JP2530852Y2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The invention relates to a printing device.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a handy-type small printing device that prints on recording paper by scanning and moving the device itself has been developed.

This small printing device is provided with a print head at the lower end of the main body of a size that can be grasped by hand.When the print head is brought into contact with the recording paper and the printing device is operated and moved along the recording paper surface, printing is performed. The apparatus sequentially reads out the print information stored in the memory unit in the apparatus main body in accordance with the operation movement, and drives the print head in accordance with the print information to print on the recording paper. That is, the small printing device,
The printing is performed on a recording sheet by scanning and moving the apparatus itself. This small printing apparatus has a small printing width, but has an advantage that it is compact and lightweight, so that it is easy to carry.

By the way, as the above-mentioned small printing device, a device that prints on a special recording paper such as a thermal recording paper is conventionally known, but this small printing device prints on a notebook or any other recording paper. In recent years, using an ink tape such as a thermal transfer ink tape, a printing head has been used to print on recording paper via the ink tape while sending the ink tape in accordance with the scanning movement, that is, the printing operation of the apparatus, A small printing device capable of printing on arbitrary recording paper is being considered.

A small printing device that performs printing using the above-described ink tape loads an ink tape cassette into the device body by passing an exposed portion of the ink tape under a print head, and mounts the ink tape cassette on a take-up spool of the ink tape cassette. Engage the ink tape winding shaft provided in the device main body,
By driving the ink tape winding shaft in accordance with the scanning movement of the apparatus, the ink tape winding shaft is driven to rotate the winding spool in the winding direction to feed the ink tape. I have. In this small printing apparatus, it is necessary to apply a back tension to the ink tape fed from the supply spool of the ink tape cassette so that the ink tape is not slackened. In the cassette,
A back tension mechanism for providing resistance to the rotation of the supply spool is provided.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, providing the back tension mechanism in the ink tape cassette as described above not only complicates the structure of the ink tape cassette but also increases the price.

This invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a rotational resistance to the supply side spool without providing a complicated back tension mechanism in the ink tape cassette. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus capable of applying a back tension to an ink tape fed from a supply spool.

[Means to solve the problem]

According to the invention, an ink tape take-up shaft that is cantilevered and rotatably provided in the apparatus main body and is fitted and engaged with a take-up spool of an ink tape cassette, and a brake member is slidably inserted therein. An elastic member, one end of which is in elastic contact with the brake member and the other end of which is received by the apparatus main body side, is inserted therein, and is provided so as to be rotatable and slidable in the axial direction of a fixed shaft which is cantilevered in the apparatus main body. A supply spool engagement shaft that fits into and engages with a supply spool of the ink tape cassette; and a shaft pushing portion provided on the supply spool in the ink tape cassette. When the ink tape cassette is loaded into the apparatus main body. The shaft pusher provided on the supply spool of this ink tape cassette pushes the supply spool engagement shaft of the apparatus main body toward its base end and moves elastically. With increasing repulsion wood,
The elastic member presses the brake member against the inner surface of the supply-side spool engagement shaft to generate friction between the brake member and the supply-side spool engagement shaft.

[Action]

That is, in the small printing apparatus of the present invention, when the supply tape engaging shaft provided in the apparatus main body is pushed forward by the elastic member in the distal direction, and when the ink tape cassette is loaded in the apparatus main body, the supply side spool is provided. The supply side spool engagement shaft is pushed in the base end direction by a shaft pushing portion provided at the base member so as to increase the repulsion force of the elastic member. Is applied to the supply-side spool engaged with the supply-side spool engagement shaft to impart rotational resistance. In this case, a complicated back tension mechanism is provided in the ink tape cassette. Without applying a rotational resistance to the supply side spool, the back tension can be applied to the ink tape fed from the supply side spool.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in regard to a copying machine type compact printing apparatus for reading a document and printing the read information on recording paper.

The small printing apparatus of this embodiment has the appearance as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body having a vertically long box-like shape which can be gripped by a hand. An operation start switch 2 is provided at the center of the front surface of the apparatus main body 1, and an enlarged print designation key 3, a reset / clear key 4, and a reading width designation switch 5 are provided at the upper end and the lower end. A mode changeover switch 6 also serving as a power switch, a power-on display LED (light emitting diode) 7a, and a memory remaining amount display which is lit when the memory remaining amount is less than a predetermined amount are provided on the back of the apparatus body 1. LED7b and a speed warning that lights when the printing device is moving too fast
LED7c is provided. On one side surface of the apparatus main body 1, a print density adjusting knob 8 is provided.

The configuration of the small printing apparatus will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the small printing apparatus has a front case block A and a rear case block B which constitute the apparatus main body 1.
And a chassis block C provided in the apparatus main body 1.

