JP2017052602A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer configured so as to be able to suppress a foreign matter from adhering to a cleaning member for cleaning a side to be printed of a paper.SOLUTION: A printer 100 comprises: a sprocket roller 104 that conveys a paper P; a print head 102 that performs printing on the paper P; a second cleaning member 107, provided at an upstream side along a feedforward conveyance direction of the paper P with respect to the print head 102, which moves between a cleaning position where the member contacts the paper P and a retreating position where the member separates from the paper P; and a second guide roller 109, provided at the upstream side along the feedforward conveyance direction of the paper P with respect to the second cleaning member 107, which presses the paper which is displaced in a direction in which the paper approaches the second cleaning member 107 moved to the retreating position, by the conveyance in the opposite direction of the paper.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer that performs printing by conveying a long print medium.

  In printers that use thermal transfer type ink ribbons, if foreign matter such as dust adheres to the paper, an event called printing omission occurs in which printing does not occur at the foreign matter attachment point and its peripheral part, and the print quality is reduced. descend.

  For this reason, a technique has been proposed in which a sheet is conveyed while a cleaning member such as a sponge is in contact with the sheet and foreign matters are removed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 11-165449 A

  When printing is performed by repeatedly transporting the paper in the reverse direction to the forward direction, when the paper transported in the reverse direction comes into contact with the cleaning member, the foreign matter attached to the paper adheres to one end of the cleaning member. there is a possibility.

  When foreign material adheres to one end of the cleaning member during the operation of transporting the paper in the reverse direction, foreign material adheres to the transport destination side in the transport direction of the cleaning member when the paper is transported in the forward direction. It becomes.

  As a result, in the operation in which the cleaning member is brought into contact with the paper and the paper is transported in the forward direction to perform printing, there is a possibility that foreign matter attached to the cleaning member may adhere to the paper. If foreign matter adheres to the paper on the upstream side of the print head, printing failure may occur at the portion where the foreign matter adheres and at the periphery thereof, and print quality may deteriorate.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printer that can suppress adhesion of foreign matters to a cleaning member that cleans a printing surface of a printing medium.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a conveying unit that conveys a long print medium, a printing unit that performs printing on a printing medium that is conveyed by the conveying unit, and a conveyance of the printing medium to the printing unit. A cleaning unit that is provided on one side along the direction and moves between a cleaning position that contacts the print medium and a retracted position that is separated from the print medium, and one of the cleaning unit along the transport direction of the print medium And a guide means for pressing the print medium displaced in a direction approaching the cleaning means moved to the retracted position when the print medium is conveyed by the conveyance means.

  Further, the present invention provides a conveying unit that conveys a long print medium, a printing unit that performs printing on a printing medium conveyed by the conveying unit, and a side on which printing of the printing medium conveyed by the conveying unit is performed. And a guide unit that holds the print medium conveyed by the conveyance unit, and the conveyance unit conveys the print medium fed in the forward direction in which the print medium is fed out and conveyed in the positive direction. The guide means is a roller that rotates in accordance with the conveyance in the forward direction and the conveyance in the reverse direction of the print medium and that rotates along the axial direction of the roller. In addition, the printer includes a contact portion that expands at least one portion in the radial direction and comes into contact with the surface on which printing of the print medium is performed.

  In the present invention, since the guide unit suppresses the print medium from coming into contact with the cleaning unit moved to the retracted position, it is possible to suppress foreign matter adhering to the print medium from adhering to the cleaning unit. Moreover, it can suppress that the foreign material which has already adhered to the cleaning means adheres to a printing medium. Thereby, it can suppress that a foreign material adheres to a printing medium by the cleaning operation | movement which moves a cleaning means to a cleaning position. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of print omission due to foreign matter adhering to the print surface of the print medium. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the contact area between the guide means and the print medium can be reduced, and the surface on the side on which the print medium is printed can be suppressed.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a printer according to an exemplary embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a printer according to an exemplary embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a printer according to an exemplary embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a printer according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the ink ribbon cassette of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the ink ribbon cassette of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a driven press roller and a guide roller. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a driven press roller and a guide roller. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of functions of a printer according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the operation example of the printer of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the operation example of the printer of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the operation example of the printer of this Embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the printer of this Embodiment and the conventional contrast. It is a block diagram which shows the modification of a driven press roller and a guide roller. It is a block diagram which shows the modification of a driven press roller and a guide roller. It is a block diagram which shows the modification of a driven press roller and a guide roller.

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

<Configuration Example of Printer of this Embodiment>
1 to 4 are configuration diagrams illustrating an example of a printer according to the present embodiment. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the printer according to the present embodiment when the cover is opened as viewed from the back, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the printer according to the present embodiment when the cover is closed. It is a perspective view. FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the paper and ink ribbon tape transport paths of the printer of this embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the printer of this embodiment.

  5 to 6 are configuration diagrams showing an example of the ink ribbon cassette according to the present embodiment. Here, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ink ribbon cassette of the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the ink ribbon cassette of the present embodiment.

  First, the configuration of the ink ribbon cassette 10A will be described. The ink ribbon cassette 10A of the present embodiment includes a main body case 11 in which the ink ribbon 1A is detachably stored.

  The ink ribbon 1A includes a feeding core portion 20 around which the ink ribbon tape 2 is wound, and a winding core portion 21 around which the ink ribbon tape 2 is wound up.

  In this example, the ink ribbon tape 2 is formed by applying an ink that can be transferred to an object to be printed with heat and pressure on a long thin medium.

  The feeding core portion 20 is an example of a core portion, and the ink ribbon tape 2 before use is wound when a new use is started. The feeding core part 20 is configured by a cylindrical member such as paper or resin. The take-up core portion 21 is an example of a core portion on which the used ink ribbon tape 2 is wound. The winding core portion 21 is formed of a cylindrical member such as paper or resin.

  The ink ribbon cassette 10 </ b> A includes a first connecting member 12 that is attached to one end portion of the feeding core portion 20 and one end portion of the winding core portion 21, and the other end portion of the feeding core portion 20 and the winding core. 2nd connection member 13 attached to the other end of part 21 is provided.

