JP2018167479A - Printing apparatus, printing program and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printing apparatus, a printing program and printing method which can sufficiently perform integral displacement of an ink ribbon and a thermal head in the width direction before the next printing even when performing printing at a relatively short time interval.SOLUTION: A control unit of a printing apparatus controls heating of a thermal head and a ribbon motor according to printing data, and performs printing (S5). The control unit controls a first guide motor in a non-printing period and moves a printing mechanism in the first direction and second direction (S15, S25). The control unit determines whether movement in the first direction and second direction of the printing mechanism satisfies a prescribed condition (S11). When it is determined that the prescribed condition is satisfied (S11:YES), the control unit controls a second guide motor in the non-printing period, moves a second guide in the third direction, and makes the first speed slower than the second speed (S16).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing program, and a printing method.

  In a thermal transfer type printing apparatus, a printing method has been proposed in which printing can be performed while reducing unused areas of the ink ribbon (see Patent Document 1). In the printing method described in Patent Document 1, after printing, the ink ribbon is rewound and the ink ribbon and the thermal head are integrally displaced in the width direction, and an unused area in the width direction of the ink ribbon is used. Perform the next print. When the ink ribbon is rewound, the length d in the length direction and the dimension w in the width direction of the unit print area are (n-1) / n (where n is n = W / w and W is the ink ribbon The rewinding time is reduced by controlling the return only in the width direction).

JP 2008-44205 A

  The integral displacement of the ink ribbon and the thermal head in the width direction is performed, for example, by displacing the printer in the width direction. Since the printer has a larger mass than the ink ribbon, the time required for displacing the printer in the width direction is likely to be longer than the rewinding of the ink ribbon. Therefore, when printing is performed at short time intervals (that is, high-speed printing), there is a possibility that the integral displacement of the ink ribbon and the thermal head in the width direction cannot be sufficiently performed before the next printing.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing program that can sufficiently displace the ink ribbon and the thermal head in the width direction before the next printing even when printing is performed at a relatively short time interval. And providing a printing method.

  A printing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is a printing mechanism capable of printing on a long print medium, and includes a first mounting portion for mounting a first roll around which an ink ribbon is wound, A second mounting portion for mounting a second roll on which the ink ribbon fed out from the roll is wound, and the ink ribbon from the first mounting portion until being wound up at the second mounting portion. A printing mechanism having a thermal head adjacent to the first path, which is a transport path, in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a first direction, and a ribbon motor that rotates the second mounting portion; and A first guide that is movably supported in one direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction; a first guide motor that moves the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction; and the first path. About the thermal A platen that is disposed on the opposite side of the print head and that opposes the thermal head, and a second guide that at least partially abuts the print medium and that can change a second path that is a conveyance path of the print medium. Thus, by moving in the third direction, a first speed, which is the moving speed of the print medium at a position where the print medium comes into contact with the platen, is set on the side opposite to the platen with respect to the second guide. The first speed is set to the second speed by moving the print medium in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction by making the print medium smaller than the second speed that is the moving speed of the print medium at the position in the second path. A second guide that is larger than the speed, a second guide motor that moves the second guide in at least one of the third direction and the fourth direction, the thermal head, the ribbon motor, and the first guide motor. , And a control unit capable of controlling each of the second guide motors, and the control unit controls printing of the thermal head and the ribbon motor according to print data to perform printing. A first drive control means for moving the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction by controlling the first guide motor during a non-printing period during which printing by the print control means is not executed; A condition determining unit that determines whether the movement of the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction satisfies a predetermined condition; and the condition determining unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, During the printing period, the second guide motor is controlled to function as second drive control means for moving the second guide in the third direction.

  A printing program according to the second aspect of the present invention is a printing program executed by a control unit of a printing apparatus capable of printing on a long print medium, and heating a thermal head of the printing apparatus and an ink ribbon. Printing including the thermal head and the ribbon motor by controlling the first guide motor in a non-printing period during which the printing control step is not executed and the printing control step for controlling the ribbon motor that drives the winding mounting unit A first drive control step of moving the mechanism in the first direction and the second direction along the first guide, and determining whether the movement of the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction satisfies a predetermined condition; The second guide motor is controlled during the non-printing period when it is determined in the condition determination step and the condition determination step that the predetermined condition is satisfied. In Rukoto, the print medium abutting the second guide to move in the third direction, including instructions for performing a second driving control step of reducing the speed of the printing medium at the position of the platen roller.

  A printing method according to a third aspect of the present invention is a printing method executed by a printing apparatus capable of printing on a long print medium, wherein the thermal head of the printing apparatus is heated and an ink ribbon is wound up. A printing control step for controlling the ribbon motor that drives the printing unit; and a printing mechanism including the thermal head and the ribbon motor by controlling the first guide motor during a non-printing period during which the printing control step is not executed. A first drive control step of moving in the first direction and the second direction along the first guide, and a condition determining step of determining whether the movement of the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction satisfies a predetermined condition And when the predetermined condition is determined to be satisfied in the condition determining step, the second guide motor is controlled during the non-printing period to The body and abuts the second guide to move in the third direction, and a second driving control step of reducing the speed of the printing medium at the position of the platen roller.

  A printing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a printing mechanism capable of printing on a long print medium, wherein a first mounting portion for mounting a first roll around which an ink ribbon is wound, and the first A second mounting portion for mounting a second roll on which the ink ribbon fed out from the roll is wound, and the ink ribbon from the first mounting portion until being wound up at the second mounting portion. A printing mechanism having a thermal head adjacent to the first path, which is a transport path, in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a first direction, and a ribbon motor that rotates the second mounting portion; and A first guide that is movably supported in one direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction; a first guide motor that moves the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction; and the first path. About the thermal At least one side of the platen in a second path, which is a transport path for the print medium, and a platen that is disposed on the opposite side of the print head and that faces the thermal head, and at least part of which is in contact with the print medium And is configured to be movable in a third direction and a fourth direction opposite to the third direction, and the length of the second path upstream of the platen with the movement in the third direction. A second guide for making the length of the second path upstream of the platen with the movement in the fourth direction shorter than the length at the movement start time. Each of a second guide motor that moves the second guide in at least one of the third direction and the fourth direction, the thermal head, the ribbon motor, the first guide motor, and the second guide motor A control unit that can be controlled, and the control unit controls the heating of the thermal head and the ribbon motor in accordance with the print data, and performs printing by the print control unit. By controlling the first guide motor during a non-printing period, the first drive control means for moving the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction, the first direction of the printing mechanism and The condition determining means for determining whether the movement in the second direction satisfies a predetermined condition, and the second guide motor in the non-printing period when the condition determining means determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied. By controlling this, it functions as a second drive control means for moving the second guide in the third direction.

  According to the printing apparatus according to the first aspect and the fourth aspect, the printing program according to the second aspect, and the printing method according to the third aspect, the printing apparatus is configured such that the movement of the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction is a predetermined condition. Depending on whether or not the condition is satisfied, the second guide can be moved in the third direction during the non-printing period, and the first speed can be made slower than the second speed. Therefore, even when printing is performed at a relatively short time interval, the printing apparatus can sufficiently perform the integral displacement of the ink ribbon and the thermal head in the width direction until the next printing.

1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a printing apparatus 1 including a printing mechanism 11. It is explanatory drawing of the process which changes the printing position speed Wp by the 2nd guide 15. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 1. States (a) to (h) and processing (A) to describe the relative position of the ink ribbon 9 with respect to the print medium 8 when printing is performed using an unused area in the width direction of the ink ribbon 9. It is explanatory drawing with (G). It is a flowchart of a printing control process. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of changes with time in the position of the thermal head 23 (printing position or standby position), the printing position speed Wp, and the position M of the second guide 15 in specific examples 1 and 2.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, in order to facilitate understanding of the description of the drawings, the upper side, the lower side, the left side, the right side, the front side, and the rear side of the printing apparatus 1 are defined. The upper side, lower side, left side, right side, front side, and rear side of the printing apparatus 1 correspond to the upper side, lower side, left side, right side, front side, and back side of FIG. The rotation direction of various members will be described with reference to the front view shown in FIG.

  The printing apparatus 1 is a thermal transfer type printing apparatus. The printing apparatus 1 is driven in synchronization with a print medium transport apparatus (not shown). The print medium conveyance device conveys the long print medium 8 in the direction Y (in this example, generally leftward as a whole) at a predetermined conveyance speed. The print medium 8 is, for example, a tube-shaped packaging material serving as a bag for storing food, and the printing apparatus 1 prints a character string representing the expiration date on the print medium 8 at a predetermined interval, for example.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the printing apparatus 1 includes a printing mechanism 11, a first guide 12, a first guide motor 13, a platen roller 14, a second guide 15, a second guide motor 16, and a control unit 7. Prepare. Each member of the printing apparatus 1 is supported by a plate-like frame 5. The printing mechanism 11 can print on a long print medium 8 (for example, a packaging material). The printing mechanism 11 includes a first mounting part 21, a second mounting part 22, a thermal head 23, and a ribbon motor 82. The first mounting portion 21 can mount the first roll 31 around which the ink ribbon 9 is wound. The second mounting part 22 can mount a second roll 32 on which the ink ribbon 9 fed out from the first roll 31 is wound. The thermal head 23 is adjacent to the first path R that is the transport path of the ink ribbon 9 from the time when the thermal head 23 is unwound from the first mounting portion 21 to the time when the thermal head 23 is wound up by the second mounting portion 22. Arranged in the direction (backward). The ribbon motor 82 rotates the second mounting portion 22.

