JP2010036442A - Suction force control method of recording paper in printer, and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce noise during paper feeding by sucking a recording paper sheet on the surface of a platen with a sucking force corresponding to types of recording paper, in paper feeding other than for execution of a printing job. <P>SOLUTION: In a printer 1, when feeding a recording paper 11, a suction fan 27 connected to a suction part 26 of a platen 8 is driven with a predetermined duty ratio, so that the recording paper 11 is not raised from the surface 8a of the platen 8. The controller 30 of the printer 1, upon receiving printing data including a parameter showing the type of the recording paper 11, stores and maintains the control data (duty ratio) of the suction fan 27 that is required for sucking the recording paper 11 specified by the parameter. Thereafter, until the control data of the suction fan 27 is changed or reset by reception of a new parameter, input of power source, loading operation of the recording paper 11, and the like, sucking of the recording paper 11 is continued at the time of the paper feeding by the control data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer capable of controlling the suction force of the suction means for sucking the recording paper onto the surface of the platen according to the type of recording paper (form, paper quality, label size, etc.) and the suction power of the recording paper in the printer It relates to a control method.

  Conventionally, in printers that can load many types of recording paper with different forms and paper quality, when changing the recording paper, apart from the operation to change the driver print settings according to the newly loaded recording paper type, It has been proposed to perform an operation of changing the set value of the suction force such as a suction fan stored in the printer and suck the recording paper onto the surface of the platen with a suction force suitable for the newly loaded recording paper. In addition, parameters for the type of recording paper (recording paper type and quality, label size on label paper, etc.) are included in the print job data, and an appropriate suction force is calculated on the printer side according to the received parameters. It has been proposed to adjust the suction force by a suction means such as a suction fan for each job.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer that controls a suction force by a suction fan for sucking recording paper onto the surface of a platen according to various conditions. In the printer of Patent Document 1, the user inputs information on the type of recording paper on the operation panel of the printer and stores it in the printer. When necessary, the information is stored in advance in the ROM in the printer based on this information. The control data of a certain suction fan is read out each time, and the suction power of the suction fan is adjusted.
WO00 / 34049

  However, in the printer of Patent Document 1, the user needs to input information on the type of recording paper separately in order to set the suction force, and such a work is troublesome and troublesome for the user. . In addition, in the method of adjusting the suction force by the suction fan for each print job by including the parameter for the recording paper type in the print job data, it is not necessary to separately perform the suction force setting operation when replacing the recording paper. In this method, the suction force when feeding paper for processing other than execution of a print job cannot be adjusted according to the type of recording paper. Therefore, in order to avoid paper jams due to insufficient suction force, it is necessary to set all the suction forces during paper feeding other than print job execution to the maximum suction force, and an unnecessarily strong suction force is applied. As a result, there is a problem that the noise caused by the suction fan increases.

  In view of these points, the problem of the present invention is that it is possible to omit the labor of setting the suction force for sucking the recording paper on the surface of the platen, and when paper feeding other than the execution of the print job is performed. Another object of the present invention is to propose a printer that can suck recording paper onto the surface of the platen with an appropriate suction force according to the type of recording paper, and can reduce noise due to suction of the recording paper onto the surface of the platen.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a recording paper suction force control method in a printer having suction means for sucking recording paper on the surface of a platen,
When the recording paper is loaded or powered on, a predetermined suction force set in advance is set as the suction force of the suction means,
When a predetermined parameter corresponding to the type of the recording paper is received, the suction force stored in association with the parameter is set as the suction force of the suction means,
When the recording paper is fed on the platen, the recording paper is sucked with a recently set suction force.

  In the present invention, an appropriate suction force according to the type of recording paper can be set based on the parameters received from the host device or the like as described above, and the suction means is prevented from being sucked with an unnecessarily strong suction force. Can be controlled. Therefore, noise due to the suction of the recording paper onto the surface of the platen can be reduced. Further, the recording paper is sucked by the preset default suction force only after the printer is turned on or immediately after the recording paper is loaded until the suction force is set. In the present invention, once the suction force is set, the suction with the suction force can be continued until the next parameter is received. Therefore, it is necessary to receive the parameter only once and set the suction force at the time of replacement / replenishment of recording paper, etc., and the appropriate suction is performed until the next replacement / replenishment, suction force setting, or power on / off. The suction of the recording paper with the force can be continued. Therefore, the suction force can be easily set.

