JP2748739B2 - Drive for printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a driving device for a printer, and more particularly to a driving device for a printer for driving a platen and a carrier mounted with a printing unit (head or the like) reciprocally movable along the platen. Related to the device.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART This kind of printing apparatus (printer), including the platen, a stepping motor linefeed dedicated for rotating the rollers and tractor or the like for conveying printing paper, reciprocably along the platen It is configured to include a dedicated stepping motor for driving a carrier having a printing unit (a head or the like) mounted thereon.

That is, at least two dedicated stepping motors are provided for each printing apparatus, and drive and control of the printer, the carrier and the like are performed.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional example, each stepping motor does not rotate at the same time, and when one of them is rotating, the other is always stopped. For this reason, there is a disadvantage that the use efficiency of each stepping motor is low. In addition, in the design of a mechanism of a printing apparatus or the like, there is an inconvenience that the arrangement of each stepping motor causes restrictions.

Further, in the conventional example, at least two dedicated stepping motors are provided as driving sources. For this reason, a dedicated driver circuit and control circuit for controlling the rotation of each stepping motor and the like are required, and there is a disadvantage that the price of the entire printing apparatus is relatively high.

Further, when each stepping motor is provided in a printing apparatus, there is a disadvantage that it is necessary to arrange connectors and the like and secure a route for cables and the like in connection with a circuit board and its mounting structure.

[0007]

An object of the present invention is to improve the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the platen and the carrier on which the printing unit is mounted are driven by a single stepping motor, thereby assembling the entire apparatus at the time of manufacture. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer drive device that reduces the number of steps and reduces the price of the entire device.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a platen driving means for driving a platen to rotate, a carrier driving means for driving a carrier with a head mounted reciprocally movable along the platen, and each of these means. A single stepping motor for driving the driving means. Further, there is provided a selective connecting means for selecting and connecting one of the carrier driving means and the platen driving means to the rotating shaft of the stepping motor . And this selective connecting means
But face each other on the rotation axis of the stepping motor.
Is it for two drives simultaneously equipped at a predetermined interval
Simultaneous clearance between the bevel gear and each tooth surface of these drive bevel gears
For two transmissions with the tooth surfaces facing each other reciprocating freely
A bevel gear, and the platen drive means
Where the bevel gear engages with one drive bevel gear
At the position where it engages with the transmission bevel gear.
Carrier driving means, comprising a driven bevel gear arranged
, But the other transmission bevel gear is the other drive bevel gear
And the bevel gear for transmission
A configuration including a driven bevel gear arranged at a meshing position is employed . This seeks to achieve the stated objectives.

[0009]

The two connecting bevel gears of the above-mentioned selective connecting means are provided.
Is a stepping motor with the tooth faces facing each other.
It is equipped on the axis of rotation. On the other hand, two for communication
The bevel gear is used for driving with the tooth surfaces facing each other.
The bevel gear is disposed between the tooth surfaces. For this reason,
These two transmission bevel gears are one drive bevel gear
, One bevel gear for transmission
It is engaged with bevel gear for one of the driving motion the same time, up
It also engages with the driven bevel gear of the Latin driving means. this
The bevel gear for one transmission
The power is transmitted through the platen to drive the platen. Ma
The two transmission bevel gears are the other drive bevel gears
, The other transmission bevel gear
Engages with the other drive bevel gear and at the same time
It also engages with the driven bevel gear of the carrier driving means. this
The bevel gear for the other transmission is
The power is transmitted through the drive to drive the carrier.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted front view of a printer driving device according to the present invention. The printer driving device 30 shown in FIG. 1 includes a platen driving unit 22 that rotationally drives the platen 19 and a carrier that drives a carrier (not shown) mounted on a head that is reciprocally movable along the platen 19. Driving means 23 and each of these driving means 2
And a single stepping motor 1 for driving the motors 2 and 23. The carrier driving means 23 and the platen driving means 22 are provided on the rotating shaft 1A of the stepping motor 1.
Is provided with a selection connection means 24 for selecting and connecting any one of the above. Further, the selective connection means 24 includes a gear type switching connection mechanism 25 and the gear type switching connection mechanism 2.
5 is provided with a solenoid mechanism 26 for controlling the driving of the solenoid 5.
Further, the selective connecting means 24 is usually provided with the carrier driving means 2.
3 is adopted, and a configuration is adopted in which it functions so as to be connected to a single stepping motor 1.