  The first guide 12 supports the printing mechanism 11 so as to be movable in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction. The 1st direction and the 2nd direction of this example are back and front. The first guide motor 13 moves the printing mechanism 11 in the first direction and the second direction. The platen roller 14 is arranged on the opposite side of the first path R from the thermal head 23 and faces the thermal head 23. The second guide 15 is at least partially in contact with the print medium 8 and can change the second path P, which is the transport path of the print medium 8. The 2nd guide 15 makes a 1st speed larger than a 2nd speed by moving to a 3rd direction. The first speed is a moving speed of the printing medium 8 at a position where the printing medium 8 contacts the platen roller 14 (hereinafter also referred to as a printing position speed Wp). The second speed is a moving speed of the print medium 8 at a position in the second path P opposite to the platen roller 14 with respect to the second guide 15 (hereinafter also referred to as a transport position speed Wt). The second guide 15 moves in the fourth direction opposite to the third direction, thereby making the first speed smaller than the second speed. The second guide motor 16 moves the second guide 15 in at least one of the third direction and the fourth direction. The control unit 7 can control each of the thermal head 23, the ribbon motor 82, the first guide motor 13, and the second guide motor 16. Hereinafter, each member with which the printing apparatus 1 is provided is explained in full detail.

<Printing mechanism 11>
The printing mechanism 11 further includes a housing 10, a base plate 17, guide shafts 61 to 65, a supply motor 81, and a movement motor 83. The housing 10 has a box shape, and a base plate 17 is provided inside. The base plate 17 is composed of a rectangular metal plate. The base plate 17 supports the first mounting portion 21, the second mounting portion 22, the thermal head 23, the ribbon motor 82, the guide shafts 61 to 65, the supply motor 81, and the moving motor 83.

  The first mounting part 21 and the second mounting part 22 are axes extending in the front-rear direction. The first mounting portion 21 and the second mounting portion 22 are rotatably supported on the front surface of the base plate 17. The first roll 31 is detachably mounted on the first mounting portion 21 by inserting a hole in the cylindrical core shaft 41 through the first mounting portion 21. The second roll 32 is detachably mounted on the first mounting portion 21 by inserting a hole in the cylindrical core shaft 42 through the second mounting portion 22. That is, the first mounting portion 21 and the second mounting portion 22 are spindles that are rotatably held by the base plate 17.

  The ink ribbon 9 includes an ink layer and a base material and has a strip shape. The substrate is made of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The ink layer includes, for example, a pigment component such as carbon and a binder component such as wax and / or resin. The ink ribbon 9 is conveyed in such a posture that the ink layer is on the print medium 8 side. The ink layer is melted by heating and transferred to the printing medium 8. The ink ribbon 9 may have functional layers such as a back coat layer, a release layer, and an adhesive layer as necessary. The ink ribbon 9 has one end connected to the side surface of the core shaft 41 and the other end connected to the side surface of the core shaft 42.

  The guide shafts 61 to 65 define a first path R that is a transport path of the ink ribbon 9. Each of the guide shafts 61 to 65 has a cylindrical shape and extends from the front surface of the base plate 17 toward the front side. For example, the guide shafts 61 to 65 are rollers that can rotate around a rotation shaft extending in the front-rear direction. Each of the guide shafts 61 to 65 comes into contact with a part of the peripheral surface of the guide shaft 61 to 65 on the side opposite to the ink layer of the ink ribbon 9. The ink ribbon 9 is guided by the guide shafts 61 to 65 and conveyed. The guide shaft 61 is provided near the upper right corner of the base plate 17. The guide shaft 62 is provided near the lower right corner of the base plate 17. The guide shaft 63 is provided below the base plate 17 and slightly to the left of the center in the left-right direction. The guide shaft 64 is provided near the lower left corner of the base plate 17. The guide shaft 65 is provided near the upper left corner of the base plate 17. The first route R will be described later.

  The supply motor 81 rotates the first mounting part 21. The supply motor 81 and the ribbon motor 82 are, for example, step motors. The first mounting portion 21 is directly connected to the output shaft of the supply motor 81. That is, the rotation shaft of the first mounting portion 21 is located on the same straight line as the output shaft of the supply motor 81. The rotation amount of the supply motor 81 is equal to the rotation amount of the first mounting portion 21. The rotation shaft of the second mounting portion 22 is directly connected to the output shaft of the ribbon motor 82. That is, the rotation shaft of the second mounting portion 22 is positioned on the same straight line as the output shaft of the ribbon motor 82. The rotation amount of the ribbon motor 82 is equal to the rotation amount of the second mounting portion 22. Since the first mounting part 21 and the second mounting part 22 are rotated by different motors, they can be rotated at different rotational speeds. The control unit 7 can control the supply motor 81 and the ribbon motor 82.

  The rotation direction of each of the core shaft 41 and the core shaft 42 when the ink ribbon 9 is unwound from the first roll 31 and wound around the second roll 32 is referred to as “forward rotation direction”. The direction opposite to the forward direction is referred to as the “reverse direction”. When each of the core shaft 41 and the core shaft 42 is rotated in the reverse direction, the ink ribbon 9 is unwound from the second roll 32 and wound around the first roll 31. The forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction of the core shafts 41 and 42 in this example are respectively counterclockwise and clockwise in FIG. The forward rotation direction of the core shafts 41 and 42 is not limited to the clockwise direction. For example, according to the winding state of the ink ribbon 9, at least one of the first roll 31 and the second roll 32 may be the clockwise direction.

  The thermal head 23 is provided in front of the front surface of the base plate 17 in the front-rear direction. The thermal head 23 is provided approximately at the center in the left-right direction of the base plate 17 and below the first mounting portion 21 and the second mounting portion 22. The thermal head 23 is a line thermal head having a plurality of heating elements arranged linearly in the front-rear direction. The thermal head 23 is adjacent to the first path R. When the ink ribbon 9 is transported along the first path R, the thermal head 23 is adjacent to the ink ribbon 9. When printing using the printing apparatus 1, the thermal head 23 moves up and down between the printing position 3 </ b> A and the standby position 3 </ b> B by a head holding mechanism (not shown) having a rack and pinion using the moving motor 83 as a driving force. It can move in the direction. The printing position 3 </ b> A is a position where the lower end portion of the thermal head 23 is in contact with the platen roller 14 in a state where the printing medium 8 is not disposed between the thermal head 23 and the platen roller 14. When the print medium 8 is disposed between the thermal head 23 and the platen roller 14, the thermal head 23 positioned at the printing position 3 </ b> A contacts the platen roller 14 with the ink ribbon 9 and the print medium 8 interposed therebetween. The standby position 3B is a position where the lower end portion of the thermal head 23 is separated from the platen roller 14 and contacts or approaches the ink ribbon 9 extending in the left-right direction.

<Platen roller 14>
The platen roller 14 is provided at approximately the center of each of the vertical and horizontal directions of the frame 5. The platen roller 14 can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The platen roller 14 faces the lower side of the thermal head 23 arranged at the printing position 3A. The platen roller 14 presses the print medium 8 against the thermal head 23 in response to the thermal head 23 moving to the printing position 3A. The platen roller 14 is disposed below the thermal head 23 and the printing mechanism 11 with the first path R therebetween.

<Conveying path (first path) R of the ink ribbon 9>
The ink ribbon 9 that is stretched between the first roll 31 and the second roll 32 in accordance with the rotation of the first mounting portion 21 and the second mounting portion 22 is conveyed in the housing 10. The first path R is a path through which the ink ribbon 9 is transported along the thermal head 23 and the guide shafts 61 to 65.

  As shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, when the thermal head 23 is disposed at the standby position 3 </ b> B, the first path R of the ink ribbon 9 extends from the first mounting portion 21 toward the upper left and contacts the guide shaft 61. The direction is changed to extend downward toward the guide shaft 62. The first path R contacts the guide shaft 62 and changes its direction, and extends to the left toward the guide shaft 64. The first path R contacts or approaches the lower end portion of the thermal head 23 and contacts or approaches the upper end portion of the guide shaft 63 between the guide shaft 62 and the guide shaft 64. The first path R changes the direction in contact with the guide shaft 64 and extends upward toward the guide shaft 65. The first path R changes the direction in contact with the guide shaft 65, and extends toward the lower right toward the second mounting portion 22. In response to the rotation of the first mounting portion 21 and the second mounting portion 22, the ink ribbon 9 moves between the guide shaft 62 and the guide shaft 64 in the left-right direction.

