JP2013244636A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable adjustment of pressing force distribution of a printing head in accordance with a position of a printing medium.SOLUTION: A printer includes: a platen roller driven and rotated by a motor to carry a printing medium; a printing head printing the printing medium while sandwiching the printing medium together with the platen roller; a plurality of cams disposed at a plurality of positions in a direction along a rotating shaft of the platen roller, respectively and each pressing the printing head against the platen roller; and a cam adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting rotating angles of the plurality of cams so that pressing force for pressing the printing head by at least one of the plurality of cams when thickness of the printing medium is a second value larger than a first value is larger than that when the thickness of the printing medium is the first value.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer that performs printing on a print medium.

  In a printer such as a thermal printer, a print medium is sandwiched between a print head and a platen roller that conveys the print medium, and the print head is pressed against the platen roller via the print medium. Printing is performed. In such a printer, depending on the length of the print medium in the width direction and the thickness of the print medium, the pressing force of the print head may become non-uniform, and printing failure may occur.

  Patent Document 1 below describes that a thermal head is pressed against a recording paper with an optimal pressing force and pressing position in accordance with the width dimension of the printing medium to prevent printing defects. However, Patent Document 1 does not describe how to adjust the pressure distribution of the print head according to the length of the print medium in the width direction or the thickness of the print medium.

JP 2003-291385 A

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of adjusting the pressure distribution of the print head in accordance with the position of the print medium.

  In order to solve the above problems, a printer according to one aspect of the present invention is driven by a motor and rotates with a platen roller that conveys the print medium by rotating and a platen roller sandwiched between the print medium. A print head for printing on a print medium; a plurality of cams disposed at a plurality of positions in a direction along the rotation axis of the platen roller; and each pressing the print head toward the platen roller; and at least one of the plurality of cams The pressing force that presses the print head is larger than the case where the thickness of the print medium is the first value and is larger when the thickness of the print medium is the second value that is thicker than the first value. A cam adjustment mechanism that enables adjustment of the rotation angle of the cam.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of cams respectively disposed at a plurality of positions in a direction along the rotation axis of the platen roller and respectively pressing the print head toward the platen roller, and at least one of the plurality of cams The pressing force that presses the print head is larger than the case where the thickness of the print medium is the first value and is larger when the thickness of the print medium is the second value that is thicker than the first value. By providing a cam adjustment mechanism that can adjust the rotation angle of the cam, it is possible to adjust the pressure distribution of the print head according to the position of the print medium.

FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing a state where one side plate of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention is removed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a print medium transport mechanism in the printer illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a perspective view which shows the press mechanism in the printer shown in FIG. It is a front view which shows the press mechanism in the printer shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the cam shape in the printer shown in FIG. 1, and the pressing force distribution of the thermal head adjusted using this. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a cam rotation angle determination process in the printer illustrated in FIG. 1. It is the side view and front view which show roughly arrangement | positioning of the width sensor and thickness sensor in the printer which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the determination process of the rotation angle of the cam in the printer shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same referential mark is attached | subjected to the same component and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a state in which one side plate of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention is removed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a print medium transport mechanism in the printer shown in FIG. The printer 1 can be separated into a plurality of labels by continuously forming a label continuous body in which a plurality of label pieces are temporarily attached to a belt-like mount at a predetermined pitch, or a perforation formed in a belt-like sheet at a predetermined pitch. This is a printer that prints on a print medium such as a continuous tag body. In the following, a case where printing is performed on a label temporarily attached to a mount will be described as an example. Further, an example will be described in which printing is performed by transferring ink ribbon ink onto a print medium using a thermal head.

  The printer 1 includes a label supply reel 14, a label sensor 18, a ribbon supply reel 21, a ribbon take-up reel 22, a platen roller 30, a thermal head 31, a pressing mechanism 60, and a housing 10. An input unit 80 and a control unit 81 are provided.

  On the label supply reel 14, a continuous label body 13 wound in a roll shape is rotatably held. The label continuum 13 drawn from the label supply reel 14 is guided between the lower label guide 41 and the upper label guide 42 and between the label transport roller 43 and the guide roller 44. The label transport roller 43 can be driven by a stepping motor (not shown), and intermittently transports the label continuous body 13 from the right side to the left side in the drawing.

