein the jamming of the printing paper is determined when detected at the first position and the second position, respectively.

    An AND circuit for inputting respective detection signals from the first reflective sensor and the second reflective sensor can be provided.

    A second invention is a printer that controls a driving rotation direction of the platen roller in a printer having a print head that prints on a print sheet, and a platen roller that faces the print head and sandwiches and transfers the print sheet. A platen roller drive control device for detecting a first position where the printing paper is properly transferred by the platen roller, and the printing paper wrapped around the platen roller and transferred. A second reflective sensor for detecting a second position, and the first reflective sensor and the second reflective sensor are configured to place the print sheet on the first position and the second position. Is detected as jamming of the printing paper, and the rotation of the platen roller is stopped. Preparative a platen roller drive control apparatus for a printer according to claim.

    While stopping the rotation of the platen roller, the platen roller can be driven reversely for a predetermined time.

    The platen roller can be reversed to control the platen roller to stop when the second reflective sensor detects the absence of the printing paper at the second position.

    When the platen roller is rotated in the reverse direction and the second reflective sensor detects the print sheet at the second position, the platen roller can be controlled to rotate in reverse for a predetermined time.

    The platen roller is reversed so that the second reflective sensor detects the absence of the printing paper at the second position, and the first reflective sensor is absent of the printing paper at the first position. It is possible to control the platen roller to stop when it is detected.

    The platen roller is reversed, the second reflective sensor detects the absence of the print paper at the second position, and the first reflective sensor detects the print paper at the first position. When this is done, the platen roller can be controlled to be driven reversely for a predetermined time.

    A platen drive control circuit for controlling the drive of the platen roller is provided, and the reverse rotation drive time of the platen roller can be set by a timer connected to the platen drive control circuit.

    In the jamming detection mechanism and the platen roller drive control device according to the present invention, the proper transfer position (first position) and improper transfer position (second position) of the printing paper, particularly at different parts around the platen roller. The first reflection type sensor and the second reflection type sensor that can respectively detect the printing paper are provided so that the printing paper can be detected respectively. By the logical product of the output signals of the first reflection type sensor and the second reflection type sensor, Because jamming can be detected, the platen roller can be driven and controlled by stopping and reversing the platen roller based on the detection result.The combination of output signals from the two reflective sensors Different types of printing paper around the platen It can have various patterns to the drive control of the Ra.

    In particular, according to the first invention, the first reflection type sensor that detects the first position where the printing paper is properly transferred and the second position where the printing paper is wound around the platen roller and detected. A second reflective sensor, and jamming of the printing paper when the first reflective sensor and the second reflective sensor detect the printing paper at the first position and the second position, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to stop the rotation of the platen roller and prevent further jamming.

In particular, according to the second invention, when the first reflective sensor and the second reflective sensor detect the printing paper at the first position and the second position, respectively, it is determined that the printing paper is jammed. Since the rotation of the platen roller is stopped, the platen roller can be reversely driven for a predetermined time so that jamming of the printing paper can be released, and the printing paper can be easily removed thereafter.

    In the present invention, since the first reflective sensor and the second reflective sensor are provided to detect jamming of the printing paper, the printing paper jamming is detected and canceled around the platen roller, and the platen roller is driven. A printer jamming detection mechanism and platen roller drive control device that can give various patterns to control have been realized.

Next, a printer jamming detection mechanism and a platen roller drive control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a platen roller drive control device 1 and a jamming detection mechanism 2 of the printer (eg, thermal printer 8). The platen roller drive control device 1 includes a jamming detection mechanism 2 and a platen drive control circuit. 3, a platen drive circuit 4, a platen drive mechanism 5, a timer 6, and a platen reverse rotation control circuit 7.

    The jamming detection mechanism 2 detects jamming of the printing paper (label paper 10) loaded in the thermal printer 8 and transported on the transport path 9, and includes a first reflective sensor 11 and a second reflective sensor. And a AND sensor 13 (jamming detection circuit).

