JP2009274830A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inexpensively and automatically set the kind of paper with a simple constitution, and to maintain the inside of a paper storage part 1 in proper humidity, in a printer for storing roll-like paper in the paper storage part 1. <P>SOLUTION: There exist an object of arranging a magnet 20 in an end part of a paper core part 14 and an object unprovided with the magnetic 20 in response of the kind of paper as the roll-like paper. A magnetic force detector 98 for detecting magnetic force of the magnet 20 in the paper core part 14, is arranged in a part corresponding to an end part of the paper core part 14 of the paper stored in the paper storage part 1. The kind of paper is determined in response to a detection result of this magnetic force detector 98. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention belongs to a technical field related to a printer in which roll-shaped paper accommodated in a paper accommodating portion is pulled out from the paper accommodating portion and conveyed to a printing portion, and printing is performed on the paper by this printing portion.

  Generally, in a printer used for a photographic print system or the like, a paper storage unit that stores roll-shaped paper, a transport mechanism that pulls out and transports the paper stored in the paper storage unit, and this transport And a printing unit that performs printing on the paper that has been pulled out of the paper storage unit and transported by the mechanism. In this printing unit, for example, in the case of an ink jet printer, printing is performed by ejecting ink to the paper from a print head that moves relative to the paper. Then, the paper printed by the printing unit is cut into a predetermined length and discharged onto a discharge tray.

  There are several types of paper with different width dimensions and surface quality (gloss, semi-gloss, matte, etc.), and the operator who operates the printer determines the type of paper to be stored in the paper storage unit. The paper type is set by operating the operation unit.

In some cases, the operator does not set the paper type, but the printer automatically sets it (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In Patent Document 1, an identification code portion for identifying the type of paper is provided in a magazine that holds roll-shaped paper, and this identification code is read by a transmission type optical sensor to detect the type of paper. ing. In Patent Document 1, the actual type of paper that is pulled out of the paper storage unit and located on the transport path is also detected to improve the accuracy of paper type detection. Further, in Patent Document 2, an identification code is provided at the end of a paper core (paper tube) in a roll-shaped paper set in a magazine, and the roll-type paper is rotated by a reflective optical sensor. The identification code is read.
JP 2005-305700 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-253608

  By the way, when the roll-shaped paper is accommodated in the paper accommodating portion via the magazine, the operator can determine which type of magazine is used by using a magazine having a different appearance for each paper type. It becomes easy to judge by the kind of. However, when the roll-like paper is directly stored in the paper storage unit without using the magazine, the operator directly determines from the paper. In this case, judgment of surface quality is particularly difficult and requires skill.

  Therefore, when the magazine is not used, an identification code is provided at the end of the paper core portion (paper tube) in the roll-shaped paper, and the identification code is read by the sensor, as in Patent Document 2. It is possible. As a sensor for reading such an identification code, a transmissive optical sensor as shown in Patent Document 1 or a reflective optical sensor as shown in Patent Document 2 is usually used. .

  Here, the paper storage section is usually defined as a chamber in the printer housing so that when the roll-shaped paper is stored in the paper storage section, other components cannot be seen or touched. Has been made. From such a viewpoint, it is preferable that the optical sensor is also disposed outside the paper accommodating portion.

  However, in the case of the optical sensor, when the optical sensor is disposed outside the paper accommodating portion, a hole for passing light projected from the optical sensor must be formed in a wall portion or the like that defines the paper accommodating portion. However, the following problems occur. In other words, once the roll-shaped paper is accommodated in the paper accommodating portion, it is often kept accommodated in the paper accommodating portion until the paper is used up. At this time, when the printer is installed in a low humidity environment, the paper is exposed to the low humidity for a long time so that the central portion in the width direction of the paper protrudes toward the print surface with respect to both ends in the width direction. It becomes easy to curl. When such curling occurs, image quality is deteriorated, and particularly in the case of an ink jet printer, the gap between the print head that ejects ink and the platen that supports the paper is considerably small. The possibility of coming into contact with is increased. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to make the paper storage section hermetically sealed so that the inside of the paper storage section has an appropriate humidity. However, as described above, a hole is formed in the wall section that forms the paper storage section. If the cover is opened, it becomes difficult to maintain the inside of the paper container at an appropriate humidity.

  On the other hand, if a non-contact IC tag is provided in the paper core portion of the roll-shaped paper, and a reader is used that wirelessly communicates with the IC tag to determine the paper type, a wall portion that partitions the paper storage portion, etc. Thus, it is possible to dispose the reading device outside the paper container without opening a hole.

  However, in the method using the IC tag, the cost is greatly increased, and the analysis software for determining the paper type is complicated, so that it cannot be easily changed from the configuration in which the operator has set the paper type. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to set the paper type by the operator in the printer in which the roll-shaped paper is accommodated in the paper accommodating portion as described above. It is to be able to automatically set the type of the paper at a low cost and to maintain the inside of the paper accommodating portion at an appropriate humidity by making a small change to the configuration having been made.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, as a roll-shaped paper, one having a magnet installed at the end of the paper core and another having no magnet installed according to the type of the paper And a magnetic force detector for detecting the magnetic force of the magnet in the paper core is disposed at a position corresponding to the end of the paper core of the paper stored in the paper storage. The type of paper is determined according to the detection result of.

  Specifically, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the paper storage unit that stores the roll-shaped paper having the paper core portion, and the paper stored in the paper storage unit are pulled out from the paper storage unit and conveyed. The present invention is directed to a printer that includes a transport mechanism and a print unit that performs printing on the paper that has been pulled out of the paper storage unit and transported by the transport mechanism.

  Depending on the type of the paper, the paper accommodated in the paper accommodating portion includes a case where a magnet is installed at the end of the paper core portion and a case where no magnet is installed. A magnetic force detector disposed at a position corresponding to an end portion of the paper core portion of the paper housed in the paper housing portion and detecting a magnetic force of a magnet in the paper core portion, and detection by the magnetic force detector A type determining unit that determines the type of the paper according to the result is provided.

