JP3392460B2 - Tape 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 tape printer for printing characters and the like on a long tape via a thermal head, and more particularly to supplying a tape from a tape supplying means to a printing means such as a thermal head. At the same time, the present invention relates to a tape printer capable of always accurately feeding the tape without causing the tape to meander.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, various printing apparatuses have been proposed as this type of tape printing apparatus. Generally, in such a tape printing apparatus, a tape cassette containing a film tape and a printing ribbon is used. While the film tape and the printing ribbon are synchronously pulled out, characters and the like are printed on the film tape by the printing ribbon via the thermal head.

In this kind of tape printer, a predetermined space is generally provided mechanically between the tape cassette and the thermal head, and the tape sent from the tape cassette is meandered and sent at this space. Since characters or the like printed on the tape cannot be printed properly, two or three tape feed rollers are provided between the tape cassette and the thermal head. According to this structure, meandering of the tape can be prevented to some extent.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional tape printer, the feeding operation is performed between the tape cassette and the thermal head via the tape feeding roller. No means for preventing meandering (vertical movement) of the tape in the vertical direction is provided. Therefore, there is a possibility that the tape may meander in the vertical direction due to the pressing force of the tape feed roller, the tilted state of the thermal head, the difference in the tape width of the tape, and the like. As described above, when the tape meanders in the vertical direction before reaching the thermal head, it is impossible to accurately print characters and the like on the tape via the thermal head.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The tape guide means guides the running of the tape, and the sensor means is brought into contact with the upper edge of the tape so that the tape is moved up and down. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape printer which can surely prevent the meandering in the direction, and thus can accurately print characters and the like.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a tape supply means for holding a long tape in a wound state, and a character or the like on the tape supplied from the tape supply means. In a tape printer having a printing means for printing, a tape guide means for guiding the running of a tape supplied from the tape supply means between the tape supply means and the printing means, and a tape guide means for guiding the tape. abut with a predetermined pressing force to the upper edge of the tape, Te
A sensor member for detecting the type of loop, and when the tape is supplied to the printing means by the tape supply means, the tape guide means and the sensor member cooperate with each other to make the tape meander. Configured to prevent. Well
According to another invention, a state in which a long tape is wound
Supply from the tape supply means that is held by
It has a printing means to print characters etc. on the tape
In the tape printer,
Of the tape supplied from the tape supply means
Tape guide means for guiding traveling, and the tape guide means
The tape is guided by
Sensor that touches and contacts to detect information about the print start position
A tape, and the tape is supplied by the tape supply means.
When supplied to the printing means, the tape guide means
Prevents tape from meandering in cooperation with the sensor member
To be configured.

Further, the tape is composed of a second print tape formed by pasting a seal on the first print tape and elongate release on paper having a long film tape, said sensor
The support member is an analog sensor that detects whether the tape supplied from the tape supply unit is the first print tape or the second print tape. Further, the analog sensor is arranged so as to be vertically movable while being in contact with the upper edges of the first printing tape and the second printing tape.

[0008]

According to the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, when printing characters or the like on the tape by the printing means, the tape is supplied to the printing means from the tape supplying means which holds the long tape in a wound state. . When the supply of such tape, the tape is traveling guidance through the tape guiding means between the printing means and the tape feeding means, and at the same time, the tape traveling sensor member abutting with a predetermined pressing force to the upper edge Thus, the movement in the vertical direction is restricted. As a result, the movement of the tape is reliably restricted in both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by the cooperation of the tape guide means and the sensor member between the tape supply means and the printing means. Therefore, the sensor member is the type of tape.
It is possible to detect, in which the tape can be reliably prevented from being transmitted while meandering. Other configurations
In the present invention having the above, characters etc. are printed on the tape by the printing means.
When printing, print with a long tape
The tape is supplied to the printing means from the tape supply means
It At the time of supplying such a tape, the tape serves as a tape supplying means.
Travel guide is provided between the printing means and the tape guide means.
At the same time, the running tape will be
With the sensor member that comes in contact with the pressing force of
Movement is regulated. This ensures that the tape is
Between the feeding means and the printing means, the tape guiding means and the sensor section
In both horizontal and vertical directions due to the cooperation with the material
However, the movement will be regulated with certainty.
The sensor member must detect the print start position.
That the tape can be sent while meandering
It can be surely prevented.

The sensor member is composed of an analog sensor for detecting whether the tape used is the first print tape or the second print tape. The analog sensor is one of the first print tape and the second print tape. Since the tape is arranged so as to be vertically movable while being in contact with the upper end edge, it is possible to prevent the tape from meandering while detecting the type of the tape.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a plan view of the tape printer, FIG. 2 is a left side view of the tape printer, and a character key and a space for inputting characters and the like are provided in a front portion (lower side in FIG. 1) of the tape printer 1. A keyboard 2 including various keys such as a key, a cursor key, and a return key is provided, and a liquid crystal display on the right rear side of the keyboard 2 for displaying characters or the like input via character keys or the like. A display 3 is arranged. Further, a tape storage portion 4 is provided at a rear portion (upper side in FIG. 1) of the tape printing device 1, and the tape storage portion 4 has an upper cover plate 30 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). ) To guide pin 5
Standing (described later).