The thermal printer 8 includes a paper supply unit 14, the transfer path 9, and a printing unit 15.
The paper supply unit 14 holds the belt-like label paper 10 in a roll shape, and allows the paper to be fed into the transfer path 9 in a belt shape.
The label paper 10 generally has a white strip-shaped mount 16 and a generally white label piece 17 temporarily attached to the mount 16, and an adhesive is applied to the back surface of the label piece 17. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 18 is formed by coating.

    The printing unit 15 includes a thermal head 19 (print head) and a generally black platen roller 20 facing the thermal head 19. The label paper 10 is sandwiched between the thermal head 19 and the platen roller 20. Transfer and print on label strip 17.

    The first reflective sensor 11 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 20 on the upper side in FIG. 1, and is generally a black platen roller 20 and generally a white mount 16 and a label piece. 17, the presence or absence of the label paper 10 on the platen roller 20 can be detected, and the first position where the label paper 10 is properly transferred on the transfer path 9 is detected by the platen roller 20. .

    The second reflection type sensor 12 is provided on the lower side in FIG. 1 on the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 20, and, similar to the first reflection type sensor 11, due to the difference in reflectance, the platen roller 20 A second position where the label paper 10 is wound and transported is detected. That is, the second reflective sensor 12 detects that the label sheet 10 has been wound around the platen roller 20 and the label sheet 10 has come off the regular transport path 9.

The AND circuit 13 inputs detection signals from the first reflective sensor 11 and the second reflective sensor 12, and the first reflective sensor 11 and the second reflective sensor 12 When the label sheet 10 is detected at the first position and the second position, a detection signal for determining that the label sheet 10 is jammed is output.
The AND circuit 13 has its output terminal connected to the platen drive control circuit 3.

    The platen drive control circuit 3 controls the entire platen roller drive control device 1, and the first reflective sensor 11 and the second reflective sensor 12 move the label sheet 10 to the first position and the second position. When each is detected, it is determined that the label paper 10 is jammed, and the driving of the platen roller 20 is controlled by a detection signal output from the AND circuit 13. That is, a control signal for controlling the rotation and stop of the platen roller 20 is output to the platen drive circuit 4 so that the platen drive mechanism 5 rotates and stops the platen roller 20, and the timer 6 and the platen reverse control circuit 7 are used. The reverse rotation drive of the platen roller 20 is controlled.

The timer 6 sets a predetermined time during which the platen roller 20 is driven in reverse rotation, and can output the signal to the platen reverse control circuit 7.
That is, the platen reverse rotation control circuit 7 has output signals from the first reflection type sensor 11 and the second reflection type sensor 12, and is input from the AND circuit 13 to the platen drive control circuit 3. When there is an output, the platen roller 20 is reversely driven for a predetermined time.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a state when the label sheet 10 is not present near the platen roller 20 of the printing unit 15, and detection signals from the first reflective sensor 11 and the second reflective sensor 12 are detected. Both are “L”, and therefore the output of the AND circuit 13 is also “L”.
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the label paper 10 is properly transported in the vicinity of the platen roller 20 of the printing unit 15, and the first reflective sensor 11 is “H”, and the second The reflective sensor 12 is “L”, and therefore the output of the AND circuit 13 is also “L”.
4 shows that the label paper 10 is wound around the platen roller 20 in the vicinity of the platen roller 20 of the printing unit 15, that is, the front end portion 10 </ b> A of the label paper 10 is out of the original transfer path 9, and the lower peripheral side of the platen roller 20. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a state of being caught in a state, that is, a state when so-called jamming occurs, wherein the first reflective sensor 11 is “H” and the second reflective sensor 12 is “H”. Therefore, the output of the AND circuit 13 is also “H”.

An example of drive control of the platen roller 20 in the platen roller drive control device 1 and the jamming detection mechanism 2 having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of drive control of the platen roller 20. In step S 1, the label paper 10 is transferred on the transfer path 9, and printing is performed in the printing unit 15.
In step S2, it is determined whether or not the output (AND) of the AND circuit 13 is “H”. If “L”, it is determined that jamming has not occurred and the transfer and printing are continued.