  When the thermal head 23 is disposed at the printing position 3A, the first path R of the ink ribbon 9 is changed between the guide shaft 62 and the guide shaft 64 as compared with the case where the thermal head 23 is disposed at the standby position 3B. Is done. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1, the first path R of the ink ribbon 9 when the thermal head 23 is disposed at the printing position 3 </ b> A extends from the guide shaft 62 toward the left side and contacts the lower end of the thermal head 23. Then, the direction is changed, and it extends obliquely upward to the left toward the guide shaft 63. The first path R changes the direction in contact with the guide shaft 63 and extends to the left toward the guide shaft 64. In response to the rotation of the first mounting portion 21 and the second mounting portion 22, the ink ribbon 9 moves between the guide shaft 62 and the thermal head 23 in the left-right direction.

  The thermal head 23 that moves between the printing position 3A and the standby position 3B intersects the first path R of the ink ribbon 9 when the thermal head 23 is disposed at the standby position 3B, as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. That is, the fact that the thermal head 23 is adjacent to the first path R means that the movement path of the thermal head 23 that moves between the printing position 3A and the standby position 3B intersects the first path R. The thermal head 23 is disposed adjacent to the ink ribbon 9 that is stretched between the first roll 31 and the second roll 32. When the first roll 31 and the second roll 32 are attached to and detached from the printing apparatus 1, the thermal head 23 is moved to a retracted position (not shown) above the standby position 3B. As described above, the thermal head 23 always follows the first path R regardless of whether or not the first roll 31 and the second roll 32 are mounted on the first mounting portion 21 and the second mounting portion 22. It can be said that it is adjacent.

<First Guide 12 and First Guide Motor 13>
The first guide 12 includes an actuator 51, an adapter 52, and a connecting portion 53. The adapter 52 is provided near the upper end and the right end of the frame 5 and extends linearly in the front-rear direction. The adapter 52 connects the actuator 51 and the frame 5. The actuator 51 is supported on the upper side of the adapter 52. The actuator 51 extends in the front-rear direction. The actuator 51 has a stage 54 exposed on the upper side. The stage 54 is attached to a ball screw (not shown) built in the actuator 51. When the ball screw is rotated by the first guide motor 13, the stage 54 moves in the front-rear direction. The first guide motor 13 may be integrated with the actuator 51. The connecting portion 53 has a bent plate shape. One end side of the connecting portion 53 is fixed to the upper side of the stage 54. The other end side of the connecting portion 53 is connected to the upper end of the casing 10 of the printing mechanism 11. The connecting portion 53 connects the printing mechanism 11 to the actuator 51. The first guide 12 moves the printing mechanism 11 in the front-rear direction with respect to the frame 5 in accordance with the driving of the first guide motor 13. The first guide motor 13 is, for example, a step motor.

<Second guide 15 and second guide motor 16>
The second guide 15 is disposed below the platen roller 14. The second guide 15 is movable with respect to the platen roller 14 in the third direction and the fourth direction. The third direction and the fourth direction in this example are the left side and the right side, respectively. The second guide 15 has a support plate 67 and guide rollers 68 and 69. The support plate 67 is a rectangular plate having rounded corners and long in the left-right direction. The support plate 67 rotatably supports the guide rollers 68 and 69 on the front surface. The support plate 67 is supported by a guide rail (not shown) so as to be movable in each of the third direction and the fourth direction. Each of the guide rollers 68 and 69 is a cylindrical roller that can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The guide rollers 68 and 69 are arranged in the left-right direction. The second guide 15 moves in the third direction in response to rotation of the second guide motor 16 in one direction, and moves in the fourth direction in response to rotation in the other direction. The rotation of the second guide motor 16 is converted into translational motion of the second guide 15 in the third direction and the fourth direction by a transmission mechanism (not shown). As the transmission mechanism, for example, a ball screw, a rack and pinion, a timing belt and a pulley can be used as appropriate.

  The support plate 67 moves in the third direction or the fourth direction along the guide rail in accordance with the driving of the second guide motor 16. In FIG. 2, M (0) indicates the center of the moving range of the second guide 15, and M (m) and M (−m) indicate the left end and the right end of the moving range of the second guide 15. The guide rollers 68 and 69 of the second guide 15 are integrated in the third direction in the range from the position M (m) to the position M (−m) shown in FIG. Move in the fourth direction.

<Guide rollers 71-76>
The printing apparatus 1 of this example further includes guide rollers 71 to 76. The guide rollers 71 to 76 may be provided in the print medium conveyance device. The guide rollers 71 to 76 define a second path P that is a transport path of the print medium 8. As shown in FIG. 1, each guide roller 71 to 76 can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The diameters of the guide rollers 71 to 76 are the same or substantially the same. The guide rollers 71 to 73 are disposed on the right side of the platen roller 14 in the left-right direction. The left and right positions of the guide rollers 72 and 73 are substantially the same. The guide roller 71 is disposed on the left side of the guide rollers 72 and 73 in the left-right direction. The guide rollers 74 to 76 are disposed on the left side of the platen roller 14 in the left-right direction. The left and right positions of the guide rollers 74 and 75 are substantially the same. The guide roller 76 is disposed on the right side of the guide rollers 74 and 75 in the left-right direction. The guide rollers 73 and 74 are disposed above the second guide 15 in the vertical direction. The vertical positions of the guide rollers 73 and 74 are substantially the same. The guide rollers 71, 72, 75, and 76 are disposed below the second guide 15 in the vertical direction. The vertical positions of the guide rollers 71 and 76 are substantially the same. The vertical positions of the guide rollers 72 and 75 are substantially the same. The guide roller 71 is disposed on the lower right side of the guide roller 72. The guide roller 76 is disposed on the lower left side of the guide roller 75.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the center of the guide roller 68 is arranged on the right side of the center of each of the guide rollers 74 and 75 in the left-right direction with the second guide 15 arranged at M (m). Is done. As shown in FIG. 3C, the center of the guide roller 69 is on the left side of the center of each of the guide rollers 72 and 73 in the left-right direction with the second guide 15 disposed at M (−m). Be placed.

<Conveyance path (second path) P of print medium 8>
As shown in FIG. 1, the print medium 8 is stretched between the platen roller 14 and the guide rollers 71 to 76 of the second guide 15 and conveyed. A path through which the print medium 8 is conveyed along the platen roller 14, the guide rollers 68 and 69 of the second guide 15, and the guide rollers 71 to 76 is referred to as “second path P”. The second path P of the printing medium 8 extends while contacting the guide rollers 71, 72, 69, 73, the platen roller 14, and the guide rollers 74, 68, 75, 76 in order and changing the direction. The print medium 8 is conveyed in a direction (direction Y) in which the print medium 8 moves from the guide roller 71 toward the guide roller 76 along the second path P by a print medium conveyance device (not shown).

  The guide rollers 71 to 73 and the guide roller 69 of the second guide 15 are arranged upstream of the platen roller 14 in the direction along the second path P. The guide rollers 74 to 76 and the guide roller 68 of the second guide 15 are disposed downstream of the platen roller 14 in the direction along the second path P. The second guide 15 is provided on the opposite side of the printing mechanism 11 with respect to the platen roller 14 in the second path P.

<Adjustment of printing position speed by the second guide 15>
The second guide 15 moves the second guide 15 in the third direction or the fourth direction by moving the print position speed (first speed) Wp of the print medium 8 being conveyed at a substantially constant speed by the print medium conveyance device. The period can be changed according to the moving direction of the second guide 15 during the period. As the second guide 15 moves in the third direction, the length of the second path P on the upstream side of the platen roller 14 is made longer than the length at the start of the movement, and the platen roller moves in the fourth direction. The length of the second path P upstream of 14 is made shorter than the length at the start of movement. The transport position speed (second speed) Wt corresponds to the transport speed of the print medium 8 by the print medium transport apparatus. The conveyance position speed Wt corresponds to, for example, the movement speed at positions where the guide rollers 71, 72, 75, and 76 are in contact with each other. As shown in FIG. 2A, the printing position speed Wp (n) when the second guide 15 is stopped coincides with the transport position speed Wt.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, when the second guide 15 shown in FIG. 2A moves in the third direction (left) from the center M (0) of the movable range, the platen The second path P on the downstream side (left side) of the roller 14 is shorter than before the movement shown in FIG. The second path P on the upstream side (right side) of the platen roller 14 is longer than before the movement shown in FIG. During the period in which the second guide 15 is moving in the third direction, the print medium 8 between the guide rollers 69 and 73, the platen roller 14, and the guide rollers 74 and 68 is on the upstream side according to the movement amount of the second guide 15. Pulled on. Therefore, the printing position speed Wp (s) during the period in which the second guide 15 is moving in the third direction is slower than the transport position speed Wt. The length of the second path P on the upstream side of the platen roller 14 is longer by twice the amount of movement of the second guide 15 between the guide rollers 72 and 73 than at the start of movement.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, when the second guide 15 shown in FIG. 2A moves in the fourth direction (rightward) from the center M (0) of the movable range, the platen The second path P on the downstream side (left side) of the roller 14 is longer than before the movement shown in FIG. The second path P on the upstream side (right side) of the platen roller 14 is shorter than before the movement shown in FIG. During the period in which the second guide 15 is moving in the fourth direction, the print medium 8 between the guide rollers 69 and 73, the platen roller 14, and the guide rollers 74 and 68 is on the downstream side according to the amount of movement of the second guide 15. Pulled on. Therefore, the printing position speed Wp (f) during the period in which the second guide 15 is moving in the third direction is faster than the transport position speed Wt. The length of the second path P on the upstream side of the platen roller 14 is shorter by twice the amount of movement of the second guide 15 between the guide rollers 72 and 73 than at the start of movement.

