JP3745293B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus such as a card printer provided with a recording unit that records color images, characters, and other information on the surface of a recording medium such as a card.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as an example of a recording medium, for creating a credit card, a license card, an ID card, etc., various images such as a person's face photo, a person's name, etc. on one or both sides of a card as a material such as a plastic card Characters are printed and recorded in color or single color.
[0003]
A technique for printing and recording images, characters, and other information on the recording medium as described above is known as seen in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-81745. In this recording method, for example, in color image transfer, a transfer film in which a transfer layer is formed with a sublimation dye or a heat-meltable ink in a surface sequential manner is used, and a thermal head is pressed against a recording medium via the transfer film in a recording portion. An image signal is supplied to the thermal head while feeding a recording medium and a transfer film to transfer and form a predetermined image.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a recording apparatus in which recording is performed by the recording unit while conveying the recording medium as described above, accurate conveyance of the recording medium when performing recording in the recording unit is important in terms of increasing recording accuracy. It is an important matter.
[0005]
Specifically, for example, when recording a color image on a recording medium, color misregistration occurs when the positional accuracy of the recording start position of each color is not increased when a plurality of colors are sequentially superimposed and formed. The quality of For that purpose, it is important to regulate the position in the lateral direction with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and to ensure the position detection accuracy at the reference position in the conveyance direction, and the conveyance speed during recording is also accurate corresponding to the recording. Necessary.
[0006]
However, if only emphasis is placed on the accuracy of conveyance, the structure of the conveyance drive system becomes complicated, the conveyance speed becomes slow, and it takes time for conveyance at the time of loading and unloading where control accuracy is not required, and recording There is a problem that the processing time of the entire apparatus becomes long and the processing efficiency is lowered.
[0007]
Accordingly, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus capable of efficiently transporting a recording medium that can enable accurate recording when recording on a recording medium by a recording unit. .
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The recording apparatus of the present invention that has solved the above-described problems is a recording unit that records images, characters, and other information on the recording surface of a card-shaped recording medium in accordance with the movement of the recording medium, and the recording unit A conveyance roller that conveys the medium; a conveyance motor that drives the conveyance roller; and a recording medium detection sensor that is disposed in the conveyance path of the recording medium, wherein the recording unit performs at least thermal transfer to the recording medium. A thermal head that performs printing is configured, and the conveyance motor is configured by a stepping motor, and the driving control of the stepping motor is configured so that the control accuracy can be switched in a plurality of stages by switching the phase excitation and monitoring interrupt frequency of the energization method. When the thermal head prints information such as images and characters on the surface of the recording medium by the thermal head, the recording medium detection sensor The recording medium is driven with the finest control accuracy when transported to the reference position, and the transport of the recording medium to the thermal transfer printing start position by the thermal head and the transport during thermal transfer printing are controlled in accordance with the resolution of the print image. Further, the recording medium is driven with a rough control accuracy when the recording medium is carried into the recording unit and carried out after completion of the thermal transfer printing, and the finest with respect to at least one recording medium. Switching between driving with control accuracy and driving with control accuracy corresponding to the resolution of the print image is repeated a plurality of times for recording processing.
[0009]
The drive control of the stepping motor is switched between 1-2-phase excitation and 2-phase excitation as the energization method. Ru Is preferred.
[0011]
The recording medium detection sensor is disposed in a conveyance path of the recording medium between the conveyance roller and the thermal head, and the recording medium is detected when the driving control of the stepping motor is repeatedly switched a plurality of times. It is preferable that the medium is reciprocally conveyed along a conveyance path of the recording medium between the recording medium detection sensor and the thermal head.
[0012]
Furthermore, when the recording medium is transported to the reference position, it is preferable that the recording medium is transported backward after passing through the recording medium detection sensor position to be positioned at the reference position.
[0013]
【The invention's effect】
According to the recording apparatus of the present invention as described above, the recording medium is improved with high positional accuracy by the drive control of the conveying motor that drives the conveying roller that conveys the card-like recording medium to the recording unit including the thermal head. It can be conveyed efficiently and can be recorded with high accuracy by the recording unit. In particular, since the control accuracy at the time of detecting the reference position for recording is high, the position detection accuracy is high. Based on this, the recording start position can be managed accurately, high-quality image recording is possible, and the recording medium The conveyance at the time of carrying in and carrying out can increase the speed and improve the processing efficiency.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the recording apparatus of this example. In this embodiment, a card is used as a recording medium, and a card printer is used as the recording apparatus.