A tape spool 6 (a detailed structure of the tape spool 6 will be described later) around which a tape T is wound is rotatably fitted on the guide pin 5.
The tape T pulled out from the tape spool 6 is rotatably arranged on the upper cover plate 30 of the thermal head 8 (the main body of the tape printer 1) by a tape guide member 7 described later, and generates a plurality of solid heat in the vertical direction. Elements are arranged in a row). On the way to the tape guide member 7, a tape feed roller 9 which is rotationally driven by a drive motor M,
A driven roller 10 that is rotated by contacting the tape feed roller 9 with a tape T interposed therebetween is provided, and each tape feed roller 9 and a downstream side of the driven roller 10 are synchronized with the tape feed roller. The rotating roller 11 that is rotated by the rotating roller 11 and the driven roller 12 that is rotated by being driven by the rotating roller 11 are provided. A platen roller 13 is arranged at a position facing the thermal head 8,
The thermal head 8 prints characters and the like on the tape T while pressing the sent tape T against the platen roller 13. The driven rollers 10 and 12 and the platen roller 13 are connected to each other via a release mechanism which will be described later.
Each of the tape feed roller 9, the rotary roller 11, and the thermal head 8 is disposed so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the tape. The printing mechanism including such a release mechanism will be described later.

Further, a pressing member 19 that abuts on the upper edge of the tape T with a predetermined pressing force is disposed near the upper part of the tape feeding roller 9 and the driven roller 10, and the rotating roller 11 and the driven roller 12 are also arranged. In the upper neighborhood,
As will be described later, an analog sensor 20 that elastically abuts the upper edge of the tape T to detect the type of the tape T and the like is provided. The details of each pressing member 19 and the analog sensor 20 will be described later.

Further, on the downstream side of the thermal head 8, there is provided a cutter lever 16 which is rotatably supported by a shaft 14 and has a cutter blade 15 attached to its tip. By rotating the cutter lever 16 counterclockwise about the shaft 14, the tape T on which characters and the like are printed is cut into a predetermined length via the cutter blade 15. Further, a tape discharge port 18 is arranged on the left side surface of the tape printer 1, and the tape T cut by the cutter lever 16 is discharged from the tape discharge device 18 to the outside of the tape printer 1.

An opening / closing cover 17 is attached to the rear portion of the tape accommodating portion 4 so as to be openable / closable with respect to the main body of the printing apparatus.
Is opened when it is inserted into the guide pin 5, and is closed when characters are printed on the tape T via the thermal head 8. A cover switch S for detecting the open / closed state of the open / close cover 17 is attached to the back surface of the open / close cover 17 via a known mechanism. Next, details of the tape T used in the tape printer 1 are shown in FIG.
It will be described with reference to FIG. Two kinds of tapes can be used as the tape T, and FIG. 3 is a side view of a tape T1 (hereinafter, referred to as “seal tape”) in which a sticker is attached on a long release paper. , Sealing tape T1
Is formed by sticking a sticker 22 made of heat sensitive paper of a predetermined size on a long release paper 21 having a predetermined width a. Also,
At the upper end edge of the release paper 21 in the seal tape T1, for each seal 22, a first groove 23 is located at a distance b from the left end edge of the seal tape T1, and a second groove 24 is located at a distance c from the first groove 23. Are formed.

The width a and the distances b and c of the seal tape T1 and the existence of the first groove 23 and the second groove 24 are detected by the analog sensor 20 as described later, but the width is a is a print range p in the vertical direction of the sticker 22
The information of 1 indicates the information of the distance to be traveled before the first groove 23 is detected, the distance c indicates the shape of the seal 22, and the information of the printing range p2 in the lateral direction. The presence of the first groove 23 indicates the type of the tape T (indicating whether it is the seal tape T1 or the film tape T2 described later) and information about the print start position on the seal 22. Further, the second groove 24 gives information on the value of print energy (described later) from the depth of the groove 24.

Next, the film tape T2 is shown in FIG.
And FIG. 5 will be described. Figure 4 shows the film tape T2
5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the film tape T2. In FIG. 4, as the long film tape T2, tapes having a plurality of types of widths d are prepared. The width d is detected by an analog sensor 20 described later, similarly to the seal tape T1, and from the detected width d, the printing range q in the longitudinal direction of the film tape T2 and the value of the printing energy. Get information about.
Unlike the seal tape T1, the film tape T2 does not have the first groove 23 and the second groove 24,
From this, as described above, the type of tape can be determined by the presence or absence of the first groove 23. Further, the print range r in the lateral direction of the film tape T2 is not limited by the seal 22 unlike the seal tape T1 and is determined according to the operator's discretion.