  The main body case 11 includes a first storage portion 14 that stores a feeding core portion 20 around which the ink ribbon tape 2 is wound, and a second storage portion 15 that stores a winding core portion 21 around which the ink ribbon tape 2 is wound. Is provided.

  Further, the main body case 11 is drawn out from the feeding core portion 20 stored in the first storage portion 14 between the first storage portion 14 and the second storage portion 15 and stored in the second storage portion 15. A tape transport unit 16 that exposes the ink ribbon tape 2 wound around the wound core portion 21 is provided.

  Furthermore, the main body case 11 includes a first cover 17 that opens and closes the first storage portion 14 and a second cover 18 that opens and closes the second storage portion 15.

  The main body case 11 is provided with a concave portion in a shape that can accommodate the feeding core portion 20 around which the ink ribbon tape 2 is wound, on the upstream side with respect to the transport direction of the ink ribbon tape 2 to form the first storage portion 14. .

  Further, the main body case 11 is opposed to one end in the axial direction of the feeding core portion 20 stored in the first storage portion 14, and on one end in the width direction of the first storage portion 14. A first receiving portion 14 a that supports the first connecting member 12 attached to the feeding core portion 20 is formed. Furthermore, the main body case 11 is opposed to the other end portion in the axial direction of the feeding core portion 20 stored in the first storage portion 14, and on the other end portion in the width direction of the first storage portion 14. A second receiving portion 14b that supports the second connecting member 13 attached to the feeding core portion 20 is formed.

  The main body case 11 is provided with a concave portion having a shape that can accommodate the take-up core portion 21 around which the ink ribbon tape 2 is wound, on the downstream side with respect to the transport direction of the ink ribbon tape 2, thereby forming the second storage portion 15. The

  The main body case 11 faces one end in the axial direction of the take-up core portion 21 stored in the second storage portion 15 and is positioned at one end in the width direction of the second storage portion 15. The 1st receiving part 15a which supports the 1st connection member 12 attached to the winding-up core part 21 is formed. Furthermore, the main body case 11 is opposed to the other end portion in the axial direction of the winding core portion 21 housed in the second housing portion 15, and on the other end portion in the width direction of the second housing portion 15. A second receiving portion 15b that supports the second connecting member 13 attached to the winding core portion 21 is formed.

  The first connecting member 12 includes a core mounting portion 12a inserted into one end of the feeding core portion 20 in the axial direction, a flange portion 12b that regulates the axial mounting position of the feeding core portion 20, and a main body case. 11 includes a shaft support portion 12c supported by the first first receiving portion 14a, a gear 12d to which a driving force is transmitted, and a shaft portion 12e supported by the printer 100A. In addition, the 1st connection member 12 attached to one edge part of the axial direction of the winding core part 21 is also the same structure.

  The second connecting member 13 includes a core attaching part 13a inserted into the other end of the feeding core part 20 in the axial direction, a flange part 13b for regulating the axial mounting position of the feeding core part 20, and a body case 11 is provided with a shaft support portion 13c supported by the second receiving portion 14b, a gear 13d to which the driving force is transmitted, and a shaft portion 13e supported by the printer 100A. In addition, the 2nd connection member 13 attached to the other edge part of the axial direction of the winding core part 21 is also the same structure.

  In this example, the first cover 17 is attached to the main body case 11 so that the first storage portion 14 can be opened and closed by rotation about the fulcrum portion 17a. In FIG. 5, the first cover 17 is illustrated as being removed from the main body case 11, but the first cover 17 can be opened and closed without removing the fulcrum portion 17a. The first cover 17 holds the first storage portion 14 in a closed state by locking the lock portion 17b to the main body case 11.

  In this example, the second cover 18 is attached to the main body case 11 so that the second storage portion 15 can be opened and closed by rotation about the fulcrum portion 18a. In FIG. 5, the second cover 18 is illustrated as being removed from the main body case 11, but the second cover 18 can be opened and closed without removing the fulcrum portion 18 a. The second cover 18 holds the second storage portion 15 in a closed state by the lock portion 18 b being locked to the main body case 11.

  The ink ribbon cassette 10A can be attached to and detached from the first storage portion 14 of the feeding core portion 20 of the ink ribbon 1A by opening the first cover 17. Further, the ink ribbon cassette 10A can be attached to and detached from the second storage portion 15 of the winding core portion 21 of the ink ribbon 1A by opening the second cover 18.

  In the ink ribbon cassette 10 </ b> A, the shaft support portion 12 c of the first connecting member 12 attached to one end portion of the feeding core portion 20 is attached to the first receiving portion 14 a of the first storage portion 14. Further, the shaft support portion 13 c of the second connecting member 13 attached to the other end portion of the feeding core portion 20 is attached to the second receiving portion 14 b of the first storage portion 14. Then, the first cover 17 is closed.

  In the ink ribbon cassette 10 </ b> A, the shaft support portion 12 c of the first connecting member 12 attached to one end portion of the take-up core portion 21 is attached to the first receiving portion 15 a of the second storage portion 15. Further, the shaft support portion 13 c of the second connecting member 13 attached to the other end portion of the winding core portion 21 is attached to the second receiving portion 15 b of the second storage portion 15. Then, the second cover 18 is closed.

  Thereby, in the ink ribbon cassette 10 </ b> A, the ink ribbon tape 2 between the feeding core portion 20 and the take-up core portion 21 is exposed to the tape transport portion 16. Then, by rotating the take-up core portion 21, the ink ribbon tape 2 is fed out from the feed-out core portion 20, and the ink ribbon tape 2 is taken up by the take-up core portion 21, so that the ink exposed to the tape transport portion 16 is exposed. The ribbon tape 2 is conveyed.

  The ink ribbon cassette 10A of the present embodiment may include an RFID tag as an identification information recording unit. The RFID tag is attached in a form that is attached to the main body case 11 or a form that is attached to a tag attachment member that is stored in the first storage part 14 or the second storage part 15. The RFID tag is configured to be able to read recorded information by wireless communication and record information by wireless communication. In this example, the RFID tag is color information of ink that can be printed with the ink ribbon tape 2, type information about the type of ink that can be printed with the ink ribbon tape 2, usage information of the ink ribbon tape 2, and manufacturing. Person information etc. are recorded.