  With the above configuration, a magnet is attached to the end of a conventional paper core in accordance with the type of paper, and the printer is provided with a magnetic force detector. The output from this magnetic force detector is used to determine the type of paper. The paper type can be automatically set only by configuring the type determination unit to be a control unit including a computer that controls the operation of the printer. In addition, if the wall portion or the like that forms the paper storage portion is made of a nonmagnetic material that does not block the magnetic force of the magnet, the paper storage portion can be mounted even if the magnetic force detector is disposed outside the paper storage portion. The magnetic force of the magnet can be detected without opening a hole for detecting the magnetic force in the partition wall or the like. As a result, the inside of the paper container can be sealed and maintained at an appropriate humidity.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the paper accommodating portion has a paper core holding portion for holding the paper core portion, and the magnetic force detector is provided on the paper core holding portion. It is assumed that it is installed outside the paper container in the vicinity.

  This makes it possible to reliably detect the magnetic force of the magnet in the paper core portion while installing the magnetic force detector outside the paper accommodating portion.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the leading end of the paper which is disposed on the paper transporting path by the transporting mechanism and detects the leading end of the paper pulled out from the paper storage unit by the transporting mechanism. The type determining unit is further configured to determine the type of the paper according to a detection result by the magnetic force detector when the leading end of the paper is detected by the paper leading end detecting unit. It shall be.

  That is, when the roll-shaped paper is not actually accommodated in the paper accommodating portion, the magnet is the same as when the roll-shaped paper in which the magnet is not installed in the paper winding core portion is accommodated in the paper accommodating portion. However, if the leading edge of the paper is detected, the roll-shaped paper is stored in the paper storage unit, and it can be accurately determined that there is no magnet. become able to.

  In invention of Claim 4, in any one invention of Claims 1-3, the number of magnets installed in the edge part of the paper core part of the paper differs according to the kind of the paper, The paper core portion is configured to rotate in conjunction with the conveyance of the paper by the conveyance mechanism, and the magnet and the magnetic force detector detect the magnetic force with the rotation of the paper core portion. The magnetic force detector outputs a signal in accordance with the approach and separation of the magnet, and the type determination unit is configured to output the paper by the transport mechanism. It is assumed that the type of the paper is determined based on the waveform shape of the signal output from the magnetic force detector during conveyance.

  As a result, the waveform shape of the signal output from the magnetic force detector during one rotation of the paper core varies depending on the number of magnets, and the type of paper can be determined based on the waveform shape. It becomes possible. As a result, even if there are three or more types of paper stored in the paper storage unit, the types can be easily determined.

  As described above, according to the printer of the present invention, the magnetic force detector for detecting the magnetic force of the magnet in the paper core of the roll-shaped paper is provided, and the type of the paper is determined according to the detection result. Therefore, the paper type can be automatically set with a low cost and simple configuration, and the inside of the paper container can be maintained at an appropriate humidity.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description of the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or its use.

  FIG. 1 shows an appearance of an ink jet printer A according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 7 show an internal configuration of the ink jet printer A. FIG. The inkjet printer A is used in a photographic print system. For example, an image transmitted from a receiving block 100 (see FIG. 13) that acquires image data and performs necessary correction processing is transmitted via a communication cable. Based on the data, printing is performed on the print papers P1 and P2, and one end of the long print paper P2 wound in a roll shape is pulled out to print the print paper P2 (hereinafter referred to as roll paper P2). It is configured to be able to execute automatic printing for printing on the surface and manual feed printing for printing on the print surface of a sheet-like print paper P1 (hereinafter referred to as sheet paper P1) cut in advance to a predetermined size. Yes.

  In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the roll paper P2 and the sheet paper P1, the roll paper P2 and the sheet paper P1 are referred to as print papers P1 and P2. The printed surface means a surface on which printing is performed. The printed surface of the sheet paper P1 is determined when the sheet paper P1 is set on the manual feed tray 81 (see FIGS. 1 and 7). . Specifically, when the sheet paper P <b> 1 is set on the manual feed tray 81, a surface facing upward is set as a print surface. Further, the print surface of the roll paper P2 is a print surface that faces outward in the radial direction when the roll paper P2 is rolled.

-Overall configuration-
As shown in FIG. 7, the ink jet printer A includes a printer main body 90 and a manual feed tray 81 for manually setting the sheet paper P1 and feeding it into the printer main body 90. The printer main body 90 is provided in the housing 6 and a lower portion in the housing 6, and rolls P2 wound in a roll shape with the print surface outside are set and accommodated without a magazine. The paper storage unit 1 is provided at the upper part of the housing 6 (upper side of the roll paper storage unit 1), and is pulled out from the print surface of the sheet paper P1 supplied from the manual feed tray 81 or the roll paper storage unit 1. The print unit 2 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) that performs printing on the print surface of the roll paper P2 based on the image data, and the roll paper at the lower part in the housing 6 Located on both sides of the container 1 and provided above the ink reservoir 3 for storing the ink supplied to the print unit 2 and a door member 95 attached to the housing 6 so as to be openable and closable. And a roller unit 200 that conveys and feeds the sheet paper P1 set on the manual feed tray 81 toward the printing unit 2 when the door member 95 is in the closed state.

  A roller cutter 41 for cutting unnecessary portions of the printed papers P1 and P2 after printing, and the printed papers P1 and P2 on the upper side in the casing 6 on the downstream side of the printing unit 2 in the paper transport direction. The back side printing unit 4 for printing the reference number on the back side of the paper, the drying unit U6 for drying the ink adhering to the print paper P1, P2 printed by the printing unit 2, and the printing printed by the printing unit 2 A discharge roller 46 is provided for conveying and discharging the paper P1, P2 further downstream. A downstream side of the discharge roller 46 in the paper transport direction is provided so as to protrude outward from a discharge port 47 (see FIG. 8) of the housing 6 and receives print paper P1 and P2 discharged by the discharge roller 46. The discharge tray 5 is disposed.