Such a film tape T2 is shown in FIG.
There are two types as shown in (A) and (B). FIG. 5 (A) shows a three-layer type film tape T2, which is a film sheet 25.
The release paper 26 is attached to one surface of the film sheet 25 with an adhesive, and the heat sensitive agent layer 27 is applied to the other surface of the film sheet 25. The heat-sensitive agent layer 27 is colored by being heated via the heating element of the thermal head 8 to form characters and the like.

Further, FIG. 5B shows a four-layer type film tape T2, in which a laminate layer 28 made of an extremely thin transparent material is provided on the heat-sensitive agent layer 27 in the above-mentioned three-layer type film tape. is there. In this case, the heat-generating element of the thermal head 8 is brought into contact with and heated from the laminate layer 28 side, so that the heat-sensitive layer 27 is colored to form characters and the like.

Next, the tape loading mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 is a side view of the tape loading mechanism schematically showing a state in which a wide tape T is loaded, FIG. 7 is a side view of the tape loading mechanism schematically showing a state in which a narrow tape T is loaded, and FIG. It is an exploded perspective view of a tape loading mechanism. In such a tape loading mechanism, the guide pin 5 is provided upright on the upper cover plate 30 of the main body of the tape printer, and the projection 31 is formed at a predetermined position in the vertical direction of the guide pin 5 over the periphery thereof. Has been done. The protrusion 31 is elastically deformable, so that when the protrusion 31 is inserted into the guide hole 6D formed in the spool shaft 6B of the tape spool 6 from above with respect to the guide pin 5, as will be described later. , Is inserted while elastically deforming.

A spring member 32 is inserted into the guide pin 5 through an insertion hole 32A and is placed on the upper cover 30. Further, above the spring member 32, a tape guide member 7 integrally having a tape guide portion 7A having a double wall structure (see FIG. 9) is arranged via an insertion hole 7C. In the tape guide portion 7A of the tape guide member 7,
An opening 7B is formed in a portion where the tape feed roller 9 and the driven roller 10 face each other, a portion where the rotation roller 11 and the driven roller 12 face each other, and a portion where the thermal head 8 and the platen roller 13 face each other. (Fig. 9
reference).

Further, a tape spool 6 is arranged above the tape guide member 7, and the tape spool 6 is provided.
Consists of a spool plate 6A placed on the tape guide member 7 and a spool shaft 6B integrally formed on the spool plate 6A. An insertion hole 6C for inserting the guide pin 5 is formed in the spool plate 6A, and the guide pin 5 is formed inside the spool shaft 6B and is continuous with the insertion hole 6C of the spool plate 6A.
A guide hole 6D is formed so as to be inserted upward. Around the inner wall of the guide hole 6D, a recess 33 for locking the projection 31 of the guide pin 5 is provided.
The position where the recess 33 is formed is at the tape spool 6
Is aligned with the center position X in the width direction of the tape T to be mounted on the tape T.
Is required to be formed at the center position X of the tape T in the width direction, the tape spool 6 is created for each tape T having a different tape width. Further, the central position of the thermal head 8 in the vertical direction is arranged in the tape printer main body so as to coincide with the central position X of the tape T in the width direction. As a result, the vertical center position of the thermal head 8 is always kept in agreement with the widthwise center position X of the tape T. Further, a tape bobbin 34 around which the tape T is wound is rotatably held on the spool shaft 6B.

Further, in the vicinity of the thermal head 8, a predetermined pressing force (pressing force of the spring 35) is provided via a spring 35 which is arranged so as to be vertically movable and has one end fixed to the back surface of the upper cover plate 30. ) With tape T in the direction of arrow A
An analog sensor 20 (the detection function thereof will be described later) that presses the upper edge of the is arranged. The analog sensor 20 as such a pressing member presses the upper edge of the tape T from above together with the tape guide portion 7A of the tape guide member 7 smoothly guiding the running of the tape T and causes the tape T to meander. It certainly prevents the accident. Further, the analog sensor 20 is coupled with the upward biasing force of the spring member 32, and
The concave portion 33 of B and the protrusion 31 of the guide pin 5 are securely locked, and the central position X of the tape T in the width direction and the concave portions 3 are formed.
3, the protrusion 31, and the central position of the thermal head 8 are matched with each other.

In the tape mounting mechanism having the above construction, when the tape T is wide, as shown in FIG. 6, the tape spool 6 is elastically deformed along with the tape bobbin 34 formed by winding the tape T. While inserting into the guide pin 5, the recess 33 of the spool shaft 6B is
When the tape T is locked by the protrusion 31, the center position X in the width direction of the tape T matches the position of the recess 33, and the center position X and the center position of the thermal head 8 in the vertical direction match. At this time, it is urged upward from below the tape guide member 7 through the spring member 32, and
Since the upper edge of the tape T is pressed by the analog sensor 20, the above-mentioned positional relationships are reliably maintained. Further, even when the width of the tape T is narrow, as shown in FIG. 7, the concave portion 3 of the spool shaft 6B is performed in the same manner as described above.
When 3 is locked to the protrusion 31 of the guide pin 5,
Through the biasing force of the spring member 32, the center position X in the width direction of the tape T matches the position of the recess 33, and the center position X matches the center position of the thermal head 8 in the vertical direction. .