More specifically, the platen driving means 22 includes a platen 19, the platen gear 16 connected to the platen 19 with the same rotation axis on the rotation axis thereof,
An L which transmits a driving force of a stepping motor 1 described later to the platen gear 16 via an LF drive belt 15
An F drive gear 12 (a driven bevel gear) is provided.

The carrier driving means 23 includes a head-mounted carrier (not shown) arranged reciprocally along the platen 19 and an SP drive belt 9 mounted on the carrier.
And an SP drive gear 8 (a driven bevel gear) for transmitting a driving force of the stepping motor 1 to be described later via the.

The selection connection means 24 is constituted by a gear-type switching connection mechanism 25 and a solenoid mechanism 26 for controlling the drive of the gear-type switching connection mechanism 25.

The gear-type switching connection mechanism 25 includes an SP motor gear 3 (the other drive motor) connected to the rotation shaft 1A as the output stage of the stepping motor 1 with the same rotation shaft .
Bevel gear) and LF motor gear 2 (one drive bevel)
Gear) , of which SP motor gear 3 and the aforementioned SP
The idle gear 4A that can mesh with the drive gear 8 (the other
A transmission bevel gear) and an idle gear 4B which is connected on the shaft of the idle gear 4A at a predetermined interval to the idle gear 4A and which can mesh with the LF motor gear 2 and the LF drive gear 12. (One-way transmission
Bevel gear) .

The solenoid mechanism 26 includes a plunger 14 that can be inserted into and removed from a gap 4D between the idle gear 4B and the idle gear 4A, and a plunger 14 that moves the plunger 14 through a moving shaft 13A.
And a solenoid 13 that reciprocates along.

SP motor gear 3 and LF motor gear 2
Are formed from bevel gears having the same shape, and are fixed to the rotating shaft 1A of the stepping motor 1 at predetermined intervals with their tooth surfaces facing each other.

Idle gear 4A and idle gear 4B
Are formed from bevel gears having the same shape, and are fixed to the hollow connecting member 4C so that their tooth surfaces face outward. Further, the idle gear 4A and the idle gear 4B are rotatable about a shaft 6A extending from the idle gear stand 6 via the hollow connecting member 4C and in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 6A (horizontal direction in FIG. 1). It is equipped to be able to reciprocate along.

The shaft 6A extending from the idle gear stand 6 is the same as the rotating shaft 1 of the stepping motor 1 described above.
It is arranged so as to be parallel to A.

The lower side (the lower side in FIG. 1) of each of these idle gears 4A and 4B is
It is sandwiched between the SP motor gear 3 and the LF motor gear 2 at a predetermined interval.

The upper side (upper side in FIG. 1) of each of the idle gear 4A and the idle gear 4B is sandwiched between the SP drive gear 8 and the LF drive gear 12 at a predetermined interval.

Idle gear stand 6 and idle gear 4
B, an idle gear spring 5 is interposed. Therefore, the idle gear 4B and the idle gear 4
A is normally pressed to the left in FIG. That is, in this state, the idle gear 4A
The idle gear 4B is in a state of being meshed with the P motor gear 3 and the SP drive gear 8, and is separated from the LF motor gear 2 and the LF drive gear 12.

The solenoid 13 has a predetermined inclined portion 1 at its tip.
Idling gear 4A having plunger 14 having 4A
It is provided above the idle gear 4B (upper side in FIG. 1).

The plunger 14 is driven by the solenoid 13 so that the tip 14A of the plunger 14 is moved between the idle gear 4A and the idle gear 4A.
B is inserted into and removed from a gap 4D between the two.

