JP2021169191A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printer which can inhibit failure of transport of a print medium in a transport direction.SOLUTION: A printer includes: a head which reciprocates in a scanning direction and makes prints on a print medium; a transport part which transports the print medium in a transport direction intersecting with the scanning direction; a platen facing the head; and a pressing part which moves with the head, protrudes in a direction from the head to the platen to press the print medium, and has a rotary body which rotates at least in a direction according to movement of the head in the scanning direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

Research and development are being conducted on printing equipment that prints on printing media such as bank passbooks.

In this regard, there is known a printing apparatus having a head to which a guide roller is attached and holding the print medium so as not to float from the platen by the guide roller (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-162054

However, the guide roller of the printing apparatus as described in Patent Document 1 rotates according to the movement of the head in the scanning direction, but does not rotate according to the transfer of the print medium in the transport direction. For this reason, the printing apparatus may fail to convey the print medium sandwiched between the guide roller and the platen in the transfer direction, resulting in clogging of the print medium.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is to transport the print medium in a transport direction that intersects the scan direction with a head that reciprocates in the scanning direction and prints on the print medium. The transport unit, the platen facing the head, and the platen move together with the head, project from the head toward the platen, press the print medium, and at least in a direction corresponding to the movement of the head in the scanning direction. It is a printing apparatus including a holding portion having a rotating rotating body.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the appearance of the printing apparatus 10 which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the printing apparatus main body 11. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the main part structure of the printing apparatus main body 11. It is a side view which shows an example of the structure of the holding part PM2 among the main part structure of a printing apparatus main body 11. It is an enlarged view of the holding part PM2 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows another example of the structure of a rotating body RB.

<Embodiment>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following, the directions in the drawing will be described using the three-dimensional coordinate system TC. The three-dimensional coordinate system TC is a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system that indicates the direction in each figure in which the three-dimensional coordinate system TC is drawn. Then, in the following, for convenience of explanation, the X-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC will be simply referred to as the X-axis. Further, in the following, for convenience of explanation, the Y-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC will be referred to simply as the Y-axis. Further, in the following, for convenience of explanation, the Z axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC will be referred to simply as the Z axis.

Further, in the following, as an example, a case where the negative direction of the Z axis and the gravitational direction coincide with each other will be described. Then, in the following, for convenience of explanation, the positive direction of the Z axis will be referred to as an upward direction or simply an upward direction. Further, in the following, for convenience of explanation, the negative direction of the Z axis will be referred to as a downward direction or simply a downward direction. Further, in the following, for convenience of explanation, the positive direction of the Y-axis will be referred to as the right direction or simply the right direction. Further, in the following, for convenience of explanation, the negative direction of the Y-axis will be referred to as a left direction or simply a left direction. Further, in the following, for convenience of explanation, the positive direction of the X-axis will be referred to as a forward direction or simply forward. Further, in the following, for convenience of explanation, the negative direction of the X-axis will be referred to as a rear direction or simply a rear direction.

<Configuration of printing device>
First, the configuration of the printing apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the printing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment.

The printing device 10 is a dot impact printer. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 10 is a passbook printer which is a kind of dot impact printer. Therefore, in the following, as an example, a case where the printing device 10 is a passbook printer will be described. The printing device 10 may be another type of dot impact printer instead of the passbook printer. Further, the printing device 10 may be a printer having another type of printing mechanism instead of the dot impact printer.

Further, since the printing device 10 is a dot impact printer, printing is performed on a printing medium using an ink ribbon. The print medium 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of a print medium to be printed by the printing apparatus 10. Hereinafter, as an example, a case where the target to be printed by the printing apparatus 10 is the printing medium 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

Here, the print medium 100 is a sheet on which an image such as characters is printed. The print medium 100 may be, for example, a cut sheet cut to a predetermined length, or a continuous sheet in which a plurality of sheets are connected. The cut sheet may be, for example, plain paper such as single-cut paper or single-cut copy paper, passbooks, postcards, envelopes, or other sheets cut to a predetermined length. good. The continuous sheet is, for example, continuous paper, continuous copying paper, or the like. In the following, since the printing device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a passbook printer, a case where the printing medium 100 is a passbook will be described as an example. In this case, the print medium 100 is configured by binding a plurality of recording sheets, and the magnetic stripe 101 is provided on the surface that becomes the bottom surface when the recording surface of the recording sheets is opened. The print medium 100 may be another booklet having pages having different paper thicknesses, such as a passbook. Further, the print medium 100 may not be provided with the magnetic stripe 101.

