JP2021075063A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printing device that can perform high-quality printing regardless of the kind of a recording medium.SOLUTION: A printing device 1 comprises a printer main body 2, a printing portion 3, provided in the printer main body 2, which prints an image on a recording medium 100, and a detecting portion 6. The detecting portion 6, when the printer main body 2 is moving with respect to the recording medium 100, moves together with the printed main body 2 with respect to a surface 202 different from the recording medium 100 and detects indirectly movement amounts of the printer main body 2 with respect to the recording medium 100. The printing portion 3 is controlled based on a detected result by the detecting portion 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

A printing device that prints on a recording medium such as paper by manually moving the printer body in a predetermined direction is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this type of printing device, a printing unit (for example, a nozzle for ejecting ink) for printing on the recording medium and a detection unit for detecting the amount of movement of the printer body with respect to the recording medium are provided on the lower surface of the printer body facing the recording medium. By controlling the printing unit based on the detection signal of the detecting unit, high-precision printing is possible.

The detection unit of this printing device employs the same position detection device as that used for mice (computer input devices) and the like, and in particular, light (red LED light, blue LED light, etc.) on the surface of the recording medium. An optical position detection device is used that reads an image of the surface of a recording medium with an image sensor while irradiating it with a laser beam or the like, and detects the amount of movement based on the change in the read image. Such an optical position detection device has an advantage that it can perform highly accurate detection as compared with a mechanical (roller / ball type) position detection device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-094101

However, when an optical position detection device is used for the detection unit, if the recording medium is of a specific type (for example, glossy paper, transparent film, transparent glass plate, etc.), the amount of movement by the position detection device In some cases, the accuracy of detecting the moving amount may be lowered, or the movement amount may not be detected, which may lead to deterioration of print quality or printing failure.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of performing high-quality printing regardless of the type of recording medium.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is grasped by the following configuration.
(1) The printing apparatus of the present invention is relative to a printing unit provided in a printer main body for printing an image on a recording medium and a position detecting object at a position different from the recording medium integrally with the printer main body. The printing unit is provided with a detection unit for detecting the amount of movement of the printing unit with respect to the recording medium, and the printing unit is controlled based on the detection result of the detection unit.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus capable of performing high-quality printing regardless of the type of recording medium.

It is a perspective view which shows the use example of the printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the use example of the printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the state. It is a perspective view which looked at the printing apparatus from below. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of a printing apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the use example using the jig of the printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the use example of the printing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (a) is the side view which shows the state which made the detection part a 1st posture, (b) is a side view which made the detection part a 2nd posture. It is a side view which shows the state. It is a perspective view which shows the use example of the printing apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as “embodiments”) will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same elements are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the description of the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a graphic and a graphic on a recording medium 100 such as paper or film by manually moving the printer main body 2 in a predetermined direction. It is a handy printer that prints images such as character strings (hereinafter, simply referred to as "images"). The image includes characters, numbers, punctuation marks, symbols, blanks, various patterns, and the like.
Further, in the following description, the position of the recording medium 100 is fixed and the printer main body 2 is moved with respect to the recording medium 100. However, the printer main body 2 is moving relative to the recording medium 100. For example, the position of the printer main body 2 may be fixed and the recording medium 100 may be moved.

The printing device 1 includes a printing unit 3, a nozzle control unit 4, wheels 5, a detection unit 6, a wireless communication unit 7, an external memory connection unit 8, an operation key 9, a display unit 10, a storage unit 11, a control unit 12, and a printing unit. A moving motor 17 and the like are provided (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

The printing unit 3 is configured by using, for example, a thermal inkjet cartridge with a discharge nozzle that can be replaced when the ink runs out, and includes a plurality of nozzles 3a that are linearly arranged in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction. Ink is ejected from each nozzle 3a. These nozzles 3a are arranged on the lower surface 2a of the printer main body 2, and print an image on the recording medium 100 based on the ink ejection control by the nozzle control unit 4 according to the movement of the printer main body 2. The printing unit 3 of the present embodiment has a single color printing specification such as black, but may have a color printing specification.