  Next, the configuration of the printer 100A will be described. The printer 100A according to the present embodiment conveys the paper P on which the long sheet P1 is attached to the long release paper P11, and prints on the sheet P1. And a mechanism that cuts the entire width of the paper P, referred to as full cutting, and cuts and cuts the sheet P1 in a predetermined shape.

  The paper P is provided as a roll paper P10 that is wound in a form called outer winding in which the printing surface of the sheet P1 faces outward. In the paper P, a plurality of through holes P12 called sprocket holes are formed at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction at both ends in the width direction of the release paper P11. Note that the sheet P1, the paper P on which the sheet P1 is attached to the release paper P11, and the roll paper P10 on which the paper P is wound are examples of a printing medium.

  The printer 100A includes a mounting unit 101 on which the roll paper P10 is mounted. Further, the printer 100A includes a print head 102 that performs printing on the sheet P1 of the paper P drawn from the roll paper P10 mounted on the mounting unit 101, and a platen roller 103 that presses and conveys the paper P to the print head 102. Prepare.

  Further, the printer 100A includes a sprocket roller 104 that conveys the paper P drawn from the roll paper P10 attached to the attachment unit 101, press rollers 105a and 105c that hold the paper P against the sprocket roller 104, and the width direction of the paper P. 1, a driven press roller 105 b that presses the paper P inside the press roller 105 a and a driven press roller 105 d that presses the paper P inside the press roller 105 c in the width direction of the paper P.

  The printer 100A also includes a first cleaning member 106 and a second cleaning member 107 that clean the paper P, a first guide roller 108 and a second guide roller 109 that guide the paper P, and a cutout of the sheet P1. And a first cutting blade portion 110 that performs cutting, and a second cutting blade portion 111 that performs cutting over the entire width of the paper P, which is referred to as full cutting.

  Further, the printer 100A includes a cassette mounting portion 112 to which the ink ribbon cassette 10A shown in FIG. 5 and the like is mounted, a cassette support portion 113 that supports the ink ribbon cassette 10A that is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 112, and an ink ribbon tape of the ink ribbon cassette 10A. 2 is provided. In the configuration in which the ink ribbon cassette 10A includes the RFID tag, an antenna that communicates with the RFID tag is provided.

  The printer 100A includes a mounting unit 101, a platen roller 103, a sprocket roller 104, pressing rollers 105a and 105c, driven pressing rollers 105b and 105d, a first cleaning member 106, a second cleaning member 107, a first guide roller 108, The printer main body 120 includes a second guide roller 109, a first cutting blade portion 110, a second cutting blade portion 111, and a cassette support portion 113.

  Further, the printer 100 </ b> A includes a print head 102, a cassette mounting part 112, and an ink ribbon transport part 114 in the cover 121. The cover 121 is attached to the printer main body 120 so as to be openable and closable with the shaft portion 122 as a fulcrum. The printer 100 </ b> A is provided with a paper P discharge port 123 on the front side of the printer main body 120.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the printer 100 </ b> A opens the cover 121, the ink ribbon cassette 10 </ b> A attached to the cassette attaching portion 112 is retracted upward, and the paper P conveyance path is exposed. Thereby, the roll paper P10 can be attached to the attachment portion 101, and the paper P can be transported through the paper P between the sprocket roller 104 and the pressing rollers 105a and 105c. Further, the roll paper P10 can be replaced.

  Further, the ink ribbon cassette 10 </ b> A can be attached to and detached from the cassette mounting portion 112 of the cover 121.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the printer 100 </ b> A, when the cover 121 is closed, the ink ribbon cassette 10 </ b> A attached to the cassette attachment portion 112 is supported by the cassette support portion 113 of the printer main body 120. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the print head 102 and the platen roller 103 face each other with the ink ribbon tape 2 and the paper P interposed therebetween.

  The mounting unit 101 is configured by providing a space in which a roll paper P10 having a predetermined diameter can be stored, and a sheet roller 101a that supports the outer periphery of the roll paper P10 is provided.

  The print head 102 is an example of a printing unit, and in this example, includes a thermal head. The print head 102 is provided so that line-shaped elements (not shown) face the platen roller 103 in an orientation along the axial direction of the platen roller 103. As an example, in the present embodiment, the print head 102 is configured such that the length in the longitudinal direction is longer than the width of the sheet P1.

  The print head 102 is attached to the support member 130. The support member 130 includes a first guide roller 131 on the feeding side of the ink ribbon tape 2 with respect to the print head 102, and a second guide roller 132 on the winding side of the ink ribbon tape 2. Further, the support member 130 includes a bearing portion 133 into which the shaft 103a of the platen roller 103 is inserted.

  The print head 102, the first guide roller 131, and the second guide roller 132 move relative to the platen roller 103 by moving the support member 130 in a direction in which the support member 130 moves away from or contacts the platen roller 103 by the operation of a motor described later. To be positioned at an appropriate position.

  Further, the printing head 102 presses the paper P by the platen roller 103 when the support member 130 is biased toward the platen roller 103 by a spring (not shown).

  The platen roller 103 is an example of a conveying unit. In this example, the platen roller 103 is composed of a single roller that is driven to rotate in both forward and reverse directions by a motor described later. The platen roller 103 is configured such that the length along the axial direction is longer than the width of the paper P, and presses the paper P against the print head 102 so that the circumferential surface is in contact with the entire width direction of the paper P.

  When the cover 121 is closed, the printer 100 </ b> A defines the orientation of the print head 102 relative to the platen roller 103 by the shaft of the platen roller 103 entering the bearing portion 133 of the support member 130 to which the print head 102 is attached. Is done.

  The sprocket roller 104 is an example of a transport unit, and is provided on the downstream side of the platen roller 103 with respect to the transport direction of the paper P transported in the positive direction from the mounting portion 101 side toward the second cutting blade portion 111 side. . The sprocket rollers 104 are provided on both sides in the width direction of the paper P in accordance with the arrangement of the through holes P12 provided at both ends in the width direction of the paper P, and the pins 104a that enter the through holes P12 of the paper P are formed in the through holes P12. It is provided in the circumferential direction according to the interval.

