JP3731213B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention generally relates to a printer such as a printing apparatus used in a financial institution, and more particularly to a ribbon mask opening mechanism in a printer for performing the operation at the time of ribbon replacement easily and quickly.
[0002]
In recent years, in financial institutions such as banks, printing apparatuses that insert printing media such as passbooks and slips and print necessary data such as unrecorded data have become widespread. Bank employees are responsible for recovering from jams and other problems and replacing ink ribbons. Therefore, it is required to simplify the exchange work so that even an unfamiliar employee can easily exchange the ribbon. A ribbon mask for guiding and holding the ribbon is attached to the lower side of the print head at the leading end of the print head. The gap between the print head and the ribbon mask is so narrow that it becomes an obstacle when replacing the ribbon. When replacing the ribbon for use, it is required to open the ribbon mask large.
[0003]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a carriage that is slidably supported by a shaft and is movable in the horizontal direction, a print head mounted on the carriage, a printing ribbon guided along a print portion at the tip of the print head, and a printing ribbon A printer having a ribbon mask for guiding and holding is generally used.
[0004]
In addition, as the above-described ribbon mask opening mechanism, the ribbon mask is inclined obliquely about an axis perpendicular to the ribbon transport direction, and a gap is provided between the print portion at the leading end of the print head and the ribbon mask. What was done is known.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the above-described conventional ribbon mask opening mechanism, the replacement operation of the ribbon is complicated and takes a long time. Also, the ribbon may not be set correctly in the printer.
[0006]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a ribbon mask opening mechanism of a printer that can smoothly perform a ribbon replacement operation and can set the ribbon at a correct position.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, there is provided a printer comprising: a fixed unit; and a movable unit that is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the fixed unit and that forms a recording medium conveyance path in opposition to the fixed unit. The unit slidably holds a print ribbon between a print head having a print unit and the print unit, and also slightly between the print unit to guide the print ribbon during printing. A ribbon guide means in a second position that forms a sufficient gap with the printing section when the printing ribbon is replaced. In conjunction with the rotation of the movable unit, a connection for moving the ribbon guide means to the second position and the first position, respectively, when the movable unit is opened and closed with respect to the fixed unit. Further comprising a step, the connecting means, first and first state wherein the printer is operable, and a second state capable of removing the jammed recording medium to the printer, capable of replacing the print ribbon of the printer A third state can be selectively determined, and when the printer is in the first or second state, the ribbon guiding means is positioned at the first position, and the printer is moved to the first state. In the third state, the printer is characterized in that the ribbon guiding means is positioned at the second position.
In the printer of the present invention, the ribbon guide means is positioned at the first position that forms a slight gap between the printing section and the ribbon guiding means between the printing section and the printing ribbon. Therefore, the printing ribbon can be exchanged smoothly.
Further, in conjunction with the rotation of the movable unit, since the movable unit is opened and closed with respect to the fixed unit, the coupling means for determining the second position and the first position is adopted. Operability is improved.
[0010]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a passbook printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. This bankbook printing apparatus includes an apparatus body 6 having an insertion slot 4 into which the bankbook 2 is inserted in a horizontal direction, a keyboard 8 for operating and inputting a customer account number and transaction contents, and a display 10 on which operation processing contents are displayed. And.
[0011]
The apparatus main body 6 is connected to a computer center (not shown) via a line. A passbook printer to which the present invention is applied is provided in the apparatus main body 6.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an automatic transaction apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. This automatic transaction apparatus includes a bankbook insertion slot 102 for inserting a bankbook, a card insertion slot 104 for inserting a cash card, a banknote outlet 106 for inserting and discharging banknotes, and a coin slot 108 for inserting and discharging coins. And a customer operation unit 110 including a display for giving guidance to the customer for performing the transaction and a touch keyboard for inputting information necessary for performing the transaction.
[0012]
In this automatic transaction apparatus, a customer operates the customer apparatus unit 110 to perform transactions such as deposit, withdrawal, transfer, bookkeeping, balance inquiry, etc. without the assistance of a bank clerk.