Further, the printing device 10 includes a printing device main body 11, an upper cover 12 which is an exterior body covering the printing device main body 11, an upper housing 13, and a lower housing 14. A manual opening 15 is opened on the front surface of the upper housing 13 and the lower housing 14. In FIG. 1, the printing apparatus main body 11 is not visible because it is located inside the printing apparatus 10.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the printing apparatus main body 11. Further, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a main part configuration of the printing apparatus main body 11.

The printing apparatus main body 11 has a main body frame (not shown) including a left side frame 16 and a right side frame 17. In the printing apparatus main body 11, the carriage shaft CA is bridged between the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17 included in the main body frame. Further, the printing device main body 11 has a printing mechanism unit PM including a head HD and a carriage CG. Further, the printing apparatus main body 11 is provided at a position facing the head HD, and includes a flat plate-shaped platen PL that can move in a direction approaching the head HD and a direction away from the head HD.

Here, the head HD is a print head of a dot impact printer. The head HD is a printing head that prints an image such as characters on a printing medium 100 by projecting a part or all of a plurality of wires (pins). In other words, the head HD is an impact type printing head having a wire that hits the printing medium 100.

Further, in the printing apparatus 10, an ink ribbon is arranged between the wire protruding from the head HD and the printing medium 100. Therefore, when a certain wire protrudes from the head HD, the wire protruding from the head HD hits the ink ribbon to transfer the ink of the ink ribbon to the printing medium 100. In other words, in this case, the wire is pressed against the printing medium 100 via the ink ribbon, and the ink of the ink ribbon is transferred to the printing medium 100. As a result, the printing apparatus 10 forms dots on the printing medium 100 and prints an image such as characters on the printing medium 100. In FIGS. 2 and 3 in which the head HD is shown, a plurality of wires protruding from the head HD are omitted in order to simplify the drawing.

The ribbon cartridge CT mounted between the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17 in FIG. 2 shows an example of a ribbon cartridge in which such an ink ribbon is folded and stored.

The carriage CG is slidably inserted through the carriage shaft CA. Further, the carriage CG is equipped with a head HD. The carriage CG is coupled to a timing belt (not shown). The timing belt is bridged by a belt drive pulley (not shown) driven by a carriage drive motor (not shown). The carriage CG is sandwiched between the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17 in the main scanning direction corresponding to the axial direction of the carriage shaft CA and the longitudinal direction of the platen PL by the forward rotation or the reverse rotation of the carriage drive motor. It runs (scans). Therefore, the head HD mounted on the carriage CG can reciprocate in the scanning direction and print on the printing medium 100 conveyed in the direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. The transport direction in which the print medium is conveyed may be configured to intersect the scanning direction without being orthogonal to the scanning direction.

Further, the printing apparatus main body 11 has a transport unit H. The transport unit H transports the print medium 100 in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction of the carriage CG, that is, in the front direction or the rear direction of the printing apparatus 10. Here, the transfer motor MT shown in FIG. 2 and the plurality of transfer rollers CR shown in FIG. 3 constitute the transfer unit H. The transport unit H rotates a plurality of transport rollers CR via various gears (not shown) by driving the transport motor MT. As a result, the printing device 10 can convey the printing medium 100 in the front direction or the rear direction of the printing device 10. In addition, in FIGS. 2 and 3, in order to prevent the drawing from becoming complicated, the configurations of the transport unit H other than the transport motor MT and the plurality of transport roller CRs are omitted. Further, in FIG. 2, in order to simplify the drawing, the transfer motor MT is drawn as a cube-shaped object. Further, in FIG. 2, in order to simplify the drawing, the transfer motor MT is drawn at a position different from the position where the transfer motor MT is actually provided.

Further, the printing apparatus main body 11 includes a pressing portion PM2. FIG. 4 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the pressing portion PM2 among the main components of the printing apparatus main body 11. Further, FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the pressing portion PM2 shown in FIG.