Next, the structure of the tape feeding mechanism is shown in FIG.
Will be described with reference to. FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing the outline of the tape feeding mechanism. Of the three openings 7B formed in the tape guide portion 7A of the tape guide member 7, the right opening 7B is directly connected to the drive motor M. A tape feeding roller 9 is arranged. Opposite side of tape roller 9 (Fig. 9
A release lever 38 is disposed at the middle upper side) so as to be movable in the arrow B and arrow C directions. The release lever 38 is formed with three roller mounting portions 38A, 38B, 38C on the lower side in FIG.
The roller mounting portion 38A has the driven roller 10, the roller mounting portion 38B has the driven roller 12, and the roller mounting portion 38C.
A platen roller 13 is rotatably attached to each plate. The release lever 38 is moved in the direction of arrow B or arrow C in conjunction with the opening / closing of the opening / closing cover 17 via a known mechanism (not shown), and when the opening / closing cover 17 is opened, the arrow C The driven rollers 10 and 12 and the platen roller 13 are moved in the respective directions and separated from the tape feed roller 9, the rotation roller 11 and the thermal head 8 in each opening 7B.

A half-moon shaped head connecting cam 36 is rotatably supported near the driven roller 10, and a gear portion (not shown) provided on the head connecting cam 36 and the driven roller 10 are provided. Is meshed with a gear portion (not shown) formed below the. Head connecting cam 3
6, one end of the connecting link member 37 is supported, and the other end of the connecting link member 37 is rotatable around the thermal head 8 (support shaft 8A). Have been supported). As a result, when the opening / closing cover 17 is closed, when the tape feed roller 9 is driven to rotate in the counterclockwise direction by the drive motor M, the driven roller 10 is rotated in the clockwise direction so that the tape T is fed and the head is connected. The cam 36 is rotated counterclockwise. As a result, the thermal head 8 resists the urging force of the pulling spring 39 through the connecting link 37, and the arrow D
The platen roller 13 is rotated in a clockwise direction opposite to the direction described above, and is brought into a state in which it can contact the platen roller 13. Further, when the tape feed motor 9 is rotated, the gear portion of the head connecting cam 36 is disengaged from the gear portion of the driven roller 10 and is held in this state. At this point in time, the thermal head 8 moves between the tape T
It is in contact with the platen roller 13 via. On the other hand, when the opening / closing cover 17 is opened, the release lever 38 is moved in the arrow C direction, so that the rollers 10,
12, 13 and the rollers 9, 11 and the thermal head 8 are separated from each other, whereby the head connecting cam 36 is in a free state and is rotated clockwise by the urging force of the pulling spring 39. In addition, the thermal head 8 is separated from the platen roller 13 by the connecting link 37.

Next, a detection mechanism for detecting various kinds of information added to each seal tape T1 and film tape T2 described above will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 10
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing a detection mechanism, and the detection mechanism is mainly composed of the analog sensor 20. In this detection mechanism, a partition plate 40 is arranged below the upper cover plate 30, and sensor holes 40A, 40 for inserting the analog sensor 20 in the partition plate 40 so as to be vertically movable.
An insertion hole 40C is provided through which the B and the pressing member 19 are vertically movably inserted. Analog sensor 20
Is, as shown in FIG. 10, two hanging parts 41A, 41B.
Is provided integrally with the moving member 41 formed in a substantially "H" shape in a side view. The hanging portion 41A has a sensor hole 40A.
Is movably inserted in the vertical direction, and the hanging part 41
B is formed in the shape of a barb having a slope 41C and is vertically movable integrally with the hanging portion 41A in the sensor hole 40B.

Further, the analog sensor 20 includes the moving member 4
It has a variable resistor R whose resistance value changes in accordance with the movement of 1 in the vertical direction. In this way, the resistance value (detected as an analog value) detected by the variable resistor R corresponding to the movement of the moving member 41 is converted into a digital value by the A / D converter 60 described later, It is output to the CPU 50. Further, the moving member 41 of the analog sensor 20 is connected to the other end of the spring 35, one end of which is fixed to the back surface of the upper cover plate 30, and the analog sensor 20 is constantly moved downward by the spring 35 with a certain pressing force. Is urged by. Note that FIG. 10 shows a state in which the analog sensor 20 is in the lowermost position. As is clear from this, the analog sensor 20 also has a function of detecting the end of the tape T.

