JP2944642B1 - Serial printer - Google Patents

Abstract

A serial printer prints on a print medium such as paper by ejecting ink from a print head mounted on a bottom surface of a moving carriage. If the print medium has a part that is curled and floats, the print head contacts the print medium in the part where the print medium floats, and contaminates the print medium, or the print head contacts the edge of the print medium and the carriage moves. I could not move. A serial printer according to the present invention includes a concave storage portion (4) near a print head (1) on a bottom surface of a carriage (4).
a is formed, and the sphere 2 is stored and held in the storage portion 4a so as to be movable in all directions. The lower side of the sphere 2 protrudes from the bottom surface of the print head 1, and can hold the floating portion of the print medium 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a serial printer for printing on a print medium such as paper, OHP, a sticker, cloth, etc. by a print head mounted on a carriage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a serial printer that can print finely on a print medium without a print head coming into contact with the print medium even if the print medium has a floating part.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional serial printer such as an ink jet printer, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a guide shaft 5 is arranged in parallel above a printing medium 6 such as paper, OHP, a sticker, cloth, etc. The guide shaft 5
Is mounted with the carriage 4. A print head 1 for ejecting ink is attached to a lower surface of the carriage 4. The guide shaft 5 has a direction Y perpendicular to the feed direction X of the print medium 6.
It is arranged along. During printing, the lower surface of the print head 1 is separated from the print surface of the print medium 6 by a predetermined distance, as shown in FIG.

[0003] In such a serial printer,
The ink is ejected from the print head 1 while the carriage 4 moves while being guided by the guide shaft 5,
Printing is performed on the printing surface of the printing medium 6 (hereinafter referred to as Conventional Example 1).

As another conventional serial printer, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-179566 discloses an impact serial printer in which a raised portion of a print medium is pressed by a roller. This impact serial printer is held by a spring so that the rollers rotate in the moving direction of the carriage, and
It has a mechanism to retract the roller at the time of a line feed.
Conventional example 2).

[0005]

As shown in FIG. 6, in the serial printer of the prior art 1, if there is a portion 6a which is raised in a curled state on the print medium 6, as shown in FIG. Thus, the print surface of the print medium 6 comes into contact with the lower surface of the print head 1. In such a case, the print surface of the print medium 6 is stained by the ink adhering to the print head 1, and it becomes impossible to perform a clean print. When the print head 1 is positioned outside the print medium 6 and the carriage 4 attempts to return to the original direction, the print head 1 contacts the edge of the print medium 6 and the carriage 4 moves in the original direction. The print medium 6 may not be able to move, or the print medium 6 may be wrinkled, or the print medium 6 may be broken.

In the impact serial printer of the prior art 2, the roller held by the carriage rotates in the moving direction of the carriage and prints while pressing the raised portion of the print medium, so that the print head is placed on the print surface of the print medium. There is no contact, so that it is possible to print finely on the print medium.

However, in the impact serial printer of the prior art 2, since the roller cannot rotate in the feed direction X of the print medium, if the roller presses the print surface of the print medium, the print medium is fed smoothly. It is difficult. Also, when the print medium after printing is ejected and a new print medium is sent, if the roller keeps the state in which the print medium is pressed, the end of the roller will be the print medium that has been sent. And it becomes difficult to feed the print medium.

For this reason, the impact serial printer of the prior art 2 employs a mechanism for retracting the rollers when the print medium is fed by stopping the movement of the carriage in the middle of the print medium or when a new print medium is sent. The roller is separated from the printing surface of the printing medium. However, the mechanism for retracting the rollers is complicated, which leads to an increase in the cost of the product, a decrease in the printing speed, and a failure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a serial printer capable of smoothly feeding a print medium with a simple structure and capable of printing neatly on a print medium without a print head coming into contact with a floating portion of the print medium. The purpose is to do.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a serial printer comprising: a print head for printing on a print medium; a carriage having the print head mounted on a bottom surface thereof and provided to be movable in a printing direction; And a sphere that is held rotatably in the direction and protrudes from the tip of the print head and contacts the print medium.

[0011] A concave storage portion for storing a sphere may be formed on the bottom surface of the carriage.

A suction means for sucking a sphere into the storage portion may be provided at a base end of the storage portion of the carriage.