[0015]
In the recording apparatus of this example, a card supply unit 2 is provided at the upper part on one side (right side) of the apparatus main body 1 and a card discharge part 3 is provided at the upper part on the other side opposite to the card supply part 2. 3, a transfer unit 5 and a printer unit 6 are installed. An encoder unit 7 is installed below the printer unit 6. Further, a reject unit 4 for discharging an error card is provided below the card supply unit 2, and a stacker 11 for storing normally created cards is provided outside the card discharge unit 3.
[0016]
The printer unit 6 is a main part of the present invention. As the card C is conveyed, a color image such as a face photograph is transferred and printed on the recording surface of the card C, black printing is performed, and a protective layer is covered. A card cleaning device 8 is disposed between the transfer unit 5 and the printer unit 6. The encoder unit 7 records information magnetically or electrically in a data recording part (magnetic recording part or IC recording part) of the card C.
[0017]
Next, the structure of each part will be specifically described.
[0018]
a. Card supply unit
The card supply unit 2 includes an unprocessed card stacker 13 that stores unprocessed cards C in the form of a laminated body, and a card supply roller 14 that sends out the cards C one by one from the lower part of the stacker 13. The card C is formed of plastic, paper or the like, has a relatively poor flexibility and maintains a flat state, and has a data recording portion on at least one side thereof. This data recording unit is composed of a magnetic recording unit such as a magnetic stripe or a contact in the case of an IC card.
[0019]
b. Transfer section
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the transfer unit 5 includes a first reversing unit 5 </ b> A at a position corresponding to the upper printer unit 6 and a second reversing unit 5 </ b> B at a position corresponding to the lower encoder unit 7. The first reversing unit 5A can receive the card C sent from the card supply roller 14, and the second reversing unit 5B can transfer the card C to and from the first reversing unit 5A. In addition, the card C is set to be ejected to the reject unit 4. The basic structure of the first reversing unit 5A and the second reversing unit 5B is the same.
[0020]
The first reversing unit 5A sandwiches and conveys the card C by a conveyance roller 17 that is rotationally driven and a weight roller 18 that is in pressure contact with the conveyance roller 17, and each of the conveyance roller 17 and the weight roller 18 is 1 on each side. Each pair is arranged. The conveying roller 17 is supported by a roller shaft 17a penetrating the center, and a conveying roller 17 having a predetermined width, which is configured as a grip roller, is provided at two positions on the roller shaft 17a.
[0021]
The two roller shafts 17a arranged in parallel on both sides are rotatably supported on the longitudinal plates 20a on the front and rear sides of the rotary frame 20, respectively. Both vertical plates 20a are connected to each other by upper and lower connecting members 20b and 20c to constitute a rotating frame 20 that rotates integrally. A pressure spring 21 that rotatably supports the weight roller 18 is fixed to the upper connecting member 20b. A base portion of the pressure spring 21 is fixed to the connecting member 20b, and a weight roller 18 is rotatably held by a pin at a tip portion of an extension portion extending from the base portion to the left and right transport rollers 17 on both sides. As a result, the weight roller 18 is pressed against the transport roller 17 by the elastic biasing force of the pressure spring 21.
[0022]
A reversing shaft 22 extending in the front-rear direction parallel to the roller shaft 17 a is fixed to the outer surface of the vertical plate 20 a before and after the rotating frame 20, and the reversing shaft 22 is a front and rear inner frame in the apparatus main body 1. It is rotatably supported by 15 bearing portions. As a result, the rotary frame 20 rotates around the reversing shaft 22, and the pair of the transport roller 17 and the weight roller 18 on both sides rotate together, so that they can be turned to a position where they are aligned vertically or reversed left and right.