  The label sensor 18 is supported by the sensor driving gear 51 and the sensor guide shaft 52, and is disposed to face the conveyance path of the label continuous body 13. The sensor guide shaft 52 is inserted into a through hole 8 d that penetrates the label sensor 18. The sensor drive gear 51 has a male screw formed on the outer periphery thereof. A female screw is formed in the screw hole 8c penetrating the label sensor 18, and the sensor driving gear 51 is screwed into the screw hole 8c. The sensor drive gear 51 is rotationally driven by a sensor drive motor 55. Thereby, the label sensor 18 can move in the width direction of the label continuous body 13 (direction along the rotation axis of the platen roller 30) along the sensor driving gear 51 and the sensor guide shaft 52.

  The label sensor 18 is provided with a light emitting element (not shown) that emits light toward the label continuum 13 and a light receiving element (not shown) that receives the reflected light reflected by the label continuum 13. Thereby, the label sensor 18 can detect the label pitch (length in the transport direction) of the label continuum 13. Alternatively, a first unit (not shown) disposed on one side of the label continuum 13 and having a light emitting element, and a second unit (not shown) disposed on the other side of the label continuum 13 and having a light receiving element. A provided label sensor may be used. Thus, the light emitted from the light emitting element and transmitted through the label continuous body 13 is received by the light receiving element, and the label pitch of the label continuous body 13 can be detected.

  An ink ribbon 23 is wound around the ribbon supply reel 21 and the ribbon take-up reel 22. Each of the ribbon supply reel 21 and the ribbon take-up reel 22 can be driven by a motor (not shown). A plurality of guide rollers 33, 34 and 35 are provided in order to define the transport path of the ink ribbon 23. The transport path of the label continuum 13 and the transport path of the ink ribbon 23 merge at a position between the platen roller 30 and the thermal head 31.

  The platen roller 30 can be driven in synchronization with the label conveying roller 43 by a stepping motor (not shown), and intermittently conveys the label continuous body 13 or the ink ribbon 23 from the right side to the left side in the drawing. To do. The transport direction of the label continuum 13 and the ink ribbon 23 in this case is referred to as a forward direction in the present application, and the opposite direction is referred to as a reverse direction in the present application.

  By driving the ribbon take-up reel 22, the ink ribbon 23 conveyed in the forward direction can be taken up. By driving the ribbon supply reel 21 in the direction of the broken arrow, the ink ribbon 23 can be rewound in the reverse direction.

  The thermal head 31 has a set of fine heating elements that generate heat when an electric current is passed, and is disposed to face the platen roller 30. The continuous label body 13 and the ink ribbon 23 are inserted between the thermal head 31 and the platen roller 30, and current is passed through the heating element of the thermal head 31 to cause the heating element to generate heat. Thereby, printing is performed by transferring the ink of the ink ribbon 23 to the label temporarily attached to the label continuous body 13.

  The pressing mechanism 60 defines the distance or pressing force between the thermal head 31 and the platen roller 30 by pressing the thermal head 31 via a spring (described later) and controlling the pressing force. The input unit 80 includes, for example, a numeric keypad, a keyboard, or a touch panel. The input unit 80 receives input of data necessary for control by the control unit 81 such as the length in the width direction of the continuous label body 13 and the thickness of the continuous label body 13. The control unit 81 includes, for example, a CPU and a storage unit that stores software (control program). The control unit 81 controls the pressing mechanism 60 based on data input through the input unit 80. Details of the control will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The label continuum 13 on which the label has been printed is separated from the transport path of the ink ribbon 23 when it reaches the position of the guide roller 34, and passes between the label transport roller 45 and the guide roller 46. The label conveyance roller 45 can be driven in synchronization with the platen roller 30 and the label conveyance roller 43 by a stepping motor (not shown), and intermittently conveys the label continuous body 13 in the forward direction. The label continuum 13 that has passed between the label transport roller 45 and the guide roller 46 is discharged from the label discharge port 48 to the outside of the housing 10.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a pressing mechanism in the printer shown in FIG. The pressing mechanism 60 includes a head pressing plate 61, a plurality of springs 62a and 62b, a spring pressing plate 63, a plurality of cam followers 65a to 65c, a plurality of cams 66a to 66c, a slit plate 67, and a rotation sensor 68. , A gear 70 and a cam drive motor 71.

