JP3655822B2 - Inkjet printer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inkjet printer, and more particularly to a printer suitable for improving a platen device that presses a printing medium against a regulating plate.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional inkjet printer includes an inkjet head that prints predetermined data on a print medium, a regulation plate that is disposed at a certain distance from the inkjet head, and that regulates the distance of the print medium relative to the inkjet head. And a platen device that presses the print medium.
[0003]
When the printing medium is conveyed to the printing position, the platen device detects the thickness of the printing medium, moves the platen formed in a plate shape by an appropriate amount based on the detection result, and the platen regulates the printing medium. An appropriate printing gap is formed between the printing surface of the printing medium and the ink jet head when pressed against the plate.
Therefore, the conventional platen device includes a platen, a sensor that detects the thickness of the print medium, a moving mechanism that moves the platen, and a movement amount control unit that controls the moving mechanism based on the detection of the sensor.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional ink jet printer, as described above, can secure a printing gap by controlling the moving mechanism by the moving amount control unit based on the thickness of the printing medium. Not only is there a problem that it becomes complicated, but there is also a problem that the number of components increases, leading to high costs.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer that can simplify the configuration and can be made inexpensive in view of the above-described problems of the prior art.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, an ink jet printer comprising an ink jet head for printing on a print medium, a restriction plate installed at a position away from the ink jet head by a predetermined distance, and a platen device for pressing the print medium against the restriction plate. The platen device includes a string-shaped platen formed in a string shape, and an advancing / retreating mechanism for moving the string-shaped platen forward and backward with respect to the restriction plate, and the advance / retreat movement mechanism moves the string-like platen in the direction of the restriction plate. A first guide member that is rotatably disposed on a tensioning path of the string-like platen and is attached to a fixed position; and the first guide member. A second guide member that is rotatably connected to the member and urges the string-like platen with an elastic force in the direction of the restricting plate with the first guide member as a center.
[0007]
Thus, since the platen device has the string-like platen and the advance / retreat mechanism for moving the platen relative to the restriction plate, the lifting mechanism controls the amount of movement of the platen according to the detection of the sensor as in the prior art. Is not necessary, and software control is also unnecessary, so that the configuration can be simplified, the configuration of the platen device can be simplified, and the plate can be manufactured at a low cost.
[0008]
In this way, the urging means urges the string-like platen against the restricting plate, so even if the print medium has a thickness change, the print medium is accurately moved to the position of the print gap, An appropriate print gap can be secured. Therefore, the print medium can be surely pressed to the print gap position regardless of the change in thickness.
In particular, in an ink jet printer, if the print gap is not appropriate, the print quality is affected. Therefore, it is extremely beneficial to be able to automatically and easily control the print gap for a print medium whose thickness changes.
[0009]
Thus, since the biasing means has the first guide member and the second guide member coupled to the first guide member and biased in the direction of the restricting plate, the string-like platen is reliably advanced relative to the restricting plate. Can be moved.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the advance / retreat mechanism includes an actuator that moves the string-like platen backward while resisting the urging force of the urging means.
As a result, the string-like platen is moved backward from the regulation plate by driving the actuator, and by releasing the drive, the string-like platen can be moved forward to the regulation plate by the urging force of the urging means. Since the string-like platen can be moved forward and backward by driving and releasing it, the string-like platen can be driven easily, and the configuration can be further simplified.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the platen device is characterized in that a plurality of sets of the string-like platen and the advance / retreat mechanism are installed along the conveyance direction of the print medium.
As described above, when a plurality of sets of platen devices are installed along the conveyance direction of the print medium, both sides of the print medium can be positioned in an appropriate print gap even if the left and right thicknesses of the print medium are different. Therefore, it is possible not only to easily cope with the case where the right and left thicknesses of the printing medium are different, but also to print near the binding portion at the center of both open pages such as a booklet. The reliability and reliability can be improved.
[0012]
The present invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the string-like platen is formed of one of a wire and a belt, and is stretched along the print medium conveyance direction.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer of this embodiment includes an ink jet head 2 that prints on a passbook 1 as a print medium by an ink jet method, and regulation plates 3 a and 3 b disposed below the ink jet head 2. It has been.
[0014]
The ink jet head 2 prints predetermined data on the passbook 1 while moving along the guide rod 4 in the direction of the arrow X shown in FIG. The restriction plates 3a and 3b are provided so that an appropriate printing gap can be obtained between the printing surface of the bankbook 1 and the inkjet head 2, and the inkjet head is positioned at the front and rear positions along the conveyance direction of the bankbook 1. 2 is installed at regular intervals.