  The sprocket roller 104 is rotationally driven in both forward and reverse directions in conjunction with the platen roller 103 by a motor described later. In the printer 100A, when the sprocket roller 104 and the platen roller 103 are rotationally driven in the forward direction, the paper P is conveyed in the forward direction, and printing is performed by the print head 102 in which the paper P is pressed by the platen roller 103. Further, the paper P is pulled out from the roll paper P10. When the sprocket roller 104 and the platen roller 103 are rotationally driven in the reverse direction, the paper P is conveyed in the reverse direction.

  The pressing roller 105a is provided to face the sprocket roller 104, and is rotationally driven in both forward and reverse directions in conjunction with the sprocket roller 104 and the platen roller 103 by a motor described later.

  The driven press roller 105b is provided between the pair of press rollers 105a coaxially with the press roller 105a, and presses the paper P inside the press roller 105a in the width direction of the paper P. The driven pressure roller 105b does not receive the driving force for rotating the pressure roller 105a, and rotates following the conveyance of the paper P.

  The pressing roller 105c is provided opposite to the sprocket roller 104 on the downstream side of the pressing roller 105a with respect to the conveyance direction of the sheet P conveyed in the forward direction. The pressing roller 105c is rotationally driven in both forward and reverse directions in conjunction with the sprocket roller 104 and the platen roller 103 by a motor described later.

  The driven pressing roller 105d is provided between the pair of pressing rollers 105c coaxially with the pressing roller 105c, and presses the sheet P inside the pressing roller 105c in the width direction of the sheet P. The driven pressure roller 105d does not receive a driving force for rotating the pressure roller 105c, and rotates following the conveyance of the paper P.

  The first cleaning member 106 is made of a material in which fibers are entangled, and is provided on the downstream side of the sprocket roller 104 with respect to the transport direction of the paper P transported in the forward direction. The first cleaning member 106 is configured to be retractable from the paper P conveyance path.

  The second cleaning member 107 is an example of a cleaning unit, is made of a material in which fibers are entangled, and is provided on the upstream side of the platen roller 103 with respect to the transport direction of the paper P transported in the forward direction. The second cleaning member 107 is configured to be retractable from the paper P conveyance path.

  The first guide roller 108 is an example of a first guide member, and is provided on the downstream side of the second cleaning member 107 and the upstream side of the platen roller 103 with respect to the conveyance direction of the sheet P conveyed in the forward direction. . The second guide roller 109 is an example of a guide unit and a second guide member, and is provided on the upstream side of the second cleaning member 107 with respect to the transport direction of the paper P transported in the forward direction. The second guide roller 109 is configured to be retractable from the conveyance path of the paper P in conjunction with the second cleaning member 107.

  In this example, an attachment member 140 to which the second cleaning member 107 is attached, and an attachment member 141 to which the first guide roller 108 and the second guide roller 109 are attached include an operation lever 140a provided on the attachment member 140. The second cleaning member 107 and the second guide roller 109 are configured to be displaceable in a direction in which the second cleaning member 107 and the second guide roller 109 are in contact with and separated from the transport guide 150 that forms the transport path of the paper P.

  The first cutting blade portion 110 is provided with a shaft member provided with a pressure roller 105a and a driven pressure roller 105b, and a pressure roller 105c and a driven pressure roller 105d with respect to the conveyance direction of the paper P conveyed in the forward direction. Between the pair of left and right sprocket rollers 104. The first cutting blade portion 110 is configured to be movable in the width direction of the paper P by being driven by a motor, which will be described later, and is attached to the release paper P11 by the conveyance of the paper P and the movement of the first cutting blade portion 110. Cutting and cutting of the attached sheet P1 in an arbitrary shape are performed.

  The second cutting blade portion 111 is provided on the downstream side of the first cleaning member 106 with respect to the transport direction of the paper P that is transported in the forward direction, so that the paper P that has undergone predetermined processing such as printing has a full width. Cut across.

  The cassette mounting portion 112 is configured by providing the cover 121 with a space for receiving the ink ribbon cassette 10A shown in FIG. 6 and the like, and includes a locking mechanism (not shown) that detachably locks the ink ribbon cassette 10A. In the printer 100 </ b> A, when the ink ribbon cassette 10 </ b> A is attached to the cassette attachment portion 112, the ink ribbon tape 2 exposed to the tape transport portion 16 faces the print head 102.

  The cassette attaching portion 112 includes a shaft portion 12e of the first connecting member 12 attached to the feeding core portion 20 of the ink ribbon cassette 10A shown in FIG. 5 and the like, a shaft portion 13e of the second connecting member 13, and a winding core. The shaft part 12e of the 1st connection member 12 attached to the part 21 and the press part 112a which presses the shaft part 13e of the 2nd connection member 13 are provided.

  The cassette support portion 113 includes a shaft portion 12e of the first connecting member 12 attached to the feeding core portion 20 of the ink ribbon cassette 10A shown in FIG. 5 and the like, a shaft portion 13e of the second connecting member 13, and a winding core. The shaft portion 12e of the first connecting member 12 attached to the portion 21 and the shaft portion 13e of the second connecting member 13 are provided at a position where they enter.

  The printer 100 </ b> A closes the cover 121 in which the ink ribbon cassette 10 </ b> A is attached to the cassette attachment portion 112, and the shaft portion 12 e and the second portion 12 e of the first connecting member 12 attached to the feeding core portion 20 and the take-up core portion 21. The shaft portions 13e of the connecting members 13 are supported by the corresponding cassette support portions 113 while being pressed by the pressing portions 112a.

  Thereby, the axial direction of the feeding core part 20 and the winding core part 21 around which the ink ribbon tape 2 is wound is aligned with the direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper P transported by the platen roller 103 and the sprocket roller 104. Then, the paper P and the ink ribbon tape 2 are conveyed substantially in parallel.