  In the present invention, the recording paper is one of a plurality of types of recording paper including label paper in which a label is detachably attached to a long mount, and the form of roll paper and fanfold paper Loaded in any one of a plurality of forms including a form, and the parameter includes at least one of the form of the recording paper, the paper width of the recording paper, the paper quality of the recording paper, and the size of the label. Contains. Items such as the form of recording paper such as roll paper or fanfold paper, paper width of the recording paper, paper quality of the recording paper, or label dimensions in the case of label paper are characteristics such as the curl of the recording paper and the strength of the waist. Therefore, if these items are used as parameters for setting the suction force, the suction force for preventing the recording paper from floating on the platen can be set appropriately.

  The parameter is included in the print data. When the recording paper is fed on the platen, the suction force stored in association with the parameter included in the print data received most recently is used. The recording paper may be sucked. In this way, if the print data includes a parameter regarding the type of recording paper, the user does not need to separately transmit a parameter for setting the suction force. Therefore, the suction force can be set easily.

  Here, the predetermined suction force set in advance may be the maximum suction force by the suction means. In this way, the maximum suction force can be applied when feeding the paper immediately after the printer is turned on or immediately after the recording paper is replaced until the suction force is set. It is possible to prevent the recording paper from floating above the platen and to prevent paper jam.

  Next, the printer of the present invention includes a suction means for sucking the recording paper on the surface of the platen, a storage means for storing the suction force associated with the parameter, and the recording paper on the platen. And a controller for controlling the suction force by the suction means when feeding the paper by the method for controlling the suction force of the recording paper in the printer.

  Further, the suction means includes a suction fan, and the suction force is changed by changing the number of rotations of the suction fan by the control unit. You may make it change the area of the suction hole of the platen surface by the said control part.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to set an appropriate suction force according to the type of recording paper based on parameters received from a host device or the like, and to control the suction means so as not to suck with an unnecessarily strong suction force. be able to. Therefore, noise due to the suction of the recording paper onto the surface of the platen can be reduced. Also, once the suction force is set, suction with that suction force can be continued until the next parameter is received, so the parameter is received once and set at the time of recording paper replacement / replenishment. As a result, it is possible to continue sucking the recording paper with an appropriate suction force until the next replacement / replenishment, suction force setting, or power on / off. Therefore, the suction force can be easily set.

  Embodiments of a printer to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an ink jet printer according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a state in which the opening / closing lid is fully opened. The printer 1 has a printer body 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and an opening / closing lid 3 attached to the front surface of the printer body 2. A recording paper discharge port 4 having a predetermined width is formed on the front surface of the outer case 2 a of the printer main body 2. A paper discharge guide 5 protrudes forward below the recording paper discharge port 4, and a lid opening / closing lever 6 is disposed on the side of the paper discharge guide 5. A rectangular opening 2b for inserting and removing roll paper is formed below the paper discharge guide 5 and the lid opening / closing lever 6 in the outer case 2a. The opening 2b is sealed by the opening / closing lid 3.

  When the lid opening / closing lever 6 is operated, the opening / closing lid 3 is unlocked. When the paper discharge guide 5 mounted on the opening / closing lid 3 is pulled forward after unlocking, as shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing lid 3 is opened until it becomes substantially horizontal with the lower end as the center. When the opening / closing lid 3 is opened, the roll paper storage portion 7A formed inside the printer main body 2 is opened. At the same time, the platen 8 defining the printing position moves together with the opening / closing lid 3, and the recording paper transport path from the roll paper storage portion 7A to the recording paper discharge port 4 is opened, so that the roll paper from the front of the printer is opened. Can be easily replaced. In FIG. 2, the cover case of the opening / closing lid 3 and the lid opening / closing lever 6 are omitted.

  An open / close detector 3 a is attached in the vicinity of the open / close lid 3. The open / close detector 3a includes a photo sensor, a magnetic sensor, a micro switch, and the like. The open / close detector 3a can detect that the open / close lid 3 has been switched from the open state to the closed state, and that the open / close lid 3 has been switched from the closed state to the open state.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the printer 1. Inside the printer 1, a roll paper storage portion 7 </ b> A is formed at the center in the width direction of the printer main body frame 10. In the roll paper storage portion 7A, the roll paper 11A is stored in a horizontally placed state in which the central axis of the roll paper 11A faces the printer width direction.