The front case block A will be described. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the front case block A is provided with an operation start switch 2 and an enlarged print on the front surface of a front case 1a constituting the front side of the apparatus main body 1. A designation key 3, a reset / clear key 4, and a reading width designation switch 5 are provided, and a print density adjusting knob 8 is provided on one side surface of the front case 1a. The operation start switch 2 includes a large-area switch button 2a provided on the surface of the front case 1a, and a switch board 2b attached to the inner surface of the front case 1a so as to face the center of the switch button 2a. The switch button 2a is pushably fitted into an opening provided in the front case 1a, and is pressed toward the case surface by a rubber member 9 provided between the back surface and the switch board 2b. The operation start switch 2 is turned on by pressing the switch button 2a. When the switch button 2a is pressed, the switch button 2a is pushed in while elastically deforming the rubber member 9, and the center of the back surface of the switch button 2a Movable contact 10 formed in the part
When a contacts the fixed contact 10b on the surface of the switch board 2b, the operation start switch 2 is turned on. The enlarged print designation key 3 and the reset / clear key 4 are provided in the front case.
The key buttons 3a, 4a fitted so as to be able to be pushed into 1a, and the key contact board 11 attached to the inner surface of the front case 1a opposite to the two key buttons 3a, 4a,
4 is turned on by pressing the key buttons 3a and 4a to contact the key contact board 11. On the other hand, the reading width designation switch 5 is a slide switch. The read width designation switch 5 includes a slide operation knob 5a slidably provided on the surface of the front case 1a and a switch board mounted on the inner surface of the front case 1a so as to face the slide area of the operation knob 5a. 5b, a large number of fixed contacts are formed on the switch board 5b surface along the sliding direction of the operation knob 5a, and the operation knob 5a slides on the switch board 5b surface to each of the fixed contacts. A movable contact that selectively contacts is formed. In FIGS. 5 and 6, reference numeral 12 denotes a control unit provided in the front case 1a. The control unit 12 is configured by mounting a plurality of LSI chips 13 on a circuit board 12a, and the switch boards 2b and 5b and the key contact board 11 are connected to the control circuit unit 12 by lead wires (not shown). Although not shown, a print density adjusting knob having the print density adjusting knob 8 is attached to the circuit board 12a.
One side protrudes from the side surface of the front case 1a.
Reference numeral 14a denotes a first main contact roller provided at a lower end portion in the front case 1a so as to be close to one side thereof. The first main paper contact roller 14a is moved in contact with the paper when the printing device scans and moves along the paper surface (document surface or recording paper surface) to read the document or print on the recording paper. The first main paper contact roller 14
a is rotatably supported by the front case 1a with its lower part projecting slightly below the front case 1a.
Further, at the lower end of the front case 1a, a horizontal overhanging plate 15 is formed to extend inward, and on this overhanging plate 15, a horizontally long LDE array 16 for illuminating the original surface and a printing device for storing the original or external recording. There is provided a paper surface detection switch 17 for detecting when the device is placed on paper. The paper surface detection switch 17 is a micro switch having an operation pin 17a. The operating pin 17a is normally pressed by a spring force so as to protrude below the front case 1a, and is pushed up by abutting against the paper when the printing apparatus is placed on a document or external recording paper. The paper surface detection switch 17 is turned on by pushing up the operation pin 17a.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a rear case block B is provided with a mode changeover switch 6 serving also as a power switch on a rear case 1b constituting the rear side of the apparatus main body 1.
And LEDs 7a, 7b, 7c for power ON display, remaining memory display, and speed warning. The mode changeover switch 6 is a slide switch. The mode changeover switch 6 is composed of a slide operation knob 6a provided on the surface of the rear case 1b so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction, and a switch board 6b mounted in the wall of the rear case 1b so as to face the operation knob 6a. A plurality of fixed contacts are formed on the surface of the switch board 6b along the sliding direction of the operation knob 6a, and the switch board is provided on the operation knob 6a.
A movable contact that slides on the surface 6b and comes into contact with each of the fixed contacts is formed. This operation knob 6a is used for the P shown in FIG.
It is slid to a position (print mode switching position), an R position (reading mode switching position), an OFF position, and an E position (ejection position of the ink tape cassette 70).
The mode switch 6 is in a state where the power is turned off when the operation knob 6a is in the OFF position. When the operation knob 6a is slid to the print mode switching position P or the reading mode switching position R, the power is turned off. When turned on, the printer is switched to a print mode or a read mode. The switch board 6b of the mode changeover switch 6 is connected to the control unit 12 of the front case block A by a lead wire (not shown).

5 and 6, reference numeral 18 denotes an auxiliary roller unit provided at the lower end of the rear case block B. The auxiliary roller unit 18 rolls up and down on the paper surface when the printing device is scanned and moved along the paper surface on an elevating plate 19 slidably provided in the rear case 1b, together with the main paper contact roller 14a. A pair of left and right auxiliary paper contact rollers 18a and 18b supporting the main body 1 are attached.
The auxiliary paper contact rollers 18a and 18b are mounted on a horizontal roller shaft 20 having both ends supported on both sides of a lifting plate 19.
The auxiliary roller unit 18 is moved up and down in conjunction with a sliding operation of the operation knob 6a of the mode changeover switch 6. That is, in FIG. 5, reference numeral 21 denotes a pair of left and right cam grooves formed in the elevating plate 19, and each of the cam grooves 21 has a lower horizontal groove portion 21a and an upper horizontal groove portion having a height difference at both ends. 21b, the inclined groove 21c connecting the horizontal grooves 21a and 21b is formed at the center, and a vertical groove 21d that rises upward is formed at the end of the upper horizontal groove 21b. A pair of cam groove engaging pins 22 fixed to the operation knob 6a are slidably engaged with the respective cam grooves 21. The cam groove engaging pin 22 slides in the cam groove 21 by the sliding movement of the operation knob 6a. The cam groove engaging pin 22 is operated when the operation knob 6a of the mode switch 6 is in the print mode switching position. When it is at P, it is located in the lower horizontal groove portion 21a of the cam groove 21, and when the operation knob 6a is moved to the reading mode switching position R, the inclined groove portion
When the elevating plate 19 is lowered through 21c and moved to the start end of the upper horizontal groove 21b, and when the operation knob 6a is moved to the OFF position, it is moved to the middle of the upper horizontal groove 21b, and the operation knob 6a is further moved. When it is moved to the eject position E, it moves to the end of the upper horizontal groove 21b, that is, below the vertical groove 21d. That is, the auxiliary roller unit 1
Numeral 8 is raised when the mode changeover switch 6 is switched to the print mode changeover position P, and lowered when the mode changeover switch 6 is changed to the read mode changeover position R. In the mode, the lower ends of the auxiliary paper contact rollers 18a, 18b are located below the rear case 1b at a position protruding to substantially the same level as the lower end of the first main paper contact roller 14a. It comes to a position protruding below the first main paper contact roller 14a. When the mode switch 6 is switched to the OFF position and the eject position E, the auxiliary roller unit 18 is at the same level as in the reading mode.
The cam groove engaging pin 22
In this state, the auxiliary roller unit 18 can be further pulled down because the vertical groove 21d can be inserted into the vertical groove 21d. At this time, the lowering of the auxiliary roller unit 18 and the return to the original position are performed manually.