  In this embodiment, the side of the discharge tray 5 (the discharge side shown in FIG. 3) in the case 6 is referred to as the front side of the case, and the side opposite to the discharge tray 5 (the supply side shown in FIG. 3) is the rear side of the case. The left side when viewed from the front side of the casing is called the left side of the casing, and the right side is called the right side of the casing. Accordingly, the left-right direction in FIG. 7 is the front-rear direction of the casing, and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. The horizontal direction of the housing coincides with the width direction of the sheet paper P1 set and transported on the manual feed tray 81 and the width direction of the roll paper P2 stored and transported in the roll paper storage unit 1.

  The print unit 2 includes a print head H (see FIGS. 2 to 4 and 7) that forms an image (including characters and the like) by ejecting ink to the print papers P1 and P2. The print head H is configured to be movable along a rail 30 that extends in the main scanning direction X (see FIG. 3) that coincides with the width direction of the print papers P1 and P2 (casing left and right direction). Specifically, the rotational force of the drive motor 32 is transmitted to the drive belt 31 via a pulley, and the print head H moves in the main scanning direction X according to the rotation amount of the drive belt 31.

  The print head H has two head units 38 (see FIG. 3) arranged in the sub-scanning direction Y (see FIG. 3) that is perpendicular to the main scanning direction X and coincides with the movement direction (front-rear direction of the casing) of the print papers P1 and P2. 7), and by discharging ink from ink discharge nozzles (not shown) provided in these two head units 38, a predetermined image can be printed on the print papers P1, P2. It is like that.

  Each of the ink reservoirs 3 includes a box-shaped case 61 (see FIG. 4) disposed on both the left and right sides of the ink jet printer A. In the case 61, inks having different hues are sealed. Seven ink cartridges 62 (see FIG. 6) are detachably accommodated (in FIG. 4, three cartridges 62 are accommodated on the left side and four cartridges 62 are accommodated on the right side). Therefore, by removing these ink cartridges 62 from the case 61, the used or used ones can be replaced with new ones. Each of these ink cartridges 62 includes yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K), red (R), violet (V), and clear (CL: transparent) inks. Is enclosed.

  Further, the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 62 is temporarily placed at a height position between the ink storage unit 3 and the printing unit 2 on the left side (left side of the casing) when viewed from the discharge side of the inkjet printer A. A sub tank 52 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is provided for storage. These sub tanks 52 are connected to the print head H of the print unit 2, and ink in the sub tank 52 is supplied to the print head H by negative pressure when ink is ejected from the nozzles of the print head H. It is like that.

-Paper transport mechanism-
As shown in FIG. 7, the ink jet printer A is provided with a paper transport mechanism that pulls out the roll paper P <b> 2 from the roll paper storage unit 1 and transports it along a predetermined paper transport path. The paper transport mechanism includes a supply unit U1, a print unit U2, a cutter unit U3, a drying unit U6, and a discharge unit U4 in order from the supply unit U1 that supplies the roll paper P2 to form the paper transport path. Image data is printed on the print surfaces of the print papers P1 and P2 positioned on the paper transport path of the print unit U2 disposed in the print unit 2.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to supplying the roll paper P2 from the supply unit U1 to the print unit U2, the sheet paper P1 is drawn from the manual feed tray 81 and can be conveyed and supplied to the print unit 2. A manual feed unit U5 is also provided.

  When printing on the roll paper P2, the paper transport mechanism transports and supplies the roll paper P2 set and stored in the roll paper storage unit 1 to the print unit U2 by the supply unit U1, and then supplies the supplied roll paper. The print head H prints image data while transporting P2 by the print unit U2. Then, after the printed roll paper P2 is conveyed to the cutter unit U3 and cut to a predetermined print size by the cutter unit U3, the roll paper P2 is dried by the drying unit U6 and sent to the discharge tray 5 by the discharge unit U4. .

  Further, the paper transport mechanism transports and supplies the sheet paper P1 set on the manual feed tray 81 to the print unit U2 by the manual feed unit U5 when printing on the sheet paper P1, and thereafter the same as the roll paper P2. It is. However, in the case of the sheet paper P1, it is not usually cut by the cutter unit U3.

  The manual feed unit U5 includes a roller unit 200 for guiding the sheet paper P1 to the printing unit 2. The roller unit 200 includes a driving roller 202 and a driven roller 201. The manual feed unit U5 guides the sheet paper P1 from the manual feed tray 81 into the printer main body 90 by rotating the drive roller 202.

  Here, the roll paper accommodating portion 1 is formed in a sealed manner by a partition wall 11 in the housing 6, and the roll paper P <b> 2 is placed on a part of the partition wall 11 in the inside of the housing 6. A paper lead-out opening 9 is formed to lead out to the outside of the storage part 1 (that is, the print part 2 side). Note that the rear side of the casing of the roll paper storage unit 1 is configured by the door member 95, and the roll paper P2 is set and stored in the roll paper storage unit 1 with the door member 95 opened. When the accommodation is completed, the door member 95 is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the roll paper P <b> 2 accommodated in the roll paper accommodation portion 1 has a paper core portion 14, and is wound in close contact with portions other than both ends of the paper core portion 14. It is.

  The supply unit U1 includes a housing left side portion 11a and a housing right side portion 11b (FIG. 6) of the partition wall 11 in order to accommodate the roll paper P2 wound around the paper core portion 14 in the roll paper accommodating portion 1. 10 and 11), the paper core holding part 11 d (see FIG. 11) that rotatably holds the paper core part 14 of the roll paper P <b> 2, and the holding of the paper core part 14. Conveyance drive that is rotationally driven to convey the roll paper P2 by a width regulating roller 22 for positioning the roll paper P2 drawn in the state in the width direction, a closing roller 23 described later, and an electric motor (not shown). The roller 24 and the conveyance driving roller 24 are arranged opposite to each other, and are pressed against the conveyance driving roller 24 so as to sandwich the roll paper P2 between the roller 24 and the conveyance driving roller 24. And a pressure roller 25.

  The supply unit U <b> 1 is configured to pull out the roll paper P <b> 2 from the roll paper storage unit 1 and convey it to the printing unit 2 side by the rotational drive of the conveyance drive roller 24. In this embodiment, the width restricting roller 22 is provided, but a width restricting guide may be provided instead.