[0023]
A large-diameter reversing fourth transmission pulley P14 is fixed to the rear-side reversing shaft 22 so as to rotate integrally with the reversing shaft 22 at a portion protruding rearward from the rear inner frame 15. In addition, a large-diameter conveying second transmission pulley P22 and a small-diameter conveying third transmission pulley P23 integrated with the large-diameter conveying second transmission pulley P22 are provided on the rear-side reversing shaft 22 on the front side of the rear inner frame 15. 22 is inserted in a freely movable manner. On the other hand, an intermediate pulley P27 that freely rotates on a portion on the rear side of the front inner frame 15 is loosely fitted on the reversing shaft 22 on the front side, and a circular rotational position detection plate on the front end portion on the front side of the front inner frame 15. 23 is fixed.
[0024]
The rotational position detecting plate 23 is formed with notches 23a (see FIG. 2) at three locations every 90 ° on the circumference, and corresponding rotational position detecting sensors 24 are arranged on the outer peripheral portion every 90 °. Has been. In the state shown in FIG. 2, the notch 23a is positioned in each sensor 24, and the output of each sensor 24 is in the ON state. From this state, the rotational position detection plate 23 has rotated 90 ° clockwise or counterclockwise. At the position and the position rotated 180 °, any one rotational position detection sensor 24 has no notch 23a, the output of this sensor 24 is OFF, and the outputs of the other two sensors 24 are ON. Thus, the rotation position is detected.
[0025]
Further, a fourth transfer pulley P24 for conveyance is attached to the rear end portion of one roller shaft 17a (right side in FIG. 5) so as to rotate integrally therewith, and the third transfer pulley P23 for conveyance of the reverse shaft 22 and this. The timing belt B4 is hung between the two. Further, a fifth transfer pulley P25 for conveyance is fixed to the front end portion of the one roller shaft 17a, and a sixth transfer pulley P26 for conveyance is fixed to the front end portion of the other roller shaft 17a, and both transfer pulleys P25, P26 for conveyance are fixed. A timing belt B5 that synchronizes the rotations of both roller shafts 17a is applied to the intermediate pulley P27 of the reversing shaft 22 on its back surface.
[0026]
The above structure is similarly configured in the second reversing unit 5B, and the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the second reversing unit 5B, the rotational position detecting plate 23 is not installed at the tip of the reversing shaft 22 on the front side.
[0027]
Then, the conveyance drive and reverse drive mechanisms in the first reverse unit 5A and the second reverse unit 5B will be described. The rear internal frame 15 is provided with a conveyance drive motor 26 (DC motor) on one side of the first reversing unit 5A and the second reversing unit 5B (see FIG. 3). A first transfer pulley P21 for conveyance attached to the drive shaft 26a of the conveyance drive motor 26, and a second transfer pulley P22 for conveyance having a large diameter of each reversing shaft 22 in the first reversing unit 5A and the second reversing unit 5B. The timing belt B3 is hung between them. Thereby, the rotation of the conveyance drive motor 26 is decelerated and transmitted to the roller shaft 17a, and the conveyance roller 17 is rotationally driven.
[0028]
A circular clock plate 27 for controlling the conveyance amount and the conveyance speed is attached to the rear end portion of the drive shaft 26a of the conveyance drive motor 26, and the clock detection is performed corresponding to the slits that are uniformly opened on the outer peripheral portion thereof. A sensor 28 is installed.
[0029]
Further, an intermediate shaft 31 erected on the side of the rear inner frame 15 opposite to the conveyance drive motor 26 has a large-diameter reversing second transmission pulley P12 and a small-diameter reversing third transmission pulley P13 ( Intermediate pulley) is rotatably supported. Further, a reversal drive motor 32 (stepping motor) is installed in the internal frame 15 of another part, the reversal first transmission pulley P11 attached to the drive shaft 32a of the reversal drive motor 32, and the large-diameter reversal first. The timing belt B1 is hung between the two transmission pulleys P12. Similarly, the timing belt B2 is provided between the small-diameter reversal third transmission pulley P13 and the reversal fourth transmission pulleys P14 and P14 of the reversal shafts 22 in the upper and lower first reversing units 5A and 5B. It is hung. Thereby, the rotation of the reverse drive motor 32 is decelerated and transmitted to the reverse shaft 22 so that the rotary frame 20 is driven to rotate.