Next, the chassis block C will be described. The chassis block C is housed in the apparatus main body 1 configured by combining the front case block A and the rear case block B. The chassis block C has the following configuration. That is, FIG.
In FIG. 5 and FIG. 5, reference numeral 23 denotes a chassis which is provided vertically along one side surface of the apparatus main body 1. A lower end of the chassis 23 is rotatably supported by a second main contact roller 14b. Supported. The second main paper contact roller 14b is a first main paper contact roller provided on the front case block A.
The second main contact roller 14b is a pair with the first main contact roller 14b.
The main body roller 14a is provided at the same level as the main paper contact roller 14a, and the apparatus main body 1 has four contacts between the two main paper contact rollers 14a, 14b and the two auxiliary paper contact rollers 18a, 18b of the rear case block B. The document is brought into contact with a document or recording paper via a paper roller and is scanned and moved on the paper. Reference numeral 24 denotes a scanning encoder for detecting the amount of scanning movement provided on the outer surface on the lower end side of the chassis 23. The main encoder unit 24 detects the scanning movement amount of the apparatus main body 1 by the rotation of the second main paper contact roller 14b. The rotating disk 26 includes a rotating disk 26 supported by a shaft and a rotation amount detector 27 for detecting the amount of rotation of the rotating disk 26.
Is provided with a number of slits 26a at regular intervals over its entire circumference. The rotation amount detector 27
The rotation amount detector 27 has a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode and a light-receiving element such as a phototransistor (both of which are shown). ) Are provided so as to face each other with the rotating disk 26 interposed therebetween. This rotation amount detector 27 is a chassis
Fixed to 23. The rotating disk 26 is rotated by a rotation of a second main paper contact roller 14b via a rotation transmission belt 28. The rotation transmission belt 28 is rotated by the second main paper contact roller 14b.
b and pulleys 29a, 2 that rotate integrally with rotating disk 26, respectively.
It is wrapped around 9b. That is, the main encoder unit 24 detects the rotation amount of the rotating disk 26 rotated by the rotation of the second main paper contact roller 14b, that is, the scanning movement amount of the apparatus main body 1 by the rotation amount detector 27. The quantity detector 27 outputs a pulse signal when light from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element through the slit 26a of the rotating disk 26.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a print head unit attached to the lower end of the chassis 23. The print head unit 30 includes a head support frame 31, a thermal print head 32, and a pair of left and right pressing springs (coil springs) 33 for pressing the print head 32 downward. The head support frame 31 has a vertical back plate portion 31a facing the back surface of the print head 32, a horizontal top plate portion 31b extending forward from the upper edge thereof, and a vertical end plate portion 31c formed at the tip of these. The head support frame 31 has its base end attached to the chassis 23.
And is cantilevered. Further, on the end plate portion 31c of the head support frame 31 and the lower end side of the chassis 23,
The print head support shafts 34a and 34b are horizontally fixed to face each other. This print head support shaft 34a, 34b
Are slidably fitted in vertically long grooves 35 formed on both side surfaces of the print head 32.The print head 32 is slidably and longitudinally slidable on the print head support shafts 34a, 34b. Three
It is supported so that it can move up and down within the range of 5 lengths. The pair of pressing springs 33 have the same spring force, and each of the pressing springs 33 is interposed between the upper plate portion 31b of the head support frame 31 and the upper end surface of the print head 32 for printing. The head 32 is pressed downward. Each of these compression springs 33
Is for bringing the print head 32 into contact with the recording paper surface at an appropriate contact pressure, and the print head 32 always contacts the recording paper surface with a constant contact pressure while moving up and down within the length of the long groove 35. At the same time, not only when the apparatus main body 1 is standing vertically with respect to the recording paper surface, but also when the apparatus main body 1 is tilted to the left and right, rolling is performed in the left and right direction within the length of the long groove 35 at all times. It comes into flat contact with the recording paper. Reference numerals 36 and 37 denote leaf springs and head inclination adjusting screws for adjusting the inclination angle of the print head 32 in the front-rear direction. The leaf spring 36 is attached to the rear plate 31a of the head support frame 31 and On the lower side of the support shafts 34a and 34b, the print head 32 is slidably elastically contacted with the back surface of the print head 32, and the head inclination adjustment screw 37 is screwed and inserted into the back plate portion 31a of the head support frame 31, and the print head support shaft 34a, Above 34b, it slidably contacts the back of the print head 32. The head tilt adjustment screw 37 is turned by a driver when adjusting the tilt angle of the print head 32 in the front-rear direction, that is, the contact angle with respect to the recording paper.When the head tilt adjustment screw 37 is turned in the screwing direction, printing is performed. When the head 32 tilts in the direction in which it falls down to the front side against the spring force of the leaf spring 36, and when the head tilt angle adjustment screw 37 is turned in the pull-out direction, the print head 32 falls in the back side by the spring force of the leaf spring 36. Therefore, the tilt angle of the print head 32 can be adjusted so that the print surface at the leading end of the print head 32 comes into contact with the recording paper surface in an optimal direction, that is, a direction in which the best printing can be performed. Reference numeral 38 denotes a driver insertion hole 38 provided in the rear case 1b so as to face the head inclination adjustment screw 37.Adjustment of the head inclination is performed by inserting a driver from the driver insertion hole 38 and turning the head inclination adjustment screw 37. This is performed from outside the device main body 1. The adjustment of the head tilt angle is performed in a state where the ink tape cassette 70 is pulled out of the apparatus main body 1.