  The head pressing plate 61 is fixed to the thermal head 31 and presses the thermal head 31 toward the platen roller 30 by being pressed by a plurality of springs 62a and 62b. The plurality of springs 62 a and 62 b are disposed between the head pressing plate 61 and the spring pressing plate 63, are compressed according to the amount of movement of the spring pressing plate 63, and the head pressing plate 61 is applied to the thermal head 31 by the compression stress. Press towards.

  The spring pressing plate 63 presses the plurality of springs 62a and 62b in accordance with the load distribution received by the plurality of cam followers 65a to 65c, and moves in the vertical direction in the figure about the shaft 64. The plurality of cam followers 65 a to 65 c are fixed to the spring pressing plate 63 and transmit loads from the plurality of cams 66 a to 66 c to the spring pressing plate 63, respectively.

  The plurality of cams 66a to 66c are fixed to the cam shaft 69 and apply a load corresponding to the rotation angle of the cam shaft 69 to the plurality of cam followers 65a to 65c, respectively. The gear 70 is fixed to the cam shaft 69 and transmits the rotation of the shaft of the cam drive motor 71 to the cam shaft 69. The slit plate 67 is fixed to the cam shaft 69, and a large number of slits capable of transmitting light are formed on the peripheral edge thereof. The rotation sensor 68 is arranged so as to sandwich both surfaces of the slit plate 67, and detects the rotation angle of the cam shaft 69 by detecting light transmitted from one surface of the slit plate 67 to the other surface. The cam drive motor 71 adjusts the rotation angle of the cam shaft 69 based on the output of the rotation sensor 68.

  FIG. 4 is a front view showing a pressing mechanism in the printer shown in FIG. FIG. 4A shows a case where the label continuum 13 has a width over almost the entire area of the platen roller 30. FIG. 4B shows a case where the width of the label continuum 13 is small and the label continuum 13 is biased in one direction (left side in the figure) along the rotation axis of the platen roller 30. 4C, the width of the label continuous body 13 has an intermediate size between the case of FIG. 4A and the case of FIG. 4B, and the label continuous body 13 is rotated by the platen roller 30. The case where it deviates and is located in one direction (illustration left side) along an axis | shaft is shown. The illustration of the ink ribbon is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when the label continuum 13 has a width over almost the entire area of the platen roller 30, it is desirable to press the thermal head 31 equally to the left and right against the platen roller 30. For example, the rotation angle of the cam shaft 69 is adjusted so that the plurality of cams 66a to 66c press the thermal head 31 evenly.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, when the width of the label continuum 13 is small and the label continuum 13 is offset from the left side in the figure, the left side of the thermal head 31 is particularly strongly against the platen roller 30. It is desirable to press. For example, when the paper thickness is thick, the rotation angle of the cam shaft 69 is adjusted so that the cam 66a on the left side of the figure presses the thermal head 31 most strongly.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, the width of the label continuum 13 has an intermediate size between the case of FIG. 4A and the case of FIG. In the case where the thermal head 31 is biased, it is desirable that the left side and the center of the thermal head 31 are strongly pressed against the platen roller 30. For example, when the paper thickness is thicker than a predetermined value, the rotation angle of the cam shaft 69 is adjusted so that the cam 66a on the left side and the cam 66b on the center side in the figure most strongly press the thermal head 31.

  Instead of being fixed to the common cam shaft 69, the plurality of cams 66a to 66c may be fixed to different shafts so that the rotation angles can be controlled separately. The number of the plurality of cams is not limited to three, and may be two or four or more.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the cam shape in the printer shown in FIG. 1 and the pressing force distribution of the thermal head adjusted using the cam shape. 5 (A), 5 (B), and 5 (C) show cam shapes of cams 66a, 66b, and 66c (see FIG. 3), respectively. The part which contacts cam follower 65a, 65b and 65c in each rotation angle of the common cam shaft 69 is shown. At each rotation angle, the longer the length from the cam shaft 69, the stronger the pressing force applied to the cam followers 65a, 65b and 65c. In the figure, it is assumed that the pressing force by the cam can take values in three stages (hereinafter, represented by “3”, “2”, and “1” in order of increasing pressing force). Although the length from the cam shaft 69 to the cam follower at each rotation angle is expressed with emphasis in the drawing, the difference between the long portion and the short portion may be about 3 mm at the maximum.