  During the period in which the second guide 15 is moving in the third direction (leftward), the printing position speed Wp (s) is smaller than the transport position speed Wt. In contrast, during the period in which the second guide 15 is moving in the fourth direction (rightward), the printing position speed Wp (f) is larger than the transport position speed Wt. When the transport position speed Wt is constant, the printing position speed Wp (s) is greater than the printing position speed Wp (n) at the stop during the period in which the second guide 15 is moving in the third direction (leftward). The print position speed Wp (f) is larger than the print position speed Wp (n) at the stop during the period in which the second guide 15 is moving in the fourth direction (rightward).

<Electrical Configuration of Printing Apparatus 1>
The electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 7, a storage unit 6, a thermal head 23, a supply motor 81, a ribbon motor 82, a first guide motor 13, a second guide motor 16, a moving motor 83, sensors 55 to 57, and a communication interface (communication). I / F) 60. The control unit 7 includes a hardware processor (for example, CPU) that controls the printing apparatus 1 and various drive circuits that operate in accordance with instructions from the hardware processor. The various drive circuits are, for example, a circuit for supplying a signal (for example, drive current) to the supply motor 81, the ribbon motor 82, and the moving motor 83, and a signal for supplying a signal (for example, drive current) to the thermal head 23. And a circuit for driving the sensors 55 to 57 and A / D conversion of the received output signal. The control unit 7 is electrically connected to the storage unit 6, the thermal head 23, the supply motor 81, the ribbon motor 82, the first guide motor 13, the second guide motor 16, the moving motor 83, the sensors 55 to 57, and the communication I / F 60. Connect to.

  The storage unit 6 includes various storage media such as a ROM, a RAM, and a flash memory. The storage unit 6 stores a print program including an instruction for the control unit 7 to execute a print control process described later. The storage unit 6 further stores various setting values for driving the printing apparatus 1. The various setting values include print data, print setting information, the total length of the ink ribbon 9, the initial diameter of the ink ribbon 9, the width of the ink ribbon 9, the driving amount of the first guide motor 13 and the movement amount of the first guide 12, which will be described later. And the correspondence between the driving amount of the second guide motor 16 and the movement amount of the second guide 15. The various setting values store correspondences between the driving amount of the supply motor 81, the driving amount of the ribbon motor 82, and the conveyance speed of the ink ribbon 9. The set value may be set by a user input received via an operation unit (not shown) of the printing apparatus 1.

  Each of the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head 23 selectively generates heat according to a signal output from the control unit 7. The supply motor 81 rotates the first mounting unit 21 in accordance with the pulse signal output from the control unit 7. The ribbon motor 82 rotates the second mounting unit 22 according to the pulse signal output from the control unit 7. The first guide motor 13 moves the first guide 12 in the first direction or the second direction according to the pulse signal output from the control unit 7. The second guide motor 16 moves the second guide 15 in the third direction or the fourth direction according to the pulse signal output from the control unit 7. The moving motor 83 rotates in accordance with the pulse signal output from the control unit 7, and moves the thermal head 23 at the printing position 3A (see FIG. 1), the standby position 3B (see FIG. 1), and a retracted position (not shown). Move between.

  The sensor 55 is configured to be able to rotate following the conveyance of the ink ribbon 9 by a frictional force acting between the guide shaft 65 and the ink ribbon 9. The sensor 55 includes, for example, a permanent magnet that rotates integrally with the guide shaft 65 and a magnetic sensor such as a Hall element provided on the base plate 17. Based on the magnetic force from the permanent magnet detected by the magnetic sensor, the rotation amount of the guide shaft 65 is detected. The rotation speed is specified by dividing the rotation amount by time. Since the diameter of the guide shaft 65 is known, the transport amount or transport speed of the ink ribbon 9 is specified from the rotation amount or rotation speed of the guide shaft 65. The sensor signal output from the sensor 55 can be used for feedback control of the conveyance speed of the ink ribbon 9, for example. The sensor 56 inputs a signal indicating the position of the first guide 12 to the control unit 7. The sensor 56 may be, for example, a linear encoder and a limit switch that are built in the actuator 51. The sensor 57 inputs a signal indicating the position of the second guide 15 to the control unit 7. The sensor 57 may be, for example, a linear encoder and a limit switch provided on the frame 5 at the same position as the second guide 15 in the vertical direction. The communication I / F 60 is an interface element for performing communication with the external device 100 connected to the printing apparatus 1. The external device 100 is a terminal device used for a user to give various instructions to the printing apparatus 1 and the above-described print medium conveying apparatus.

  The program executed by the control unit 7 may be downloaded from the external device 100 via the communication I / F 60, for example. The control unit 7 may store the program acquired from the external device 100 via the communication I / F 60 in the storage unit 6. Various types of information stored in the storage unit 6 may be changeable via the external device 100.

  An outline of a print control process executed by the control unit 7 of the printing apparatus 1 will be described. The printing apparatus 1 is configured to be able to print while reducing unused areas in the width direction of the ink ribbon 9. Specifically, the printing apparatus 1 rewinds the ink ribbon 9 between printing and the next printing, and moves the printing mechanism 11 in the width direction (front-rear direction) of the ink ribbon 9, whereby the ink ribbon 9 The next printing is performed using the unused area in the width direction. This will be described in detail using a specific example shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the current use area E in the ink ribbon 9 is shown in black, the used area is shown by a hatched area, a vertical line, and an area surrounded by a grid-like shaded solid line, and an unused area is surrounded by a dotted line. Shown in white area.

  In the specific example shown in FIG. 4, the length in the width direction of the use area (image range) E of the ink ribbon 9 that is heated and used in one printing is a quarter of the length in the width direction of the ink ribbon 9. Smaller than. The printing apparatus 1 rewinds by the length H in the transport direction of the use area E of the ink ribbon 9 between printing and the next printing. At the same time, the printing apparatus 1 moves the printing mechanism 11 in the first direction (backward) by the first distance H. The first distance H is a distance obtained by adding a margin to the length of the use region E in the first direction (the width direction of the ink ribbon 9). When the process (A) is executed in which the ink ribbon 9 is rewound and the printing mechanism 11 is moved by the first distance H in the first direction after the printing of the use area E is completed in the state (a). As shown in (b), the position of the ink ribbon 9 with respect to the print medium 8 is switched. In the state (a) and the state (b), the position of the use area E with respect to the print medium 8 is the same. Similarly, after printing in state (b) is executed, process (B) is executed, after printing in state (c) is executed, process (C) is executed, and in state (d) The printing apparatus 1 can execute four times of printing in which the positions in the transport direction Y are the same and the positions in the width direction are different from each other.

  When such a process is repeatedly executed, the movement distance when moving the printing mechanism 11 in the width direction of the ink ribbon 9 is the case of the processes (A) to (C) in which the printing mechanism 11 moves by the first distance H in the first direction. And the case of the processing (D) by the second distance K in the second direction is greatly different. It is preferable that the conveyance speed of the printing medium 8 by the printing medium conveyance device is a constant value as fast as possible in consideration of printing efficiency. On the other hand, if the conveyance speed of the print medium 8 is set too fast, it is assumed that the movement of the printing mechanism 11 is not in time when the process (D) is executed. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 of the present example uses the second guide 15 according to the distance when the printing mechanism 11 is moved with respect to the platen roller 14 for the next printing after printing. 8 is partially reduced.