  A head unit frame 12 is horizontally attached to the upper end of the printer main body frame 10 above the roll paper storage portion 7A. The head unit frame 12 is provided with an ink jet head 13, a carriage 14 on which the ink jet head 13 is mounted, and a carriage guide shaft 15 that guides the movement of the carriage 14 in the printer width direction. The inkjet head 13 is mounted on the carriage 14 so that the ink nozzle surface 13a faces downward. The carriage guide shaft 15 extends horizontally in the printer width direction, and the head unit frame 12 includes a carriage motor 16 and a timing belt 17 for reciprocating the carriage 14 along the carriage guide shaft 15. A transport mechanism is arranged.

  A platen frame 18 that extends horizontally in the front-rear direction of the printer is disposed below the inkjet head 13. A platen 8 is attached to the upper end of the platen frame 18 horizontally in the printer width direction. The platen 8 faces the inkjet head 13 with a certain gap, and defines the printing position of the inkjet head 13. The platen 8 is a suction platen that can suck the recording paper 11 to the surface 8a.

  On the rear side of the platen 8, a rear paper feed roller 21 is stretched horizontally in the printer width direction. A rear paper pressing roller 22 having a predetermined width is pressed against the rear paper feeding roller 21 through the recording paper 11 with a predetermined pressing force. A front paper feed roller 23 is disposed on the front side of the platen 8. A front paper pressing roller 24 is pressed against the front paper feeding roller 23 through the recording paper 11 from above. The rear paper feed roller 21 and the front paper feed roller 23 are rotationally driven by a paper feed motor 25 mounted behind the platen frame 18.

  A tension guide 20 that is curved downward is attached to the rear end of the platen frame 18. The recording paper 11 drawn from the roll paper 11 </ b> A stored in the roll paper storage unit 7 </ b> A is drawn upward along the roll paper transport path A via the feed roller 20 a and the tension guide 20, and then curves forward. Then, the paper is drawn out from the rear end of the platen 8 to the common paper conveyance path B extending horizontally through the printing position by the ink jet head 13. Here, the tension guide 20 is biased upward by a spring force, and the recording paper 11 that has passed through the tension guide 20 reaches the common paper transport path B in a state where a predetermined tension is applied, and the paper feed motor 25. In addition, the paper is transported along the common paper transport path B by transport means including the rear paper feed roller 21 and the like.

  A recording paper insertion port 9 for receiving the recording paper 11 from the back side of the printer main body 2 is formed in a portion of the printer main body frame 10 behind the rear paper pressing roller 22. A fanfold paper holder 7B for loading fanfold paper 11B is attached to the outside of the part of the printer main body frame 10 where the recording paper insertion slot 9 is formed. The fanfold paper holder 7B includes an introduction path 9a for guiding the recording paper 11 in the form of fanfold paper to the recording paper insertion slot 9.

  The recording paper 11 inserted manually from the introduction path 9 a is inserted to the common paper transport path B along the fanfold paper transport path C passing through the recording paper insertion slot 9 and the rear paper pressing roller 22. The recording paper 11 that has reached the common paper transport path B is transported along the common paper transport path B by a transport means including a paper feed motor 25 and a rear paper feed roller 21. The paper transport path for the recording paper 11 in the form of fanfold paper composed of the common paper transport path B and the fanfold paper transport path C is substantially horizontal as a whole.

  Here, a paper insertion detector 19a for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper 11 sent out from the loaded fanfold paper 11B is arranged at the recording paper insertion slot 9. The paper insertion detector 19a includes a detection lever that protrudes into the fanfold paper conveyance path C at the recording paper insertion slot 9, and the detection lever is moved into the fanfold paper conveyance path by the recording paper 11 that has entered the recording paper insertion slot 9. The presence / absence of the recording paper 11 is detected using the retreat from C.

  A reflective photosensor 19b and a transmissive photosensor 19c for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper 11 and the like are disposed upstream of the rear paper feed roller 21 on the common paper transport path B. The reflective photosensor 19b can detect an alignment reference such as a black mark on the recording paper 11 by using a change in reflectance of the irradiated inspection light. Further, the transmission type photosensor 19c uses a change in the transmittance of the irradiated inspection light, and uses a label paper with a label releasably pasted on the mount as the recording paper 11 or the recording paper 11. If it is, the leading edge or the trailing edge of the label can be detected.