In the detection mechanism, the seal tape T1
When (sealing tape T1 is shown in FIG. 10) is fed toward the thermal head 8 by the tape feeding mechanism, first, the upper left end of the tape T2 comes into contact with the inclined surface 41C of the hanging portion 41B. When the tape T2 is further fed, the upper left end of the tape T2 gradually moves the moving member 41 upward along the inclined surface 41C, and then the lower end of the hanging part 41B is placed on the upper edge of the seal tape T1. Becomes As described above, since the analog resistance value of the variable resistor R is changed while the moving member 41 moves from the lowermost position to the position of the upper edge of the seal tape T1, it is based on the change amount of the analog resistance value. Seal tape T1
Tape width a (see FIG. 3) is detected. Based on the information on the tape width a, the printing range p in the vertical direction of the sticker 22
1 is obtained. Following this, the moving member 41 falls into the first groove 23 when the sealing tape T1 is fed by the distance b (see FIG. 3, where the distance b is represented by the number of drive steps of the drive motor M). . Based on the amount of change in the analog resistance value of the variable resistor R that occurs at this time, it is detected that the tape T used is the seal tape T1. Further, when the seal tape T1 is fed, the moving member 41 returns from the first groove 23 to the upper edge of the tape T1 and then has a constant distance c (see FIG. 3. Here, the distance c is the same as the distance b). When it is sent (represented by the number of driving steps of the motor M), it falls into the second groove 24. At this time, from the number of drive steps of the drive motor M corresponding to the distance c (distance between the first groove 23 and the second groove 24), the shape of the seal 22 attached to the seal tape T1 and the horizontal printing range p2 Get information about. Also, from the amount of change in the analog resistance value (corresponding to the depth of the second groove 24) obtained via the variable resistor R when the moving member 41 falls into the second groove 24, the seal tape used. Information about the optimum print energy value for T1 is obtained.

When the tape T used is the film tape T2, based on the amount of change in the analog resistance value generated in the variable resistor R according to the feeding operation of the tape T2, the tape width d ( 4) is detected,
From the information on the tape width d, information on the printing range q in the longitudinal direction of the tape T2 and the optimum value of the printing energy can be obtained.

Further, the above-mentioned insertion hole 40C of the partition plate 40
A pressing member 19 is movably inserted in the inside through a spring 42 (one end is fixed to the back surface of the upper cover plate 30 like the spring 35). A known coupling member 43 for transmitting the rotational force of the motor M is mounted between the drive shaft of the drive motor M and the rotary shaft of the rotary roller 11. As a result, the rotating roller 11 is rotated by receiving the rotational driving force from the connecting member 43 in synchronization with the rotation of the drive motor M.

Next, the control system of the tape printer 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a control block diagram of the tape printer, which is mainly composed of the controller C. The control device C has a CPU 50.
And an input / output interface 52 connected to the CPU 50 via a bus 51 such as a data bus, a CGROM
53, ROM 54/55 and RAM 56. In a CGROM (pattern data memory) 53, dot pattern data for display is stored in association with code data for each of a large number of characters. Also, ROM (Outline Data Memory) 5
In FIG. 4, outline data (outline data) that defines the outline of the character for each of a large number of characters for printing the character is a typeface (Gothic typeface,
Mincho typeface, italic typeface, etc.) are stored according to the code data. Furthermore, ROM55
Is a display drive control program for controlling the display controller 57 in accordance with code data of characters such as letters, numbers and symbols input from the keyboard 2, and outline data corresponding to each code data of the text memory 56A to dot data. Image expansion processing control program for converting the data into a print buffer 56B and expanding it in the print buffer 56B, a print drive control program (described later) for sequentially reading the data in the print buffer 56B and driving the thermal head 8, a tape print control control program, and other tapes. Various programs necessary for controlling the printer 1 are stored.

The ROM 55 also stores a numerical table for various information detected by the analog sensor 20 regarding the seal tape T1 and the film tape T2. For example, the seal tape T1 is detected via the analog sensor 20 and the A / D converter 6 is detected.
A table in which the digital value converted by 0 and the tape width a are associated, a table in which the tape width a and the printing range p1 in the vertical direction on the sticker 22 are associated, a distance b and the number of driving steps of the drive motor M are Table corresponding to the table, table corresponding to the number of drive steps of the drive motor M corresponding to the distance c and the shape of the seal 22, the number of drive steps of the drive motor M corresponding to the distance c and the printing range in the lateral direction on the seal 22 Table corresponding to p2, second groove 24 detected by analog sensor 20 and A / D converted
A table or the like in which a digital value of the depth of the image and the optimum printing energy are associated with each other is stored. Regarding the film tape T2, a table in which the digital value detected by the analog sensor 20 and converted by the A / D converter 60 and the tape width d are associated with each other, the tape width d
And a table that associates the print range q in the vertical direction of the film tape T2 with each other, a table that associates the tape width d with the optimum print energy, and the like.