    If the output of the AND circuit 13 is “H” in step S2, it is determined that jamming has occurred, and the platen roller 20 is stopped in step S3, and the platen roller 20 is driven in reverse in step S4.

    In step S5, it is determined whether the set time by the timer 6 has elapsed. After the predetermined set time has elapsed, the driving of the platen roller 20 is stopped in step S6.

    Thus, when the jamming of the label paper 10 occurs in the platen roller 20, this is detected and the platen roller 20 is reversed for a predetermined set time, so that at least the label paper 10 is wound around the platen roller 20. The degree of the state or the tightening force thereof can be loosened, and the workability of the removal work of the label paper 10 can be improved. Further, in the case of low degree jamming, the label paper 10 can be returned to its proper position.

In the present invention, since the first reflective sensor 11 and the second reflective sensor 12 are used, the drive control of the platen roller 20 can be varied according to the state of the label paper 10 around the platen roller 20. You can have it.
That is, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of drive control of the platen roller 20. In step S 11, the label paper 10 is transferred on the transfer path 9, and printing is performed in the printing unit 15.
In step S12, it is determined whether or not the output (AND) of the AND circuit 13 is “H”. If “L”, it is determined that jamming has not occurred and the transfer and printing are continued.

    If the output of the AND circuit 13 is “H” in step S12, it is assumed that jamming has occurred, and the platen roller 20 is stopped in step S13, and the platen roller 20 is driven in reverse in step S14. The process up to this step is the same as that up to step S4 in FIG.

Next, in step S15, it is determined whether or not the second reflective sensor 12 is “L”. If it is “H”, the label sheet 10 is still in the second position (ie, the platen roller 20). In step S16, it is determined whether the set time of the timer 6 has elapsed. If not, the process returns to step S14 to continue the reverse driving of the platen roller 20.
That is, the platen roller 20 is rotated in the reverse direction, and when the second reflective sensor 12 detects the label paper 10 at the second position, the platen roller 20 is controlled to rotate in the reverse direction for a predetermined time.
If the predetermined set time has elapsed, the driving of the platen roller 20 is stopped in step S17.
Therefore, in this state, even if the label paper 10 is still wound around the platen roller 20, the platen roller 20 is driven reversely for a predetermined set time, so that there is a gap between the label paper 10 and the platen roller 20. The label paper 10 can be removed relatively easily by loosening.

    Note that the platen roller 20 is stopped when the second reflective sensor 12 detects the absence of the label paper 10 at the second position, as indicated by the phantom lines in steps S15 to S17. It can also be controlled.

If the second reflective sensor 12 is “L” in step S15, it is determined that the jamming in the platen roller 20 has been canceled. In step S18, the first reflective sensor 11 is “L”. If it is “H”, the label paper 10 is still in the first position (that is, the label paper 10 is not wound around the platen roller 20 but is present around the platen roller 20 in the transfer path 9). In step S16, it is determined whether the set time of the timer 6 has elapsed. If not, the process returns to step S14 to continue the reverse rotation driving of the platen roller 20.
If the predetermined set time has elapsed, the driving of the platen roller 20 is stopped in step S17.
Therefore, in this state, even if the label paper 10 is still present around the platen roller 20 or even if the label paper 10 is wound around the platen roller 20 a plurality of times, the platen roller 20 Since the reverse rotation is performed only for the set time, the gap between the label paper 10 and the platen roller 20 is loosened, and the removal operation of the label paper 10 can be performed relatively easily.
That is, as in the flow of steps S15, S18, and S17, the platen roller 20 is reversed, and the second reflective sensor 12 detects the absence of the label paper 10 at the second position, and the first reflective sensor. The platen roller 20 can be controlled to stop when 11 detects the absence of the label paper 10 at the first position.
Further, as in the flow of steps S15, S18, and S16, the platen roller 20 is reversed, and the second reflective sensor 12 detects the absence of the label paper 10 at the second position, and the first reflective sensor. When the label 11 detects the label paper 10 at the first position, the platen roller 20 can be controlled to be driven reversely for a predetermined time.