The carriage has a guide hole for accommodating the sphere movably in the moving direction of the carriage, and a stopper for stopping the movement of the sphere and positioning the sphere can be inserted into and removed from the guide hole. May be provided.

The stopper positions the sphere in contact with the print medium when the carriage is located at the end of the print medium.

[0015] A concave storage portion communicating with the guide hole may be formed in the carriage, and a suction means for suctioning a sphere into the storage portion may be provided at a base end of the storage portion.

[0016] The sphere may be made of metal, and the suction means may be an electromagnet.

The sphere is preferably arranged upstream of the print head with respect to the feed direction of the print medium.

According to the present invention, since the sphere moves while rolling in the moving direction of the carriage, the floating portion of the print medium is pressed, and the print head does not come into contact with the print medium. Further, since the sphere freely rotates including the feeding direction of the print medium, the print medium can be smoothly fed even when the sphere is in contact with the print medium.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a serial printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the same parts as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first embodiment of the present invention
In the serial printer described above, a concave storage portion 4a is formed on the bottom surface of the carriage 4, and the sphere 2 for holding the raised portion of the print medium 6 is stored in the storage portion 4a. Sphere 2
As shown in FIG. 2, the lower portion of the print medium 1 is disposed so as to protrude from the bottom surface of the print head 1, and presses the floating portion of the print medium 6 to prevent the print head 1 from contacting the print medium 6. .

The sphere 2 stored in the storage section 4a is
The print medium 6 is arranged upstream of the print head 1 with respect to the feed direction X of the print medium 6. As a result, the sphere 2 does not move on the print medium 6 on which the print head 1 has printed, and has just been printed with the ink ejected from the print head 1 and has not dried on the print medium 6. The printing medium 6 can be prevented from being stained by the sphere 2 without contact with the sphere 2.

On the other hand, the bottom surface 4b of the storage portion 4a and the printing medium 6
Is made equal to the outer diameter of the sphere 2, the sphere 2 hits the bottom surface 4b of the storage portion 4a instead of its own weight, and can press the raised portion of the print medium 6. In addition, the sphere 2 is made of metal, stone, or other heavy material so that the bottom surface 4 of the storage portion 4a can be used.
Even when the distance between b and the printing medium is equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the sphere 2, the floating portion of the printing medium 6 can be pressed by the weight of the sphere 2.

In any case, the sphere 2 is housed and held in the housing 4a so that it can freely rotate in any direction. In addition, since the storage unit 4a is opened downward, dust and the like that the sphere 2 has caught in the storage unit 4a easily fall and do not accumulate in the storage unit 4a. There is no possibility that dust or the like adheres between the spheres and hinders the rotation of the sphere 2.

Next, the operation of the first serial printer will be described. When the serial printer is started, the carriage 4 is guided by the guide shaft 5 and moves in the direction Y orthogonal to the feed direction X of the print medium 6. Sphere 2
Is rotated in the Y direction in the storage section 4a by the movement of the carriage 4.

Even if the print medium 6 has a floating portion, the sphere 2 presses the floating portion of the print medium 6,
The print head 1 and the print medium 6 do not contact each other,
The printing medium 6 is not stained by the ink ejected from the printing medium. Further, since the sphere 2 moves upstream of the print head 1 with respect to the feed direction X of the print medium 6, the sphere 2 does not move on the ink printed on the print surface of the print medium 6, Ink does not adhere to the sphere 2. Therefore, it is possible to print finely on the print medium 6.

When the forward movement of the carriage 4 is completed,
The print medium 6 is sent in the X direction. At this time, since the sphere 2 can rotate in the feed direction X of the print medium 6, the sphere 2 does not hinder the feed of the print medium 6, and the print medium 6 is smoothly fed in the X direction. When the carriage 4 returns to the original direction, the sphere 2 moves while pressing the print medium 6 and rotating in the direction opposite to the outward path. The first serial printer repeats such a series of operations.

Next, a second serial printer of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second serial printer of the present invention, the storage part 4c for storing the metal sphere 2 is formed in a deep bottomed cylindrical shape, and the base end 4d of the storage part 4c is formed.
The electromagnet 3 is provided in the carriage 4 adjacent to the.