  The ink ribbon transport unit 114 includes a gear 12d of the first connecting member 12 and a gear 114a meshing with the gear 13d of the second connecting member 13 attached to the feeding core portion 20 of the ink ribbon cassette 10A shown in FIG. And a brake member (not shown) connected to the gear 114a via a shaft (not shown).

  The ink ribbon transport unit 114 includes a gear 12d of the first connecting member 12 attached to the winding core 21 of the ink ribbon cassette 10A, a gear 114b that meshes with the gear 13d of the second connecting member 13, and a gear. A motor to be described later is provided to drive 114b.

  In the printer 100, when the ink ribbon cassette 10 </ b> A is attached to the cassette attaching portion 112 of the cover 121, the gear 12 d and the second connecting member 13 of the first connecting member 12 attached to the feeding core portion 20 and the take-up core portion 21. The gears 13d engage with the corresponding gears 114a and 114b, respectively.

  Further, the printer 100A closes the cover 121 in which the ink ribbon cassette 10A is attached to the cassette attachment portion 112, and the shaft portion 12e of the first connecting member 12 attached to the feeding core portion 20 and the take-up core portion 21 and The shaft portions 13e of the second connecting members 13 are respectively supported by the corresponding cassette support portions 113, and correspond to the gear 12d of the first connecting member 12 and the gear 13d of the second connecting member 13, respectively. The meshing of the gear 114a and the gear 114b is maintained.

  7 and 8 are configuration diagrams showing examples of the driven press roller and the guide roller. 7 is a perspective view of the driven pressure rollers 105b and 105d, the first guide roller 108, and the second guide roller 109, and FIG. 8 is the driven pressure rollers 105b and 105d and the first guide roller 108. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the second guide roller 109.

  The driven pressure rollers 105b and 105d are examples of guide rollers and are made of plastic. In the present example, the follower pressing rollers 105b and 105d are formed with flange portions 105e that protrude in the radial direction from the circumferential surface at two positions, one end side and the other end side in the axial direction. The flange portion 105e is an example of a contact portion, has a predetermined width along the axial direction of the driven pressure rollers 105b and 105d, and the two flange portions 105e are circular with the same radius from the center of the driven pressure rollers 105b and 105d. It extends along the circumferential direction. The flange portion 105e has a width of about 1 mm.

  The first guide roller 108 is an example of a guide roller and is made of plastic. In this example, the first guide roller 108 is formed with flange portions 108a that protrude in the radial direction from the circumferential surface at two locations, one end side in the axial direction and the other end side. The flange portion 108a is an example of a contact portion, has a predetermined width along the axial direction of the first guide roller 108, and the two flange portions 108a are circular with the same radius from the center of the first guide roller 108. It extends along the circumferential direction. The flange portion 108a has a width of about 1 mm.

  The second guide roller 109 is an example of a guide roller and is made of plastic. In the present example, the second guide roller 109 is formed with flange portions 109a that protrude in the radial direction from the circumferential surface at two locations on one end side and the other end side in the axial direction. The flange portion 109 a is an example of a contact portion, has a predetermined width along the axial direction of the second guide roller 109, and the two flange portions 109 a are circular with the same radius from the center of the second guide roller 109. It extends along the circumferential direction. The flange portion 109a has a width of about 1 mm.

<Functional Configuration Example of Printer of this Embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the printer according to the present embodiment. The printer 100A according to the present embodiment controls printing of characters, images, and the like based on print data, cutting and cutting of the sheet P1 based on contour data, cutting across the entire width referred to as full cutting of the paper P based on the cutting data, and the like. A control unit 200 is provided.

  The printer 100 </ b> A includes a paper transport motor 201 that drives the platen roller 103, the sprocket roller 104, and the pressing rollers 105 a and 105 c, and an ink ribbon transport motor 202 that drives the winding core 21. The printer 100 also includes a first cutting motor 203 that drives the first cutting blade portion 110 and a second cutting motor 204 that drives the second cutting blade portion 111. Further, the printer 100A includes a paper sensor 205 that detects the leading edge of the paper P.

  In addition, the printer 100 </ b> A moves the support member 130 to which the print head 102 is attached in a direction in which the support member 130 is moved away from or in contact with the platen roller 3, and the first cleaning member 106 to the transport path of the paper P. And a cleaning member raising / lowering solenoid 207 that moves in a direction in which it is separated from and coming into contact with. Further, the printer 100A includes an operation unit 208 that receives a paper P conveyance operation and the like.

  The control unit 200 is an example of a control unit, acquires print data and the like from an external information processing apparatus (not shown) such as a personal computer, the print head 102, the paper transport motor 201, the ink ribbon transport motor 202, and the print head lifting motor 206. Then, the cleaning member elevating solenoid 207 is driven to print on the sheet P1 of the paper P. Further, the control unit 200 drives the paper transport motor 201 and the first cutting motor 203 to cut out and cut the sheet P1 in a predetermined shape. Further, the control unit 200 drives the paper transport motor 201 and the second cutting motor 204 to cut the paper P over the entire width at a specified position.

<Operation Example of Printer of this Embodiment>
10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are explanatory diagrams showing the cleaning and printing operations of the printer of the present embodiment. Next, with reference to each drawing, an operation example of the printer 100A of the present embodiment will be described. . First, the operation of loading the paper P will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, when the printer 100A opens the cover 121, the ink ribbon cassette 10A attached to the cassette attaching portion 112 is retracted upward, and the paper P The conveyance path is exposed.

  When the cover 121 is opened, since the print head 102 has been moved to the retracted position in advance, the operation lever 140a is not pressed by the pressure plate 130a provided integrally with the support member 130. For this reason, the second cleaning member 107 is in a state of being moved to a retracted position where it is not in contact with the paper P. Further, the second guide roller 109 is located at a second pressing position that suppresses the bending of the paper P when the paper P is conveyed in the reverse direction. When the second cleaning member 107 moves to the retracted position and the second guide roller 109 moves to the second pressing position, the second cleaning member 107 and the second guide roller 209 move along the paper P conveyance path. By separating from the conveyance guide 150 which comprises, the operation | movement which lets the paper P pass between the conveyance guide 150, the 2nd cleaning member 107, and the 2nd guide roller 109 can be performed easily. At this time, since the second cleaning member 107 is positioned between the first guide roller 108 and the second guide roller 109, the roll paper P10, an operator who replaces the roll paper P10, or the like can be used. The contact with the second cleaning member 107 can be reduced, and foreign matter can be prevented from adhering to the second cleaning member 107.