The RAM 56 is provided with various memories, and the text memory 56A stores the document data input from the keyboard 2. Further, the print buffer 56B stores print data of characters and symbols which are image-developed. Further, the work memory 56C is provided with various storage areas, in which the data obtained by converting the analog resistance value detected by the analog sensor 20 into a digital value by the A / D converter 60 is stored. The tape width calculated based on the detection value detected by 20 and the work B for storing the information about the printing energy value, the work S for storing the data of the number of steps for driving the drive motor M, and the type of the tape T. There is provided a work SN that stores information (information indicating whether the tape is the seal tape T1 or the film tape T2).

Further, the keyboard 3, the cover switch S,
A display controller (LCDC) 57 having a display RAM for outputting display data to a liquid crystal display (LCD) 3, a drive circuit 58 for driving the thermal head 8, and a drive circuit 5 for driving a drive motor M.
9, and a digital value obtained by A / D converting the analog resistance value detected by the analog sensor 20 is the control device C.
To the input / output interface 52 of the control device C.

The tape printer 1 constructed as described above
The operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. 12 and 13 show flowcharts of the print control program. First, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1, processing such as clearing various memories provided in the RAM 56 is performed and initialization (initial setting) is performed. Be done. Then, the open / close cover 17 is detected by detecting whether the cover switch S is in the on state (corresponding to the closed state of the open / close cover 17) or in the off state (corresponding to the open state of the open / close cover 17). The open / closed state of is detected (S2). When the open / close cover 17 is opened (S
2: YES), the process moves to S6 while the open / close cover 17
If is blocked (S2: NO), the process proceeds to S3. In S3, a key input from each key on the keyboard 2 is waited, and when there is no key input (S3: NO), the process returns to S2 and waits until there is a key input, and when there is a key input (S3: : YES), it is determined whether there is a key input from the print key (S4).

When there is a key input from the print key (S4:
If YES, the process proceeds to S30 and the printing process described later is performed. If there is no key input from the print key (S
In the case of 4: NO), the edit processing of the key input data is performed according to each operated key (S5). In the editing process of such key input data, the tape T
Based on various information obtained when the tape is inserted into the tape printer 1, an editing process is performed while displaying the data input from the respective keys on the keyboard 2 on the liquid crystal display 3.

That is, the editing process uses the tape T that is being used.
Is performed based on the seal tape T1 or the film tape T2. When the tape T is the film tape T2, the print range q in the vertical direction is determined based on the detected tape width d, and the data editing process is performed while displaying the input data on the liquid crystal display 3. At this time, the print length of the film tape T2 and the margin provided between the print characters can be set. Further, when the tape T is the seal tape T1, the print range p1 in the vertical direction of the seal 22 and the print range p2 in the horizontal direction of the seal 22 from the distance c based on the detected tape width a of the seal tape T1. The input data is determined and the data editing process is performed while displaying the input data on the liquid crystal display 3. After the editing process in S5 is completed, S2
Return to.

On the other hand, in S2, when the open / close cover 17 is in the open state (S2: YES),
A display indicating that the cover is open is displayed on the liquid crystal display 3, various kinds of information are detected by the analog sensor 20, and the detected values detected are registered in the work A of the work memory 56C (S6). Next, the presence or absence of the tape T is determined based on the detected value (S7). If the tape T is not present here, the analog sensor 2
Since 0 is not moved from the lowermost position, the detected value is "0", and when the tape T is present, the analog sensor 20 is moved upward, so a predetermined detected value is detected. In this way, the presence or absence of the tape T is determined by whether or not the detected value has changed.

When the tape T does not exist (S
In 7: None, a display for prompting the insertion of the tape T is displayed on the liquid crystal display 3 (S8), and it is further determined whether the open / close cover 17 is closed (S9). If the open / close cover 17 is not closed (S9: NO), S
On the other hand, when the tape T is closed (S9: YES), the tape T is read at the tape reading position (analog sensor 20).
The maximum number of drive steps (the number of drive steps of the drive motor M corresponding to a sufficient feed amount to feed the tape T to the reading position) is registered in the work S of the work memory 56C. . After that, the drive motor M is rotated by one step, 1 is subtracted from the value of the work S (S11), and the value registered in the work S becomes 0.
It is determined whether or not (S12). When the value of the work S is not 0 (S12: NO), it is determined whether the detection value detected by the analog sensor 20 is the same as the value registered in the work A in S6 (S13). When the detected value is the same as the value of the work A (S13: YES), that is, when the detected value detected by the analog sensor 20 does not change, the process returns to S11 to further rotate the drive motor M. . On the other hand, when the detected value is not the same as the value of the work A (S13: NO), that is, when the detected value detected by the analog sensor 20 changes, the detected value is registered in the work A. , The drive motor M is rotated by one step, and the analog sensor 2
Detection is performed by 0 (S14). Then, it is determined whether the detected value is the same as the value of the work A (S1).
5). When the detected value and the value of the work A are different (S15:
NO), that is, when the tape T is fed while the inclined surface 41C of the moving member 41B and the upper left end of the tape T are in contact with each other and the analog sensor 20 is gradually moved upward, the process returns to S14 and is driven again. The motor M is rotated. Then, when the detected value becomes the same as the value of the work A (S15: YES), that is, the analog sensor 20.
When the lower end of the moving member 41B of the tape reaches the upper edge of the tape T, the tape width (the tape width a in the case of the seal tape T1, the film tape T2 In this case, the tape width d) is calculated, and the calculated value is registered in the work B (S16). In the case of the film tape T2, the optimum printing energy value is calculated at the same time from the calculated tape width value and registered in the work B. Then, the process proceeds to S20.