[0013]
FIG. 3 shows an internal side view of the passbook printer. In the figure, 12 is a conveyance path, 14 is a print head, 16 is a platen facing the front end printing portion 14A of the print head 14, 18 is a ribbon mask provided between the print head 14 and the platen 16, and 20 is a feed roller. is there.
[0014]
When the teller (passenger) inserts the bankbook 2 in the direction of arrow A from the insertion slot 4 (see FIG. 1), the bankbook 2 is transported along the transport path 12 by the roller 20, and the account number is read by the magnetic stripe reader 13. Thereafter, the page and printable rows are confirmed by the reading sensor 22 and set in the printer unit between the ribbon mask 18 and the platen 16.
[0015]
When the keyboard 8 (see FIG. 1) is operated to input an amount of money, the input content is displayed on the display 10. When this is confirmed and the confirmation button is pressed, communication with the computer center is performed, and transaction data is printed on the bankbook 2 by the printing unit 14A. When printing is completed, the bankbook 2 is discharged into the insertion slot 4.
[0016]
In addition, the automatic transaction apparatus is provided with a passbook printing device similar to that described in FIG. 3. When a book entry is necessary, the customer inserts the passbook through the passbook insertion slot and still enters the passbook. The unbooked data which is the transaction history which is not printed is printed on the passbook. That is, when the customer operation unit selects that there is a passbook at the time of bookkeeping transaction or deposit / withdrawal transaction, guidance is displayed on the customer operation unit so that the passbook is inserted from the passbook insertion slot.
[0017]
When the customer inserts the bankbook in the direction of arrow A from the bankbook insertion slot, the bankbook is transported along the transport path by a roller, and the account number recorded in the magnetic stripe of the bankbook is read from the magnetic stripe reader to confirm the validity of the bankbook And communicate with the computer. Further, the page and the printable line are confirmed by the reading sensor, and the unbooked data transmitted from the computer together with the current transaction data is printed on the book. When printing is completed, the bankbook is carried out to the layer from the insertion slot.
[0018]
A conventional ribbon mask opening mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the replacement of the printing ribbon in the conventional bankbook printer is performed by inclining the bracket 26 carrying the ribbon mask 24 obliquely about the one-side fulcrum 27 as a center. The ribbon 28 was exchanged by providing a gap between 14A and the ribbon mask 24.
[0019]
That is, in FIG. 4, reference numeral 24 indicates a ribbon mask at a printing position, and reference numeral 24 ′ indicates a position when the bracket 26 is pushed down in the direction of arrow B. The ribbon 28 passes between the printing unit 14A and the ribbon mask 24, and an opening is provided in a portion of the ribbon mask 24 facing the printing unit 14A.
[0020]
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 30 indicates a carrier on which the print head 14 is mounted.
5 and 6 are a front view and a side view of the passbook printer showing the ribbon mask closed, respectively. FIGS. 7 and 8 are a front view and a side view of the passbook printer showing the ribbon mask opened, respectively. In FIGS. 6 and 8, it should be noted that the carrier is illustrated separately from the frame side in order to ensure the clarity of the drawings.
[0021]
This passbook printer has a fixed frame 32, a movable frame 34 provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the fixed frame 32, and a shaft 36 horizontally mounted on the movable frame 34. A carriage 38 on which the print head 14 is mounted is slidably supported on the shaft 36.
[0022]
The fixed frame 32 constitutes a fixed unit 33 together with its accompanying part, and the movable frame 34 constitutes a movable unit 35 together with its accompanying part. A front frame 37 is provided on the front side of the movable unit 35 on the fixed unit 33 in the recording medium insertion direction so as to be openable and closable with respect to the fixed frame 32, and between the front frame 37 and the movable unit 35 and the fixed unit 33. A recording medium transport path 39 is formed.
[0023]
A shaft 40 different from this is provided in parallel with the shaft 36 on the front side of the shaft 36 in the passbook insertion direction of the carriage 38, and a ribbon mask 42 is swingably attached about the shaft 40 as a rotation axis. Yes.