When no current is applied to the electromagnet 3, the print medium 6 is pressed by the lower part of the sphere 2 projecting from the bottom surface of the print head 1. By passing a current through the electromagnet 3, the sphere 2 is attracted to the base end 4d side of the storage portion 4c by magnetic force, so that the sphere 2 does not press the print medium 6. Therefore, the second serial printer is suitable when the sphere 2 moves to the outside of the print medium 6.

Next, the operation of the second serial printer will be described. In the initial state, the sphere 2 is waiting outside the print medium 6. At this time, a current flows through the electromagnet 3, and the metal sphere 2 in the storage portion 4 c is attracted to the base end 4 d side by the magnetic force of the electromagnet 3, and the lower portion of the sphere 2 protrudes from the bottom surface of the print head 1. Absent. Therefore, the sphere 2 does not contact the edge of the print medium 6 and the carriage 4
Can move onto the print medium 6.

Next, when the metal sphere 2 moves to the position of the end on the printing medium 6, the current flowing through the electromagnet 3 is prevented from flowing. Thereby, the metal sphere 2
Falls on the print medium 6 and comes into contact with the print medium 6.

When the carriage 4 moves in the Y direction, the sphere 2 that has fallen on the print medium 6 moves in the feed direction X of the print medium 6.
Move while rotating in the direction Y perpendicular to. Therefore, the raised portion of the print medium 6 is pressed by the sphere 1 and does not come into contact with the print head 1.

When printing on the outward path of the carriage 4 is completed,
The carriage 4 stops on the print medium 6. At this time, the sphere 2 is in a state where the printing medium 6 is pressed. Then, when the printing medium 6 is fed in the X direction, the metal sphere 2 rotates in the X direction, so that the sphere 2 does not hinder the feeding of the printing medium 6. Further, since the sphere 2 moves on the upstream side of the print head 1 in the feed direction X of the print medium, the ink does not adhere to the sphere 2 and the print surface of the print medium 6 is printed finely.

When printing on the printing medium 6 is completed, a current is applied to the electromagnet 3 to attract the metal sphere 2 to the base end 4d side of the storage portion 4c. Thus, when the carriage 4 returns to the original direction and when the next new print medium 6 is fed, the metal sphere 2 is moved to the edge of the raised portion of the print medium 6 and to the next feed. The printing medium 6 can be fed smoothly without contacting the leading end of the printing medium 6 that has been obtained. In the second serial printer, the sphere 2 moves up and down in response to the operation of the carriage 4, and the series of operations described above is repeated.

Next, a third serial printer of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG.
It is DD sectional drawing of (B).

FIG. 5 shows a third serial printer according to the present invention.
As shown in (A) to (D), an elongated guide hole 8 is formed on the bottom surface of the carriage 4 along the moving direction of the carriage 4. The sphere 2 is held by the guide hole 8 so as to be movable in all directions.

The length of the guide hole 8 is such that the sphere 2 can always hold the printing medium 6 even if the carriage 4 moves between one end and the other end of the printing medium 6. Is set to That is, when the carriage 4 is located at one end side of the print medium 6, the sphere 2 is located at the tip (left end in the drawing) of the guide hole 8 and presses one end of the print medium 6 ( 5 (A), when the carriage 4 is located at the other end of the print medium 6,
The other end of the print medium 6 is pressed at the rear end (right end in the drawing) of the guide hole 8 (see FIG. 5C).

At the tip of the guide hole 8, there is formed a bottomed cylindrical storage portion 4e for completely storing the metal sphere 2, and the electromagnet 3 is provided at the base end 4f of the storage portion 4e.
When a current is applied to the electromagnet 3, the metal sphere 2 is attracted, and even if a new print medium 6 is sent, the sphere 2
Does not hinder the feeding of the print medium 6. further,
In the vicinity of both ends of the guide hole 8, stoppers 7a and 7b for positioning the sphere 2 moved to both ends are attached. The stoppers 7a and 7b are moved up and down by magnetic force generated by a solenoid S provided above the guide hole 8, and move into and out of the guide hole 8. The solenoid S is connected to the stopper control unit 10, and the stopper control unit 10 controls a current flowing through the solenoid S to
a, 7b are controlled.

Next, the operation of the third serial printer of the present invention will be described. Before the printing is started, the carriage 4 is attached to the printing medium 6 as shown in FIG.
Is located on one end side. At this time, the sphere 2 is located at the tip of the guide hole 8, and the stopper 7a on the tip side
Is lowered so that the sphere 2 does not come off the end of the print medium 6. On the other hand, the rear end stopper 7b is raised so that the sphere 2 can move.