  The closing roller 23 is provided to ensure the airtightness of the roll paper storage unit 1 so that the inside of the roll paper storage unit 1 is not in a low humidity state. That is, if the paper outlet opening 9 is left open, the air tightness of the roll paper accommodating portion 1 cannot be secured, so that the roll paper P2 passes through the paper outlet opening 9 through the paper outlet opening 9. A closing roller 23 that closes in a possible manner is provided.

  The closing roller 23 has at least an outer peripheral portion made of an elastically deformable material such as a foam material such as a sponge material or a rubber material, and roll paper P2 passing through the paper outlet opening 9. On the other hand, they are rotated in contact with each other while being elastically deformed radially inward. At this time, the roll paper P2 is pressed against the guide member 10 provided on the side opposite to the closing roller 23 (this pressing force is considerably small). Thus, the roll paper P <b> 2 can pass through the paper lead-out opening 9 while receiving almost no resistance from the closing roller 23 while ensuring the airtightness of the roll paper storage unit 1.

  On the other hand, when the roll paper P2 is not present in the paper lead-out opening 9, the closing roller 23 is in contact with the guide member 10, and at this time, the air tightness of the roll paper storage unit 1 is ensured. In the roll paper accommodating portion 1 thus secured airtight, a container 13 is provided which accommodates water therein and is open at the top, and the water in the container 13 is vaporized into water vapor to thereby roll paper. The inside of the housing part 1 is efficiently humidified.

  As a result, even if the ink jet printer A itself is placed under low humidity for a long time, if the door member 95 is in the closed state, the inside of the roll paper storage unit 1 has a moderate humidity (relative humidity of 30 to 75%). (Preferably 40 to 60%), and the curling of the roll paper P2 in the width direction center portion protruding toward the print surface with respect to the width direction both end portions can be prevented. it can.

  A paper front end detection for detecting the front end of the roll paper P2 drawn out from the roll paper storage unit 1 on the further downstream side of the pressure roller 25 in the paper transport direction downstream of the two pressure rollers 25 on the paper transport path. A paper tip detection sensor 97 as a means is provided. The paper leading edge detection sensor 97 may be disposed anywhere on the paper transport path as long as it can detect the leading edge of the roll paper P2 drawn out from the roll paper container 1.

  Here, since the roll paper P2 is wound in close contact with the paper core 14 as described above, when the roll paper P2 is pulled out from the roll paper storage unit 1 by the rotation drive of the transport drive roller 24. In conjunction with the drawing (conveying the roll paper P2), the paper core 14 is rotated around its axis while being held by the paper core holder 11d.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the paper core 14 is provided on both sides of a portion around which the roll paper P2 is wound, and restricts the movement of the wound roll paper P2 in the width direction. Provided on the outer sides in the axial direction of the paper restricting portion 15 and held at both ends of the paper core holding portion 16 and rotatably held by the paper core holding portion 11d, respectively. And a thrust movement restricting portion 17 for restricting the axial movement of the paper core portion 14 while the portion 16 is held. The thrust movement restricting portion 17 includes a central portion 17a, an outer peripheral portion 17b, and a plurality of spoke portions 17c that connect the central portion 17a and the outer peripheral portion 17b.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the paper core holding part 11d is omitted from the roll core P2 wound around the paper core part 14 in FIG. 11b (the housing left side portion 11a is also the same, so here, the long hole 11c extending from the housing rear side (left side in FIGS. 10 and 11) to the housing front side of the housing right side portion 11b will be described. It consists of the front end of the case. Introduction for sliding or rolling the held portion 16 to the paper core holding portion 11d at the lower edge of the long hole 11c on the rear side of the casing from the paper core holding portion 11d. A portion 11e is formed. And when roll paper P2 is accommodated in the roll paper accommodating part 1, after the to-be-held part 16 slides or rolls on the introducing | transducing part 11e, it fits into the paper core holding | maintenance part 11d, and is hold | maintained. It has become. When the held portion 16 is held by the paper core holding portion 11d, the roll paper P2 is set in the roll paper accommodating portion 1 in a completed state.

  The thrust movement restricting portion 17 is a roll paper accommodating portion of the housing right side portion 11b when the held portion 16 rolls on the introduction portion 11e and is held by the paper core holding portion 11d. 1 Even if the paper core portion 14 is about to move inward in the axial direction, the movement is restricted by contacting the right side portion 11b of the paper core 14 because the paper core portion 14 is about to move inward in the axial direction. (Same on the left side of the housing).

  In the ink jet printer A of the present embodiment, two types of roll paper P2 are used, one having a glossy surface and a semi-glossy surface. There are four types of glossy and semi-glossy, each having a different width dimension of the roll paper P2. The width dimension of the roll paper P2 accommodated in the roll paper accommodating portion 1 is set by the operator himself, while the surface quality that is difficult for the operator to distinguish is automatically set as described later.

  For the automatic setting of the surface quality, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the thrust movement restricting portion 17 located at the end of the paper core portion 14 of the roll paper P2 whose surface quality is semi-glossy. One magnet 20 (permanent magnet) is installed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral portion 17b. On the other hand, no magnet 20 is installed in the thrust movement restricting portion 17 of the paper winding core portion 14 in the roll paper P2 having a glossy print surface. The surface quality is automatically set according to the detection result by a magnetic force detector 98 (described later) that detects the magnetic force of the magnet 20. The magnet 20 is installed by attaching the magnet 20 to a conventionally used paper core 14 (the same as the paper core 14 where the magnet 20 is not installed). In this embodiment, in order to make the paper core portion 14 symmetrical with respect to the center in the axial direction, when the magnet 20 is installed, it is installed in the thrust movement restricting portions 17 on both sides. The magnet 20 may be installed only on the side corresponding to the magnetic force detector 98 (in the present embodiment, on the right side of the housing).