[0015]
A platen device 5 is provided below the regulation plates 3a and 3b. The platen device 5 includes a string-like platen 6 formed of a linear body such as metal or synthetic resin, and an advance / retreat mechanism 7 for moving the string-like platen 6 forward and backward relative to the regulation plates 3a and 3b. doing. When printing on the bankbook 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the advancing / retreating mechanism 7 moves the string-like platen 6 upward in the direction of the regulating plates 3a and 3b, and the string-like platen 6 regulates the bankbook 1 from the lower surface. By pressing the plates 3a and 3b, a predetermined printing gap is obtained between the printing surface 1a of the bankbook 1 and the inkjet head 2. At that time, the advancing / retreating mechanism 7 is configured to urge the string-like platen 6 in the direction of the restricting plates 3a and 3b with an elastic force.
[0016]
More specifically, the advancing / retreating mechanism 7 includes a spring body 8 on which one end of the string-like platen 6 is hooked, an actuator 9 on which the other end of the string-like platen 6 is hooked, and a tension of the string-like platen 6. Two sets of urging means 10 and 11 are arranged on the path and urge the string-like platen 6 toward the regulating plates 3a and 3b.
[0017]
The spring body 8 hooks one end of the string-like platen 6 at one end thereof, and the other end is attached to the lower fixing portion 12 so as to pull the string-like platen 6 downward. The actuator 9 is composed of a solenoid installed in the fixed portion 12 in this example, and the other end of the string-like platen 6 is hooked on the movable portion 9a.
[0018]
Of the urging means 10 and 11, one urging means 10 is a first guide member 10a rotatably supported, and a first guide member 10a rotatably connected to the first guide member 10a via a connecting member 13. The two guide members 10b and the second guide member 10b include a spring body (not shown) that is biased counterclockwise (arrow A direction) around the first guide member 10a.
[0019]
The other urging means 11 includes a first guide member 11a rotatably supported, a second guide member 11b rotatably connected to the first guide member 11a via a connecting member 14, and a second guide. The member 11b includes a spring body (not shown) that is biased clockwise (in the direction of arrow B) about the first guide member 11a. In this example, the first guide members 10a and 11a and the second guide members 10b and 11b constituting the urging means are made of pulleys, and are rotatably arranged on the extending path of the string-like platen 5.
[0020]
When the operating portion 9a of the actuator 9 is sucked, the string-like platen 6 is resisted against the urging force of the second guide members 10b and 11b of the urging means 10 and 11 as shown in FIG. When the second guide members 10b and 11b are pulled and moved in the directions of arrows C and D, the string-like platen 6 is retracted from the regulating plates 3a and 3b, while the suction of the actuator 9 is released, and the string-like platen 6 is When released, as shown in FIG. 2, one of the second guide members 10b operates in the direction of arrow A, and at the same time, the other second guide member 11b operates in the direction of arrow B. It moves forward in the direction of the regulating plates 3a, 3b, whereby the string-like platen 6 presses the bankbook 1 against the regulating plates 3a, 3b from the back. At this time, one end of the string-like platen 6 is pulled by the spring force of the spring body 8, whereby an appropriate tension can be obtained for the platen 6.
That is, the advancing / retreating mechanism 7 is configured so that the string-like platen 6 can be moved backward and forward with respect to the restricting plates 3a and 3b by suction and release of the string-like platen 6 by the actuator 9.
[0021]
Next, the operation of the ink jet printer configured as described above will be described.
Before the passbook 1 as a printing medium is conveyed to the printing position, the actuator 9 of the advance / retreat mechanism 7 sucks the string-like platen 6, and with the suction of the string-like platen 6, While the 2nd guide member 10b falls in the arrow C direction, the 2nd guide member 11b of the urging | biasing means 11 falls in the arrow D direction, and it waits in this state.
[0022]
In this state, when the bankbook 1 is conveyed from the right side of FIG. 2 toward the regulating plates 3a and 3b, the actuator 9 releases the suction to the string platen 6 and the second guide member 10b of the urging means 10 is released. Is urged in the A direction and the second guide member 11b of the urging means 11 is urged in the B direction, whereby the string-like platen 6 moves upward in the restricting plates 3a and 3b.
As a result, the string-like platen 6 sandwiches the bankbook 1 between the restriction plates 3 a and 3 b and is pushed up by an elastic force so that the printing surface of the bankbook 1 is at an appropriate printing gap position with the inkjet head 2.
[0023]
When the bankbook 1 is pressed against the regulation plates 3a and 3b in this way, the inkjet head 2 prints on the bankbook while moving along the guide rod 4.
When printing by the inkjet head 2 is completed, the passbook 1 is carried out of the printing position by the actuator 9 again sucking the string-like platen 6 and the string-like platen descending.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, as described above, the platen device 5 includes the string-like platen 6 and the advance / retreat mechanism 7 for moving the string-like platen 6 forward and backward with respect to the restriction plates 3a and 3b. Since it is moved forward and backward, it is not only unnecessary for the lifting mechanism to control the amount of movement of the platen according to the detection of the sensor as in the prior art, but also software control is not required, so that the configuration is simple. In addition, the configuration of the platen device 5 can be simplified, and the platen device 5 can be manufactured at a low cost.