[0030]
In addition, a card detection sensor for detecting the card position is installed in the first reversing unit 5A and the second reversing unit 5B (see FIG. 2). First, a position where the first card detection sensor S1 including the light emitter 35 and the light receiver 36 in the vertical direction at the entrance of the first reversing unit 5A vertically penetrates the centers of the first reversing unit 5A and the second reversing unit 5B. A second card detection sensor S2 comprising a light emitter 37 and a light receiver 38 is a third card detection sensor comprising a light emitter 39 and a light receiver 40 in the left-right direction between the first reversing unit 5A and the second reversing unit 5B. S3 is disposed.
[0031]
When the reverse drive motor 32 is driven forward or reversely by the configuration of the transfer unit 5, the drive is transmitted from the first reverse transfer pulley P11 to the second reverse transfer pulley P12, and the third reverse transfer pulley. The reversing shaft 22 of both units 5A and 5B is rotated by being transmitted from P13 to the respective fourth transmission pulleys P14 for reversal of the first reversing unit 5A and the second reversing unit 5B, thereby rotating the upper and lower rotating frames 20 in the same direction. To rotate.
[0032]
On the other hand, when the transport drive motor 26 is driven forward or reversely, the drive is transmitted from the transport first transmission pulley P21 to the transport second transmission pulley P22, and from the transport third transmission pulley P23 to the first reversing unit. 5A and the second reversing unit 5B are transmitted to the respective transport fourth transmission pulleys P24 to rotate the one roller shaft 17a, and the rotation of the other roller shafts by the transport fifth and sixth transmission pulleys P25 and P26. 17a, both roller shafts 17a rotate in the same direction, and drive the conveying roller 17 in the same direction. Further, all the transport rollers 17 of the first reversing unit 5A and the second reversing unit 5B rotate in synchronization.
[0033]
The first reversing unit 5A receives the card C supplied from the card supply unit 2 and conveys it to the printer unit 6 as it is, or rotates 90 ° while holding it and similarly rotates the second reversing unit 90 °. The card C sent to the second reversing unit 5B is received after being transferred to 5B or rotated 90 ° in the reverse direction. Further, the second reversing unit 5B can be rotated 90 ° to deliver the first reversing unit 5A and the card C, and the card C can be carried in and out of the encoder unit 7 in the horizontal state, or an error card can be transferred to the reject unit 4. To be discharged. Further, the first reversing unit 5A can be conveyed by rotating 180 ° and reversing the front and back of the card C.
[0034]
c. Cleaning means
The cleaning means 8 is composed of an upper cleaning roller 45 and a lower conveying roller 46, and the cleaning roller 45 is composed of an adhesive roller having an adhesive surface, and is provided so that it can be pulled out for cleaning and replacement. The detailed structure will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0035]
The conveying roller 46 of the cleaning means 8 is rotatably supported by a bracket 47a erected on a slide table 47 having both end shaft portions 46a extending in the horizontal direction below, and the cleaning roller 45 has both end shaft portions. 45a is rotatably and detachably inserted into a groove extending in the vertical direction of the bracket 47a, and the peripheral surface of the cleaning roller 45 is supported in a state in contact with the peripheral surface of the conveying roller 46. A spring 48 (see FIG. 7) is engaged with the shafts 45a at both ends of the cleaning roller 45, and the cleaning roller 45 is urged toward the conveying roller 46, and adheres to the card surface by the adhesive force of the cleaning roller 45. Remove foreign matter such as dust. As the drive, a platen driving force of a platen transport unit, which will be described later, is transmitted to the transport roller 46, and the cleaning roller 45 rotates following the rotation of the transport roller 46 by its adhesive force, and also serves as a transport means for the card C. . Further, the cleaning roller 45 and the conveyance roller 46 are pulled out to the front side by the movement of the slide table 47.
[0036]
That is, the slide table 47 is supported by a channel-shaped slide guide 51 having both ends fixed to the front and rear internal frames 15 so as to be slidable in the axial direction, and a cover 52 is provided at the front end of the slide table 47. The engaging latch 53 protruding from the back surface of the cover 52 is engaged with the engaged portion 54 provided on the front inner frame 15 when the slide table 47 is inserted. The drawn-out cleaning roller 45 and transport roller 46 remove dust attached by cleaning with water or alcohol, or replace with new ones.