The detection unit 6 is provided on the lower surface 2a of the printer main body 2 and detects the movement amount of the printer main body 2 with respect to the recording medium 100 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “movement amount”). As the position detection device constituting the detection unit 6, for example, the same optical position detection device used for a mouse (computer input device) can be adopted, and light (red LED light) is applied to the moving target surface. , Blue LED light, laser light, etc.), the image of the moving target surface is read by the image sensor, and the moving amount is detected based on the change in the read image.

The wireless communication unit 7 performs wireless communication (for example, Wi-Fi) with a wireless communication terminal such as a smartphone or a personal computer, and performs user print setting data (print image data, print mode data, etc.). This is for importing into the printer main body 2.

The external memory connection unit 8 can be connected to an external memory (for example, a USB memory), and is for importing the user's print setting data into the printer main body 2 via the connected external memory.

The operation key 9 is, for example, a push button type operation switch arranged on the front portion of the printer main body 2, and includes a power key for turning on / off the power, a print start key for starting printing, and the like.

The display unit 10 is a liquid crystal panel arranged on the front portion of the printer main body 2, and is a status display (for example, power ON / OFF, print mode, ink remaining amount, etc.) of the printer main body 2 and an operation guide display (for example, the remaining amount of ink). This is for performing "Please read the print setting data", "Please start printing", etc.).

The storage unit 11 is for storing a program for operating the control unit 12, image data to be printed, print execution data for executing printing, and the like.

The control unit 12 generates print execution data for executing printing based on the user's print setting data, and controls and records the print unit 3 based on the print execution data and the detection signal of the detection unit 6. The image is printed on the medium 100.

The printing apparatus 1 is held and stored in a cradle or the like (not shown) when not in use or when capping.
Further, one or a plurality of wheels 5 which are rotatable in the moving direction of the printer main body 2 may be provided on the lower surface 2a portion of the printer main body 2. When the wheels 5 are provided, the straightness when moving the printer main body 2 in the moving direction can be improved.

When printing an image on the recording medium 100 using the printing device 1 configured as described above, first, the data of the image to be printed input on the software operating on the wireless communication terminal is used as the print setting data in the printer. Read into the main body 2. Next, the printer main body 2 is set on the recording medium 100. At this time, the printing unit 3 (nozzle 3a) of the printer main body 2 is aligned with the printing start position of the recording medium 100. After that, when the printer main body 2 is manually moved in a predetermined moving direction after pressing the print start key, an image is printed along the moving direction.

By the way, since the printing device 1 moves on the surface of the recording medium 100, when the recording medium 100 is of a specific type, the accuracy of detecting the movement amount by the detection unit 6 is lowered, or the movement amount is detected. In some cases, it could not be done, which could lead to poor print quality and printing failure. For example, when the recording medium 100 is a transparent film such as glossy paper or an OHP film, a transparent glass plate, or the like, the image sensor of the detection unit 6 may not be able to acquire the uneven pattern (pattern) of the recording medium 100.

Therefore, in the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, while the printing unit 3 is moving on the surface of the recording medium 100, the detection unit 6 is on the surface of the position detecting object at a position different from that of the recording medium 100. Is relatively movable so that the amount of movement can be accurately detected on a surface other than the recording medium 100, and the amount of movement detected by the detection unit 6 is set as the amount of movement of the printing unit 3 with respect to the recording medium 100. ing. According to such a printing device 1, the detection accuracy of the detection unit 6 can be ensured regardless of the type of the recording medium 100, and high-quality printing can be performed. Hereinafter, the detection unit 6 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

The detection unit 6 of the present embodiment is provided in a box-shaped case body 13 that is separate from the printer body 2. The case body 13 is provided with a fitting convex portion 14, and the fitting convex portion 14 is fitted into any of the fitting recesses 15 and 16 provided in the printer main body 2, so that the case body 13 is integrated with the printer main body 2. Can be attached to.