  In order to secure the sensor life of the reflection type photosensor 19b and the transmission type photosensor 19c, when there is no recording paper 11 inside the printer main body 2, these sensors are set in a power saving standby state, and the open / close lid 3 When it is determined that the roll paper 11A has been inserted by opening / closing the paper, or it is determined that the insertion of the recording paper 11 from the fanfold paper holder 7B side is detected due to a change in the detection state of the paper insertion detector 19a. In this case, these sensors may be returned from the standby state to the operating state.

  When loading a new roll paper 11A into the printer 1, the opening / closing lid 3 is opened, the platen 8 mounted on the platen frame 18, the tension guide 20, the rear paper feed roller 21, the front paper pressing roller 24, the discharge paper. Parts such as the paper guide 5 are moved forward together with the opening / closing lid 3 to open the common paper transport path B and the roll paper transport path A. Then, the roll paper 11A from which the recording paper 11 has been drawn out is put into the roll paper storage portion 7A through the open space. After that, when the opening / closing lid 3 is closed, the platen 8, the tension guide 20, the rear paper feed roller 21, the front paper pressing roller 24, the paper discharge guide 5 and the like are returned to their original positions, and the common paper transport path B and the roll paper are returned. While the transport path A is formed, the platen 8 faces the ink jet head 13 with a certain gap to define the printing position. Then, the recording paper 11 is set in a state where it passes the printing position on the platen 8 on the common paper transport path B.

  On the other hand, when a new fanfold paper 11B is loaded into the printer 1, the recording paper 11 drawn from the fanfold paper 11B is manually inserted through the recording paper insertion port 9 through the introduction path 9a. At this time, the auto loading operation of the recording paper 11 from the recording paper insertion port 9 is performed. That is, when the detection state of the paper insertion detector 19a changes from no paper to paper presence, the printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the recording paper 11 has been inserted into the recording paper insertion slot 9, and changes from no paper to paper presence. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the change was detected, the paper feed motor 25 is driven and the rear paper feed roller 21 is rotated to start the conveyance operation of the recording paper 11. As a result, the recording paper 11 is set in a state of passing through the printing position on the platen 8 on the common paper transport path B.

  The recording paper 11 drawn from the roll paper 11 </ b> A or the fanfold paper 11 </ b> B is conveyed while being sucked by the surface 8 a of the platen 8 by the driving force of the paper feed motor 25, and passes the printing position by the ink jet head 13. At the printing position, printing is performed by the inkjet head 13 mounted on the carriage 14 while reciprocating the carriage 14 along the carriage guide shaft 15. After a series of line printing in the width direction of the recording paper 11 is completed, the rear paper feeding roller 21 and the front paper feeding roller 23 are rotationally driven to feed the recording paper 11 by a predetermined pitch. After this, the next line printing is performed. In this manner, the recording paper 11 is printed by the ink jet head 13 while being intermittently sent out at a predetermined pitch. A recording paper cutting device (not shown), for example, is disposed at the recording paper discharge port 4 from which the recording paper 11 after printing is discharged, and the recording paper 11 is moved in the width direction by this recording paper cutting device. Disconnected.

(Recording paper suction mechanism)
FIG. 4 is a schematic partial perspective view showing a suction mechanism for sucking the recording paper 11 to the platen 8. The suction mechanism for sucking the recording paper 11 to the platen 8 includes a suction part 26 formed on the platen 8, a suction fan 27 (suction means) attached to the back plate portion 10a of the printer main body frame 10, and A suction duct 28 connecting the suction port of the suction fan 27 to the suction part 26 of the platen 8, and an exhaust port of the suction fan 27 and an exhaust port 29 formed at the rear of the printer main body frame 10 are connected. An exhaust passage 29a is provided.

  When the opening / closing lid 3 is opened, the suction part 26 and the suction duct 28 are separated and separated. On the other hand, when the open / close lid 3 is closed, the suction portion 26 and the suction duct 28 are connected. When the suction fan 27 is driven in this state and the suction operation of the recording paper 11 conveyed on the platen 8 is started, the air flow from the suction part 26 of the platen 8 toward the suction fan 27 is entered in the suction duct 28. Is formed. As a result, the recording paper 11 is drawn toward the suction portion 26 side, and the recording paper 11 is held in a state where it does not float from the surface 8a of the platen 8.