On the other hand, in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, reference numeral 39 denotes an ink tape winding unit for winding the ink tape 81 of the ink tape cassette 70 loaded in the apparatus main body 1 in accordance with a printing operation. The ink tape take-up unit 39 includes an ink tape take-up shaft 40 for rotating the take-up spool 73 of the ink tape cassette 70 in the take-up direction, and a drive motor 41 for the ink tape take-up shaft 40. The ink tape take-up shaft 40 is fitted and engaged with a take-up spool 73 of the ink tape cassette 70, and the ink tape take-up shaft 40 is engaged with a center shaft 40a by a spool engaging the outer periphery along the axial direction. The outer shaft 40b having the ridge is fitted and fixed. This ink tape winding shaft 40 is the center shaft
The base end of 40a is rotatably supported by the chassis 23 so as to be cantilevered and is horizontally supported by the chassis 23. Further, the take-up shaft drive motor 41 is located above the ink tape take-up shaft 40 and is fixed in a motor accommodating portion 42 formed in the chassis 23, and the motor shaft 41a penetrates the chassis 23 to It is projected on the outer surface. A take-up shaft drive gear 43 is fixed to the end of the motor shaft 41a. The drive gear 43 is connected to a first intermediate gear 44 and a second intermediate gear 45 which are supported by the chassis 23 via an ink tape. It is engaged with a passive gear 46 fixed to the shaft end of the winding shaft 40. Reference numeral 47 denotes a motor rotation detection encoder unit (hereinafter referred to as a motor encoder unit) provided for detecting the rotation speed of the ink tape winding shaft 40, that is, the winding speed of the ink tape 81, from the rotation speed of the winding shaft drive motor 41. The motor encoder unit 47 includes a rotating disk 48 having a slit 48a at one position on an outer peripheral portion fixed to the motor shaft 41a.
And a rotation detector 49 fixed to the chassis 23. The rotation number detector 49 sandwiches a light emitting element and a light receiving element (neither is shown) with a rotating disk 49 in the same manner as the rotation amount detector 27 of the main encoder unit 24 for detecting the scanning movement amount described above. The rotation detector 49 receives light from the light emitting element through the slit 48a of the rotating disk 48 and receives the light from the light emitting element every time the rotating disk 48 makes one rotation. When this is done, a pulse signal is output.

50 is a supply spool of the ink tape cassette 70.
A supply side spool engagement shaft that fits and engages with the 74, and the spool engagement shaft 50 is provided horizontally below the ink tape winding shaft 40. The spool engaging shaft 50 is a hollow shaft formed with a spool engaging ridge along the axial direction on the outer periphery, and is rotatable and axially slidable on a fixed shaft 51 that is cantilevered by the chassis 23. Fitted. 52 is a brake spring composed of a coil spring inserted into the spool engaging shaft 50, 53 is slidably fitted to the fixed shaft in the axial direction thereof and makes frictional contact with the inner surface of the distal end portion of the spool engaging shaft 50. One end of a brake spring 52 is received by the chassis 23, and the other end is in elastic contact with the brake member 53 to press the brake member 53 against the inner surface of the distal end of the spool engagement shaft 50. That is, the brake spring 52 and the brake member 53 are connected to the supply spool 74 of the ink tape cassette 70.
The spool engagement shaft 50 is engaged with the supply side spool 74 to brake the rotation of the spool engagement shaft 50 that rotates integrally with the supply side spool 74. Then, a rotational resistance is applied to the supply side spool 74 which rotates in the tape feeding direction to apply back tension to the ink tape 81. The brake spring 52 also has a function of pushing the supply-side spool engagement shaft 50 toward the distal end thereof.
When the ink tape cassette 70 is not loaded in the apparatus main body 1, 50 is pushed in the distal direction as shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a reading unit for reading an image on a document surface, and the reading unit 54 is also attached to the chassis 23. FIGS. 8 and 9 show the detailed structure of the reading unit 54. Reference numeral 55 denotes a horizontally long base which is attached to the chassis 23 so as to protrude forward from the motor housing 42 thereof. A horizontally long reading section circuit board 56 is provided on 55, and a lower surface of the circuit board 56 is opposed to a reading opening 58 provided in a central portion in the length direction of the base 55,
A one-dimensional image sensor 57 such as a CCD is mounted with the light receiving surface facing downward. The image sensor 57 is mounted along the length direction of the circuit board 56 such that the direction of the pixel row is orthogonal to the scanning movement direction of the apparatus main body 1. A lens barrel 59 is attached to the lower surface of the base 55 so as to face the reading opening 58.
Inside, an image forming lens 60 for forming an image of the reflected light from the document surface illuminated by the LED array 16 on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 57 is provided. The reading section circuit board 56 is slidably supported at both ends of the board on board supporting sections 55a formed at both ends of the base 55 so as to slide in the board width direction (the direction orthogonal to the pixel column direction of the image sensor 57). ) Is provided so as to be able to move laterally, and the image sensor 57 is adjusted so that the pixel row is aligned with the optical axis of the imaging lens 60 by laterally moving the circuit board 56. I have. Describing the position adjustment mechanism of this image sensor,
8 and 9, reference numeral 61 denotes a disc-shaped sensor position adjustment knob provided at both ends of the reading unit 54. The sensor position adjustment knob 61 is formed so that the center of the sensor position adjustment knob 61 penetrates the base 55. The shaft 62 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 62 which is screwed and fixed. A disc-shaped rotary cam 63 is formed integrally on the lower surface of the sensor position adjusting knob 61 so as to be eccentric from the center of rotation, and the rotary cams 63 are provided at both ends of the circuit board 56. It is fitted into the horizontally long rectangular opening 64. The width of the opening 61 is substantially the same as the diameter of the rotating cam 63, and the rotating cam 63 is in sliding contact with both sides of the opening 64 on both sides of the outer peripheral surface. Note that the thickness of the rotating cam 63 is substantially the same as the thickness of the circuit board 56, and the sensor position adjustment knob 61 is slidably in contact with the upper surface of the circuit board 56 at the outer periphery thereof so that the circuit board 56 does not float. I'm holding it down. The position adjusting mechanism is for moving the circuit board 56 in the width direction by turning the sensor position adjusting knob 61. When the sensor position adjusting knob 61 is turned, the eccentric rotation of the rotary cam 63 causes the ninth circuit board 56 to move. Since the image sensor 57 is laterally moved as indicated by a chain line in the figure, the position of the image sensor 57 attached to the circuit board 56 can be adjusted so that its pixel row coincides with the optical axis of the imaging lens 60. The sensor position adjustment knob 61 is turned by inserting a tool such as a screwdriver into a groove 61a provided on the upper surface of the outer peripheral portion.