  When the cam shape shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C is adopted, the pressing force of the thermal head by the cams 66a, 66b, and 66c at the rotation angle a of the cam shaft 69 is as follows. Are 3, 2, and 1, respectively. Such a pressure distribution is useful when the continuous label body 13 is thick, the continuous label body 13 is narrow, and is biased toward the cam 66a (see FIG. 5D).

  At the rotation angle c of the cam shaft 69, the pressing force of the thermal head by the cams 66a, 66b and 66c is 3, 3, and 3, respectively. Such a pressure distribution is useful when the thickness of the label continuous body 13 is large as in the case of a, the width of the label continuous body 13 is wide, and the platen roller is located over almost the entire area (see FIG. 5 (D)).

  At the rotation angle b of the cam shaft 69, the pressing force of the thermal head by the cams 66a, 66b and 66c is 3, 3 and 2, respectively. Such a pressure distribution is useful when the thickness of the label continuum 13 is large as in the cases a and c, and the width of the label continuum 13 is intermediate between the cases a and c. Yes (see FIG. 5D).

  At the rotation angle d of the cam shaft 69, the pressing force of the thermal head by the cams 66a, 66b and 66c is 2, 1, 1 respectively. Such a pressing force distribution is useful when the label continuous body 13 is small in thickness, the width of the label continuous body 13 is narrow, and is biased to the cam 66a side (see FIG. 5D).

  At the rotation angle f of the cam shaft 69, the pressing force of the thermal head by the cams 66a, 66b and 66c is 2, 2, and 2, respectively. Such a pressure distribution is useful when the thickness of the label continuum 13 is small as in the case of the above d, the width of the label continuum 13 is wide, and the platen roller is located over almost the entire area (see FIG. 5 (D)).

  At the rotation angle e of the cam shaft 69, the pressing force of the thermal head by the cams 66a, 66b and 66c is 2, 2, and 1, respectively. Such a pressure distribution is useful when the thickness of the label continuous body 13 is small as in the case of d and f, and the width of the label continuous body 13 is intermediate between the case of d and the case of f. Yes (see FIG. 5D).

  At the rotation angle g of the cam shaft 69, the pressing force of the thermal head by the cams 66a, 66b and 66c is 1, 1, 1 respectively. Such a pressing force distribution is useful when the thickness of the label continuum 13 is smaller (see FIG. 5D).

  Thus, by adjusting the rotation angle of the cam shaft 69 so that the pressing force of the thermal head by the cam increases as the thickness of the label continuous body 13 increases (for example, the rotation angles c, f, g), The occurrence of printing defects can be reduced.

  Further, when the length in the width direction of the label continuum 13 is shorter than the case in which the length in the width direction of the label continuum 13 is long, the difference in the pressing force of the thermal head by the plurality of cams 66a, 66b and 66c is different. A state in which the thermal head 31 is uniformly pressed against the platen roller 30 via the label continuum 13 by adjusting the rotation angle of the cam shaft 69 so as to increase (for example, the rotation angles a, b, c). Thus, printing can be performed and the occurrence of printing defects can be reduced.

  Further, when the length of the label continuous body 13 in the width direction is short, the larger the thickness of the label continuous body 13 is, the larger the difference in the pressing force of the thermal head by the plurality of cams 66a, 66b and 66c is. By adjusting the rotation angle of the shaft 69 (for example, the rotation angles a, d, and g), the occurrence of printing defects can be reduced.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process for determining the cam rotation angle in the printer shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the data shown in FIG. 5D is stored in a memory (not shown) connected to the control unit 81, and the label continuum 13 input by the operator via the input unit 80. The rotation angle of the cam is adjusted according to the length in the width direction and the thickness of the label continuous body 13. Specific processing is performed as follows, for example.

  First, the input of the thickness of the label continuous body 13 is received via the input part 80 (S1). The control unit 81 is configured such that the input thickness D of the continuous label body 13 is (1) less than 0.04 mm, (2) less than 0.10 mm, (3) less than 0.16 mm, and (4) 0.16 mm or more. Depending on which one is used, control is performed as follows.