The pressing portion PM2 moves together with the head HD. Then, the pressing portion PM2 projects the printing medium 100 from the surface of the head HD facing the print medium 100 by a predetermined distance toward the platen PL. Further, the pressing portion PM2 has a rotating body RB. The rotating body RB is an object that rotates in a direction corresponding to the relative movement of the head HD with respect to the print medium 100. In other words, the rotating body RB is an object that rotates at least in a direction corresponding to the movement of the head HD in the scanning direction. As a result, when the printing medium 100 is conveyed in the conveying direction, the printing apparatus 10 holds an object that rotates only in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the printing medium 100, such as a guide roller instead of the rotating body RB. Compared with the case where the PM2 is provided, the friction generated between the print medium 100 and the pressing portion PM2 can be reduced. As a result, the printing apparatus 10 can prevent the printing medium 100 from failing to be conveyed in the conveying direction.

Here, a printing device different from the printing device 10 often includes a film arranged between the guide roller and the printing medium described above. In this case, the film serves to reduce friction between the guide roller and the print medium. However, it is not preferable that the printing apparatus includes such a film because it leads to an increase in the number of consumables of the printing apparatus. On the other hand, the printing apparatus 10 solves such a problem by providing the pressing portion PM2 with the rotating body RB. That is, the printing apparatus 10 does not need to include such a film. In other words, the number of consumables can be reduced by providing the pressing portion PM2 in the printing apparatus 10.

The distance from the tip of the wire of the head HD to the surface of the platen PL facing the head HD is the distance from the contact point of the rotating body RB with the printing medium 100 to the surface of the platen PL of the head HD. Greater than the distance to the opposite surface. In other words, the distance from the tip of the wire of the head HD to the contact point of the rotating body RB with the print medium 100 is larger than the thickness of the ink ribbon. As a result, in the printing apparatus 10, the ink ribbon can be arranged between the head HD and the platen PL.

Further, in the examples shown in each of FIGS. 3 to 5, the rotating body RB included in the pressing portion PM2 is a spherical object in contact with the printing medium 100. More specifically, in this example, the pressing portion PM2 has a holding member HM that covers at least a part of the rotating body RB and holds the rotating body RB. The mechanism for holding the rotating body RB by the holding member HM may be a known mechanism using a bearing or the like, or a mechanism to be developed in the future. It is desirable that the material of the rotating body RB is a material that reduces the friction generated between the rotating body RB and the holding member HM. For example, the rotating body RB is made of metal. The rotating body RB may be made of another material such as plastic instead of the metal. Further, by adopting a mechanism for reducing the friction, another material such as resin may be used as the material of the rotating body RB.

The rotating body RB included in the holding portion PM2 may be, for example, an object as shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the rotating body RB.

The rotating body RB shown in FIG. 6 includes a first shaft body RB1 and a second shaft body AX.

The first shaft body RB1 is a shaft body that rotates around the first shaft parallel to the direction in which the pressing portion PM2 protrudes from the head HD. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the first axis is the central axis of the first axis body RB1 and is an axis parallel to the Z axis. That is, in this example, the first shaft body RB1 is a shaft body that rotates around an axis parallel to the Z axis. In other words, the first shaft body RB1 is rotatably supported around the first shaft by a main body (not shown) of the holding portion PM2.

The second axis body AX is an axis body orthogonal to the first axis body RB1. That is, the second shaft body AX is provided at the end portion on the negative direction side of the Z axis among the end portions of the first shaft body RB1. Rollers RB2 that can rotate around the second shaft body AX are provided at both ends of the second shaft body AX. The two roller RB2s are portions of the rotating body RB shown in FIG. 6 that come into contact with the print medium 100. Therefore, the two rollers RB2 rotate according to the friction between the two rollers RB2 and the print medium 100.

Here, due to such a structure, the direction in which the central axis of the second shaft body AX is oriented changes according to the friction between the two rollers RB2 and the print medium 100. Therefore, even if the pressing portion PM2 includes the rotating body RB shown in FIG. 6, the printing apparatus 10 can reduce the friction generated between the printing medium 100 and the pressing portion PM2. As a result, the printing apparatus 10 can prevent the printing medium 100 from failing to be conveyed in the conveying direction.

Return to FIGS. 2 and 3. The printing apparatus main body 11 has a magnetic data reading unit MR that reads and writes magnetic information of the magnetic stripe 101 provided on the printing medium 100.

With the above configuration, the printing apparatus 10 hits the ink ribbon with the head HD while conveying the printing medium 100, and prints an image such as characters on the printing medium 100.