5 and 6, reference numeral 65 denotes a chassis 23.
The power supply unit 65 is provided at the upper end of the
A power battery 67 is housed in the battery 66.

That is, the chassis block C has a second main paper contact roller 14b, a rotating disk 26, a rotation amount detector 27, and a mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the second main paper contact roller 14b to the rotating disk 26. Main encoder unit 24 and print head 32
And a print head unit 30 having a pressing spring 33 and a head inclination adjusting mechanism, an ink tape winding unit 39 having an ink tape winding shaft 40, a drive motor 41 and a motor encoder unit 47, and a rotation braking mechanism. A supply-side spool engagement shaft 50, an image sensor 57, a reading unit 54 including a position adjusting mechanism for the imaging lens 60 and the image sensor 57, and a power supply unit 65 are all provided in the chassis 23. .

Then, the printing apparatus positions the chassis block C such that the second main contact roller 14b is at the same level as the first main contact roller 14a on the front case block A side, and stores the chassis block C in the rear case 1b. The chassis block C is assembled by attaching the chassis 23 to the rear case block B by screwing the chassis 23 to the rear case block 1b, joining the front case block A to the rear case block B, and fitting the rear case block 1b and the front case block 1a. Can be

Next, the ink tape cassette 70 used in the printing apparatus will be described. The ink tape cut 70 has a shape as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the ink tape cassette 70,
Reference numeral 71 denotes a vertically long box-shaped cassette case having an open lower end surface. The thickness is set so as not to obstruct the field of view of the image sensor 57. This cassette case 71 is configured by combining a front case body 71a forming the front surface and one side surface of the case, and a rear case body 71B forming the back surface and the other side surface of the case. On one side surface, a vertically long cutout portion 72 for forming the print head unit 30 of the apparatus main body 1 into the cassette case 71 is formed at the lower end side. Inside the cassette case 71, a take-up spool 73 and a supply-side spool 74 that are fitted to the ink tape take-up shaft 40 and the supply-side spool engagement shaft 50 of the apparatus main body 1, respectively, at the upper end and the intermediate portion. Are provided horizontally. Both spools 73, 74
Is formed by a hollow shaft having an engaging groove formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof so as to engage with the spool engaging projection of the ink tape winding shaft 40 and the supply side spool engaging shaft 50 along the axial direction. One end of each of the spools 73 and 74 is inserted into bearing holes 75 and 76 provided on one side surface of the cassette case 71, and the other end is inserted into bearing cylinders 77 and 78 formed on the other inner surface of the cassette case 71. Supported rotatably. Also, cassette case 71
A pair of tape guide shafts 79a,
79b is provided horizontally with one end fixed to both sides of the open end of the cutout 72 and the other end fitted and fixed to sockets 80a, 80b formed on the other inner surface of the cassette case 71. The thermal transfer ink tape 81 wound around the supply-side spool 74 is guided by the tape guide shafts 79a and 79b, passes through the opening at the lower end of the case, and is wound around the winding-side spool 73. Reference numeral 82 denotes a tape guide shaft provided in the cassette case 71. Also, the supply side spool
As shown in FIG. 2, the supply side spool 74 is
Is completely fitted to the supply side spool engagement shaft 50, the spool engagement shaft 50
Is formed in the shaft pushing step 83 for pushing the shaft in the base end direction.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, a cassette loading port 1c formed by cutting out the side faces of the front case 1a and the rear case 1b is opened in the side face of the apparatus main body 1, and this cassette loading port 1c is opened. Is provided with an opening / closing lid 1d. The opening / closing lid 1d has one side edge pivotally supported by a hinge 68 on a side edge of the cassette loading port 1c on the front case 1a side,
It is attached to the front case 1a so that it can be opened and closed. On the inner surface of the other side edge of the opening / closing lid 1d, a hook member 69a for locking the opening / closing lid 1d in a closed state is provided, and at the side edge of the cassette loading port 1c on the rear case 1b side. ,
A lock projection 69b for hooking the hook member 69a protrudes. The hook member 69a is provided with a lock knob (not shown) provided on the outer surface of the opening / closing lid 1d so as to be vertically slidable.
When the lock knob is slid downward with the opening / closing lid 1d closed,
When the hook member 69a engages with the lock projection 69b from above to lock the opening / closing lid 1d and slides the lock knob upward, the hook member 69a is disengaged above the locking projection 69b, and the locking of the opening / closing lid 1d is performed. It is released.