[0037]
Further, a connecting pin 55 is planted in the radial direction on the rear end shaft portion 46a of the conveying roller 46, while a connecting shaft 56 is rotatably supported on the inner frame 15 on the extension of the axis. A drive connection joint 57 that is movable in the axial direction is provided at the distal end portion of the connection shaft 56, and can be engaged with and connected to the connection pin 55 of the transport roller 46 to rotate integrally. The drive connection joint 57 is urged toward the conveying roller 46 by a press contact spring 58. Further, a driving pulley P38 is fixed to the connecting shaft 56 at a rear portion from the rear inner frame 15, and a timing belt B9 (see FIG. 12) is provided between the connecting shaft 56 and a cleaning driving pulley P34 of a first capstan roller 61 described later. Then, the conveyance drive is performed.
[0038]
Further, a neutralizing brush 59 is installed on the bracket 47a of the slide table 47 on the first reversing unit 5A side from the cleaning roller 45. The static elimination brush 59 can contact the surface of the card to be transported, removes static electricity charged on the card C, and removes large dust adhering thereto, thereby reducing adhesion to the cleaning roller 45.
[0039]
d. Printer unit
The printer unit 6 includes, as elements constituting a conveyance path of the card C, a first capstan roller 61, a platen roller 63, a second cap, as the conveyance rollers sequentially in the conveyance direction of the card C following the cleaning roller 45. A stun roller 62 and a delivery roller 66 facing the card discharge unit 3 are arranged to form a transport unit, and the thermal head 9 as a recording unit is pressed against the platen roller 63 via the transfer film F. These specific structures will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0040]
(1) Transfer unit
The first capstan roller 61 and the second capstan roller 62 are rotatably supported on the inner frame 15 by a first capstan shaft 61a and a second capstan shaft 62a extending at both ends thereof. The first capstan roller 61 and the second capstan roller 62 (grip roller) are constituted by elastic rollers made of rubber (for example, 60 degrees hardness), and have a length substantially equal to the width of the card C.
[0041]
A first pinch roller 64 and a second pinch roller 65 having a small width as a pair of conveying rollers are disposed above the central portion of the capstan rollers 61 and 62, and a first pinch shaft 64a and a first pinch shaft 64a extending in the front-rear direction are provided. A two-pinch shaft 65a is rotatably supported. Both the pinch rollers 64 and 65 are metal (for example, stainless steel) hard rollers and are constituted by barrel rollers having a small contact area with the card C, and the card C is aligned by a fixed guide 76 and a movable guide 77 described later. Allow movement. As specific shapes of both the pinch rollers 64, 65, the central portion swells in a curved shape, the central portion has a narrow flat surface portion, and both sides gradually decrease in diameter (see FIG. 16). and so on.
[0042]
Further, the first pinch shaft 64a and the second pinch shaft 65a are urged downward by a spring 68 (see FIG. 11), and the first pinch roller 64 and the second pinch roller 65 are moved to the first capstan roller 61. The second capstan roller 62 is biased. Both are not in pressure contact and are separated by a distance smaller than the thickness of the card C.
[0043]
The adjustment of the gap between the first and second pinch rollers 64 and 65 and the first and second capstan rollers 61 and 62 holds both the pinch shafts 64a and 65b and the capstan shafts 61a and 62a on the inner frame 15. Perform at the bearing. That is, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 (only the portion of the first capstan roller 61), the capstan shaft 61a is supported by the inner frame 15 via the bearing 82, and the clearance adjustment auxiliary ring 83 is supported by the bearing 82. Is press-fitted. Further, the pinch shaft 64a is supported so as to be slightly movable up and down with respect to the internal frame 15, and a gap adjusting ring 84 is inserted into an end portion thereof. The gap adjusting ring 84 is a flat plate ring that is integrally formed with a sleeve portion 84a fitted and fixed to the pinch shaft 64a, and its lower end abuts against the gap adjustment auxiliary ring 83 of the capstan shaft 61a. The distance between the shaft 64a and the capstan shaft 61a is restricted, and the gap between the capstan roller 61 and the pinch roller 64 is determined.
[0044]
Further, the gap adjusting ring 84 is fitted and inserted so as to rotate integrally with the pinch shaft 64a by the sleeve portion 84a, and the portion that abuts against the gap adjusting auxiliary ring 83 has four sides with different distances from the center. It is provided in a quadrangular shape, and by rotating the pinch shaft 64a, the abutting side is changed so that the gap can be adjusted. Further, a slit 64b (vertical groove) is formed at the front end of the pinch shaft 64a, so that the pinch shaft 64a can be rotated from the outside by an operation by a driver or the like. The gap is adjusted according to the thickness of the card C.