On the other hand, in S12, when the value of the work S becomes 0 (S12: YES), an error message is displayed and "Please set the tape correctly" is displayed on the liquid crystal display 3. , And prompt the tape T to be reset (S17). Then, it is again determined whether the cover 17 is in the open state (S18), and if the cover 17 is not in the open state (S18: NO), the cover 1
While waiting until 7 is opened, the process returns to S6 when the cover 17 is in the open state (S18: YES).

Next, in S20, the drive required to rotate the drive motor M to feed the tape T from the tape reading position to the tape insertion end position (the position where the tip of the tape T slightly exceeds the thermal head 8). The number of steps is set in the work S, and the data of the film tape T2 is registered as the tape type in the work SN that sets the tape type. Subsequently, the detection value detected by the analog sensor 20 in S14 is registered in the work A, the drive motor M is rotated by one step, and then the detection is performed again via the analog sensor 20. Further, the value of the work S is reduced by 1 (S21). Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the work S has become 0 (S22). When the value of the work S is not 0 (S22: NO), it is determined whether the detected value is the same as the value of the work A (S26). When the detected value and the value of the work A are the same (S26: YES), it means that the detected value has not changed even though the drive motor M has been rotated by one step. The process returns to S21 to perform the process. Thus, S2
The processes of 1, S22, and S26 are repeatedly performed until the detected value changes.

When the detected value is different from the value of the work A (S26: NO), it is determined whether the first groove 23 in the seal tape T1 is detected (S27).
This determination is made based on whether or not the detected value has changed when the distance b corresponding to the print start position has been sent. When the first groove 23 is detected (S27: YES),
The number of drive steps of the drive motor M is set to the work S so that the position where the first groove 23 is formed becomes the printing start position, and it is found that the tape type is the seal tape T1. Seal tape T1 on SN
After registering the data of (S28), the process returns to S21. Therefore, when the type of the tape T is the seal tape T1, the tape feeding is performed until the first groove 23 is detected by repeatedly performing the processing of S21, S22, S26 and S28. . On the other hand, when the change in the detected value does not correspond to the first groove 23 (S2
7: NO), the distance c is calculated from the number of remaining driving steps of the work S to obtain the shape of the seal 22 and the printing range p2 in the lateral direction. In addition, the depth of the second groove 24 is calculated from the amount of change in the detected value to obtain the optimum printing energy, which is registered in the work B. After this, the process returns to S21.

Further, when the value of the work S becomes 0 in S22 (S22: YES), it means that the tape inserting operation is completed, and the various information obtained in the above is selected and stored ( S23). In S23,
Based on the tape width data registered in the work B, the printing energy value, and the type of tape registered in the work SN, various data necessary for editing / printing are selected and stored. That is, the seal tape T1 or the film tape T2 is selected and stored as the type of tape. Further, in accordance with the type of tape, data such as the tape width of each tape, the print range in the vertical direction, the print range in the horizontal direction, the value of the optimum print energy, and the shape of the seal 22 on the seal tape T1 are selected. Remembered. When the tape type is the seal tape T1, the next seal 22 is cueed.

After that, various data selected in S23 are displayed on the liquid crystal display 3 (S24), and it is determined whether the end of each tape is detected by the analog sensor 20 (S25). If the tape end is detected (S25: YES), the procedure returns to S17,
When the tape end is not detected (S25: NO)
In S31, the edit screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 3 in S31 and then the process proceeds to S2.

Next, the printing process performed when there is a key input from the print key in S4 (S4: YES) will be described. If there is a key input from the print key, the process proceeds to S30, the thermal head 8 is driven to generate heat based on the various data obtained in S23, and the edit data is printed (S30). Further, the tape is detected by the analog sensor 20 in parallel with the printing operation, and when the tape end is detected, the tape is automatically ejected, and when the tape type is the seal tape T1, the next seal 22 is used. The head of the sticker 22 is laid out in order to smoothly print the. After this, the process proceeds to S31.