The ink tape cassette 70 is provided with the opening / closing lid.
1d is opened, and inserted and loaded into the apparatus main body 1 from the cassette loading port 1c. In the ink tape cassette 70, the notch 72 is attached to the apparatus main body 1 from the side where the notch 72 is formed.
To the print head unit 30 inside and the take-up spool
The ink tape cassette 70 is inserted into the apparatus main body 1 with the exposed ends of the supply tape 73 and the supply side spool 74 facing the ink tape winding shaft 40 and the supply side spool engaging shaft 50 in the apparatus main body 1. Then, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the print head unit 30 is inserted into the cassette case 71 from the cutout 72, and the tip of the print head 32 is exposed to the open portion at the lower end of the cassette. Then, the ink tape take-up shaft 40 and the supply-side spool engagement shaft 50 are engaged with the take-up spool 73 and the supply-side spool 74 of the ink tape cassette 70, respectively.

In this case, the supply-side spool engagement shaft 50 pressed in the distal direction by the brake spring 52 is in the pushed-out state until the supply-side spool 74 is completely fitted, but the supply-side spool 74 is completely fitted. When the shaft pressing step 83 in the supply side spool 74 abuts on the shaft end of the supply side spool engagement shaft 50, the supply side spool engagement shaft 50
Brake spring with insertion to the final loading position of 70
While being compressed, 52 is pushed in the proximal direction as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the ink tape cassette 70 is loaded into the apparatus main body 1, the repulsive force of the brake spring 52 increases, and the
53 is strongly pressed against the inner surface of the shaft end of the supply-side spool engagement shaft 50, whereby the supply-side spool engagement shaft 50
The rotation of the supply-side spool 74 of the ink tape cassette 70 engaged with the supply-side spool engagement shaft 50 with the rotation thereof being braked.
, And a back tension is applied to the ink tape 81 fed from the supply side spool 74. The ink tape cassette 70 loaded in the apparatus main body 1 closes the opening / closing lid 1d of the cassette loading port 1c and locks the opening / closing lid 1d. Is held. To load the ink tape cassette 70 into the apparatus main body 1, the operation knob 6a of the mode switch 6 is moved to the eject position E.
After the switching, the auxiliary roller unit 18 may be pulled down, so that the auxiliary paper contact roller 18a on the side of the cassette loading port 1c of the apparatus main body 1 does not hinder the cassette loading. The same applies to the case where the ink tape cassette 70 is pulled out of the apparatus main body 1. The lowering of the auxiliary roller unit 18 is performed by pulling the roller shaft 20 downward by hand. When the operation knob 6a of the mode changeover switch 6 is switched to the eject position E, the cam groove which moves together with the operation knob 6a. Since the engaging pin 22 comes under the vertical groove 21d of the cam groove 21 of the elevating plate 19, the auxiliary roller unit 18 can be pulled down. Also, the ink tape cassette 70 from within the apparatus main body 1 is used.
In this case, the supply-side spool engagement shaft 50 that is fitted and engaged with the supply-side spool 74 of the ink tape cassette 70 is attached to the brake spring 52.
When the opening / closing lid 1d is opened, the ink tape cassette 70 is pushed out to the cassette loading port 1c side together with the supply-side spool engagement shaft 50 by the spring force of the brake spring 52, and the ink tape is opened. Since the side of the cassette 70 projects outside from the cassette loading port 1c, the ink tape cassette 70 can be easily extracted.

FIG. 11 schematically shows the configuration of the above-mentioned small printing apparatus, which comprises a control unit 12 and an LED.
A front case block A incorporating the array 16, a rear case block B incorporating the auxiliary roller unit 18,
Main encoder unit 24, print head unit 30,
3 with the chassis block C incorporating the ink tape take-up unit 39, reading unit 54 and power supply unit 65
The LED array 16 of the front case block A and the units 24, 30, 47, 54 and 65 of the chassis block C are respectively connected to the front case block A by flexible connectors 90 such as lead wires or flat cables. It is connected to the control unit 12.

Next, a method of using the small printing apparatus will be described. First, reading of a document will be described. When reading a document, the mode changeover switch 6 is switched to the reading mode changeover position R. This mode switch 6
Is switched to the reading mode switching position R, the power of the printing apparatus is turned on and the printing apparatus is in the reading mode, and the cam groove engaging pin 22 further moves to the start end of the upper horizontal groove 21b of the cam groove 21. The auxiliary roller unit 18 is lowered, and the auxiliary paper contact rollers 18a and 18b project below the main paper contact rollers 14a and 14b. At this time, the auxiliary paper contact rollers 18a, 18b
The lower end of the print head 32 (press spring 33
At a level lower than the level (when the print head 32 being pressed) protrudes most downward. Next, the operator touches the operation start switch 2 provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 1 with his / her finger to turn on the operation start switch 2 and grasps the printing apparatus by hand.
The sheets 14a and 14b and the auxiliary paper contact rollers 18a and 18b are brought into contact with the surface of the document a and placed on the document a as shown in FIG. When the printing device is placed on the document a in this manner, the paper surface detection switch 17 contacts the surface of the document a and is turned on. The printing device is turned on by turning on both the paper surface detection switch 17 and the operation start switch 2. In the reading operation state, the LED array 16 is turned on. The same applies to the case of performing printing, which will be described later. At this time, the printing device is in a printing operation state when both the paper surface detection switch 17 and the operation start switch 2 are turned on. Thereafter, the printing device is set to the original a
What is necessary is just to manually scan and move the printing apparatus forward (toward the front side of the apparatus main body 1) along the surface of the document a while keeping it on the upper surface. The rotating disk 27 of the main encoder unit 24 is rotated by the rotation of the second main paper contact roller 14b of the paper contact rollers that rotate with the movement, and the main encoder unit is rotated.
From 24, a pulse signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the printing device is sent to the control unit 12, and the printing device sequentially stores the image data read from the document a by the image sensor 57 in the memory section of the control unit 12 in synchronization with the pulse signal. Write it down.