Further, the fitting convex portion 14 and the fitting concave portions 15 and 16 are provided with a male connector 14a and female connectors 15a and 16a (see FIG. 4) to be connected at the time of fitting, and these male connector 14a and female connector 15a are provided. , 16a, the detection unit 6 is electrically connected to the control unit 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fitting recesses 15 and 16 are provided at different positions on the printer main body 2, and the detection unit 6 can be selected by selecting the fitting recesses 15 and 16 to fit the fitting convex portion 14. It is replaced with a position different from that of the printer main body 2. Specifically, the first fitting recess 15 is provided on the lower surface 2a (arrangement surface of the printing unit 3) of the printer main body 2 so as to open downward on one end side in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction. The second fitting recess 16 is provided so as to open outward on the side surface 2b parallel to the moving direction among the plurality of side surfaces 2b of the printer main body 2.

As shown in FIG. 2A, when the fitting convex portion 14 is fitted into the first fitting concave portion 16, the detection unit 6 moves on the same surface as the first surface on which the printing unit 3 moves. It becomes the first posture to do. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the fitting convex portion 14 is fitted into the second fitting concave portion 15, the detection unit 6 detects the first surface on which the printing unit 3 moves. It is the second posture that moves on the second plane that intersects vertically.

When printing is performed on the recording medium 100 in which the detection failure of the detection unit 6 does not occur, the detection unit 6 is set as the first posture. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the recording medium 100 is placed on the upper surface (first surface) 201 of the desk (working table) 200, and the printing device 1 in which the detection unit 6 is in the first posture is used as the recording medium. When it is moved in a predetermined direction along the surface of 100, the detection unit 6 detects the amount of movement while moving on the same surface as the printing unit 3, and the printing unit 3 prints on the recording medium 100 based on the position detection result. I do. At this time, the detection unit 6 detects the movement amount on the surface of the recording medium 100, but since the recording medium 100 does not cause a detection failure, high quality printing can be performed.

On the other hand, when printing is performed on the recording medium 100 in which the detection failure of the detection unit 6 is likely to occur, the detection unit 6 is in the second posture. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B, the recording medium 100 is placed on the upper surface (first surface) 201 of the desk 200, and the printing device 1 in which the detection unit 6 is in the second posture is recorded on the recording medium 100. Move in a predetermined direction along the surface of the. At this time, the detection unit 6 moves the side surface (second surface) 202 of the desk 200, which is a surface perpendicular to the surface on which the printing unit 3 moves, and detects the amount of movement with respect to the side surface 202 of the desk 200. The printing unit 3 prints on the recording medium 100 by using the detection result of the movement amount as the movement amount with respect to the recording medium 100 of the printing apparatus 1. In this case, the side surface 202 of the desk 200 corresponds to the surface of the position detecting object of the present invention.

Therefore, even if the recording medium 100 is of a type in which detection failure of the detection unit 6 is likely to occur, the detection unit 6 refers to the surface of the side surface (second surface) 202 of the desk 200, which is a surface other than the recording medium 100. By detecting the amount of movement, high-quality printing can be stably performed. Moreover, according to such a printing device 1, the straightness of the printing device 1 when the side surface 202 is linear by moving the printing device 1 while pressing the detection unit 6 against the side surface 202 of the desk 200. Is guaranteed, so that the print quality can be further improved.

By the way, according to the printing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B, printing is performed with reference to the side surface (second surface) 202 of the desk 200, so that the printable range of the printing unit 3 with respect to the recording medium 100 is achieved. May be narrowed (first new challenge). Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the vertical width of the side surface (second surface) 202 of the desk 200 is narrow and the detection of the movement amount by the detection unit 6 is insufficient, or the desk 200 has a detection failure of the detection unit 6. When the printing device 1 is made of a material (for example, glass) in which the above is likely to occur, there is a problem that the printing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (b) cannot be applied (second new problem).