As described in detail above, in the tape printer 1 according to this embodiment, the tape T is regulated by the tape guide portion 7A of the tape guide member 7 in the tape feeding mechanism during the feeding operation of the tape T. 8, the analog sensor 20 is brought into contact with the upper edge of the tape T by the spring 35 with a constant pressing force, and the pushing member 19 is brought into contact with the upper end edge of the tape T via the spring 42 with a constant pressing force. Since the tape T can be restricted from moving in a horizontal direction with respect to the feeding direction via the tape guide portion 7A during the feeding operation, the tape T can be fed in the feeding direction by the analog sensor 20 and the pressing member 19. The movement in the vertical direction can be restricted. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the tape T from meandering during the feeding operation of the tape T, and it is possible to accurately print characters and the like while always maintaining a constant relationship with the thermal head 8.

In addition, the tape spool 6 capable of supplying the two kinds of seal tapes T1 and the film tape T2 in common is used, and various information is added to the seal tape T1 and the film tape T2 to provide an analog sensor. Since it is configured to read various information via 20, the seal tape T1 and the film tape T2 can be selectively used. In particular, when distinguishing between the seal tape T1 and the film tape T2, the first groove 2 is formed on the upper edge of the release paper 21 in the seal tape T1.
3 is formed, and the analog sensor 20 that can move up and down while being in contact with the upper edge of the seal tape T1 is arranged. Therefore, the seal tape T1 and the film tape T2 are determined depending on whether the first groove 23 exists in the tape T. Therefore, the type of the tape T can be determined without any complicated work, and the printing control corresponding to the type of the tape T can be performed.

Further, in the tape spool 6, the guide hole 6D in the spool shaft 6B is aligned with the center position X in the width direction of the tape T according to the tape width of the tape T.
Forming a recess 33 around the inner wall of the upper cover 30
The protrusion 31 formed on the guide pin 5 standing upright is locked in the recess 33 of the guide hole 6D, and the center position of the thermal head 8 in the vertical direction is aligned with the center position X of the tape T in the tape width direction. Therefore, the central position of the thermal head 8 in the up-down direction is determined by the downward pressing force of the tape T by the analog sensor 20 and the pressing member 19 and the spring member 32 disposed below the tape spool 6. The central position X of the tape T in the tape width direction can always be matched through the cooperation with the upward biasing force. As a result, the positional relationship between the thermal head 8 and the tape T can always be maintained in a constant relationship by using a simple mechanism without requiring a complicated positioning mechanism.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and it goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0050]

As the present invention as described in the foregoing, by contact with the sensor means while guiding the travel of the tape by the tape guide means on the upper edge of the tape, is possible to reliably prevent meandering in the vertical direction of the tape While you can,
Sensor means detects the tape type or print start position
Therefore, it is possible to provide a tape printer capable of accurately printing characters and the like, and its industrial effect is great.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tape printer.

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the tape printer.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a seal tape obtained by sticking a seal on a long release paper.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the film tape.

5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a film tape, FIG.
(A) is a three-layer type film tape, and FIG.
Figure 3 shows a layer type film tape.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the tape loading mechanism that schematically shows a state in which a wide tape is loaded.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the tape loading mechanism that schematically shows a state in which a narrow tape is loaded.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a tape loading mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing an outline of a tape feeding mechanism.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a detection mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a control block diagram of the tape printer.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a print control program.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a print control program.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 tape printer 6 tape spool 7 Tape guide member 7A Tape guide 8 thermal head 19 Pressing member 20 analog sensors 21 Release paper 22 seal 23 First groove 24 second groove T1 seal tape T2 film tape

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A tape printer comprising: a tape supply means for holding a long tape in a wound state; and a printing means for printing characters and the like on the tape supplied from the tape supply means. tape guide means for guiding the travel of the tape supplied from the tape supply means between the tape supply means and the printing means, with a predetermined pressing force to the upper edge of the tape guided by said tape guide means and abutment, Detect tape type
A sensor member, wherein when the tape is supplied to the printing unit by the tape supply unit, the tape guide unit and the sensor member cooperate with each other to prevent the tape from meandering. Tape printing device. 2. A long tape is kept in a wound state.
Holding tape supply means, and supplied from the tape supply means
And a printing means for printing characters etc. on the tape
In a tape printer, a tape supply means is provided between the tape supply means and the printing means.
Guide means for guiding the running of the tape supplied from the
And the upper edge of the tape guided by the tape guide means.
Contact with a predetermined pressing force, and
And a sensor member for detecting information, wherein the tape is supplied to the printing unit by the tape supply unit.
When supplied, the tape guiding means and the sensor member
Is characterized by cooperating with each other to prevent the tape from meandering
And tape printing device. 3. The tape is a long film tape.
On the first printing tape and the long release paper
And a second printing tape formed by sticking
The tape supplied from the tape supply means is the front
Check whether it is the first printing tape or the second printing tape.
An analog sensor that emits light.
Alternatively, the tape printer according to claim 2. 4. The first sensor for printing is the analog sensor.
And the second printing Up and down while abutting on the upper edge of the loop
4. It is arranged so that it can be arranged.
Tape printing device.