[0045]
Further, the feed roller 66 is supported by a feed shaft 66a extending in the front-rear direction, and a third pinch roller 67 is urged downward by a spring 69 hung on both end shaft portions 67a above the feed roller 66a. Yes. In the vicinity of the delivery roller 66, there is a discharge port sensor 8 for detecting the discharge of the card C. 5 (See FIG. 11) is installed.
[0046]
On the other hand, the platen roller 63 is rotatably supported by a platen shaft 63a extending in the front-rear direction, and a driving force of a platen motor 70 as a card transport motor is transmitted to transport the card C with high accuracy during printing. Further, the first and second capstan rollers 61 and 62 and the delivery roller 66 are driven through the platen roller 63.
[0047]
Explaining this drive system, the fourth drive gear G4 is fixed to the rear end of the platen shaft 63a, and the first transmission pulley P31 for driving the second capstan roller is fixed to the rear end. A second transmission pulley P32 for driving the first capstan roller is fixed to the front end portion of the shaft 63a. A third transmission pulley P33 is fixed to the front end portion of the first capstan shaft 61a, and a timing belt B6 is hung between the front end second transmission pulley P32 of the platen shaft 63a. A cleaning pulley driving transmission pulley P34 is fixed to the rear end portion of the first capstan shaft 61a, and a timing belt B9 is hung between the cleaning pulley 45 and the transmission pulley P38.
[0048]
On the other hand, a fifth transmission pulley P35 is fixed to the rear end portion of the second capstan shaft 62a, and a timing belt B7 is hung between the rear end first transmission pulley P31 of the platen shaft 63a. Further, a delivery roller driving transmission pulley P36 is fixed to the front end portion of the second capstan shaft 62a, and a timing belt B8 is hung between the transmission pulley P37 provided at the front end portion of the delivery shaft 66a.
[0049]
A platen motor 70 is attached to the auxiliary frame 15a of the rear inner frame 15, and a first drive gear G1 is fixed to a drive shaft 70a of the platen motor 70. An intermediate shaft 72 is disposed between the platen motor 70 and the platen shaft 63a. The intermediate shaft 72 meshes with the second drive gear G2 and the fourth drive gear G4. The third drive gear G3 is supported so as to rotate integrally. The gear train is decelerated and the rotation is transmitted to the platen roller 63.
[0050]
Further, between the platen roller 63 and the first capstan roller 61, a card detection sensor 74 (cueing sensor) by a photo interrupter is installed for detecting (initializing) the reference position of the card C. When the card C passes through the card detection sensor 74, the detection signal turns from OFF to ON, and the card C is detected when the position changes due to the passage of the leading or trailing end position of the card C. At that time, the platen motor 70 is controlled. Position detection is performed by a circuit (driving circuit).
[0051]
(2) Card position adjustment mechanism
In addition, a fixed guide 76 serving as a reference surface for guiding one side of the card C in the vicinity of the first capstan roller 61 and the second capstan roller 62 is disposed on the rear side of the transport path, and on the front side. Is provided with a movable guide 77 for pressing and guiding the other side of the card C. The movable guide 77 is bent in the forward direction in which both left and right ends are separated from the conveyance path, and the lower ends of both ends are rotatably supported by the center frame 80 by pins 78. Further, one end of a spring 79 (see FIG. 13) is connected to the lower end of the center of the movable guide 77, and the upper end of the movable guide 77 is tilted toward the transport path, and the other side of the card C is pushed so that one side is The fixed guide 76 is brought into contact. Note that end plates 81 and 81 are provided on both sides of the first and second platen rollers 61 and 62. The end plates 81 and 81 form a lower surface along the conveyance path.