  (1) When the thickness of the input label continuum 13 is less than 0.04 mm (S2: NO), the controller 81 causes the cam to press the thermal head at the position indicated by “g” in FIG. The rotation angle is controlled (S3).

  (2) When the thickness of the input label continuum 13 is 0.04 mm or more (S2: YES) and less than 0.10 mm (S4: NO), the width of the label continuum 13 is input via the input unit 80. The input of the direction length is received (S5).

  When the input length of the continuous label 13 in the width direction is 2 inches or less (S6: NO), the controller 81 causes the cam to press the thermal head at the position indicated by “d” in FIG. Is controlled (S7).

  When the input length of the label continuous body 13 in the width direction is larger than 2 inches (S6: YES) and 3 inches or less (S8: NO), the control unit 81 is shown by “e” in FIG. The rotation angle of the cam is controlled so as to press the thermal head at the position (S9).

  When the input length in the width direction of the continuous label body 13 is larger than 3 inches (S8: YES), the controller 81 causes the cam to press the thermal head at the position indicated by “f” in FIG. The rotation angle is controlled (S10).

  (3) When the thickness of the input label continuum 13 is 0.10 mm or more (S4: YES) and less than 0.16 mm (S11: NO), the width of the label continuum 13 is input via the input unit 80. The input of the direction length is received (S12).

  When the input length of the continuous label 13 in the width direction is 2 inches or less (S13: NO), the control unit 81 causes the cam to press the thermal head at the position indicated by “a” in FIG. Is controlled (S14).

  When the input length of the label continuous body 13 in the width direction is greater than 2 inches (S13: YES) and 3 inches or less (S15: NO), the control unit 81 indicates “b” in FIG. The rotation angle of the cam is controlled so as to press the thermal head at the position (S16).

  When the input length of the label continuous body 13 in the width direction is greater than 3 inches (S15: YES) and 4 inches or less (S17: NO), the control unit 81 is shown in “c” of FIG. The rotation angle of the cam is controlled so as to press the thermal head at the position (S18).

  When the input length of the continuous label 13 in the width direction is larger than 4 inches (S17: YES), the control unit 81 outputs a signal indicating an input error and displays it on a display device (not shown) (S19). .

  (4) Even when the thickness of the input label continuous body 13 is 0.16 mm or more (S11: YES), the control unit 81 outputs a signal indicating an input error and displays it on a display device (not shown) (S19). .

  According to the first embodiment, the pressing force distribution of the thermal head 31 can be finely adjusted according to the length and thickness of the label continuous body 13 in the width direction. For this reason, even when the label continuum 13 is biased in the rotational axis direction of the platen roller 30, printing can be performed in a state where the thermal head 31 is uniformly pressed against the platen roller 30 via the label continuum 13. This makes it possible to reduce the occurrence of printing defects. Note that the data shown in FIG. 5D can be variously changed depending on the material and type of paper.

  FIG. 7 is a side view and a front view schematically showing the arrangement of the thickness sensor and the width sensor in the printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a side view showing how the label continuous body 13 passes between the label lower guide 41 and the label upper guide 42 in the vicinity of the label transport roller 43 and the guide roller 44. In the second embodiment, the guide roller 44 is in contact with a movable arm 95 that is rotatably attached to the support shaft 94. A differential transformer 96 is connected to the tip of the movable arm 95 opposite to the support shaft.

  The guide roller 44 is movable in the vertical direction in FIG. 7A according to the thickness of the label continuous body 13. The movable arm 95 rotates in the vertical direction in FIG. 7A according to the vertical movement of the guide roller 44. When the differential transformer 96 detects the rotation of the movable arm 95, the thickness of the label continuous body 13 is detected. Thereby, the thickness sensor 97 is configured.

  7B and 7C are front views schematically showing the arrangement of the width sensors. In the second embodiment, three pairs of photodiodes 91a and 91b, 92a and 92b, 93a and 93b are arranged so as to sandwich the position through which the label continuum 13 passes. The three pairs of photodiodes are respectively disposed at first to third positions that are different in the width direction of the label continuous body 13. Of each pair of photodiodes, one photodiode 91a, 92a, 93a emits light toward the other photodiode 91b, 92b, 93b, and the other photodiode 91b, 92b, 93b receives the light. Thus, the three pairs of photodiodes constitute first to third width sensors 91, 92, and 93, respectively.