The moving shaft 13A of the plunger 14 is mounted on the solenoid 13 in such a manner that it is slightly shifted toward the idle gear 4B with respect to a gap 4D between the idle gear 4A and the idle gear 4B. Have been. Therefore, when the plunger 14 is inserted into the gap 4D between the idle gear 4A and the idle gear 4B by the solenoid 13, the plunger 14 has an inclined portion 14A at the tip thereof.
Abuts against the back side 4E of the idle gear 4B, and presses the idle gear 4B rightward in FIG. That is, in this state, the idle gear 4B
The F motor gear 2 and the LF drive gear 12 are in mesh with each other, and the idle gear 4A is separated from the SP motor gear 3 and the SP drive gear 8.

Here, reference numerals 18 and 17 denote optional gears A and B for transmitting a driving force to options such as a sheet feeder (not shown). Reference numeral 10 is
Reference numeral 11 denotes an LF stud that rotatably supports the SP drive gear 8, and reference numeral 11 denotes an LF stud that rotatably supports the LF drive gear 12. Further, reference numeral 7 is
4 shows a motor bracket.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

First, a method of transmitting the driving force of the stepping motor 1 to the carrier driving means 23 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which the plunger 14 of the solenoid mechanism 26 is not in contact with the idle gear 4B. That is, the idle gear 4A
Is pressed by the idle spring 5 via the idle gear 4B and meshes with the SP motor gear 3 and the SP drive gear 8.

When the stepping motor 1 rotates in this state, the SP motor gear 3 fixed to the rotating shaft 1A of the stepping motor 1 rotates. Then, the rotational force of the SP motor gear 3 is changed to the idle gear 4
The power is transmitted to the SP drive gear 8 via A, and the SP drive gear 8 rotates. Further, the rotational force of the SP drive gear 8 is urged by a carrier (not shown) on which the printing unit is mounted via an SP drive belt. And
This carrier reciprocates along the platen 19.

Here, the idle gear spring 5 described above presses the idle gear 4A against the SP motor gear 3 and the SP drive gear 8 via the idle gear 4B to keep the idle gear 4A in a stable state. 3 and a function of meshing with the SP drive gear 8.

Next, the driving force of the stepping motor 1 is
A method of transmitting the signal to the platen driving means 22 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, first, the solenoid 13
The plunger 14 is inserted into a central step (gap) 4D between the idle gear 4A and the idle gear 4B by energizing the plunger 14 and sucking the plunger 14. Then, the inclined portion 14A at the tip of the plunger 14 is
B, the idle gear 4B is pressed against the LF motor gear 2 and the LF drive gear 12. Therefore, the idle gear 4B, the LF motor gear 2 and the LF
The drive gear 12 meshes with the drive gear 12, and the rotational force of the LF motor gear 2 is transmitted to the LF drive gear 12.

On the other hand, at this time, the idle gear 4A is
It is in a state separated from the motor gear 3 and the SP drive gear 8, and a state in which power transmission from the stepping motor 1 to the carrier driving means 23 is cut off.

The torque of the LF drive gear 12 is transmitted to a platen gear 16 via an LF drive belt 15. The rotational force of the platen gear 16 is
A is transmitted to the platen 19 via the
Is driven to rotate.

Here, the motor bracket 7 is a rotary shaft of the stepping motor 1 and the LF drive gear 12.
It is a bracket for fixing each stud such as the F stud 11. Also, optional gear A17 and optional gear B
Numeral 18 is for transmitting the rotational power of the platen 19 to options such as a sheet feeder.

These components are positioned and fixed to a side frame 20 constituting a frame assembly.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
Since the output stage 1A of the stepping motor 1 is provided with the selective connecting means 24 for selecting and connecting one of the carrier driving means 23 and the platen driving means 22, the printing unit is mounted with only a single stepping motor 1. The reciprocating motion of the carrier, the rotational motion of the platen 19, and various optional operation motions including the tractor unit can be selectively performed. For this reason, by using one stepping motor or the like, the motor mounting restriction is relaxed by one in the mechanical design.