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the long hole 11 c is closed by a closing member 91. The closing member 91 is attached and fixed to the surface of the partition wall 11 on the opposite side of the casing right side portion 11b from the roll paper accommodation portion 1 by screws (not shown) inserted through six screw attachment portions 91a. (Same on the left side of the housing). Thereby, even if the long hole 11c is formed in the case left side portion 11a and the case right side portion 11b of the partition wall 11, the inside of the roll paper storage portion 1 is sealed when the door member 95 is closed. Become. The thrust movement restricting portion 17 of the paper core portion 14 held by the paper core holding portion 11d is located between the closing member 91 and the right side portion 11b of the case (the same applies to the left side of the case).

  A detector support member 92 for supporting and fixing a magnetic force detector 98 for detecting the magnetic force of the magnet 20 is disposed on the side of the closing member 91 opposite to the roll paper storage portion 1. The supporting member 92 is fastened together with the closing member 91 to the right side portion 11b of the partition wall 11 together with the closing member 91 by screws inserted into the three screw attaching portions 91a of the six screw attaching portions 91a of the closing member 91. Yes. The detector support member 92 and the magnetic force detector 98 are provided only on the right side of the casing.

  The magnetic force detector 98 is located at a position corresponding to the thrust movement restricting portion 17 of the paper core portion 14 held by the paper core holding portion 11d, that is, in the vicinity of the paper core holding portion 11d. The outer side is disposed at a position facing the thrust movement restricting portion 17 with the closing member 91 interposed therebetween. In the present embodiment, the magnetic force detector 98 is disposed at a position facing a part of the outer peripheral portion 17 b that is out of the central portion 17 a of the thrust movement restricting portion 17. As the paper core 14 rotates, the magnet 20 repeatedly approaches and separates from the magnetic force detector 98, and the magnetic force detector 98 responds to the approach and separation of the magnet 20. Output a signal. That is, in the magnetic force detector 98, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, a triangular waveform in which the output voltage as the output signal rises and falls appears only once while the paper core 14 rotates once. The output voltage reaches a peak when the magnet 20 just faces the magnetic force detector 98. When the magnet 20 is not installed in the thrust movement restricting portion 17 of the paper core 14, the triangular waveform does not appear, and a constant voltage (the same voltage as the lowest voltage when the magnet 20 is installed). ) Will continue. The closing member 91 is made of a nonmagnetic material that allows the magnetic force of the magnet 20 to pass, such as stainless steel or resin.

  The print unit U2 includes a paper holding unit D (see FIGS. 3 and 7) that holds the print papers P1 and P2 at positions where printing can be performed by the print head H, and paper transport of the paper holding unit D. And a pressure-bonding type print conveyance roller 33 disposed on the downstream side in the direction. The transport driving roller 24 and the pressure roller 25 of the supply unit U1 are also used as the print unit U2, and play a role of transporting the print papers P1 and P2 in the print unit U2.

  The paper holding part D includes a platen 34 having a support surface 34c (see FIG. 3) for supporting the print papers P1 and P2, and a suction hole 34a (see FIG. 3) opening in the support surface 34c, and the print head. And a suction device 35 configured by a fan that sucks and holds the print paper P1 and P2 on the support surface 34c on the support surface 34c by sucking the print paper P1 and P2 on the support surface 34c through the suction hole 34a. Yes. The two head units 38 of the print head H face the support surface 34c with a slight gap above the support surface 34c of the platen 34, and maintain the gap in the main scanning direction. Move to X.

  The platen 34 is made of a plate-like member, and a case body 36 that forms a space together with the platen 34 is disposed on the back surface (lower surface) side of the platen 34, and the suction is provided below the case body 36. A device 35 is provided. The suction hole 34 a penetrates in the thickness direction of the platen 34 and communicates with a space in the case body 36, and this space is connected to the suction port of the suction device 35 through an opening provided in the lower portion of the case body 36. When the suction device 35 is operated, a negative pressure is generated on the support surface 34c side of the platen 34 through the suction hole 34a, whereby the print papers P1 and P2 are adsorbed on the support surface 34c of the platen 34. Will be retained. As a result, it is possible to improve the print quality by ensuring the flatness of the print papers P1 and P2 during printing.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the support surface 34c of the platen 34 is flushed to receive a small amount of ink ejected from the ink ejection nozzles of the head unit 38 in the print head H in order to prevent the ink from thickening during printing. A cap portion (not shown) that is provided at the standby position of the print head H during non-printing and is configured to cover the ink discharge nozzles of the head unit 38 in the print head H to prevent ink thickening. And a recess 34b.

  The flushing portion 37 is provided with an opening 37a (see FIG. 3) formed in the platen 34 and a lower side of the flushing portion 37 in the platen 34 to form a space communicating with the opening 37a. The case body communicates with a waste liquid tank 7 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) provided at the lower front side of the casing of the inkjet printer A. In addition, a sponge-like ink absorbing material 37b capable of absorbing ink is disposed in the opening 37a, and the ink soaked into the ink absorbing material 37b is also located below the flushing portion 37. It is designed to accumulate in the space inside the body. As a result, the ink ejected toward the opening 37a of the flushing portion 37 is guided to the waste liquid tank 7 after accumulating in the space inside the case body.

  The cap portion is not particularly shown, but when the cap portion covers the lower surface of the print head H, a space is formed in which a negative pressure is formed, and a small amount is formed in the space from the ink ejection nozzle. It is configured to suck out the ink. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the ink from becoming difficult to be ejected due to the viscosity increase of the ink by the ink ejection nozzle.

  The concave portion 34b allows a part of ink ejected from the print head H (head unit 38) on the support surface 34c when performing borderless printing in which an image is printed up to the edges in the width direction of the print papers P1 and P2. This is provided to prevent the support surface 34c of the platen 34 from being soiled by the ink that has come off to the outside even if the print paper P1, P2 protrudes outward from the edge in the width direction. For this reason, the concave portion 34b is located at a position corresponding to the edge in the width direction of the print paper P1 and P2 on the support surface 34c on the support surface 34c and at a position corresponding to each head unit 38 in the sub-scanning direction Y. It is formed to extend along the edge (that is, to extend in the sub-scanning direction Y). The edges in the width direction of the print papers P1 and P2 are on the left and right sides, and in the present embodiment, the print papers P1 and P2 can be used for four types of width dimensions. A total of eight recesses 34b, four on each side, are provided.