In short, by combining the detection states of the label paper 10 in the first reflective sensor 11 and the second reflective sensor 12, it is possible to give diversity to the reverse drive control pattern of the platen roller 20.
Thus, preferably, the jamming of the label paper 10 can be eliminated by the reverse driving of the platen roller 20, and even if the jamming cannot be released, the gap between the label paper 10 and the platen roller 20 is loosened. Therefore, the label paper 10 can be easily removed.

1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a jamming detection mechanism 2 and a platen roller drive control device 1 of a printer (thermal printer 8) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a state where there is no label paper 10 near the platen roller 20 of the printing unit 15. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a state when the label paper 10 is properly transported in the vicinity of the platen roller 20 of the printing unit 15. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a state where the label paper 10 is wound around the platen roller 20 in the vicinity of the platen roller 20 of the printing unit 15, that is, a state when so-called jamming occurs. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of drive control of the platen roller 20 according to the same. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of drive control of the platen roller 20.

Explanation of symbols

1 Platen roller drive control device (Example, FIG. 1)
2 Jamming detection mechanism (Example, FIG. 1)
3 Platen Drive Control Circuit 4 Platen Drive Circuit 5 Platen Drive Mechanism 6 Timer 7 Platen Reverse Control Circuit 8 Thermal Printer (Printer)
9 Transfer path 10 Label paper (printing paper)
10A The leading end of the label paper 10 (FIG. 4)
11 First reflection type sensor 12 Second reflection type sensor 13 AND circuit (jamming detection circuit)
14 Paper supply unit 15 Printing unit 16 Mount 17 Label piece 18 Adhesive layer 19 Thermal head 20 Platen roller

Claims (8)

A print head for printing on printing paper;
A jamming detection mechanism of a printer for detecting jamming of the printing paper to the platen roller in a printer having a platen roller facing the print head and sandwiching and transferring the printing paper,
A first reflective sensor that detects a first position at which the printing paper is properly transported by the platen roller;
Providing a second reflective sensor for detecting a second position where the printing paper is wound around and transferred to the platen roller;
When the first reflective sensor and the second reflective sensor detect the print paper at the first position and the second position, respectively, it is determined that the print paper is jammed. Printer jamming detection mechanism. 2. The jamming detection mechanism for a printer according to claim 1, further comprising an AND circuit for inputting respective detection signals from the first reflection type sensor and the second reflection type sensor. A print head for printing on printing paper;
A platen roller drive control device for a printer that controls the driving rotation direction of the platen roller in a printer having a platen roller that faces the print head and sandwiches and transfers the printing paper.
A first reflective sensor that detects a first position at which the printing paper is properly transported by the platen roller;
A second reflective sensor for detecting a second position where the printing paper is wound around the platen roller and transferred;
When the first reflective sensor and the second reflective sensor detect the printing paper at the first position and the second position, respectively, it is determined that the printing paper is jammed,
A platen roller drive control device for a printer, wherein rotation of the platen roller is stopped. 4. The platen roller drive control device for a printer according to claim 3, wherein rotation of the platen roller is stopped and the platen roller is reversely driven for a predetermined time. The platen roller is rotated in reverse so that the platen roller is controlled to stop when the second reflective sensor detects the absence of the print sheet at the second position. 4. A platen roller drive control device for a printer according to item 4. The platen roller is reversely rotated, and the platen roller is controlled to be reversely driven for a predetermined time when the second reflective sensor detects the printing paper at the second position. The platen roller drive control device for a printer according to claim 4. The platen roller is reversed so that the second reflective sensor detects the absence of the printing paper at the second position, and the first reflective sensor is absent of the printing paper at the first position. The platen roller drive control device for a printer according to claim 4, wherein the platen roller is controlled to stop when the printer detects this. The platen roller is reversed so that the second reflective sensor detects the absence of the printing paper at the second position, and the first reflective sensor detects the printing paper at the first position. 5. The platen roller drive control device for a printer according to claim 4, wherein the platen roller is controlled so as to be driven in reverse rotation for a predetermined time.

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