  The platen 8 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the printer width direction, and defines a printing area in the printer width direction of the inkjet head 13 that reciprocates. The suction unit 26 includes a plurality of grooves 36 partitioned by a plurality of vertical ribs 35 extending in the recording paper conveyance direction on the surface 8a of the platen 8, suction holes 37 formed in the bottom surface 36a of each groove 36, and a platen. 8 and a suction chamber 38 formed in the interior of each of the suction holes 38, and each suction hole 37 communicates with the suction chamber 38. An ink mist collection unit 39 that collects ink mist generated due to ink droplets ejected from the inkjet head 13 is integrally formed on the side of the platen 8. A platen side opening end 38 a communicating with the suction chamber 38 is formed at a position on the rear end side of the ink mist collection unit 39, that is, a position that is laterally removed from the printing region.

(Control system)
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of the printer 1. The control system of the printer 1 is mainly configured by a control unit 30 including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit 30 is connected to a nonvolatile memory 31 such as a flash ROM. Print data, commands, and the like are supplied to the control unit 30 from a host device such as the host device 32 via a transmission / reception unit (not shown). Based on a print command from the host device 32 or the like, the control unit 30 controls the drive of each unit such as a paper feed mechanism that feeds the recording paper 11, a carriage transport mechanism, and a recording paper suction mechanism, and performs a paper feed operation and a print operation. Execute.

  The inkjet head 13 is connected to the output side of the control unit 30 via a head driver 13b, and the control unit 30 drives and controls the inkjet head 13 via the head driver 13b. The output side of the control unit 30 is connected to the carriage motor 16 and the paper feed motor 25 via the motor driver 16a and the motor driver 25a. The control unit 30 feeds the paper via the motor drivers 25a and 16a. The motor 25 and the carriage motor 16 are driven and controlled. The control unit 30 calculates a predetermined transport amount of the recording paper 11 by integrating the number of steps or the rotation amount for driving and controlling the paper feed motor 25 in the feed direction.

  On the input side of the control unit 30, each detector such as the open / close detector 3a, the paper insertion detector 19a, the reflective photosensor 19b, and the transmissive photosensor 19c is connected. The control unit 30 detects various operations in the printer 1 based on the detection outputs of these detectors. That is, as described above, the control unit 30 detects that the cover closing operation for opening and closing the opening / closing lid 3 has been performed based on the detection output of the opening / closing detector 3a. Further, the control unit 30 detects that the leading end of the recording paper 11 has been inserted into the recording paper insertion port 9 based on the detection output of the paper insertion detector 19a. Based on the detection output of the reflection type photo sensor 19b or the transmission type photo sensor 19c, the control unit 30 attaches the leading end of the recording paper 11 or the label edge or mark on the recording paper 11 in a peelable manner. When the attached label paper is used, the leading edge or the trailing edge of the label is detected.

(Recording paper suction control during paper feeding)
Next, suction control of the recording paper 11 at the time of paper feeding in the printer 1 of this embodiment will be described. In the nonvolatile memory 31 of the printer 1, the control data of the suction mechanism for transporting various recording papers 11 while not being lifted from the surface 8 a of the platen 8 during paper feeding corresponds to the type of the recording paper 11. It is stored in advance. Since the suction force of the recording paper 11 to the surface 8a of the platen 8 by the suction mechanism corresponds to the suction force of the suction fan 27, that is, the rotation speed of the suction fan 27, as control data, for example, the suction fan 27 is a target. A duty ratio of a driving pulse signal for driving at the number of revolutions is used. For this reason, the duty ratio of the drive pulse signal for obtaining the minimum suction force for holding the various recording papers 11 so as not to float from the surface 8a of the platen 8 is obtained in advance by experiments and the values are recorded. A control data table associated with the type of paper 11 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 31.

In the present embodiment, the type of the recording paper 11 is specified by a combination of the following four parameters (a) to (d). These parameters are related to characteristics such as the curl of the recording paper 11 and the strength of the waist. Only a part of the four parameters may be used, or other parameters may be added.
(A) Form of recording paper 11 (b) Paper width of recording paper 11 (c) Paper quality of recording paper 11 (d) Label length

  The form parameter of the recording paper 11 in (a) indicates whether the loaded recording paper 11 is in the form of roll paper 11A or the form of fanfold paper 11B. In addition, you may include forms other than these two types. The paper quality of the recording paper 11 in (c) includes plain paper, fine paper, synthetic paper, film paper, or plain paper label paper, fine paper label paper, synthetic paper label paper, special paper, and the like. is there. The label length in (d) is the length of each label in the transport direction on the label paper.