  In each of the recesses 34b, a sponge that absorbs the ink discharged from the print head H (head unit 38) that has moved outward from the edges in the width direction of the print papers P1 and P2 on the support surface 34c. A shaped ink absorbing material (not shown) is fitted to extend along the edge, and the ink absorbed by the ink absorbing material is collected in the waste liquid tank 7.

  As described above, the print head H has a head unit 38 provided with a large number of ink discharge nozzles arranged in two stages in the sub-scanning direction Y on the lower surface (the surface facing the platen 34). However, the head unit 38 does not have to be two stages, and may be one stage or three stages or more.

  Both the head units 38 have the same configuration, and are each composed of seven nozzle arrays arranged in the main scanning direction X for ejecting the inks of the respective colors. In each nozzle array, the ink discharge nozzles are arranged in a row in the sub-scanning direction Y. Accordingly, each head unit 38 is configured to be able to form a color image by itself. The print papers P1 and P2 are transported intermittently (stepwise) by a constant unit transport amount in the sub-scanning direction Y by the transport driving roller 24, and each stop of the print papers P1 and P2 during the intermittent transport is performed. Sometimes, the print head H is scanned once in the main scanning direction X (one-way operation or one-time operation), and ink is discharged from the ink discharge nozzles of each color of each head unit 38 at each position in the main scanning direction X during this scanning. Are simultaneously ejected onto the print surfaces of the print papers P1 and P2. That is, after one scan of the print head H, the print papers P1 and P2 are transported by the unit transport amount, and then the print head H is scanned once again, and this operation is repeated to print a desired image. become. In the case of the roll paper P2, the appearance of the color differs depending on whether the printed surface is glossy or semi-glossy, so that the ejection is performed from the head unit 38 according to the type (glossy or semi-glossy) determined by the type determining unit 108 described later. The color scheme of the ink to be used is made different.

  Here, as a configuration for ink discharge of the print head H in the present embodiment, ink is discharged from an ink discharge nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber by changing the volume of the pressure chamber filled with ink by a piezo element. The general piezo type is used.

  The cutter unit U3 includes a roller cutter 41, and moves the print paper P1 and P2 in the width direction at predetermined positions in the length direction of the print paper P1 and P2 while rotating the roller cutter 41. It is configured to cut into a predetermined size (length). Below the roller cutter 41, a cutter waste collection box 65 for collecting chips of the printed paper P1 and P2 by cutting is disposed. The cutter waste collection box 65 can be taken out of the housing 6 by the operator holding the handle 66 and sliding it toward the front of the housing. The waste can be discarded. Note that the front side surface of the casing of the cutter waste collection box 65 is formed of a transparent plastic material so that the state of accommodation of the chips can be visually confirmed.

  Further, the cutter unit U3 is configured to convey the print papers P1 and P2 to the discharge unit U4 by means of a pressure-bonding type conveyance roller 43. A back side printing unit 4 is disposed between the cutter unit U3 and the discharge unit U4. The back side printing unit 4 is arranged on the back side (lower side) of the print papers P1 and P2 passing through this portion. Numbers etc. are printed.

  The discharge unit U4 includes two sets of pressure-bonding type discharge rollers 46 and 46 for conveying the print papers P1 and P2 and discharging them to the discharge tray 5.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the drying unit U6 is provided between two sets of pressure-bonding type discharge rollers 46, 46 of the discharge unit U4, and is provided on the print papers P1, P2 after printing by the print head H. Drying air W is blown to dry the ink adhering to the print papers P1 and P2 (ink discharged from the print head H). The drying unit U6 sucks air into the housing 6 from a suction port 48 formed near the discharge port 47 of the housing 6, heats the sucked air, and blows it as dry air W. is there. A dust collection filter 49 is attached to the suction port 48 to prevent dust in the air from being sucked into the drying unit U6.

  The drying unit U6 includes a drying chamber 71 provided on the transport path of the print papers P1 and P2, and a drying device 72 that blows the drying air W to the drying chamber 71. The drying chamber 71 is partitioned by an upper partition wall 71a and a lower partition wall 71b facing each other with the print papers P1 and P2 interposed therebetween, and the drying air W blown from the drying device 72 to the print papers P1 and P2 is retained. It constitutes a staying space.

  The drying device 72 includes a plurality of suction fans 73 arranged at intervals in the left-right direction of the housing 6 in order to take air into the drying device 72 from outside through the suction port 48 of the housing 6, and a suction fan A heater 74 that heats the air taken in at 73, and a drying air W provided at the lower end of the drying device 72 that opens toward the downstream side in the paper transport direction and heated by the heater 74 downstream in the paper transport direction. The exhaust nozzle part 75 which sprays and the safety thermo 76 which detects the temperature in the drying apparatus 72 and stops the heater 74 urgently are provided. By adopting a configuration in which the drying air W is blown toward the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction as described above, the time during which the drying air W is applied to the print papers P1 and P2 can be lengthened. That is, when the drying air W is blown perpendicularly to the print papers P1 and P2, the drying air W directly hits only the surface of the drying device 72 that faces the air outlet of the exhaust nozzle portion 75. If the drying air W is blown toward the downstream side in the direction, the drying air W can be directly blown to the print papers P1 and P2 that are moving downstream in the paper transport direction. It is possible to ensure a long drying time and to dry efficiently.

-Ink supply system-
As shown in FIG. 5, the ink supply system of the ink jet printer A is configured such that the ink in the ink cartridge 62 of the ink reservoir 3 located on both the left and right sides of the ink jet printer A is supplied to the sub tank via the electromagnetic valve 50 and the supply pipe 51. The ink in the sub tank 52 is sent out to the print head H through the flexible pipe 53.

  From the ink cartridge 62 to the sub tank 52, ink is sent out by pressurized air supplied into the ink cartridge 62 by a pressure pump (not shown), while from the sub tank 52 to the print head H, the print head The ink flows due to the negative pressure generated in the pressure chamber when the ink is ejected from the H nozzle.