  Specifically, the control unit 7 moves the printing mechanism 11 in the first direction and the second direction by controlling the first guide motor 13 during a non-printing period in which printing is not performed. The control unit 7 determines whether the movement of the printing mechanism 11 in the first direction and the second direction satisfies a predetermined condition. The control unit 7 controls the second guide motor 16 during the non-printing period when it is determined that the movement of the printing mechanism 11 in the first direction and the second direction satisfies the predetermined condition, so that the second guide 15 is moved in the third direction. By such processing, the printing apparatus 1 moves the second guide 15 in the third direction during the non-printing period according to whether the movement of the printing mechanism 11 in the first direction and the second direction satisfies the predetermined condition. The first speed can be made slower than the second speed. Therefore, the time until the next printing can be extended according to the moving speed and the moving time of the second guide. Even when the printing apparatus 1 performs printing at a relatively short time interval, the ink ribbon 9 and the thermal head 23 can be sufficiently displaced in the width direction before the next printing.

  The print control process shown in FIG. 5 will be described in detail using specific examples 1 and 2 shown in FIGS. A print program including an instruction for executing the print control process is stored in the storage unit 6. After starting the printing apparatus 1, the control unit 7 develops a print program on the RAM of the storage unit 6 and executes the following processing. In the specific example 1 and the specific example 2, the relative position of the use area E with respect to the ink ribbon 9 shown in FIG. 4 and the predetermined interval Tk at which the print instruction is output are the same, and the length of the print period Tp and the non-print period Th The length is different. The printing period Tp is a period in which the thermal head 23 is moved to the printing position 3A and printing on the printing medium 8 by the thermal head 23 is being executed, and the non-printing period Th is a period in which printing is not being executed. . Strictly speaking, the moving speed of each member becomes a substantially constant value after gradual acceleration at the start of driving of the motor. When the motor stops driving, it gradually stops after being gradually decelerated. In the following description, in order to simplify the description, the moving speed of each member is expressed as an average value considering the speed at the time of acceleration and the speed of deceleration, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 7 prepares for printing (S1). For example, the control unit 7 moves the first guide 12 and the second guide 15 to the initial positions. The initial position of the first guide 12 in this example is, for example, a position where the position of the ink ribbon 9 with respect to the print medium 8 is the position shown in the state (a) of FIG. When the printing mechanism 11 is in the initial position, the center in the width direction of the print medium 8 and the center in the width direction of the ink ribbon 9 substantially coincide. The initial position of the second guide 15 is, for example, a position where the second guide 15 is at M (−m). In S1, the control unit 7 acquires the diameter of the ink ribbon 9. The control unit 7 initializes initial values such as the positions of the thermal head 23, the first guide 12, and the second guide 15 stored in the storage unit 6.

  The controller 7 determines whether a print instruction has been acquired (S2). The print instruction is input from the external device 100, for example. When the print instruction has not been acquired (S2: NO), the control unit 7 returns the process to S2. When the print instruction is acquired (S2: NO), the control unit 7 resets the timer for measuring the time after receiving the print instruction, and restarts the time measurement. The control unit 7 determines whether the second guide 15 can be moved in the fourth direction (S3). In the control example 7, the ink when the second guide 15 is in the third direction (leftward) with respect to M (−m) and the printing position speed Wp of the printing medium 8 is Wt. The transport speed (rotation amount) of the ribbon 9 is equal to or less than a predetermined value of the transport speed (rotation amount) of the ink ribbon 9 (for example, the maximum value Vmax of the transportable speed of the ink ribbon 9), and the printing period Tp is a predetermined time. If it is longer, it is determined that the second guide 15 can be moved in the fourth direction. The printing period Tp is a value obtained by dividing the length H in the transport direction of the use area E by the transport position speed Wt. The predetermined interval Tk may be determined before the processing is started and stored in the storage unit 6. When the second guide 15 is at M (−m) (S3: NO), the control unit 7 performs printing according to the print data (S5).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in S <b> 5, the control unit 7 drives the supply motor 81 and the ribbon motor 82 to rotate the first mounting unit 21 and the second mounting unit 22. Each of the core shafts 41 and 42 rotates in the forward rotation direction. The ink ribbon 9 is unwound from the first roll 31 of the first mounting portion 21 and wound around the second roll 32 of the second mounting portion 22. When the transport speed of the ink ribbon 9 (hereinafter referred to as “ribbon speed V”) increases to the printing position speed Wp (see FIG. 2), the thermal head 23 moves from the standby position 3B to the printing position 3A. The thermal head 23 contacts the platen roller 14 from above via the ink ribbon 9 and the print medium 8. The ink ribbon 9 is pressed against the printing surface of the printing medium 8 according to the movement of the thermal head 23. The platen roller 14 contacts the surface of the print medium 8 opposite to the print surface, and presses the ink ribbon 9 and the print medium 8 against the thermal head 23. The conveyance speeds of the ink ribbon 9 and the print medium 8 coincide with each other at a position where they contact each other. That is, the ribbon speed V is equal to the printing position speed Wp (n).

  The thermal head 23 is heated based on the print data stored in the storage unit 6. The ink ribbon 9 and the print medium 8 contact each other at least at a position where the thermal head 23 contacts the ink ribbon 9. The ink in the use area E of the ink ribbon 9 is transferred to the printing surface of the printing medium 8 according to the printing data. Thus, a print image for one block is formed on the print medium 8. During printing of the print image, the print medium 8 and the ink ribbon 9 are continuously conveyed.

  The controller 7 stops heating the thermal head 23 after printing. The thermal head 23 moves from the printing position 3A to the standby position 3B. The control unit 7 stops driving the supply motor 81 and the ribbon motor 82, and the conveyance of the ink ribbon 9 is stopped. The print medium 8 is continuously conveyed by the print medium conveyance device at the printing position speed Wp (n) (that is, the conveyance position speed Wt) even after the printing is completed.

  The control unit 7 determines whether the movement of the printing mechanism 11 in the first direction and the second direction satisfies a predetermined condition (S11). In this example, when the printing mechanism 11 is moved by the second distance K in the second direction, it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied (S11: YES), and the printing mechanism 11 needs to be moved by the first distance H in the first direction. In some cases, it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied (S11: NO). Since it is not necessary to move the printing mechanism 11 in the second direction in the state (a) (S11: NO), the control unit 7 determines whether the second guide 15 can be moved in the fourth direction during printing (S21). . The process of S21 is determined in the same manner as the process of S3, for example.

  When the second guide 15 can be moved in the fourth direction during printing (S21: YES), the controller 7 moves the printing mechanism 11 by the first distance H in the first direction (S23). The control unit 7 drives the supply motor 81 and the ribbon motor 82 in the reverse direction to rewind the ink ribbon 9 by a distance J, as shown in the process (A) of FIG. The control unit 7 returns the process to S2. By repeatedly executing the above processing, in each of the states (a) to (d) in the first specific example and the second specific example, printing using the use area E indicated by the black rectangle is executed.

  As shown in the state (d) of FIG. 4, when it is necessary to move the printing mechanism 11 in the second direction by the second distance K (S11: YES), the control unit 7 does not change the printing position speed Wp. Then, it is determined whether the movement of the printing mechanism 11 is in time for the next printing (S12). The control unit 7 determines that the movement of the printing mechanism 11 is in time for the next printing when the value obtained by multiplying the moving speed of the printing mechanism 11 by the time until the next printing is equal to or greater than the second distance K. In this example, since the print instruction is received at every predetermined interval Tk, the control unit 7 calculates the time Tu until the next printing by subtracting the time from the reception of the previous print instruction from the predetermined interval Tk. . When the movement of the printing mechanism 11 is in time for the next printing (S12: YES), the control unit 7 moves the printing mechanism 11 by the second distance K in the second direction (S13). The controller 7 rotates the supply motor 81 and the ribbon motor 82 in the forward rotation direction, and conveys the ink ribbon 9 by the distance U. The control unit 7 returns the process to S2.

In the state (d) of the specific examples 1 and 2, it is determined that the movement of the printing mechanism 11 is not in time for the next printing (S12: NO). In this case, the control unit 7 performs a process of moving the second guide 15 in the third direction to temporarily reduce the printing position speed Wp. Specifically, the control unit 7 specifies the moving speed Vm and the moving time Tm in the third direction of the second guide 15 (S14). The controller 7 determines the third guide 15 according to the difference between the non-printing period Th and the time Tn required to move the first guide 12 in the second direction K by the second distance K in the process of S15. Specify the moving condition in the direction. The control unit 7 calculates the time Tn required to move the printing mechanism 11 by dividing the moving distance by the moving speed of the printing mechanism 11. The length in the transport direction Y of the non-print region of the print medium 8 is subtracted from the value obtained by multiplying the transport position speed Wt of the print medium 8 by the predetermined interval Tk and the length J in the transport direction Y of the print region (image range). Di is calculated. The length Di is an area between the print area and the print area in the transport direction of the print medium 8. The control unit 7 sets a time Tm that is equal to or longer than the time Tn as a moving time of the second guide 15. The control unit 7 sets the speed Vm satisfying the expression (1) as the moving speed of the second guide 15.
(Wt−2Vm) Tm = Di (1)

  The control unit 7 drives the first guide motor 13 to start the process of moving the printing mechanism 11 in the second direction by the second distance K (S15). Although not shown, the control unit 7 stops driving the first guide motor 13 after moving the printing mechanism 11 in the second direction by the second distance K. By the process of S15, the control unit 7 moves the printing mechanism 11 in the second direction by a second distance K that is larger than the first distance H and smaller than the length of the ink ribbon 9 in the first direction.