Therefore, in order to solve the first new problem, in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the printing unit 3 has a plurality of printing units 3 with respect to the printer main body 2. Nozzles 3a are movably attached in the direction in which they are lined up. That is, the printer body 2 can be moved in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction.

Specifically, on the lower surface 2a of the printer main body 2, a groove portion 2c is formed in a direction in which a plurality of nozzles 3a of the printing unit 3 are lined up and in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the printer main body 2 is moved. The printing portion 3 is slidably mounted in the groove portion 2c. Further, a motor 17 for moving the printing unit (see FIG. 4) is provided inside the printer main body 2, so that the printing unit 3 is moved along the groove 2c in response to the drive of the motor 17 for moving the printing unit. It is configured.

According to such a printing device 1, since the printing unit 3 can be moved from a position close to the side surface 202 of the desk 200 to a position away from the side surface 202, the printable range with respect to the recording medium 100 can be expanded. , It becomes possible to solve the above-mentioned first new problem.

On the other hand, in order to solve the second new problem, as shown in FIG. 5, the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a surface (for example, cloth, etc.) formed of a material that can be detected by the detection unit 6. A jig 50 having a silicon sheet or the like and installed around the recording medium 100 at the time of printing is included.

More specifically, the jig 50 shown in FIG. 5 includes an upper surface 51 along the upper surface 201 of the desk 200 and a side surface 52 along the side surface 202 of the desk 200 whose vertical width is expanded, and also includes a moving direction. Has a sufficient length (equivalent to the maximum print length). Then, at the time of printing, by sandwiching the jig 50 between the printing device 1 and the desk 200, the detection unit 6 can detect the movement amount with respect to the surface of the side surface 52. It becomes possible to solve the new problem of 2. In this case, the jig 50 forms the position detecting object of the present invention, and the side surface 52 corresponds to the surface of the position detecting object.

The printing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the first embodiment, the detection unit 6 is switched between the first posture and the second posture based on the replacement of the printer main body 2 with different positions. However, in the printing device 1 of the second embodiment, the detection unit 6 is switched between the first posture and the second posture. As shown in FIG. 6, the detection unit 6 is configured to be switched between the first posture and the second posture based on the swing or movement with respect to the printer main body 2. In this case as well, the side surface 202 of the desk 200 corresponds to the position detection surface of the present invention.

Specifically, the case body 13 provided with the detection unit 6 is connected to the printer body 2 via a hinge 18, and is divided into a first posture and a second posture based on the swing with the hinge 18 as a fulcrum. Can be switched to. At this time, the angle at which the case body 13 swings is not limited to 90 °, and can be positioned in multiple stages according to the intersection angle of the side surface (second surface) 202 with respect to the upper surface (first surface) 201 of the desk 200. It should be configured in.

Next, the printing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the detection unit 6 detects the amount of movement on a side surface (second surface) 202 different from the upper surface (first surface) 201 of the desk 200 on which the recording medium 100 is installed. However, in the printing apparatus 1 of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the detection unit 6 detects the amount of movement on the upper surface 201 of the desk 200 at a position different from that of the recording medium 100. It is configured to do. In this case, the upper surface 201 of the desk 200 corresponds to the surface of the position detecting object of the present invention.

Specifically, the case body 13 provided with the detection unit 6 is connected to the printer body 2 via a guide 19, and can be moved in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction by expanding / contracting or inserting / removing the guide 19. It is attached so that the distance from the printer main body 2 changes. At this time, the distance that the detection unit 6 of the case body 13 moves to the portion where the recording medium 100 is not installed may be configured so that it can be positioned in multiple stages according to the size of the recording medium 100.

(Modification example)
Although the printing apparatus of the present invention has been described above based on the specific embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific embodiment, and various modifications and improvements have been added. It is included in the technical scope of the present invention, which is clear to those skilled in the art from the description of the scope of claims.