[0025]
Further, when the actuator 9 releases the string-like platen 6, the advance / retreat movement mechanism 7 causes the string-like platen 6 to press the passbook 1 against the regulation plates 3 a and 3 b by elastic force by the urging means 10 and 11. Therefore, even if the printing medium has a thickness that changes like the bankbook 1, the bankbook 1 can be accurately pushed up to the position of the printing gap to ensure an appropriate printing gap. Therefore, the bankbook 1 can be surely pressed to the print gap position without being concerned with the change in thickness.
In particular, in an ink jet printer, if the print gap is not appropriate, the print quality is affected. Therefore, it is extremely beneficial to be able to automatically and easily control the print gap for a print medium whose thickness changes.
[0026]
Furthermore, since two sets of platen devices 5 are provided along the binding direction of the bankbook 1, and each platen device 5 is arranged on both sides of the binding portion of the bankbook 1, the left and right thicknesses of the bankbook 1 are different. However, both sides of the passbook 1 can be positioned in an appropriate printing gap, and therefore, not only can the right and left thicknesses as in the passbook 1 be different, but also the center of the passbook 1 can be easily handled. It is possible to print near the binding portion of the paper, and the reliability and reliability in printing can be improved.
[0027]
Furthermore, the actuator 9 of the advance / retreat mechanism 7 sucks the string-like platen 5 so that the string-like platen 5 moves backward from the regulating plates 3a, 3b. Therefore, the string-like platen 5 is energized by releasing the suction. The means 10 and 11 can be moved forward in the direction of the regulating plates 3a and 3b. Therefore, since the string-like platen 5 can be moved forward and backward by driving and releasing the actuator 9, the string-like platen 5 can be easily driven and the configuration can be further simplified.
[0028]
In the illustrated embodiment, the example of the wire platen made of metal or synthetic resin is shown as the string platen, but other than this, for example, it can be made of a belt formed with a narrow width. What is necessary is just to comprise with a string-like thing. Moreover, although the example comprised by the solenoid was shown as the actuator 9, the string-like platen 6 can also be pulled or released with the rotational force of the motor. Furthermore, although an example in which two sets of platen devices 5 are installed has been shown, it goes without saying that more sets may be used.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is not necessary for the elevating mechanism to control the movement amount of the platen in accordance with the detection of the sensor as in the prior art, and the software control is not required. The structure of the apparatus can be simplified, and there is an effect that the cost can be reduced accordingly.
[0030]
Further, according to the present invention, the print medium can be surely pressed to the print gap position regardless of the change in the thickness. In particular, in the ink jet printer, the print gap is automatically set against the print medium whose thickness changes. And being able to control easily is extremely beneficial.
[0031]
Further, in the present invention, the urging means includes the first guide member and the second guide member coupled to the first guide member and urged in the direction of the restricting plate, so that the string-like platen is reliably moved forward with respect to the restricting plate. Can be made.
[0032]
In the present invention, since the string-like platen can be moved forward and backward by driving and releasing the actuator, the string-like platen can be easily driven and the configuration can be further simplified.
[0033]
Further, in the present invention, since a plurality of sets of platen devices are provided along the print medium conveyance direction, the certainty and reliability in printing can be improved.
[0034]
Further, in the present invention, since the string-like platen is made of either one of a wire and a belt, the configuration of the platen becomes extremely easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a platen apparatus showing an embodiment of an inkjet printer according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an elevated (forward) state of the platen device.
3 is an enlarged explanatory view seen from the right side of FIG. 2. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Passbook as printing medium Inkjet head 3a, 3b Control board 5 Platen device 6 String-like platen 7 Advance / retreat mechanism 9 Actuator 10, 11 Energizing means 10a, 11a First guide member 10b, 11b Second guide member

Claims (4)

An ink jet printer comprising an ink jet head for printing on a print medium, a restricting plate placed at a predetermined distance from the ink jet head, and a platen device for pressing the print medium against the restricting plate, wherein the platen device has a string shape And a forward / backward movement mechanism for moving the string-like platen forward and backward with respect to the restriction plate, and the forward / backward movement mechanism has an urging means for urging the string-like platen toward the restriction plate. And
The urging means is rotatably arranged on the stretched path of the string-like platen and is attached to the fixed position, and is rotatably connected to the first guide member. An ink jet printer comprising: a second guide member that urges the string-like platen with an elastic force in the direction of the restricting plate with the member as a center . 2. The ink jet printer according to claim 1 , wherein the advance / retreat mechanism has a drive source that moves the string platen backward while resisting the urging force of the urging means.   2. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the platen device includes a plurality of sets of the string-like platen and the advancing / retreating mechanism along a conveyance direction of a print medium.   The ink-jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the string-like platen is formed of one of a wire and a belt and is stretched along a conveyance direction of the print medium.

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