  When these four parameters are input from the host device 32 or the like, the control unit 30 specifies the type of the recording paper 11 by the combination of the input parameters, and uses the control data table stored in the nonvolatile memory 31. Then, the control data of the suction mechanism associated with the type of the recording paper 11 in advance, that is, the duty ratio is taken out. Then, the extracted duty ratio is stored and held in the nonvolatile memory 31 or other storage unit as control data of the suction mechanism at the present time. Thereby, the suction force by the suction fan 27 necessary for the transport operation of the recording paper 11 is set in the printer 1. The parameters are included in the print data from the host device 32 and transmitted to the printer 1.

  After setting the suction force by the suction fan 27 based on the input parameters, the control unit 30 updates or resets the suction force setting and stores a new set value until recording paper is recorded. The suction of the recording paper 11 to the surface 8a of the platen 8 accompanying the paper feeding of 11 is performed with the suction force set most recently. The attraction force setting is updated when a new parameter is input. The suction force setting is reset when the recording paper 11 is loaded to replace the paper or out of paper, or when the printer 1 is turned on. When activated by turning on the power or when the recording paper 11 is loaded, the control unit 30 reads and stores the maximum suction force, that is, a duty ratio of 100%, as a default setting value of the suction force. Then, when the recording paper 11 is fed before the parameter is input next, the recording paper 11 is sucked with a suction force having a duty ratio of 100%.

  Here, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the recording paper 11 has been loaded based on detection outputs of the detectors such as the open / close detector 3a, the paper insertion detector 19a, and the transmission photosensor 19c. That is, the control unit 30 determines that the fanfold paper 11B loading operation has been performed when the paper insertion detector 19a detects a change from no paper to paper. Further, the cover closing operation for closing the open / close lid 3 is detected based on the detection output of the open / close detector 3a, and the recording paper 11 is on the common paper transport path B based on the detection output of the transmission type photosensor 19c. Is detected, the roll paper 11A is loaded.

  FIG. 6A is a time chart showing an example of a change in the set value of the suction force, and FIG. 6B is a time chart showing the suction force applied during paper feeding at each time point. As shown in this figure, immediately after the printer 1 is turned on, the suction force is set to the maximum suction force (duty ratio 100%), and in this state, paper feed such as manual feed other than execution of a print job is performed. Drives the suction fan 27 at a duty ratio of 100%.

  Subsequently, when the print job data P1 including a parameter for the type of the recording paper 11 is received, the set value of the suction force is updated based on the parameter, and the new duty ratio 70% is stored. Then, the paper feeding at the time of executing the print job by the print job data P1 is performed with a suction force with a duty ratio of 70%. In the paper feeding other than the execution of the print job until the next print job data P2 is received, it is assumed that the recording paper 11 is the same as when the latest suction force is set, and is set to the latest. The suction fan 27 is driven with the duty ratio set to 70%. Similarly, when the print job data P2 is subsequently received, the set value of the suction force is updated to the duty ratio of 50% based on the parameters included in the print job data P2, the paper feed at the time of executing the print job, and the next line Paper feed other than execution of a print job performed until paper replacement is performed with a duty ratio of 50%.

  When it is detected that the roll paper 11A or the fanfold paper 11B is loaded for paper replacement, the suction force setting value is reset to the default value of 100%, and in this state, the paper is fed before receiving print job data. Is performed, the suction fan 27 is driven at a duty ratio of 100%.

(Effect of this embodiment)
As described above, in the printer 1, a control data table in which appropriate suction force corresponding to the type of the recording paper 11 is prepared in advance based on the parameter indicating the type of the recording paper 11 received in the print data from the host device 32. Therefore, the suction fan 27 can be controlled so as not to unnecessarily increase the rotational speed. Therefore, noise caused by the suction fan 27 during paper feeding can be reduced. Also, once the suction force is set, the type of the recording paper 11 is changed until the next parameter is received, or when the recording paper 11 is loaded until the power is turned on / off or the paper is replaced. Assuming that it has not changed, it is possible to continue suction with the suction force set most recently. In this way, when it is assumed that the recording paper 11 is the same type as when the most recent suction force is set, if the most recent suction force setting value is used, the suction force is reduced each time the paper is fed. Even if the setting is not performed, an appropriate suction force can be applied, and noise caused by the suction fan 27 can be reduced. Further, if the suction force is returned to the default value by including parameters in the print data, or by turning on the power or loading the recording paper 11, the user needs to perform an operation for setting the suction force. Disappear. Therefore, the labor for setting the suction force can be saved.