  The controller 7 drives the second guide motor 16 to start the process of moving the second guide 15 in the third direction for the time Tm at the moving speed Vm calculated in S14 (S16). The control unit 7 monitors the movement status of the second guide 15 based on the output of the sensor 57. Although not shown, the control unit 7 stops the driving of the second guide motor 16 after moving the second guide 15 at the moving speed Vm in the third direction for a time Tm. By the processes of S15 and S16, there are a process of moving the printing mechanism 11 in the second direction by the second distance K and a process of moving the second guide 15 in the third direction for the time Tm at the moving speed Vm calculated in S14. It is executed in parallel at the same time. The control unit 7 calculates the movement distance of the second guide 15 by multiplying the movement speed Vm specified in S14 by the movement time Tm, and updates the position of the second guide 15 stored in the storage unit 6 (S17). . The control unit 7 may update the position of the second guide 15 based on the output from the sensor 57. The control unit 7 returns the process to S2.

When the printing instruction is received in S2 in the state (e) of FIG. 4 in the specific example 2 (S2: YES) and it is determined that the second guide 15 can be moved in the fourth direction during printing (S3: YES). The control unit 7 determines whether the second guide 15 needs to be moved in the fourth direction (S4). When it is not necessary to move the second guide 15 in the fourth direction (S4: NO), the control unit 7 performs the same process of S5 as described above. In the second specific example, it is determined that the second guide 15 needs to be moved in the fourth direction (S4: YES), and the control unit 7 moves the second guide 15 in the fourth direction to print position speed Wp. To speed up temporarily. The control unit 7 specifies the moving speed Vq and the moving time Tq in the fourth direction of the second guide 15 (S6). The controller 7 determines that the printing position speed Wp (f) is smaller than the maximum value Vmax of the transportable speed of the ink ribbon 9 and the movement time Tq is longer than the printing period Tp when the second guide 15 is not moved during printing. The moving speed Vq and the moving time Tq of the second guide 15 that are small and satisfy the expression (2) are calculated. When the position of the second guide 15 does not return to M (−m) in one process, the control unit 7 executes the process in a plurality of times by the processes of S6 to S9 that are repeatedly executed. In consideration of the above, the moving speed Vq and the moving time Tq are calculated. In this example, in order to simplify the description, the movement time Tq and the printing time are matched. The movement time Tq may be equal to or shorter than the printing time when the second guide 15 is moved during printing. When the position of the second guide 15 does not return to M (−m) in one process, the control unit 7 executes the process in a plurality of times by the processes of S6 to S9 that are repeatedly executed. In consideration of the above, the moving speed Vq and the moving time Tq are calculated.
(Wt + 2Vq) Tq = J (2)

  The controller 7 drives the second guide motor 16 to start the process of moving the second guide 15 in the fourth direction for the time Tq at the speed calculated in S6 (S7). Although not shown, the control unit 7 stops driving the second guide motor 16 after moving the second guide 15 at the moving speed Vq in the fourth direction for a time Tq. The control unit 7 starts printing based on the print data (S8). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control unit 7 drives the supply motor 81 and the ribbon motor 82 to rotate the first mounting unit 21 and the second mounting unit 22. Each of the core shafts 41 and 42 rotates in the forward rotation direction. The ink ribbon 9 is unwound from the first roll 31 of the first mounting portion 21 and wound around the second roll 32 of the second mounting portion 22. When the ribbon speed V of the ink ribbon 9 increases to the printing position speed Wp (f), the thermal head 23 moves from the standby position 3B to the printing position 3A. The thermal head 23 contacts the platen roller 14 from above via the ink ribbon 9 and the print medium 8. The ink ribbon 9 is pressed against the printing surface of the printing medium 8 according to the movement of the thermal head 23. The platen roller 14 contacts the surface of the print medium 8 opposite to the print surface, and presses the ink ribbon 9 and the print medium 8 against the thermal head 23. The conveyance speeds of the ink ribbon 9 and the print medium 8 coincide with each other at a position where they contact each other. That is, the ribbon speed V matches the printing position speed Wp. The printing position speed Wp at this time is the sum of the transport position speed Wt and 2Vq.

  The control unit 7 heats the thermal head 23 based on the print data stored in the storage unit 6. The controller 7 adjusts the transfer speed of the print data according to the ribbon speed V. The ink ribbon 9 and the print medium 8 contact each other at least at a position where the thermal head 23 contacts the ink ribbon 9. The ink in the predetermined area 91 of the ink ribbon 9 is transferred to the printing surface of the printing medium 8 according to the printing data. During printing of the print image, the print medium 8 and the ink ribbon 9 are continuously conveyed. In the printing process in S8, the first speed of the printing medium 8 is faster than that in the process in S5 due to the movement of the second guide 15. Therefore, in the printing process of S8, the control unit 7 makes the conveyance speed of the ink ribbon 9 faster than that in S5. The control unit 7 shortens the cycle for heating the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head 23 in accordance with the print data, compared with the case of S5. The cycle for heating the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head 23 represents the speed at which an image of a predetermined unit (for example, 1 dot) is formed on the print medium 8 according to the print data.

  The controller 7 stops heating the thermal head 23 after printing. The thermal head 23 moves from the printing position 3A to the standby position 3B. The control unit 7 stops driving the supply motor 81 and the ribbon motor 82, and the conveyance of the ink ribbon 9 is stopped. The control unit 7 ends the movement of the second guide 15 in the fourth direction. The printing medium 8 is continuously conveyed at the printing position speed Wp (n) even after the printing is completed. The control unit 7 updates the current position of the second guide 15 stored in the storage unit 6 according to the amount of movement of the second guide 15 in the fourth direction in S7 (S9). In the second specific example, as illustrated in the lower diagram of FIG. 6, the control unit 7 performs steps S <b> 26 to S <b> 9 in a plurality of times in the processes (E), (F), and (G), and processes (D ) To return the position of the second guide 15 moved in the third direction to M (−m). The control unit 7 returns the process to S2.

In the first specific example, it is not necessary to move the printing mechanism 11 in the second direction (S11: NO), the second guide 15 is not movable in the fourth direction during printing (S21: NO), and the second guide 15 is moved. It is determined that it is necessary to move in the fourth direction (S22: YES). In this case, the control unit 7 performs a process of moving the second guide 15 in the fourth direction to temporarily increase the printing position speed. Specifically, the control unit 7 specifies the moving speed Vg and the moving time Tg in the fourth direction of the second guide 15 (S24). The control unit 7 determines that the printing position speed Wp (f) is smaller than the maximum transportable speed Vmax of the ink ribbon 9, the moving time Tq is shorter than the time Tu, and the moving speed satisfies Expression (3). Vg and travel time Tg are calculated. If the position of the second guide 15 does not return to M (−m) in one process, the control unit 7 executes the process in a plurality of times by the processes of S24 to S27 that are repeatedly executed. In consideration of the above, the moving speed Vg and the moving time Tg are calculated.
(Wt + 2Vg) Tg = Di (3)

  The control unit 7 drives the first guide motor 13 to start the process of moving the printing mechanism 11 in the first direction by the first distance H (S25). Although not shown, the control unit 7 stops driving the first guide motor 13 after moving the printing mechanism 11 in the first direction by the first distance H. By the process of S25, the control unit 7 controls the first guide motor 13 during the non-printing period, so that the length in the first direction of the image range to be printed is longer than the length of the ink ribbon 9 in the first direction. The printing mechanism 11 is moved in the first direction by a first distance H smaller than the height.

  The controller 7 drives the second guide motor 16 to start the process of moving the second guide 15 in the fourth direction for the movement time Tg at the movement speed Vg calculated in S24 (S26). Although not shown, the controller 7 stops driving the second guide motor 16 after moving the second guide 15 at the moving speed Vg in the fourth direction for a time Tg. When it is determined by the process of S26 that the predetermined condition is not satisfied (S11: NO), the control unit 7 controls the second guide motor 16 during the non-printing period, thereby moving the second guide 15 to the fourth. Move in the direction. By the processes of S25 and S26, the process of moving the printing mechanism 11 for the first distance in the first direction and the process of moving the second guide 15 in the fourth direction for the time Tg at the moving speed Vg calculated in S24 are the same. It is executed in parallel with the time. The controller 7 calculates the moving distance of the second guide 15 by multiplying the moving speed Vg specified in S14 by the moving time Tg, and updates the position of the second guide 15 stored in the storage unit 6 (S27). . By repeatedly executing S25, the control unit 7 executes the process of S25 a plurality of times after the process of S15 is executed and before the process of S15 is executed next. When the movement time necessary for moving the second guide 15 in the fourth direction to M (−m) is longer than the non-printing period, the control unit 7 performs a plurality of processes of S25 between S15 and S15. The second guide 15 is moved to the predetermined position M (−m) in the fourth direction at least twice. In the first specific example, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 6, the control unit 7 executes S24 to S27 in a plurality of times in the processes (E), (F), and (G), and performs the process (D). The position of the second guide 15 moved in the third direction is returned to M (−m). The control unit 7 returns the process to S2. When the second guide 15 is not movable in the fourth direction during printing (S21: NO) and the second guide 15 does not need to be moved in the fourth direction (S22: NO), the control unit 7 is the same as described above. After executing the process of S23, the process returns to S2. The printing process is ended when an instruction to end printing is acquired.