In the above embodiment, the printer main body 2 is manually moved. For example, the printer main body 2 is provided with a wheel 5 for movement, and a drive motor is connected to the wheel 5 to automatically move the printer main body 2. It may be configured to be movable to.
Further, although the detection unit 6 and the control unit 12 are connected by wire, they may be connected by wireless, optical communication, or the like.

Finally, the invention described in the claims originally attached to the application of this application is added. The claim numbers given in the appendix are the scope of the claims originally attached to the application for this application.
<Claim 1>
A printing unit provided in the printer body to print an image on a recording medium,
A detection unit that integrally moves with the printer body relative to a position detection object at a position different from the recording medium and detects the amount of movement of the printing unit with respect to the recording medium.
With
A printing apparatus characterized in that the printing unit is controlled based on the detection result of the detection unit.
<Claim 2>
When the printing unit is moving with respect to the recording medium, the detection unit moves with respect to the position detection object integrally with the printer main body, and the amount of movement with respect to the position detection object is determined. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit detects the amount of movement of the printing unit with respect to the recording medium.
<Claim 3>
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection unit is movably attached in a direction in which the distance from the printer main body changes.
<Claim 4>
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection unit is swingably attached to the printer main body.
<Claim 5>
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection unit can be replaced with a plurality of positions different from each other with respect to the printer main body.
<Claim 6>
The detection unit has a first posture that moves on the recording medium provided on the first surface and a second posture that moves on the second surface provided in a direction intersecting the first surface. It is possible to switch to posture and
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the object forming the second surface forms the position detection object.
<Claim 7>
The printing unit has a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and the plurality of nozzles are provided side by side in a straight line along one direction.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the printing unit is attached to the printer body so as to be movable in one direction.
<Claim 8>
The printing apparatus includes a jig in which the detection unit has a surface made of a material capable of detecting the movement amount and is installed around the recording medium.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the jig forms the position detecting object.

1 Printing device 2 Printer body, 2a Bottom surface, 2b Side surface 3 Printing unit 6 Detection unit 13 Case body 14 Fitting convex part, 14a Male connector 15 Fitting recess, 15a Female connector 16 Fitting recess, 16a Female connector 19 Guide 50 Jig, 51 Top surface, 52 Side surface 100 Recording medium 200 Desk, 201 Top surface (first surface), 202 Side surface (second surface)

In order to achieve the above object, the printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that prints on a recording medium while being moved by a user, and prints on the recording medium mounted on the upper surface of a predetermined mounting table. The case body is provided with a case body pressed against the side surface of the above-mentioned pedestal, and the case body is provided with a detecting means for detecting the relative movement amount or movement speed between the printing device and the above-mentioned pedestal. It is characterized by being.

Claims (8)

A printing unit provided in the printer body to print an image on a recording medium,
A detection unit that integrally moves with the printer body relative to a position detection object at a position different from the recording medium and detects the amount of movement of the printing unit with respect to the recording medium.
With
A printing apparatus characterized in that the printing unit is controlled based on the detection result of the detection unit. When the printing unit is moving with respect to the recording medium, the detection unit moves with respect to the position detection object integrally with the printer main body, and the amount of movement with respect to the position detection object is determined. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit detects the amount of movement of the printing unit with respect to the recording medium. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection unit is movably attached in a direction in which the distance from the printer main body changes. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection unit is swingably attached to the printer main body. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection unit can be replaced with a plurality of positions different from each other with respect to the printer main body. The detection unit has a first posture that moves on the recording medium provided on the first surface and a second posture that moves on the second surface provided in a direction intersecting the first surface. It is possible to switch to posture and
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the object forming the second surface forms the position detection object. The printing unit has a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and the plurality of nozzles are provided side by side in a straight line along one direction.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the printing unit is attached to the printer body so as to be movable in one direction. The printing apparatus includes a jig in which the detection unit has a surface made of a material capable of detecting the movement amount and is installed around the recording medium.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the jig forms the position detecting object.

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