When printing is started, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), the stopper 7a on the leading end rises, and when the carriage 4 starts moving, the sphere 2 is accelerated to move through the guide hole 8 by applying acceleration. It moves while rotating from the front end to the rear end.
Even if there is a floating portion on the print medium 6, the raised portion is pressed by the sphere 2, so that the print head 1
Does not come into contact with the print medium 6, and the print surface of the print medium 6 is printed finely.

The sphere 2 moving in the guide hole 8
Is located at the rear end of the guide hole 8, the stopper 7 on the rear end side
b descends, and the sphere 2 is positioned at the rear end of the guide hole 8. As shown in FIG. 5C, when printing is performed up to the end of the printing medium 6, the sphere 2 positioned at the rear end of the guide hole 8 is printed.
Is located on the other end of the print medium 6.

When the carriage 4 returns from the other end of the print medium 6 toward one end, the stopper 7b at the rear end rises, and the sphere 2 moves from the rear end to the front end of the guide hole 8. Moving. As shown in FIG. 5A, the carriage 4
When the sphere 2 is located at one end of the print medium 6, the sphere 2 is located on one end of the print medium 6, and the tip end stopper 7a is lowered, so that the sphere 2 is positioned at the rear end of the guide hole 8. Is done.

The print medium 6 on which printing has been completed is sent, and the next new print medium 6 is sent below the carriage 4. At this time, by supplying a current to the electromagnet 3, the metal sphere 2 is attracted from the position where it has fallen onto the print medium 6 to the base end 4f side of the storage section 4e. The sucked metal sphere 2 does not hinder the feeding of the next new print medium 6. When a new print medium 6 is positioned below the carriage 4, no current flows through the electromagnet 3, and the metal sphere 2 presses the print medium 6. And book 3
Repeats the operation described above.

The serial printer of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims. For example, the sphere may be made of a substance other than metal, and a member other than an electromagnet may be used to attract the sphere.

[0044]

According to the present invention, the sphere protruding from the print head moves while rolling in the moving direction of the carriage, so that the floating portion of the print medium is pressed and the print head comes into contact with the print medium. Absent. Therefore, clean printing can be performed. Also, since the sphere can freely rotate in all directions including the feed direction of the print medium, there is no need to move the carriage to the outside of the print medium, and the print medium can be smoothly moved while the sphere is in contact with the print medium. Can be sent to

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first serial printer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional front view in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second serial printer of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional front view in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are partial cross-sectional views illustrating the configuration and operation of a third serial printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 5D is a line DD in FIG. It is a line sectional view.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional serial printer.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are partial cross-sectional front views in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: print head 2: sphere 3: electromagnet 4: carriage 4a: storage section 4c: storage section 4e: storage section 6: printing medium 7a, 7b: stopper 8: guide hole

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A print head for printing on a print medium, a carriage mounted on a bottom surface of the print head, the carriage being provided movably in a printing direction, and being held rotatably by the carriage in all directions. A sphere protruding from the tip of the head and in contact with the print medium, a concave storage portion for storing the sphere is formed on a bottom surface of the carriage, and a base end of the storage portion of the carriage. A suction unit for sucking the sphere into the storage unit. 2. A print head for printing on a print medium, a carriage mounted on a bottom surface of the print head, the carriage being provided to be movable in a printing direction, and the print head being rotatably held by the carriage in all directions. A sphere protruding from the tip of the head and in contact with the print medium; and a guide hole formed in the carriage to movably accommodate the sphere along a moving direction of the carriage. A serial printer, wherein the hole is provided with a stopper for stopping the movement of the sphere and positioning the sphere so as to be able to enter and exit. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the stopper positions the sphere in contact with the printing medium when the carriage is located at an end of the printing medium.
Serial printer as described in. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said carriage has a concave storage portion communicating with said guide hole, and suction means for sucking said sphere into said storage portion is provided at a base end of said storage portion. The serial printer according to claim 2 or 3, wherein 5. The serial printer according to claim 1, wherein said sphere is made of metal, and said suction means is an electromagnet. 6. The serial printer according to claim 1, wherein the sphere is disposed upstream of a print head with respect to a feed direction of the print medium.