[0052]
When the card C does not enter, the upper part of the movable guide 77 is rotated so that the conveying path is narrowed by a spring 79. At that time, the width of the movable guide 77 is narrower than the width of the card C. Is set. Then, when the leading end of the card C conveyed by the cleaning roller 45 comes into contact with the end of the movable guide 77 and further conveyed, the card advances while pushing the movable guide 77 open, and swings so that the upper portion of the movable guide 77 expands. Meanwhile, the card C is pressed against the reference surface of the fixed guide 76 on the opposite side by the urging force of the spring 79. By conveying the card C until it completely fits in the fixed guide 76, the lateral position of the card C is regulated and its posture is adjusted. In this position adjustment state, the leading edge of the conveyed card C has advanced ahead of the card detection sensor 74 and the platen roller 63 (thermal head 9), and from this state, the reverse direction is maintained until the leading edge passes the card detection sensor 74. After being conveyed, the card C is conveyed in the forward direction, the leading end position of the card C is detected by the card detection sensor 74, and then conveyed to the recording position. This transport method will be described later together with the control of the platen motor 70.
[0053]
As described above, both the pinch rollers 64 and 65 have a barrel shape with a small contact area with respect to the card C and are made of metal, and are pressed at the center of the card C so that the contact area is narrow. The cards C are aligned without obstructing the movement of the card C due to movement.
[0054]
(3) Thermal head
Next, on the platen roller 63, a thermal head unit 90 (see FIG. 1) in which a thermal head 9 is housed is provided so as to be movable toward and away from the platen roller 63. The thermal head unit 90 has a thermal head 9 (line head) that can be pressed against the platen roller 63 at the tip of a holder 91, and a transfer film F is interposed between the thermal head 9 and the platen roller 63. .
[0055]
The thermal head unit 90 is disposed so that the holder 91 can move up and down along a guide (not shown) and is urged upward by a spring, and the upper end of the thermal head unit 90 comes into contact with the tip of the elevating arm 92 and stops. The elevating arm 92 is swingably supported by a shaft 92 a, and the tip portion is urged downward by a torsion spring 93. The intermediate follower 92b abuts against the cam surface of the lifting cam 94, so that the lifting arm 92 swings up and down according to the rotation of the lifting cam 94 and the thermal head 9 moves up and down accordingly. It is configured. An air cooling fan 95 for cooling is installed adjacent to the thermal head 9.
[0056]
The transfer film F is wound and accommodated on a feeding shaft 97a of a cassette 97 having a feeding portion and a winding portion on both sides of the thermal head insertion portion, and the tip is wound on a winding shaft 97b on the opposite side. The film is fed by driving the take-up roller 98 on the take-up shaft 97b side. In this transfer film F, transfer layers corresponding to the size of the card C are formed in a surface sequence so that color printing, black printing, and a protective film can be formed. The transfer layer includes, for example, a yellow transfer portion for color printing, a magenta transfer portion, a cyan transfer portion, a black transfer portion, a black coat portion, and an overcoat transfer portion for forming a protective film. Are repeatedly formed in sequence.
[0057]
In the printing by the printer unit 6, first, the thermal head 9 is applied to the sent card C via the transfer film F, and the platen roller 63 and the capstan rollers 61 and 62 are rotated by driving the platen motor 70. While the card C is conveyed with high accuracy, the thermal head 9 is controlled to be heated in a predetermined pattern according to the image signal from the personal computer, the card C is reciprocated, the transfer film F is fed, and the thermal head 9 is moved up and down. And control the operation.
[0058]
(4) Transport control
The platen motor 70 serving as the card transport motor uses a stepping motor and controls the drive control pattern, that is, the phase excitation and monitoring interruption frequency of the energization method to be switched according to the purpose of the transport. Achieving compatibility with transport efficiency.
[0059]
For example, the stepping motor 70 shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 has a rotor with magnetic poles and a stator with multilayer windings. The current is sequentially switched for the A and B phases, and the pitch is rotated by 1 pitch in 4 steps. On the other hand, in 1-2 phase excitation, one pitch is rotated in 8 steps, and the resolution is doubled. Control for switching this phase excitation to 1-2 phase excitation and 2-phase excitation according to the transport pattern. I do.
[0060]
Furthermore, with respect to the drive circuit that performs energization control of the stepping motor 70, the interrupt frequency for performing the monitoring control of the number of steps is that interrupt processing is performed every step and interrupt processing is performed every four steps. And switching according to the transport pattern to improve control accuracy and reduce the burden on the CPU.