  The sub-tanks 52 are formed in a bag shape using a flexible material such as a resin sheet, and seven sub tanks 52 are provided corresponding to seven types of inks having different hues. The seven sub tanks 52 are attached to the print head H at predetermined height positions so that ink is supplied to the print head H at an appropriate pressure.

  As described above, the ink in the ink cartridge 62 is temporarily stored in the sub tank 52 and then supplied from the sub tank 52 to the print head H. For this reason, the ink cartridge 62 can be replaced without interrupting printing. Moreover, since the sub tank 52 also serves as a pressure damper, it is possible to prevent the pressure fluctuation generated in the ink cartridge 62 from being directly transmitted to the print head H, and an excessive pressure is applied to the print head H. Can prevent ink leakage and the like from occurring.

-Control system configuration-
As shown in FIG. 13, the inkjet printer A has a microprocessor 101 (hereinafter referred to as a CPU), a conveyance control unit 102 connected to the CPU 101 via a data bus, a head control unit 103, and a cutting system. A control unit 104, a print control unit 105, a semiconductor memory RAM / ROM 106, a communication interface 107, and a type determination unit 108 are provided. These are configured in the control unit. The paper leading edge detection sensor 97 and the magnetic force detector 98 are connected to the input terminal of the control unit, and the detected information is input to the type determining unit 108 via the data bus in the control unit. The type (glossy or semi-glossy) of the roll paper P2 is determined based on the detected information.

  The transport control unit 102 controls the operation of the paper transport mechanism. The head control unit 103 controls the print head H by driving a drive belt 31 for reciprocating the print head H in the main scanning direction and supplying a voltage having a predetermined waveform to each piezoelectric element. . Further, the cutting control unit 104 controls the operation of a drive motor (not shown) so as to rotate and move the roller cutter 41 in the paper width direction.

  The communication interface 107 is for transmitting and receiving information to and from the receiving block 100.

  The print control unit 105 receives image data and order information for printing from the receiving block 100 via the communication interface 107, and prints image data on the paper P based on the received image data and order information. Control to realize Here, the order information includes print channel information for specifying the size and the like of the paper P to be printed, print form information for specifying the number of prints and the like, and print order information for determining the order of image data to be printed. Etc. are included.

-Judgment processing in the type judgment unit-
The determination process in the type determination unit 108 is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. This determination process is performed after the roll paper P2 is set and stored in the roll paper storage unit 1 and before the first printing on the roll paper P2, but the next new roll paper P2 is stored. The determination process is not performed until the determination is made.

  In the first step S1, it is determined whether or not the leading edge of the roll paper P2 is detected by the paper leading edge detection sensor 97. When the determination in step S1 is NO, the operation of step S1 is repeated. On the other hand, when the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S2, and the magnetism detector 98 applies magnets to the thrust movement restricting portion 17 of the paper core portion 14. Whether or not 20 is present is determined. That is, it is determined whether or not the triangular waveform has been detected in the output voltage waveform of the magnetic force detector 98 within a time corresponding to one rotation of the paper core 14.

  If the determination in step S2 is YES, that is, if the magnet 20 is present, the process proceeds to step S3, and the surface quality of the printed surface of the roll paper P2 accommodated in the roll paper accommodation unit 1 is semi-glossy. Judgment is performed, and then the determination process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the determination in step S2 is NO, that is, when there is no magnet 20, the process proceeds to step S4, and the surface quality of the print surface of the roll paper P2 accommodated in the roll paper accommodation unit 1 is glossy. Then, the determination process is terminated.

  After the determination process is completed, the print head H is controlled by the head control unit 103 to perform printing. At this time, the print head H is controlled according to the width dimension set by the operator, and the print head H is selected according to the image data and the type (glossy or semi-glossy) determined by the type determining unit 108. Ink is ejected from the head unit 38.

  Here, prior to determining the surface quality of the printed surface of the roll paper P2 by the magnetic force detector 98, the surface quality is determined when the leading edge of the roll paper P2 is detected by the paper leading edge detection sensor 97 and the leading edge is detected. If the roll paper P2 is not actually stored in the roll paper storage unit 1, there is a possibility that it is determined that there is no magnet 20, and the magnet 20 This is to accurately determine the absence. That is, when the leading edge of the roll paper P2 is detected by the paper leading edge detection sensor 97, the roll paper P2 should be accommodated in the roll paper accommodating portion 1, and from the leading edge detection, 1 of the paper core portion 14 is detected. If the triangular waveform cannot be detected even after the time corresponding to the rotation has elapsed, it can be determined that there is no magnet 20.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, since the type (glossy or semi-glossy) of the roll paper P2 is determined according to the detection result of the magnetic force detector 98, the roll paper P2 whose surface quality is semi-glossy is determined. A magnet 20 is attached to the thrust movement restricting portion 17 of the paper core 14, and a magnetic force detector 98 is disposed at a position outside the roll paper accommodating portion 1 corresponding to the thrust movement restricting portion 17. The surface quality that is difficult to be judged by the operator can be automatically set with a configuration and at a low cost. Moreover, since the magnetic force of the magnet 20 can be detected without opening a magnetic force detection hole in the partition wall 11, the roll paper can be accommodated even if the magnetic force detector 98 is disposed outside the roll paper accommodating portion 1. The inside of the part 1 can be sealed to maintain an appropriate humidity.

  The configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but includes various other configurations.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, as the roll paper P2, two types of the print surface having a glossy surface and a semi-glossy surface are used, and the type is designated as the paper core of the roll paper P2. Although the distinction is made according to the presence / absence of the magnet 20 in the section 14, when the surface quality of the print surface is three or more types (for example, gloss, semi-gloss, matte, etc.), the type is determined based on whether the magnet 20 is present What is necessary is just to distinguish with the number of the magnets 20 to perform.