  As for the paper P, the roll paper P10 is loaded in the mounting portion 101, the paper P is passed between the sprocket roller 104 and the pressing rollers 105a and 105c, and the release paper P11 is formed on the pin 104a of the sprocket roller 104. The through hole P12 is inserted. As a result, the cover 121 is closed, and the roll paper P10 is loaded in a state in which the paper P can be transported by the sprocket roller 104.

  Next, the cleaning operation of the paper P will be described. In the cleaning operation of the paper P, the control unit 200 drives the cleaning member lifting / lowering solenoid 207 to move the first cleaning member 106 to the retracted position where it does not contact the paper P, as shown in FIG. The first cleaning member 106 is separated from the paper P.

  In addition, the control unit 200 drives the print head lifting / lowering motor 206 to move the print head 102 to a retracted position where it is not in contact with the platen roller 103. In the printer 100A, when the print head 102 moves to the retracted position, the operation lever 140a is not pressed by the pressure plate 130a, and the second cleaning member 107 is moved to the retracted position where it does not contact the paper P. Further, the second guide roller 109 is located at a second pressing position that suppresses the bending of the paper P when the paper P is conveyed in the reverse direction.

  The control unit 200 includes a state in which the ink ribbon tape 2 is separated from the paper P, a state in which the first cleaning member 106 and the second cleaning member 107 are separated from the paper P, and a second guide roller from the paper P. With the 109 separated, the paper transport motor 201 is driven to rotate the platen roller 103, the sprocket roller 104, and the pressing rollers 105a and 105c in the forward rotation direction indicated by the arrow F1.

  Thereby, the paper P is conveyed in the forward direction indicated by the arrow F2. When the paper sensor 205 detects the leading edge of the conveyance of the paper P in the forward direction, the control unit 200 conveys the paper P set in advance in the forward direction and stops the paper conveyance motor 201. In the paper P transported by the above transporting operation, the range from the leading end of the paper P to the position facing the first cleaning member 106 is a cleaning range by the first cleaning member 106 in the cleaning operation.

  The control unit 200 drives the cleaning member raising / lowering solenoid 207 to move the first cleaning member 106 from the retracted position where it is not in contact with the paper P to the cleaning position where it is in contact with the paper P, as shown in FIG. Let Further, the control unit 200 holds the second cleaning member 107 at the retracted position by holding the print head 102 at the retracted position, and the second guide roller 109 is positioned at the second pressing position. .

  As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 200 drives the paper transport motor 201 in a state where the first cleaning member 106 is in contact with the paper P, so that the platen roller 103, the sprocket roller 104, and the pressing rollers 105a and 105c. Is rotated in the reverse direction indicated by arrow R1.

  As a result, the paper P is conveyed in the reverse direction indicated by the arrow R2. In the operation of transporting and cleaning the paper P in the reverse direction indicated by the arrow R2, the paper P is transported in a state where the first cleaning member 106 is in contact with the printing surface of the paper P. Therefore, the printing surface in the cleaning range in which the first cleaning member 106 has passed through the conveyance of the paper P in the forward direction indicated by the arrow F2 is moved to the first direction by the conveyance of the paper P in the reverse direction indicated by the arrow R2. Cleaning is performed by the cleaning member 106.

  FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a comparison between the printer of this embodiment and the conventional one. The roll paper P10 is configured to rotate following the feeding of the paper P. However, when the paper P is conveyed in the reverse direction, the amount of rotation is small with respect to the conveyance amount, and the paper P bends.

  In the above-described cleaning operation, the printer 100 </ b> A is in a state where the print head 102 has been moved to the retracted position, and the second cleaning member 107 and the second guide roller 109 are retracted from the paper P conveyance path.

  However, in the conventional configuration that does not include the second guide roller 109, the sheet P conveyed in the reverse direction indicated by the arrow R2 bends as shown in FIG. 11, and as shown in FIG. The paper P may come into contact with the second cleaning member 107 moved to the retracted position.

  When the paper P conveyed in the reverse direction indicated by the arrow R <b> 2 contacts the second cleaning member 107, there is a possibility that the foreign matter G adhering to the paper P will adhere to one end of the second cleaning member 107. There is.

  If foreign matter G adheres to one end of the second cleaning member 107 in the operation of transporting the paper P in the reverse direction, the second cleaning member 107 is transported in the operation of transporting the paper P in the forward direction indicated by the arrow F2. 2, the foreign matter G is attached to the front end side in the transport direction.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 13B, the second cleaning member 107 is brought into contact with the sheet P, and the sheet P is conveyed in the forward direction indicated by the arrow F2 to perform printing, whereby the foreign matter G is transferred to the sheet. There is a possibility of adhering to P. When the foreign matter G adheres to the paper P on the upstream side of the print head 102, there is a possibility that print omission occurs at the portion where the foreign matter G adheres and its peripheral portion and the print quality is deteriorated.

  On the other hand, in the printer 100A of the present embodiment, the second guide roller 109 is provided on the upstream side of the second cleaning member 107, so that the paper P is conveyed in the reverse direction indicated by the arrow R2, and the paper P Is bent, the bent portion of the paper P is pressed by the second guide roller 109, and the sheet P1, which is the side on which the printing of the paper P is made, is the second cleaning member, as shown in FIG. Contact with 107 is suppressed.

  Therefore, the foreign matter G that cannot be removed from the paper P by the first cleaning member 106 is suppressed from adhering to one end of the second cleaning member 107. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 13D, the second cleaning member 107 is brought into contact with the paper P, and the paper P is transported in the forward direction indicated by the arrow F2 to perform printing, and the foreign matter G is removed by the second operation. It can be removed from the paper P by the cleaning member 107. As described above, the adhesion of the foreign matter G to the paper P on the upstream side of the print head 102 can be suppressed, so that the occurrence of printing omission can be suppressed and the print quality can be improved. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a first guide roller 108 is disposed on the downstream side of the second cleaning member 107 with respect to the transport direction of the paper P transported in the forward direction, and the second cleaning member 107. By arranging the second guide roller 109 on the upstream side of the sheet P, even when the sheet P is bent as shown in FIG. The contact with the second cleaning member 107 can be more suitably suppressed.