[0024]
The ribbon mask 42 is a first that forms a slight gap between the print portion 14A and the print mask 14A in order to guide the print ribbon 28 between the print portion 14A of the print head 14 and the ribbon mask 42 during printing. On the other hand, when replacing the printing ribbon, it is located at a second position (see FIG. 8) that forms a sufficient gap with the printing unit 14A.
[0025]
A lower end of a link 44 is connected to the ribbon mask 42, and an upper end of the link 44 is connected to a lever 48 that can rotate with respect to a shaft 46 provided on the carriage 38. A coil spring 50 is stretched between the upper end of the link 44 and the carriage 38 in order to bias the ribbon mask 42 from the second position to the first position. Accordingly, when printing is performed, the ribbon mask 42 is biased by the coil spring 50, and thus is positioned with an optimal gap between the ribbon mask 42 and the printing unit 14A.
[0026]
Reference numeral 52 denotes an eccentric that is an eccentric jig screwed to the carriage 38. The eccentric 52 is for finely adjusting a slight gap between the printing unit 14A and the ribbon mask 42 at the first position, and a part of the ribbon mask 42 at the first position is a part of the eccentric 52. The gap is determined by being urged and abutted by the coil spring 50.
[0027]
Therefore, when adjusting the gap between the printing unit 14A and the ribbon mask 42, if the screw is loosened and the eccentric 52 is rotated around the screw, the eccentric 52 is eccentric, so that the distance from the screw to the outer periphery is positioned. Therefore, the gap between the printing unit 14A and the ribbon mask 42 can be determined by determining the outer peripheral position of the eccentric 52 where the ribbon mask 42 abuts. Therefore, the gap between the printing unit 14A and the ribbon mask 42 can be adjusted with a simple operation.
[0028]
When the lever 48 is pushed down, the link 44 connected to the lever 48 is pushed downward, and the ribbon mask 42 connected to the link 44 opens downward with the shaft 40 as a fulcrum. Therefore, in this state, the printing ribbon can be replaced very easily.
[0029]
When the force that pushes down the lever 48 is released, the link 44 is pulled up by the urging force of the coil spring 50 (the force that the coil spring 50 itself tries to contract), and the ribbon mask 42 is closed upward. The position of the ribbon mask 42 at this time is determined by the eccentric 52. In this state, the abutting state of the ribbon mask 42 and the eccentric 52 is maintained by the biasing force of the coil spring 50, so that a slight amount for guiding the printing ribbon between the printing portion 14A and the ribbon mask 42 is obtained. The gap is formed accurately.
[0030]
By the way, this type of passbook printer employs a configuration that allows the movable frame 34 to be opened and closed in order to release clogging of a passbook that is a print medium. That is, the upper part of the fixed frame 32 forms a lower guide of the conveyance path 39, and the bottom part of the movable frame 34 forms an upper guide of the conveyance path 39.
[0031]
Accordingly, the fixed frame 32 and the movable frame 34 form a transport path 39, and the passbook is transported through the transport path. Further, a front frame 37 is provided on the left side (see FIG. 6) of the movable frame, and the image sensor 22 and the like are provided. The bottom portion of the front frame 37 also forms an upper guide of the conveyance path 39.
[0032]
Therefore, when the bankbook is jammed in the conveyance path 39, by opening the movable frame 34, the conveyance path is also opened, and the bankbook in which a failure such as clogging has occurred can be removed. In this embodiment, the ribbon mask 42 is automatically opened and closed as the movable frame 34 is opened and closed. Specifically, it is as follows.
[0033]
The movable frame 34 has a stud 54 protruding to the side thereof. Reference numeral 56 represents a hinge that is rotatably provided on the fixed frame 32.
The hinge 56 has a guide portion 56A for the stud 54 by die cutting. The shape of the guide portion 56A includes a first state in which the passbook printer can be operated, a second state in which a recording medium (passbook) jammed in the printer can be removed, and a third state in which the printing ribbon can be replaced. It is set so that the state can be selectively determined.
[0034]
In the first state, the stud 54 is in a position as shown in FIG. 6 relative to the guide portion 56A of the hinge 56. In the second state, the stud 54 is shown in FIG. In the third state, the stud 54 is in the position shown in FIG.