  For example, when the label continuum 13 is detected by the first width sensor 91 and the label continuum 13 is not detected by the second and third width sensors 92 and 93, the label as shown in FIG. It can be seen that the width of the continuum 13 is small. Further, for example, when the label continuum 13 is detected by the first to third width sensors 91 to 93, it can be seen that the width of the label continuum 13 is large. For example, when the label continuum 13 is detected by the first and second width sensors 91 and 92 and the label continuum 13 is not detected by the third width sensor 93, as shown in FIG. It can be seen that the width of the label continuum 13 is intermediate between the case where the width is small and the case where the width is large.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process for determining the cam rotation angle in the printer shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the data shown in FIG. 5D is stored in a memory (not shown) connected to the control unit 81, and the label continuation detected by the width sensors 91 to 93 and the thickness sensor 97. The rotation angle of the cam is adjusted according to the length in the width direction of the body 13 and the thickness of the continuous label body 13. Specific processing is performed as follows, for example.

  First, when the operator sets the label continuum 13 and passes between the label transport roller 43 and the guide roller 44 (S21), the control unit 81 according to the outputs of the first to third width sensors, Control as follows.

  (1) When it is detected that the label continuous body 13 has passed through the first width sensor 91 (S22: YES), but it has not been detected that the label continuous body 13 has passed through the second width sensor 92 (S23: NO) 7B shows that the width of the label continuous body 13 is small (for example, 2 inches or less).

  Therefore, when the thickness is large (for example, 0.10 mm or more and less than 0.16 mm) based on the output of the thickness sensor 97 (S24: YES), the control unit 81 indicates the “a” in FIG. The rotation angle of the cam is controlled so as to press the thermal head at the position (S25).

  When the thickness is medium (for example, 0.04 mm or more and less than 0.10 mm) (S26: YES), the control unit 81 presses the thermal head at the position indicated by “d” in FIG. Thus, the rotation angle of the cam is controlled (S27).

  When the thickness is small (for example, less than 0.04 mm) (S28: YES), the control unit 81 rotates the cam so that the thermal head is pressed at the position indicated by “g” in FIG. Is controlled (S29).

  Further, when the thickness is a value other than the above (for example, 0.16 mm or more), there is a possibility of jamming, so the control unit 81 outputs a signal indicating an error and displays it on a display device (not shown). (S30).

  (2) When it is detected that the label continuous body 13 has passed through the second width sensor 92 (S23: YES), but it has not been detected that the label continuous body 13 has passed through the third width sensor 93 (S31: NO) 7C, it can be seen that the width of the label continuous body 13 is medium (for example, larger than 2 inches and not larger than 3 inches).

  Therefore, when the thickness is large (for example, 0.10 mm or more and less than 0.16 mm) based on the output of the thickness sensor 97 (S32: YES), the control unit 81 indicates the “b” in FIG. The rotation angle of the cam is controlled so as to press the thermal head at the position (S33).

  When the thickness is medium (for example, 0.04 mm or more and less than 0.10 mm) (S34: YES), the control unit 81 presses the thermal head at the position indicated by “e” in FIG. Thus, the rotation angle of the cam is controlled (S35).

  When the thickness is small (for example, less than 0.04 mm) (S36: YES), the control unit 81 rotates the cam rotation angle so as to press the thermal head at the position indicated by “g” in FIG. Is controlled (S37).

  Further, when the thickness is a value other than the above (for example, 0.16 mm or more), there is a possibility of jamming, so the control unit 81 outputs a signal indicating an error and displays it on a display device (not shown). (S38).

  (3) When it is detected that the label continuous body 13 has passed through the third width sensor 93 (S31: YES), it is understood that the width of the label continuous body 13 is large (for example, larger than 3 inches).

  Therefore, when the thickness is large (for example, 0.10 mm or more and less than 0.16 mm) based on the output of the thickness sensor 97 (S39: YES), the control unit 81 indicates the “c” in FIG. The rotation angle of the cam is controlled so as to press the thermal head at the position (S40).