  The second guide roller 109 has a flange portion 109a at the contact portion with the sheet P1 on which the paper P is printed, and has a small contact area. Therefore, the second guide roller 109 prints the paper P with which the second guide roller 109 comes into contact. It is possible to prevent the second guide roller 109 from being in contact with the surface. In addition, since the second guide roller 109 rotates following the conveyance of the paper P, the conveyance force is not applied to the paper P from the second guide roller 109, and it is possible to prevent a trace from being caused due to slip or the like. Is done.

  When the paper sensor 205 detects the leading edge of the paper P that is transported in the reverse direction indicated by the arrow R2, the control unit 200 stops the paper transport motor 201. With the above cleaning operation, the printing surface of the paper P printed by the print head 102 in the printing operation described later is cleaned by the first cleaning member 106.

  In the printing operation, the control unit 200 drives the cleaning member raising / lowering solenoid 207 to bring the first cleaning member 106 out of contact with the paper P from the cleaning position where it comes into contact with the paper P as shown in FIG. The first cleaning member 106 is moved away from the paper P by moving to the retracted position.

  In addition, the control unit 200 drives the print head lifting / lowering motor 206 to move the print head 102 from the retracted position where it is not in contact with the platen roller 103 to the print position where it is in contact with the platen roller 103. The platen roller 103 and the paper ribbon P are pressed against the paper P.

  In the printer 100A, when the print head 102 moves to the printing position, the operation lever 140a is pressed by the pressure plate 130a. As a result, the second cleaning member 107 is moved from the retracted position where it is not in contact with the paper P to the cleaning position where it is in contact with the paper P. Further, the second guide roller 109 is moved from the second pressing position that suppresses the curvature of the paper P when the paper P is conveyed in the reverse direction to the first pressing position that presses the paper P when the paper P is conveyed in the forward direction. . Note that the second guide roller 109 may be positioned at the second pressing position.

  The control unit 200 drives the paper transport motor 201 in a state where the ink ribbon tape 2 is pressed against the paper P and the second cleaning member 107 is pressed against the paper P, so that the platen roller 103 and the sprocket are driven. The roller 104 and the pressing rollers 105a and 105c are rotated in the forward rotation direction indicated by the arrow F1. Further, the ink ribbon transport motor 202 is driven to rotate the take-up core portion 21 and transport the ink ribbon 2 in accordance with the transport of the paper P. Further, the print head 102 is driven.

  As a result, the paper P is transported in the positive direction indicated by the arrow F2, and the ink ribbon tape 2 is transported in accordance with the transport of the paper P, and characters, images, and the like corresponding to the print data are transferred to the sheet P1 by the print head 102. Printed.

  In the operation of carrying the paper P in the positive direction indicated by the arrow F2 and performing printing. With respect to the transport direction of the paper P, the paper P is transported in a state where the second cleaning member 107 is in contact with the sheet P1, which is the printing surface of the paper P, on the upstream side of the print head 102.

  As a result, the printing surface of the paper P before being transported to the printing head 102 is cleaned by the second cleaning member 107, so that the printing by the printing head 102 can be performed with dust foreign matter adhering to the printing surface of the paper P. Can be suppressed.

  As described above, the second guide roller 109 is in contact with the sheet P1 on which the paper P is printed, and the flange 109a is in contact with the second guide roller 109. Since the contact area is small, the second guide roller 109 is in contact with the second guide roller 109. This prevents the second guide roller 109 from being left on the printing surface of the sheet P to be printed.

  Similarly to the second guide roller 109, the first guide roller 108 has a flange 108a at the contact portion with the sheet P1 on which the paper P is printed, and has a small contact area. It is possible to prevent the first guide roller 108 from being left on the printing surface of the paper P that the guide roller 108 contacts. In addition, since the first guide roller 108 is driven and rotated by the conveyance of the paper P, the conveyance force is not applied to the paper P from the first guide roller 108, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a trace due to slip or the like. Is done.

  Further, similarly to the first guide roller 108 and the second guide roller 109, the follower pressing rollers 105b and 105d are in contact with the sheet P1 on which the paper P is printed, and the flange portion 105e. Since the contact area is small, it is possible to suppress the contact of the driven pressing rollers 105b and 105d with the printing surface of the paper P that the driven pressing rollers 105b and 105d contact. Further, since the driven press rollers 105b and 105d are driven and rotated by the conveyance of the paper P, the conveyance force is not applied to the paper P from the driven press rollers 105b and 105d, and it is possible to prevent the trace from being caused by slip or the like. Is done.

<Modified example of driven pressure roller and guide roller>
FIG. 14, FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are configuration diagrams showing modified examples of the driven pressure roller and the guide roller. In the following example, the follower pressing roller will be described as an example, but the first guide roller and the second guide roller may have the same configuration.

A modified follower press roller 105b ₁ shown in FIG. 14, which is a modified example of the follower press rollers 105b and 105d, is made of plastic and protrudes radially from the circumferential surface at an arbitrary position along the axial direction. A flange portion 105e ₁ is formed. The flange portion 105e ₁ is an example of a contact portion. In this example, the flange portion 105e ₁ is provided at the center of the driven press roller 105b ₁ along the axial direction. Flange 105e ₁ has a predetermined width along the axial direction of the driven pressing roller 105b _1, extending along the circumferential direction at the same radius from the center of the driven pressing roller 105b _1.