[0035]
In order to lock the movable frame 34 in the first state, a lock lever 58 is provided so as to be rotatable about a shaft 60 provided on the movable frame 34. A shaft 62 is rotatably provided on the upper portion of the movable frame 34, and a cam 64 and a handle 66 are fixed to both ends and a center portion of the shaft 62, respectively.
[0036]
The lock lever 58 receives the urging force of the coil spring 68 so that the lower end of the lock lever 58 is positioned in the left direction in FIG. 6. In this state, the locking claw 58 A at the lower end of the lock lever 58 is attached to the fixed frame 32. It is locked to a pin (not shown).
[0037]
When the handle 66 is lifted, the cam 64 displaces the upper end of the lock lever 58 in the left direction in conjunction with this operation, whereby the lock state of the movable frame 34 by the lock lever 58 is released. When a force to lift the handle 66 is further applied, the stud 54 moves along the hinge guide 56A to the position indicated by 54 'in FIG. 7 and sits there. In this state, the ribbon mask 42 remains closed as shown in FIG. 6, but since the movable frame 34 is opened to some extent, the conveyance path 39 is also opened, and the recording medium (the recording medium jammed in the printer) (Passbook) can be easily removed.
[0038]
In order to change the printing ribbon from the second state to the third state where the printing ribbon can be replaced, the handle 66 is further lifted. Along with this, the stud 54 is displaced from the position indicated by reference numeral 54 ′ in FIG. 8 to the position indicated by reference numeral 54. In order to maintain this state, a lock / release member 67 is rotatably provided on the hinge 56.
[0039]
Next, the operation of each unit when shifting from the second state to the third state will be described. When a force to lift the handle 66 is applied in the second state, the projection of the hinge 56 contacts the cam 68 and the link 70 interlocking with the cam 68 pushes up the right end of the lever 72. The lever 72 is swingable about a shaft 73 provided on the movable frame 34. When the right end of the lever 72 is lifted, the left end of the lever 72 is pushed down, and the shaft 74 is lowered accordingly.
[0040]
The shaft 74 is integral with a ribbon frame 76 provided so as to be movable up and down with respect to the movable frame 34. When the shaft 74 is lowered, the lever 48 of the carriage 38 is pushed down.
[0041]
In this way, the lever 48 is pushed down in accordance with the movement from the second state to the third state, and the ribbon mask 42 is automatically opened (see FIG. 8).
When the lock / release member 67 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the stud 54 shifts to a position indicated by a reference numeral 54 'in FIG. That is, the ribbon mask 42 is automatically closed by an operation opposite to the above-described operation.
[0042]
In this embodiment, the ribbon frame 76 is displaced downward relative to the movable frame 34 as the state shifts from the second state to the third state. The reason will be explained.
[0043]
The printing ribbon 28 is wound and accommodated in a ribbon cassette 78 as well shown in FIGS. The ribbon cassette 78 has a pair of ribbon arms 80 projecting downward at both left and right ends when viewed from the front, and the printing ribbon 28 accommodated in the ribbon cassette 78 is stretched between the ribbon arms 80 and 80. ing. Reference numeral 82 denotes a manual winding knob for preventing the printing ribbon 28 slackened between the ribbon arms 80 and 80 from slackening.
[0044]
The ribbon cassette 78 is set on a ribbon frame 76 that can be moved up and down with respect to the movable frame 34. In the first or second state, the ribbon mask 42 is closed. At this time, the ribbon frame 76 is positioned relatively upward with respect to the movable frame 34, and the leading end of the ribbon arm 80 is positioned on the print head 14. It is located slightly above the leading edge printing part. For this reason, an undesired load is not applied to the printing ribbon 28 between the ribbon arms 80 and 80 during the printing operation.
[0045]
On the other hand, in the third state in which the ribbon mask 42 is opened, the ribbon frame 76 moves downward relative to the movable frame 34, and the leading end of the ribbon arm 80 is the leading print portion of the print head 14. It is located below. At this time, since the ribbon between the ribbon arms 80 and 80 is substantially linear, the ribbon cassette 78 can be easily replaced.