As described above, the printing apparatus according to the embodiment has a head that reciprocates in the scanning direction and prints on the printing medium, and a conveying unit that conveys the printing medium in the conveying direction that intersects the scanning direction. A platen facing the head, and a pressing portion having a rotating body that moves together with the head, projects in the direction from the head toward the platen to press the print medium, and at least rotates in a direction corresponding to the movement of the head in the scanning direction. , Equipped with. As a result, the printing apparatus can prevent the printing medium from failing to be conveyed in the conveying direction. Here, in the example described above, the printing device 10 is an example of the printing device. Further, in the example described above, the head HD is an example of the head. Further, in the example described above, the print medium 100 is an example of the print medium. Further, in the example described above, the transport unit H is an example of the transport unit. Further, in the example described above, the platen PL is an example of the platen. Further, in the example described above, the pressing portion PM2 is an example of the pressing portion. Further, in the example described above, the rotating body RB is an example of the rotating body.

Further, in the printing apparatus, the rotating body includes a first axis body that rotates around a first axis parallel to the direction in which the pressing portion protrudes from the head, and a second axis body that is orthogonal to the first axis body. , The second shaft body is provided on the first shaft body and rotates around the first shaft body together with the first shaft body, and rollers that can rotate around the second shaft body are provided at both ends of the second shaft body. The configuration may be used. Here, in the example described above, the rotating body RB shown in FIG. 6 is an example of the rotating body. Further, in the example described above, the first shaft body RB1 is an example of the first shaft body. Further, in the example described above, the second axis body AX is an example of the second axis body. Further, in the example described above, the roller RB2 is an example of a roller.

Further, in the printing apparatus, a configuration may be used in which the rotating body is a spherical object in contact with the printing medium. Here, in the example described above, the rotating body RB shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is an example of the rotating body.

Further, in the printing apparatus, a configuration may be used in which the pressing portion covers at least a part of the rotating body and has a holding member for holding the rotating body. Here, in the example described above, the holding member HM is an example of the holding member.

Further, in the printing apparatus, the structure in which the rotating body is made of metal may be used.

Further, in the printing apparatus, the head is an impact type printing head having a wire for hitting a printing medium, and the distance from the tip of the wire of the head to the surface of the platen facing the head is the distance of the rotating body. A configuration may be used in which the distance from the contact point with the print medium to the surface of the platen facing the head is larger than the distance.

Further, in the printing apparatus, the print medium may be a booklet having pages having different paper thicknesses.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and changes, substitutions, deletions, etc., are made as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated. May be done.

10 ... Printing device, 11 ... Printing device body, 12 ... Upper cover, 13 ... Upper housing, 14 ... Lower housing, 15 ... Hand opening, 16 ... Left side frame, 17 ... Right side frame, 100 ... Printing medium, 101 ... Magnetic stripe, AX ... 2nd axis, CA ... Carriage shaft, CG ... Carriage, CR ... Conveying roller, CT ... Ribbon cartridge, H ... Conveying unit, HD ... Head, HM ... Holding member, MR ... Magnetic data reading unit , MT ... Conveying motor, PL ... Platen, PM ... Printing mechanism, PM2 ... Holding, RB ... Rotating body, RB1 ... First axis, RB2 ... Roller, TC ... Three-dimensional coordinate system

Claims (7)

A head that moves back and forth in the scanning direction and prints on a print medium,
A transport unit that transports the print medium in a transport direction that intersects the scanning direction,
The platen facing the head and
A pressing portion having a rotating body that moves together with the head, projects from the head toward the platen to press the print medium, and rotates at least in a direction corresponding to the movement of the head in the scanning direction.
A printing device equipped with. The rotating body is
A first shaft body that rotates around a first shaft parallel to the direction in which the holding portion protrudes from the head, and
A second axis body orthogonal to the first axis body and
With
The second shaft body is provided on the first shaft body and rotates around the first shaft body together with the first shaft body.
Rollers that can rotate around the second shaft body are provided at both ends of the second shaft body.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The rotating body is a spherical object that comes into contact with the printing medium.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The holding portion has a holding member that covers at least a part of the rotating body and holds the rotating body.
The printing apparatus according to claim 3. The rotating body is made of metal.
The printing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4. The head is an impact type printing head having a wire that hits the printing medium.
The distance from the tip of the wire of the head to the surface of the platen facing the head is from the contact point of the rotating body with the printing medium to the head of the surface of the platen. Greater than the distance to the opposite surface,
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The print medium is a booklet having pages having different paper thicknesses.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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