  In the above embodiment, the duty ratio of the drive pulse signal of the suction fan 27 is adjusted to adjust the suction force of the recording paper onto the platen. However, the area of the suction hole 37 on the platen surface can be changed. It is possible to adjust the suction force of the recording paper onto the platen by adjusting the area of the suction hole 37 according to the control signal of the control unit 30.

1 is an external perspective view of a printer to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a state where an opening / closing lid of the printer is opened. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of a printer. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the suction mechanism of a recording paper. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the control system of a printer. It is a time chart which shows the suction force applied at the time of the change of the setting value of suction force, and the paper feeding at each time.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 2 ... Printer main body, 2a ... Exterior case, 2b ... Opening part, 3 ... Opening / closing lid, 3a ... Opening / closing detector, 4 ... Recording paper discharge port, 5 ... Discharge guide, 6 ... Cover opening / closing lever, 7A DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS: Roll paper storage part, 7B ... Fanfold paper holder, 8 ... Platen, 8a ... Surface, 9 ... Recording paper insertion port, 9a ... Introduction path, 10 ... Printer main body frame, 10a ... Back board part, 11 ... Recording paper, 11A ... Roll paper, 11B ... Fanfold paper, 12 ... Head unit frame, 13 ... Inkjet head, 13a ... Ink nozzle surface, 13b ... Head driver, 14 ... Carriage, 15 ... Carriage guide shaft, 16 ... Carriage motor, 16a ... Motor driver 17 ... timing belt, 18 ... platen frame, 19a ... paper insertion detector, 19c ... transmission type photo sensor, 19b ... Projection type photo sensor, 20 ... tension guide, 20a ... feeding roller, 21 ... rear paper feed roller, 22 ... rear paper press roller, 23 ... front paper feed roller, 24 ... front paper press roller, 25 ... paper feed motor , 25a ... motor driver, 26 ... suction unit, 27 ... suction fan (suction means), 28 ... suction duct, 29 ... exhaust port, 29a ... exhaust passage, 30 ... control unit, 31 ... non-volatile memory, 32 ... host device 35 ... vertical ribs, 36 ... grooves, 36a ... bottom surface, 37 ... suction hole, 38 ... suction chamber, 38a ... platen side open end, 39 ... ink mist collecting section, A ... roll paper transport path, B ... common paper transport Path, C: Fanfold paper transport path, P1, P2: Print job data

Claims (6)

A method for controlling the suction force of recording paper in a printer having suction means for sucking recording paper on the surface of a platen,
When the recording paper is loaded or powered on, a predetermined suction force set in advance is set as the suction force of the suction means,
When a predetermined parameter corresponding to the type of the recording paper is received, the suction force stored in association with the parameter is set as the suction force of the suction means,
A recording paper suction force control method in a printer, wherein when feeding the recording paper on the platen, the recording paper is sucked with a suction force set most recently. In the recording paper suction force control method in the printer according to claim 1,
The recording paper is any of a plurality of types of recording paper including a label paper in which a label is detachably pasted on a long mount, and a plurality of forms including a roll paper form and a fanfold paper form Is loaded in either state of
The method according to claim 1, wherein the parameter includes at least one of the form of the recording paper, the paper width of the recording paper, the quality of the recording paper, and the size of the label. In the recording paper suction force control method in the printer according to claim 1 or 2,
The parameter is included in the print data,
In the printer, when feeding the recording paper on the platen, the recording paper is sucked with the suction force stored in association with the parameter included in the print data received most recently. A method for controlling the suction force of recording paper. In the recording paper suction force control method in the printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The method for controlling the suction force of a recording paper in a printer, wherein the predetermined suction force set in advance is a maximum suction force by the suction means. A suction means for sucking the recording paper on the surface of the platen;
Storage means for storing the suction force associated with the parameter;
5. A control unit that controls the suction force by the suction unit when the recording paper is fed on the platen by the recording paper suction force control method in the printer according to claim 1. A printer comprising: The printer according to claim 5.
The suction means includes a suction fan,
The printer, wherein the suction force is changed by changing the number of rotations of the suction fan by the control unit.

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