  When the thickness is medium (for example, 0.04 mm or more and less than 0.10 mm) (S41: YES), the control unit 81 presses the thermal head at the position indicated by “f” in FIG. Thus, the rotation angle of the cam is controlled (S42).

  If the thickness is small (for example, less than 0.04 mm) (S43: YES), the control unit 81 rotates the cam so that the thermal head is pressed at the position indicated by “g” in FIG. Is controlled (S44).

  Further, when the thickness is a value other than the above (for example, 0.16 mm or more), there is a possibility of jamming, so the control unit 81 outputs a signal indicating an error and displays it on a display device (not shown). (S45).

  (4) When it is not detected that the label continuum 13 has passed through the first width sensor 91 (S22: NO), the operation is stopped at a predetermined timing and the process returns to S21.

  About another point, it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment. Also in the second embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 8c ... Screw hole, 8d ... Through-hole, 10 ... Housing | casing, 13 ... Label continuous body, 14 ... Label supply reel, 18 ... Label sensor, 21 ... Ribbon supply reel, 22 ... Ribbon take-up reel, 23 ... Ink ribbon, 30 ... Platen roller, 31 ... Thermal head, 33, 34, 35 ... Guide roller, 41 ... Label guide, 42 ... Label guide, 43 ... Label transport roller, 44 ... Guide roller, 45 ... Label transport Roller, 46 ... guide roller, 48 ... label discharge port, 51 ... sensor drive gear, 52 ... sensor guide shaft, 55 ... sensor drive motor, 60 ... pressing mechanism, 61 ... head pressing plate, 62a ... spring, 63 ... spring pressing Plate, 64 ... shaft, 65a, 65b, 65c ... Cam follower, 66a, 66b, 66c ... 67 ... slit plate, 68 ... rotation sensor, 69 ... cam shaft, 70 ... gear, 71 ... cam drive motor, 80 ... input unit, 81 ... control unit, 91 ... first width sensor, 92 ... second Width sensor, 93 ... third width sensor, 91a, 91b, 92a, 92b, 93a, 93b ... photodiode, 94 ... support shaft, 95 ... movable arm, 96 ... differential transformer, 97 ... thickness sensor

Claims (5)

A platen roller that is driven and rotated by a motor to convey a print medium;
A print head for printing on a print medium with the print medium sandwiched between the platen roller;
A plurality of cams respectively disposed at a plurality of positions in a direction along the rotation axis of the platen roller, respectively, pressing the print head toward the platen roller;
The pressing force with which at least one of the plurality of cams presses the print head is a second value in which the thickness of the print medium is thicker than the first value, compared to the case where the thickness of the print medium is the first value. A cam adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the rotation angles of the plurality of cams so as to increase in some cases;
A printer comprising: The plurality of cams are
A first cam disposed in a first position;
A second cam disposed at a second position shifted from the first position in the width direction of the print medium;
Including
The cam adjustment mechanism is
The difference between the pressing force with which the first cam presses the print head and the pressing force with which the second cam presses the print head is the first value in the width direction of the print medium. 2. The rotation angle of the plurality of cams can be adjusted so that the rotation angle becomes larger when the length in the width direction of the print medium is a second value shorter than the first value. printer. The cam adjustment mechanism is
When the length in the width direction of the print medium is the second value, the pressing force by which the first cam presses the print head, and the pressing force by which the second cam presses the print head, The rotation angles of the plurality of cams so that the difference between the plurality of cams is larger when the thickness of the print medium is a second value thicker than the first value than when the thickness of the print medium is a first value. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the printer is adjustable. A width sensor configured to detect the length of the print medium in the width direction;
A thickness sensor configured to detect the thickness of the print medium;
In order to adjust the pressing force with which the plurality of cams press the print head in accordance with the width in the width direction of the print medium and the thickness of the print medium respectively detected by the width sensor and the thickness sensor, the cam adjustment A control unit for controlling the mechanism;
The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: An input unit capable of inputting data on the length in the width direction of the print medium and the thickness of the print medium;
The cam adjustment mechanism is controlled to adjust the pressing force with which the plurality of cams press the print head in accordance with the print medium width data and print medium thickness data input to the input unit. A control unit,
The printer according to claim 1, further comprising:

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