In this case, in the printing apparatus, when reading the original a, the auxiliary paper contact roller 18 is linked with the switching of the mode changeover switch 6 to the reading mode changeover position R.
Since a and 18b are lowered below the tip level of the print head 32, the printing device supported by the main paper contact rollers 14a and 14b and the auxiliary paper contact rollers 18a and 18b is shown in FIG. As described above, the print head 32 which is slightly inclined forward, that is, the print head 32 projecting from the lower surface of the apparatus is scanned and moved in a posture separated from the surface of the original document a, so that the leading end of the print head 32 and the ink tape 81 thereunder are moved. Since there is no sliding contact with the surface of the document a, the wear of the print head 32 can be prevented, and the surface of the document a can be prevented from being stained by the ink tape 81.

Further, the above-mentioned printing apparatus is capable of arbitrarily selecting the reading width when reading the document a. Before starting reading, the operation knob 5a of the reading width designation switch 5 is turned to a desired width scale (see FIG. 3). In the image data read by the image sensor 57, the printing device writes and stores only the image data from the point 0 on the width scale to the scale including the operation knob 5a in the memory unit. When performing the above reading, if the moving speed of the printing device is too fast, accurate reading cannot be performed.
The moving speed of the device is detected based on the pulse signal from the main encoder unit 24, and if the moving speed is too fast, the speed warning LED 7c is turned on to issue an alarm. This is the same at the time of printing. Also,
If the memory section overflows during reading, the read image data cannot be written to the memory section any further, so in the above printing device, when the remaining memory capacity is low, the memory remaining amount display LED 7b is turned on to turn on the memory. It notifies that the remaining amount is low.

Next, the printing of an image read from the document a will be described. In this case, the mode changeover switch 6 is switched to the print mode changeover position P. When the mode changeover switch 6 is switched to the print mode changeover position P, the printing device is set to the reading mode, and the cam groove engaging pin 22 moves to the lower horizontal groove portion 21a of the cam groove 21 to raise the auxiliary roller unit 18. The auxiliary contact rollers 18a, 18
b becomes the same level as the main paper contact rollers 14a and 14b. Next, the printing apparatus is gripped in the same manner as in the above reading, and the printing apparatus is brought into contact with the respective paper contact rollers 14a, 14b and 18a, 18b against the external recording paper b surface such as a notebook, as shown in FIG. To recording paper b
put on top. When the printing device is placed on the recording paper b in this way,
The paper surface detection switch 17 comes into contact with the surface of the recording paper b to be turned on, and the print head 32
Touch the surface. In this case, the print head 32 compresses the pressing spring 33 by contact with the recording paper b, and
14a, 14b and 18a, 18b rise to the recording paper contact level and come into contact with the recording paper b together with the paper contact rollers 14a, 14b and 18a, 18b.Recording is performed with an appropriate contact pressure by the repulsive force of the pressing spring 33. It is pressed into contact with the paper b surface. Thereafter, the printing apparatus main body 1 may be scanned and moved forward along the surface of the recording paper b in the same manner as when reading, and when the printing apparatus is scanned and moved in this manner, the printing apparatus becomes main. The image data is sequentially read from the memory unit in accordance with the pulse signal from the encoder unit 24, and the print head 32 is driven based on the image data to print the image read from the document a on the recording paper a via the ink tape 81. I do. The image printed on the recording paper b is printed with the same width as the reading width from the document a. However, if the enlarged print is designated by the enlarged print designation key 3 before printing, the image is printed at a predetermined width. The same image can be repeatedly printed by pressing the reset / clear key 4 after printing is completed.
Further, in the printing apparatus, since the print head 32 is brought into press contact with the recording paper b by the spring force of the press spring 33,
Printing can be performed by keeping the print head 32 in contact with the recording paper b with a constant contact pressure at all times, and since the print head 32 is provided rotatably rotatable, the printing device can move left and right during scanning movement. Even if the print head 32 is tilted, the print head 32 rolls to the opposite side by the tilt angle of the apparatus main body 1 and always comes into flat contact with the surface of the recording paper b, so that the printed image does not fade.

Further, at the time of printing, the winding shaft drive motor 41 is driven simultaneously with the start of movement of the printing device,
As a result, the ink tape take-up shaft 40 is driven to rotate, and the take-up spool 73 of the ink tape cassette 70 is rotated in the take-up direction, and the ink tape 81 is taken up in accordance with the printing operation. In this case, the printing device detects the rotation of the winding shaft drive motor 41 by the motor encoder unit 47, and based on the detection result, prints the ink tape.
The winding speed of the motor 81 is detected, and the torque of the motor 41 is controlled so that the winding speed of the ink tape becomes a speed corresponding to the moving amount of the apparatus, that is, the printing speed. This torque control is
Motor encoder unit every time the motor 41 rotates once
The cycle of the pulse signal output from the main encoder unit 24 is compared with the number of pulse signals from the main encoder unit 24 (hereinafter referred to as main encoder pulse). When the number of main encoder pulses output from the encoder unit 24 is larger than a predetermined value (when the moving speed of the device is faster than the tape winding speed), the torque of the motor 41 is increased to increase the tape winding speed. When the number of main encoder pulses is smaller than a predetermined value (the moving speed of the apparatus is lower than the tape winding speed), the torque of the motor 41 is reduced to reduce the tape winding speed. The same applies to the case where the tape winding diameter of the winding-side spool 73 increases and the load applied to the motor 41 increases, and the case where the tape winding speed decreases due to the increase in the load applied to the motor 41. Since the number of main encoder pulses during one rotation of the motor 41 becomes larger than a predetermined value, the torque of the motor 41 is automatically increased also at this time to increase the tape winding speed. When the above printing is performed, the supply-side spool engagement shaft 50 that is fitted and engaged with the supply-side spool 74 of the ink tape cassette 70 is braked from rotating by the repulsive force of the brake spring 52. The ink tape 81 fed from the 74 is always wound around the take-up spool 73 with a back tension applied, so that the ink tape 81 does not become slack and no printing failure occurs.