[0046]
The vertical movement of the ribbon frame 76 is based on the fact that the lever 72 (see FIGS. 6 and 87) moves the shaft 74 up and down.
The lever 72 acts to push down the shaft 74, and the ribbon frame 76 receives a biasing force from a biasing means (not shown) in the upward direction.
[0047]
In the above embodiment, the coil spring 50 is used to bias the ribbon mask 42 in the closing direction. However, the ribbon mask 42 made of an elastic material is used, and the ribbon mask is fixed to the shaft 40. Thus, the coil spring can be omitted, and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced. That is, in this case, the ribbon mask is always biased in the closing direction by the elastic restoring force of the ribbon mask 42 itself.
[0048]
In the above embodiment, the shaft 40 is provided separately from the shaft 36 in order to provide the ribbon mask 42 so as to be swingable with respect to the carriage 38. However, if these are also used, the number of parts can be reduced. Can contribute to cost reduction. A specific example will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0049]
FIG. 9 is a side view of a carriage showing another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a front view thereof. In this embodiment, a ribbon mask 42 'is swingably provided on a shaft 36 for supporting the carriage 38' so as to be movable in the horizontal direction. The ribbon mask 42 'has a shaft 36 as a rotation axis. It rotates in the direction of arrow B inside.
[0050]
Reference numeral 52 denotes an eccentric that is the same as the previous embodiment for positioning the closed ribbon mask 42 '. The eccentric 52 is for minute positioning utilizing the eccentricity of the flange portion. Also in this embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, the ribbon mask 42 'rotates with the opening / closing operation of the movable frame.
[0051]
According to this embodiment, in order to make the ribbon mask 42 'swingable with respect to the carriage 38', a separate shaft from the shaft 36 as in the previous embodiment is not necessary. Therefore, this embodiment greatly contributes to the simplification of the apparatus configuration.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a ribbon mask opening mechanism for a printer that can smoothly perform a ribbon replacement operation and can easily set the ribbon at a correct position. Occurs.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a passbook printing apparatus to which the present invention is applicable.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an automatic transaction apparatus to which the present invention is applicable.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a passbook printer.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional ribbon mask opening mechanism.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state in which the ribbon mask in the embodiment of the present invention is closed.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which the ribbon mask in the embodiment of the present invention is closed.
FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which the ribbon mask in the embodiment of the present invention is opened.
FIG. 8 is a side view showing a state where the ribbon mask is opened in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a side view of a carriage showing another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a front view of a carriage showing another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
14 Print head 14A Print head tip print section 28 Printing ribbon 36 Shaft 38 Carriage 42 Ribbon mask 44 Link 48 Lever 50 Coil spring

Claims (3)

A fixed unit;
A printer provided with a movable unit that is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the fixed unit, and that forms a conveyance path of a recording medium facing the fixed unit;
The movable unit slidably holds a print ribbon between a print head having a print unit and the print unit, and between the print unit to guide the print ribbon during printing. A ribbon guide means at a second position for forming a sufficient gap with the printing portion when replacing the printing ribbon.
Linked to move the ribbon guide means to the second position and the first position, respectively, when the movable unit is opened and closed with respect to the rotation of the movable unit. Further comprising means,
It said connecting means includes a first and a state of the printer is operable, and a second state capable of removing the recording medium jammed in the printer, a third state which can exchange the print ribbon of the printer Configured to be able to selectively confirm
The ribbon guiding means is positioned at the first position when the printer is in the first or second state, and the ribbon guiding means is at the second position when the printer is in the third state. A printer characterized by being positioned. The printing ribbon is housed in a ribbon cassette,
2. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising means for moving the ribbon cassette up and down in conjunction with the ribbon guide means. The ribbon cassette has a feeding port for feeding the printing ribbon and a feeding port for feeding the printing ribbon,
When said printer is in said third state, claim 2, wherein the print ribbon, wherein the ribbon cassette is positioned so as to be substantially straight between said renormalization port and the feeding port The printer described.

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