  In the printing apparatus 1, the printing mechanism 11, the first mounting unit 21, the second mounting unit 22, the thermal head 23, the ribbon motor 82, the first guide 12, the first guide motor 13, the platen roller 14, the second guide 15, The second guide motor 16 and the control unit 7 are respectively a printing mechanism, a first mounting unit, a second mounting unit, a thermal head, a ribbon motor, a first guide, a first guide motor, a platen, a second guide, and a second guide. It is an example of a motor and a control part. The control unit 7 that executes the processes of S5 and S8 is an example of a print control unit of the present invention. The processing of S5 and S8 is an example of the print control step of the present invention. The control unit 7 that executes the process of S26 is an example of the first drive control means of the present invention. The process of S26 is an example of the first drive control step of the present invention. The control unit that executes the process of S11 is an example of a condition determination unit of the present invention. The process of S11 is an example of the condition determination step of the present invention. The control unit 7 that executes the process of S16 is an example of the second drive control means of the present invention. The process of S16 is an example of a second drive control step. The control unit 7 that executes the process of S26 is an example of a third drive control unit of the present invention. The control unit 7 that executes the process of S3 is an example of the rotation amount determination means of the present invention. The control unit 7 that executes the process of S7 is an example of a fourth drive control unit of the present invention.

  The printing apparatus 1 moves the second guide 15 in the third direction during the non-printing period according to whether or not the movement of the printing mechanism 11 in the first direction and the second direction satisfies a predetermined condition. Can be slower than the second speed. Therefore, even when the printing apparatus 1 performs printing at a relatively short time interval, the ink ribbon 9 and the thermal head 23 can be sufficiently displaced in the width direction before the next printing. it can.

  The control unit 7 controls the first guide motor 13 during the non-printing period, so that the first distance is longer than the length in the first direction of the image range to be printed and smaller than the length in the first direction of the ink ribbon 9. H, the process of moving the printing mechanism 11 in the first direction (S25), the second distance K that is larger than the first distance and smaller than the length of the ink ribbon in the first direction, and the printing mechanism 11 in the second direction. The moving process (S15) is executed. The control unit 7 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the process of S15 is executed (S11: YES), and determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the process of S25 is executed (S11: NO). To do. When the printing apparatus 1 moves the printing mechanism 11 in the second direction by the second distance, the printing apparatus 11 moves the second guide 15 in the third direction during the non-printing period, and sets the printing position speed (first speed) to the transport position speed ( It can be slower than the second speed). Therefore, when the printing apparatus 1 moves the relatively long second distance K printing mechanism in the second direction, the ink ribbon 9 and the thermal head 23 are sufficiently displaced in the width direction before the next printing. be able to.

  When it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied (S11: NO), the control unit 7 moves the second guide 15 in the fourth direction by controlling the second guide motor 16 in the non-printing period ( S26). When the printing apparatus 11 moves the printing mechanism 11 in the first direction by the first distance H, the printing apparatus 11 moves the second guide 15 in the fourth direction during the non-printing period, and sets the printing position speed (first speed) to the transport position speed. It can be faster than (second speed). Therefore, when the printing position speed does not need to be slower than the transport position speed, the printing apparatus 1 sets the position of the second guide 15 moved in the third direction by making the print position speed faster than the transport position speed. It can be moved in four directions.

  After the process of S15 is executed, the control unit 7 executes the process of S25 a plurality of times until the next process of S15 is executed, and moves the second guide 15 to the predetermined position in the fourth direction. If the movement time required for the operation is longer than the non-printing period, the second guide 15 is moved to the predetermined position in the fourth direction using at least two of the processes of S25. When it is not necessary to make the printing position speed (first speed) slower than the conveyance position speed (second speed), the printing apparatus 1 divides the printing position speed into a plurality of times to make the printing position speed faster than the conveyance position speed. The position of the second guide 15 moved in the third direction can be returned to the predetermined position without difficulty.

  The controller 7 determines whether the rotation amount of the ribbon motor 82 corresponding to the printing position speed (first speed) when the second guide 15 is moved in the fourth direction exceeds the first predetermined value (S3). . When it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied and the rotation amount of the ribbon motor 82 is not determined to exceed the first predetermined value (S3: YES), the control unit 7 sets the printing mechanism 11 to the fourth in the printing period. Move in the direction (S7). When the rotation amount of the ribbon motor 82 can follow the printing position speed (first speed), the printing apparatus 1 uses the printing period to make the printing position speed faster than the transport position speed (second speed). Thus, the position of the second guide 15 moved in the third direction can be returned to the predetermined position.

  In the process of S5, the control unit 7 uses the cycle of heating the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head 23 according to the print data as the first period during the printing period and the printing mechanism 11 is not moved in the fourth direction. 23 is controlled. The control unit 7 controls the ribbon motor 82 so that the ink ribbon 9 is transported at the first transport speed. On the other hand, in the process of S8, during the printing period and the period when the printing mechanism 11 is moved in the fourth direction, the control unit 7 sets the heating cycle of the thermal head 23 as the second period, which is shorter than the first period. To control. The control unit 7 performs printing by controlling the ribbon motor 82 so that the ink ribbon 9 is transported at a second transport speed larger than the first transport speed. By doing in this way, the control part 7 can perform printing on the conditions suitable for the 1st speed of the printing medium 8 by each of the process of S5, and the process of S8.

  The control unit 7 moves the second guide 15 in the third direction according to the difference between the time Tn necessary for moving the first guide 12 in the second direction K by the second distance K and the non-printing period Th. Conditions are determined (S14). The printing apparatus 1 can determine the moving condition (speed per unit time, time, or moving distance) of the second guide 15 in the third direction by relatively simple calculation.

  The printing apparatus, printing program, and printing method of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the following modifications may be added as appropriate.

  The configuration of the printing apparatus 1 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the printing apparatus 1 may include a printing medium conveyance device that conveys the printing medium 8. The first route R and the second route P of the printing apparatus 1 may be changed as appropriate. Each of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion only needs to be able to mount the first roll on which the ink ribbon is wound and the second roll on which the ink ribbon fed out from the first roll is wound. The first guide only needs to be able to move the printing mechanism 11 in the first direction and the second direction. The configuration of the second guide may be changed as appropriate. For example, in the second guide, two guide rollers 68 and 69 are rotatably supported by the support plate 67, but the guide rollers 68 and 69 synchronize with the length of the second path P of the print medium 8. It may be changeable and may not be supported by the same support plate. The configurations of the print medium 8 and the ink ribbon 9 may be changed as appropriate. The drive source for moving each member may be changed as appropriate. The second guide may include one guide roller and a tension arm. In this case, the guide roller is disposed on one side with respect to the platen roller 14 in the second path P, and the tension arm is disposed on the other side with respect to the platen roller 14 in the second path P. The second guide may absorb the slack or tension of the print medium caused by the movement of the guide roller with the tension arm. The second guide includes a driving roller and a driven roller, sandwiches the printing medium between the driving roller and the driven roller, and conveys the printing medium according to the movement (ie, rotation) of the driving roller and the driven roller. There may be. In this case, a tension arm may be provided on the opposite side of the driving roller and the driven roller with respect to the platen roller 14 on the second path P as necessary.

  The control unit 7 may include a microcomputer, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and the like instead of the CPU. The print control process may be distributed by a plurality of processors. The storage unit 6 may be a non-temporary storage medium, and may be any storage medium that can retain information regardless of the period in which the information is stored. The non-transitory storage medium may not include a temporary storage medium (for example, a signal to be transmitted). A program for executing the print control process may be downloaded from a server connected to a network (not shown) (that is, transmitted as a transmission signal) and stored in the storage unit 6. In this case, the print program only needs to be stored in a non-temporary storage medium such as a storage unit provided in the server. Each step of the print control process of the above embodiment can be changed in order, omitted, or added as necessary. Based on a command from the control unit 7 of the printing apparatus 1, an operating system (OS) or the like operating in the printing apparatus 1 performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

  The image range may be different for each printing. The image range with respect to the ink ribbon 9 and the distance in the width direction between the image ranges may be changed as appropriate. The predetermined condition in S11 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the determination may be made based only on the movement amount regardless of the movement direction. More specifically, when the image range is different for each printing, that is, when the movement amount in the width direction of the ink ribbon 9 is different for each printing, based on the movement amount in the width direction of the ink ribbon 9 for each printing process. It may be judged. The initial positions of the first guide 12 and the second guide 15 may be changed as appropriate. The criteria for determining the processes in S4 and S22 may be changed as appropriate. For example, in at least one of S4 and S22, when the second guide 15 is not M (−m), which is the initial position, but on the left side of M (0), a process for specifying the movement condition is executed. Good.