The first guide roller 108b ₁ and the second guide roller 109b ₁ of the modified example shown in FIG. 14 have the same configuration as the driven press roller 105b ₁ and are arranged at any one position along the axial direction from the circumferential surface. A flange portion 108c ₁ and a flange portion 109c ₁ protruding in the radial direction are formed. The flange portion 108c ₁ and the flange portion 109c ₁ are an example of a contact portion. In this example, the flange portion 108c ₁ and the flange portion 109c ₁ are provided at the center along the axial direction of the first guide roller 108b ₁ and the second guide roller 109b ₁ . The flange portion 108c ₁ and the flange portion 109c ₁ have a predetermined width along the axial direction of the first guide roller 108b ₁ and the second guide roller 109b ₁ , and the first guide roller 108b ₁ and the second guide roller 108b ₁ The guide roller 109b ₁ extends in the circumferential direction with the same radius from the center.

Roller 105b ₂ presser driven modification shown in FIG. 15 is a plastic, or more arbitrary 3 locations along the axial direction, the flange portion 105e ₂ which projects from the circumferential surface in the radial direction is formed. The flange portion 105e ₂ is an example of a contact portion. In this example, the flange portion 105e ₂ is provided at one end portion and the other end portion along the axial direction of the driven pressing roller 105b ₂ and at three locations in the center. Flange portion 105e ₂ has a predetermined width along the axial direction of the driven pressing roller 105b _2, extending along the circumferential direction at the same radius from the center of the driven pressing roller 105b _2.

The first guide roller 108b ₂ and the second guide roller 109b ₂ in the modification shown in FIG. 15 have the same configuration as that of the driven press roller 105b _2, and have circumferential surfaces at any three or more locations along the axial direction. The flange portion 108c ₂ and the flange portion 109c ₂ are formed so as to protrude in the radial direction. The flange portion 108c ₂ and the flange portion 109c ₂ are examples of contact portions. In this example, one end portion and the other end portion along the axial direction of the first guide roller 108b ₂ and the second guide roller 109b ₂ are used. And are provided at three locations in the center. The flange portion 108c ₂ and the flange portion 109c ₂ have a predetermined width along the axial direction of the first guide roller 108b ₂ and the second guide roller 109b ₂ , and the first guide roller 108b ₂ and the second guide roller 108b ₂ extending along the circumferential direction at the same radius from the center of the guide roller 109b _2.

Driven pressing roller 105b ₃ of the modification shown in FIG. 16 is a plastic, the diameter of any point along the axial direction, greater than the other portions by enlarged diameter portion 105f is formed. Enlarged diameter portion 105f is an example of a contact portion, in this example, provided in a central location along the axial direction of the driven pressing roller 105b _3, the roller 105b ₃ presser driven is substantially rhombic cross section or substantially barrel, Configured to mold.

The first guide roller 108b ₃ and the second guide roller 109b ₃ in the modified example shown in FIG. 16 have the same configuration as the driven pressure roller 105b _3, and the diameter of an arbitrary portion along the axial direction is changed to other locations. Larger diameter enlarged portions 108d and 109d are formed. The enlarged diameter portions 108d and 109d are an example of contact portions. In this example, the enlarged diameter portions 108d and 109d are provided at one central position along the axial direction of the first guide roller 108b ₃ and the second guide roller 109b ₃ , and The roller 108b ₃ and the second guide roller 109b ₃ are configured to have a substantially diamond shape or a barrel shape in cross section.

  Any of the follower pressing roller, the first guide roller, and the second guide roller in any of the modified examples has a small contact area with the paper, so that the printing surface of the paper with which each roller comes into contact is suppressed. Note that the material of any of the driven press rollers, the first guide roller, and the second guide roller is not limited to plastic, and may be metal or rubber.

  The present invention is applied to a printer using an ink ribbon tape transferred by heat and pressure.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A ... Ink ribbon, 2 ... Ink ribbon tape, 20 ... Feeding core part, 21 ... Winding core part, 10A ... Ink ribbon cassette, 11 ... Main body case, 12 ... 1st connection member, 13 ... 2nd connection member, 14 ... 1st accommodating part, 15 ... 2nd accommodating part, 16 ... Tape conveyance part, 17 ... 1st 18 ... second cover, 100A ... printer, 101 ... mounting section, 102 ... printing head, 103 ... platen roller, 104 ... sprocket roller, 104a ... Pin 105a ... Pressing roller 105b ... Driven pressing roller 106 ... First cleaning member 107 ... Second cleaning member 108 ... First guide roller 109 ... Second guide roller 110 1st cutting blade part, 111 ... 2nd cutting blade part, 112 ... Cassette mounting part, 113 ... Cassette support part, 114 ... Ink ribbon conveyance part, 120 ... Printer main body, 121 ... Cover, 122 ... Shaft

Claims (5)

Conveying means for conveying a long print medium;
Printing means for printing on a print medium conveyed by the conveying means;
A cleaning unit that is provided on one side of the printing unit along the conveyance direction of the printing medium and moves between a cleaning position that contacts the printing medium and a retracted position that is separated from the printing medium;
A printing medium that is provided on one side of the cleaning unit along the conveyance direction of the printing medium and is displaced in a direction approaching the cleaning unit that has moved to the retracted position when the printing medium is conveyed by the conveyance unit. A printer characterized by comprising guide means for holding down. The transport means performs transport in a forward direction for transporting a long print medium in a feeding direction, and transport in a reverse direction for transporting a print medium fed out by transport in the forward direction in a winding direction. ,
The guide means includes a first guide member provided on the downstream side of the cleaning means for conveyance in the forward direction and a second guide member provided on the upstream side of the cleaning means for conveyance in the positive direction. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: a guide member. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the guide unit includes a roller that rotates following the conveyance of the print medium. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the guide means includes a contact portion that expands at least one portion along the axial direction in the radial direction and contacts the print medium. Conveying means for conveying a long print medium;
Printing means for printing on a print medium conveyed by the conveying means;
Provided on the side on which printing of the printing medium conveyed by the conveying means is performed, and a guide means for pressing the printing medium conveyed by the conveying means,
The transport means performs transport in the forward direction for transporting the print medium in the feeding direction, and transport in the reverse direction for transporting the print medium fed out by transport in the forward direction,
The guide means is a roller that rotates following the conveyance of the printing medium in the forward direction and the conveyance in the reverse direction, and expands the diameter in at least one place along the axial direction of the roller in the radial direction. A printer comprising a contact portion that comes into contact with a surface on which a print medium is printed.

Images