In the conventional example, two stepping motors are used. For this reason, dedicated driver circuits for controlling these two stepping motors are also required accordingly. However, by using only a single stepping motor, the driver circuit can be eliminated correspondingly. Therefore, the use efficiency of the stepping motor 1 can be improved, and the cost of the entire apparatus can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the platen driving hand
The LF drive gear 12 of the stage 22 is
(A) The driving force is transmitted from the idle gear 4B through the idle gear 4B.
In addition, for the SP drive gear 8 of the carrier driving means 23,
From the SP motor gear 3 via the idle gear 4A.
Transmit power. LF drive gear 12 and SP dry
The platen 19 and the carriage are respectively attached to the gear 8.
It is in a driving state because a driving load for driving occurs.
LF motor gear 2 and SP motor gear 3 move and directly
Rather than meshing with these drive gears 12 and 8,
Each idle gear 4B, 4A in the loaded state moves to each gear.
Meshing is easier and smoother between the gears
Done. Therefore, each of these idle gears 4B, 4A
From the stepping motor 1 to the platen driving means 22
Alternatively, switching of driving force transmission to the carrier driving means 23 is performed.
Can be performed smoothly and prevent the occurrence of meshing errors.
Wear. That is, the printing is performed by the gear-type switching connection mechanism 25.
Operation reliability of the motor drive device 30 can be improved.
It is.

[0041]

Since the present invention is constructed and functions as described above, according to this, the output stage of the stepping motor has:
Equipped with a selective connecting means for selecting and connecting either the carrier driving means or the platen driving means, the reciprocating operation of the carrier mounted on the printing unit and the rotating operation of the platen only by the driving force of a single stepping motor. Can be selectively performed. Therefore, it is possible to provide an unprecedented excellent printer driving device in which the number of steps of assembling the entire apparatus at the time of manufacturing can be reduced and the price of the entire apparatus can be reduced.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bulk for each transmission
The gear moves and one of the drive bevel gear and the platen
Mesh with the driven bevel gear of the driving means, or the other
Bevel gear for driving and bevel for driven by carrier driving means
Bevel teeth for each drive in the driven state to engage with gears
Rather than the car directly meshing with each driven bevel gear,
The meshing between bevel gears can be performed smoothly,
It is possible to suppress errors and poor transmission. Follow
Thus, according to the present invention, the operation reliability of the printer driving device is improved.
It is possible to improve.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a carrier driving unit mounted on a printing unit according to an embodiment is driven.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a platen driving unit is driven in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Stepping motor 1A Rotating shaft as output stage 19 Platen 22 Platen drive means 23 Carrier drive means 24 Selection connection means 25 Gear type switching connection mechanism 26 Solenoid mechanism 30 Printer drive

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A platen driving unit for driving a platen to rotate, a carrier driving unit for driving a carrier mounted on a head disposed reciprocally along the platen,
A single stepping motor for driving each of these drive means, and a selective connection means for selecting and connecting one of the carrier drive means and the platen drive means to the rotating shaft of the stepping motor. The selective connection means faces each other on the rotating shaft of the stepping motor.
Is it for two drives simultaneously equipped at a predetermined interval
Between the bevel gears and the tooth surfaces of these driving bevel gears simultaneously.
Two transmission bevel gears with their tooth surfaces reversed
And the platen driving means is the one transmission bevel gear.
Is in a position where it meshes with the one drive bevel gear.
At the position where it meshes with the transmission bevel gear.
A driven bevel gear, wherein the carrier driving means includes the other transmission bevel gear.
Is at a position where it meshes with the other drive bevel gear.
At the position where it meshes with the transmission bevel gear.
Printer provided with a driven bevel gear
Drive device. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein said selective connection means includes two transmission means .
2. The printer driving device according to claim 1, further comprising a solenoid mechanism for drivingly controlling the reciprocating movement of the bevel gear . 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said selective coupling means normally functions to select said carrier driving means and connect it to said single stepping motor.
Or the printer driving device according to 2.