Thus, in the above-described small printing apparatus, the apparatus main body 1
And an ink tape take-up shaft 40 and a supply-side spool engagement shaft 50 which are fitted into and engaged with the take-up spool 73 and the supply-side spool 74 of the ink tape cassette 70 loaded in the apparatus main body 1, respectively. The supply-side spool engagement shaft 50 is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction thereof.
50 is pushed forward by a brake spring 52 and the supply side spool 74 of the ink tape cassette 70 is pushed out.
In addition, when the ink tape cassette 70 is loaded into the apparatus main body 1, the supply side spool engaging shaft 50 is pushed in the base end direction and moved to increase the repulsive force of the brake spring 52. When the ink tape cassette is loaded into the apparatus main body 1, the repulsive force of the brake spring 52 increases, and the rotational braking force of the supply-side spool engagement shaft 50 increases. Rotational resistance is given to the supply side spool 74 engaged with 50. Therefore, according to the above-described small printing apparatus, a rotational resistance is given to the supply side spool 74 without providing a complicated back tension mechanism in the ink tape cassette 70, and a back tension is applied to the ink tape 81 fed from the supply side spool 74. You can call.

In the above embodiment, the brake spring 52 is inserted into the supply side spool engaging shaft 50.
May be provided outside the supply side spool engagement shaft 50. Further, the elastic member for rotational braking that presses the supply-side spool engagement shaft 50 in the distal direction is not limited to the brake spring 52 including a coil spring as in the above-described embodiment, but may be an elastic member such as a plate spring or rubber. The elastic member may be brought into direct contact with the supply-side spool engagement shaft 50 without the intervention of the brake member 53 as in the above-described embodiment, and the supply-side spool of the ink tape cassette 70 may be used. The shaft pushing portion provided on the 74 may be provided, for example, by providing a flange on the outer periphery of the base end portion of the supply-side spool engagement shaft 50 and abutting the flange. Further, in the above-described embodiment, a small-sized copier-type printing apparatus that reads a document and prints the read information has been described. However, the present invention includes a key input section and prints information input from the key input section. It can be applied to a small printing device for printing.

[Effect of the invention]

The printing device of the present invention has a supply-side spool engagement shaft into which a brake member is slidably inserted, and an elastic member whose one end is elastically contacted with the brake member and the other end is received by the apparatus main body is inserted. A shaft which is provided so as to be rotatable and slidable in the axial direction of a fixed shaft in the apparatus main body, and further pushes and moves a supply side spool engaging shaft of the apparatus main body toward a base end thereof on a supply side spool of the ink tape cassette. Since the pressing portion is provided, no extra space is required for providing the back tension mechanism, a small and stable tension can be given, and the mounting operation can be performed at low cost and easily. Further, the ink tape cassette can be smoothly mounted on the supply side spool engagement shaft, and the ink tape cassette can be easily taken out of the apparatus main body by the repulsive force of the elastic member. Still further, it is possible to apply rotational resistance to the supply spool without providing a complicated back tension mechanism in the ink tape cassette, and to apply back tension to the ink tape fed from the supply spool.

[Brief description of the drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 are vertical front views of a small printing apparatus before and after the ink tape cassette is loaded, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are small-sized printers. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the small printing device, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are longitudinal side views of the printing and reading states of the small printing device, FIG.
FIG. 9 and FIG. 9 are a vertical sectional front view and a plan view of a reading unit provided in the apparatus main body, FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an ink tape cassette, and FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a basic configuration of a small printing apparatus. . 1 ... apparatus main body, 40 ... ink tape winding shaft, 50 ... supply side spool engaging shaft, 51 ... fixed shaft, 52 ... brake spring, 53 ... brake member, 70 ... ink tape cassette, 73 ... spool on the winding side, 74 ... spool on the supply side, 83
…… The shaft pushing step.

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A printing apparatus having a print head for printing on recording paper via an ink tape wound around a take-up spool and a supply-side spool of an ink tape cassette detachable from the apparatus main body. An ink tape take-up shaft which is supported in a cantilever manner and is rotatably provided, and which is fitted and engaged with the take-up spool of the ink tape cassette; and a brake member is slidably inserted therein and has one end. An elastic member is elastically inserted into the brake member and the other end of the elastic member is received by the apparatus main body, and is provided on a fixed shaft that is cantilevered in the apparatus main body so as to be rotatable and slidable in the axial direction. A supply-side spool engagement shaft fitted and engaged with the supply-side spool of the ink tape cassette; and a supply-side spool in the ink tape cassette. And a shaft pushing portion provided on the supply side spool of the ink tape cassette when the ink tape cassette is loaded into the apparatus main body. The joint shaft is pushed in the proximal direction to increase the repulsive force of the elastic member, and the elastic member presses the brake member against the inner surface of the supply-side spool engagement shaft, thereby causing the brake member and the supply side to move. A printing device wherein friction is generated between the spool and a spool engagement shaft.