  Specifically, one of the three or more types is not installed with any one magnet 20 as in the above embodiment, but the number of magnets 20 to be installed is different from each other for the plurality of types. Make it. In this case, the magnet 20 is affixed to the outer peripheral portion 17b of the thrust movement restricting portion 17 in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and when a plurality of magnets 20 are to be affixed, the outer peripheral portion 17b is, for example, equally spaced in the circumferential direction. (The interval may be non-uniform). As in the above embodiment, the roll paper P2 is wound around the paper core 14 in close contact so that the paper core 14 rotates in conjunction with the conveyance of the roll paper P2, and the magnet 20 and A magnetic force detector 98 is disposed so that the magnet 20 repeats approaching and separating from the magnetic force detector 98 as the paper core 14 rotates, and the type determining unit 108 is a roll by the transport mechanism. During the conveyance of the paper P2, the type of the roll paper P2 is determined based on the waveform shape of the output voltage of the magnetic force detector 98 (while the paper is being conveyed, the leading edge of the paper is detected as in the above-described embodiment). When the leading end of the roll paper P2 is detected by the sensor 97, the type of the roll paper P2 may be determined). That is, when the number of magnets 20 to be installed is 1, for example, the waveform shape of the output voltage of the magnetic force detector 98 is a triangular waveform during one rotation of the paper core 14 as in the above embodiment. However, when the number of the magnets 20 is 2, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the triangle is formed while the paper core 14 rotates once. The waveform shape is such that the shape waveform appears twice, and the surface quality of the roll paper P2 can be determined by the difference in the waveform shape.

  Further, when there is only one type of magnet 20 to be installed as in the above-described embodiment (that is, there are two types of roll paper P2 in total, and the types are designated as the paper core of the roll paper P2. 14), the magnet 20 is installed in the central portion 17a of the thrust movement restricting portion 17 or in a ring shape around the central portion 17a. May be. And the magnetic force detector 98 is arrange | positioned so as to oppose the center part 17a. The magnetic force detector 98 outputs a constant voltage regardless of whether the paper core 14 rotates or not, but when the roll paper P2 on which the magnet 20 is installed is accommodated, the magnet 20 is installed. The output voltage becomes larger than when the unrolled roll paper P2 is accommodated, and thus the quality of the roll paper P2 can be determined.

  In the above embodiment, the surface quality that is difficult for the operator to distinguish is automatically set. However, the width dimension may be automatically set, and both the width dimension and the surface quality are automatically set. You may make it do. Alternatively, the type of roll paper P2 other than the width dimension and surface quality (for example, the type depending on the manufacturer that manufactures the roll paper P2) may be automatically set.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment, when the leading edge of the roll paper P2 is detected by the paper leading edge detection sensor 97, the type of the roll paper P2 is determined according to the detection result by the magnetic force detector 98. For example, a sensor for detecting the roll paper P2 stored in the roll paper storage unit 1 is provided, and when the roll paper P2 is detected by this sensor, the type of the roll paper P2 is determined. Good. Alternatively, the type of the roll paper P2 may be determined when the operator operates a switch or the like that is operated after the roll paper P2 is stored in the roll paper storage unit 1.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the ink jet printer described in the above embodiment, and any printer that pulls out the roll-shaped paper stored in the paper storage unit from the paper storage unit and transports it to the printing unit. It can be applied to anything.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful for a printer (particularly an ink jet printer) that can accommodate a plurality of types of roll-shaped papers having different width dimensions, surface quality, and the like in a paper accommodating portion, such as a printer used in a photographic printing system. .

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure inside the housing | casing of an inkjet printer. It is a top view which shows the structure inside the housing | casing of an inkjet printer. It is a front view which shows the structure inside the housing | casing of an inkjet printer. It is a left view which shows the structure inside the housing | casing of an inkjet printer. It is a rear view which shows the structure inside the housing | casing of an inkjet printer. It is the schematic seen from the housing | casing left side which shows the conveyance path | route of a print paper. It is sectional drawing seen from the housing | casing left side which shows the structure of a drying unit. It is a perspective view which shows the roll paper accommodated in a roll paper accommodating part. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the housing | casing right side part of a partition wall. It is the side view seen from the housing | casing right side which shows the principal part of the housing | casing right side part of a partition wall. It is a wave form diagram which shows the example of the output waveform from a magnetic force detector. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of an inkjet printer. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the judgment process in a kind judgment part. It is a figure which shows the output waveform from a magnetic force detector in case the number of the magnets installed in the paper core part of roll paper is two.

Explanation of symbols

A Inkjet printer H Print head P1 Sheet paper P2 Roll paper 1 Roll paper container 2 Print section 11d Paper core holding section 14 Paper core section 20 Magnet 97 Paper leading edge detection sensor (paper leading edge detecting means)
98 Magnetic detector 108 type judgment part

Claims (4)

A paper storage unit for storing a roll-shaped paper having a paper core, a transport mechanism for pulling out and transporting the paper stored in the paper storage unit, and the transport mechanism from the paper storage unit. A printer having a printing unit that performs printing on the drawn and transported paper,
Depending on the type of the paper, the paper accommodated in the paper accommodating portion includes a magnet installed at the end of the paper core and a magnet not installed.
A magnetic force detector disposed at a position corresponding to an end portion of the paper core portion of the paper housed in the paper housing portion, and detecting the magnetic force of the magnet in the paper core portion;
A printer comprising: a type determining unit that determines the type of the paper according to a detection result by the magnetic force detector. The printer according to claim 1.
The paper accommodating portion has a paper core holding portion for holding the paper core portion,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic force detector is installed outside the paper container in the vicinity of the paper core holder. The printer according to claim 1 or 2,
A paper front end detecting unit disposed on a paper transport path by the transport mechanism and detecting a front end of the paper pulled out from the paper storage unit by the transport mechanism;
The type determining unit is configured to determine the type of the paper according to a detection result by the magnetic force detector when the leading end of the paper is detected by the paper leading end detecting means. Printer. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The number of magnets installed at the end of the paper core of the paper differs depending on the type of the paper,
The paper core is configured to rotate in conjunction with the transport of the paper by the transport mechanism,
The magnet and the magnetic force detector are arranged so that the magnet repeats approaching and separating from the magnetic force detector as the paper core portion rotates.
The magnetic force detector outputs a signal according to the approach and separation of the magnet,
The type determination unit is configured to determine the type of the paper based on a waveform shape of a signal output from the magnetic force detector during conveyance of the paper by the conveyance mechanism. Printer.

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