  The printing apparatus 1 may omit the processes of S3, S4, and S6 to S9. The printing apparatus 1 may perform processing (S7, S26) of moving the second guide 15 in the fourth direction in both the printing period and the non-printing period. When the printing apparatus 1 performs the process of moving the second guide 15 in the fourth direction only during the non-printing period, the second guide 15 is moved to the predetermined position if the second guide 15 is moved in the fourth direction. Only when it is not possible to return to, the process of moving the second guide 15 in the fourth direction during the printing period may be executed. Between S15 and the next S15, the process of S26 does not need to be executed in multiple steps. Between S15 and the next S15, the process of S7 does not need to be executed in multiple steps. In the case where at least one of S7 and S26 is executed a plurality of times between S15 and the next S15, the movement conditions may be the same or different from each other. The moving speed of each member may be set in consideration of the speed during acceleration and deceleration. In at least one of S5 and S8, the conveyance speed of the ink ribbon 9 and the first speed of the print medium 8 may be different from each other within a range where printing can be performed. For example, the ink ribbon 9 may be saved by making the transport speed of the ink ribbon 9 slightly lower than the first speed of the print medium 8.

  1: printing device, 2: transport device, 6: storage unit, 7: control unit, 12 first guide, 13: first guide motor, 14: platen roller, 15: second guide, 16: second guide motor, 21: First mounting portion, 22: Second mounting portion, 23: Thermal head, 81: Supply motor, 82: Ribbon motor

Claims (10)

A printing mechanism capable of printing on a long print medium,
A first mounting portion for mounting a first roll around which an ink ribbon is wound;
A second mounting portion for mounting a second roll on which the ink ribbon fed from the first roll is wound;
A thermal apparatus in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in the first direction adjacent to the first path, which is the transport path of the ink ribbon, from the first mounting section until the second ribbon is wound up by the second mounting section. Head,
A printing mechanism having a ribbon motor for rotating the second mounting portion;
A first guide that movably supports the printing mechanism in the first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction;
A first guide motor for moving the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction;
About the first path, a platen disposed on the opposite side of the thermal head and facing the thermal head;
A second guide that is at least partially in contact with the print medium and can change the second path, which is the transport path of the print medium, and moves in the third direction so that the print medium contacts the platen A first speed, which is a moving speed of the print medium at a position where the print medium is moved, is a second speed, which is a moving speed of the print medium, at a position on the second path opposite to the platen with respect to the second guide. A second guide that makes the first speed larger than the second speed by moving in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction.
A second guide motor for moving the second guide in at least one of the third direction and the fourth direction;
A controller capable of controlling each of the thermal head, the ribbon motor, the first guide motor, and the second guide motor;
The controller is
Print control means for controlling the heating of the thermal head and the ribbon motor according to print data, and performing printing,
A first drive control means for moving the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction by controlling the first guide motor during a non-printing period during which printing by the print control means is not executed;
Condition determining means for determining whether movement of the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction satisfies a predetermined condition;
A second moving the second guide in the third direction by controlling the second guide motor during the non-printing period when the condition determining means determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied. A printing apparatus that functions as drive control means. The first drive control means controls the first guide motor during the non-printing period,
The printing mechanism moves the printing mechanism in the first direction for a first distance that is longer than the length in the first direction of the image range printed by the printing control means and smaller than the length of the ink ribbon in the first direction. One move process,
A second distance greater than the first distance and smaller than the length of the ink ribbon in the first direction, and a second movement process for moving the printing mechanism in the second direction;
The condition determining means includes
When the second movement process is executed by the first drive control means, it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first drive control unit determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the first movement process is executed.   The control unit controls the second guide motor in the fourth direction by controlling the second guide motor in the non-printing period when the condition determining unit determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further functioning as third drive control means that moves to the position. The first drive control means executes the first movement process a plurality of times after the second movement process is executed and before the second movement process is executed next.
The third drive control means, when the movement time required to move the second guide to the predetermined position in the fourth direction is longer than the non-printing period, at least of the plurality of first movement processes. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second guide is moved in the fourth direction to the predetermined position using two times. The controller is
A rotation amount determination means for determining whether the rotation amount of the ribbon motor corresponding to the first speed when the second guide is moved in the fourth direction exceeds a first predetermined value;
In the printing period, when the condition determining unit determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, and the rotation amount determining unit does not determine that the rotation amount of the ribbon motor exceeds the first predetermined value, The printing apparatus according to claim 3, further functioning as fourth drive control means for moving the printing mechanism in the fourth direction. The print control means includes
Controlling the thermal head as a first cycle of heating the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head according to the print data during a period in which the printing mechanism is not moved in the fourth direction by the fourth drive control means; and , Printing is performed by controlling the ribbon motor so that the ink ribbon is transported at a first transport speed,
During the period in which the printing mechanism is moved in the fourth direction by the fourth drive control unit, the thermal head is controlled by setting the cycle to the second cycle which is also shorter than the first cycle, and the ink ribbon is transported first. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein printing is performed by controlling the ribbon motor so that the ribbon motor is transported at a second transport speed greater than the speed.   The first drive control means determines the first drive control unit according to a difference between a time required to move the first guide in the second direction by the second distance and a non-printing period. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a moving condition of the two guides in the third direction is determined. A printing program executed by a control unit of a printing apparatus capable of printing on a long print medium,
A printing control step for controlling the heating of the thermal head of the printing apparatus and a ribbon motor for driving a mounting portion for winding the ink ribbon;
By controlling the first guide motor during the non-printing period when the printing control step is not executed, the printing mechanism including the thermal head and the ribbon motor is moved in the first direction and the second direction along the first guide. A first drive control step,
A condition determining step for determining whether the movement of the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction satisfies a predetermined condition;
When it is determined in the condition determining step that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the second guide that contacts the print medium is moved in the third direction by controlling the second guide motor during the non-printing period. And a second drive control step for reducing the speed of the print medium at the position of the platen roller. A printing method executed by a printing apparatus capable of printing on a long print medium,
A printing control step for controlling the heating of the thermal head of the printing apparatus and a ribbon motor for driving a mounting portion for winding the ink ribbon;
By controlling the first guide motor during the non-printing period when the printing control step is not executed, the printing mechanism including the thermal head and the ribbon motor is moved in the first direction and the second direction along the first guide. A first drive control step,
A condition determining step for determining whether the movement of the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction satisfies a predetermined condition;
When it is determined in the condition determining step that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the second guide that contacts the print medium is moved in the third direction by controlling the second guide motor during the non-printing period. And a second drive control step for reducing the speed of the print medium at the position of the platen roller. A printing mechanism capable of printing on a long print medium,
A first mounting portion for mounting a first roll around which an ink ribbon is wound;
A second mounting portion for mounting a second roll on which the ink ribbon fed from the first roll is wound;
A thermal apparatus in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in the first direction adjacent to the first path, which is the transport path of the ink ribbon, from the first mounting section until the second ribbon is wound up by the second mounting section. Head,
A printing mechanism having a ribbon motor for rotating the second mounting portion;
A first guide that movably supports the printing mechanism in the first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction;
A first guide motor for moving the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction;
About the first path, a platen disposed on the opposite side of the thermal head and facing the thermal head;
At least a part is in contact with the print medium, and is provided on at least one side with respect to the platen in a second path that is a transport path of the print medium, and a fourth direction on the opposite side to the third direction and the third direction. The second path on the upstream side of the platen with the movement in the third direction is made longer than the length at the start of movement, so that the movement in the fourth direction is performed. Along with this, the second guide that makes the length of the second path upstream from the platen shorter than the length at the start of movement,
A second guide motor for moving the second guide in at least one of the third direction and the fourth direction;
A controller capable of controlling each of the thermal head, the ribbon motor, the first guide motor, and the second guide motor;
The controller is
Print control means for controlling the heating of the thermal head and the ribbon motor according to print data, and performing printing,
A first drive control means for moving the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction by controlling the first guide motor during a non-printing period during which printing by the print control means is not executed;
Condition determining means for determining whether movement of the printing mechanism in the first direction and the second direction satisfies a predetermined condition;
A second moving the second guide in the third direction by controlling the second guide motor during the non-printing period when the condition determining means determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied. A printing apparatus that functions as drive control means.

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