[0061]
Specifically, the control accuracy switching mode is 1200 STEP / inch (1 DOT = 4 STEP) in the 1-2 phase excitation conveyance of the stepping motor 70 when the resolution of the recorded image by the thermal head 9 is 300 dpi. In the card conveyance control of the printer unit 6 such that the conveyance is 600 STEP / inch (1 DOT = 2STEP), the control is switched in the following three modes.
[0062]
-Aspect 1-
Control method: 1-2 phase excitation, interrupt is performed for each step (interrupt accuracy: 1200 times / inch), and the control accuracy is the finest. This mode is set when the card position is initialized, and the stepping motor is stopped by monitoring of the card detection sensor 74, and this position is set as the origin when the card is conveyed and printed on the thermal head.
[0063]
-Aspect 2-
Control method: 1-2 phase excitation, interrupt every 4 steps (interrupt accuracy 300 times / inch), and control accuracy corresponds to the resolution of the print image. This mode is set in the conveyance of the card to the printing position, the conveyance during printing, and the like.
[0064]
-Aspect 3-
Control method: 2-phase excitation, interrupts every 4 steps (interrupt accuracy 150 times / inch), and control accuracy becomes coarse. This aspect is set in carrying in / out of a card.
[0065]
Here, the conveyance control routine of the card C in the printer unit 6 will be described with reference to FIG. The vertical lines indicate the position of the card detection sensor 74, the position of the thermal head 9, and the position of the discharge port sensor 85, respectively. First, when the card is loaded from the cleaning roller 45 (a) and aligned, the control is performed in the above-described mode 3, and the card passes over the card detection sensor 74 and is requested to decelerate by a detection OFF signal. It stops at the position where it hits the head 9. Next, reverse conveyance up to the front of the card detection sensor 74 in (b) is performed. In this reverse conveyance, control is performed in the above-described mode 2, and the stop request position is 3 mm before the card detection sensor 74. Next, the card is conveyed to the initialization (origin position) of the card position in (c). This conveyance is controlled in the above-described manner 1, and is automatically stopped by the card detection sensor 74 according to the ON signal accompanying the leading edge detection of the card C. Next, the sheet is conveyed to the printing start position (d). The conveyance is controlled in the above-described mode 2, and is driven at a preset number of steps and stopped at the printing start position. Next, the conveyance during printing of (e) is performed, and this conveyance is controlled in the above-described mode 2, and similarly, the predetermined number of steps are driven and stopped at the printing end position. When color printing, black printing, and overcoat are repeated in order, printing is performed by repeating the above-described conveyances (b) to (e) as many times as necessary. When printing is completed, the card is carried out and conveyed in (f). This conveyance is controlled in the above-described manner 3, and a deceleration request is made when the detection of the discharge port sensor 85 is turned off.
[0066]
e. Encoder unit
The encoder unit 7 (magnetic encoder unit), for example, includes three pairs of transport rollers 99, and can transport the card C from the right to the left in FIG. 1, and conversely from the left to the right. A magnetic recording head (not shown) for magnetically recording information in contact with the magnetic stripe of the card C along with the reading head for reading the recorded information is provided. Further, the control circuit is provided with a recording correct / incorrect identification means for collating the written information with the read information and determining whether or not predetermined information is written. When a writing error occurs by this identification means, the card C sent from the encoder unit 7 to the second reversing unit 5B is discharged to the reject unit 4 by the rightward conveyance of the second reversing unit 5B. .
[0067]
In the recording apparatus of the present example configured as described above, the carry-in unit is set on the right side in both the printer unit 6 and the encoder unit 7, and the transfer unit 5 is installed between the card supply unit 2 and the carry-in unit. Since the card discharge unit 3 is not installed on the left side of the encoder unit 7, the recording unit is used for printing and recording on the card C, and when the encoder unit 7 records information, the transfer unit 5 is used. The switch-back type card conveyance is performed by, and an example of the conveyance path of the card C is shown in FIG. In this example, printing is performed on one side of the card C, and information recording is performed prior to printing.
[0068]
First, the card C from the card supply unit 2 is sent to the first reversing unit 5A of the transfer unit 5 and stops at the center. Thereafter, the card C is transported to the second reversing unit 5B in a state where the first reversing unit 5A is rotated 90 ° counterclockwise when viewed from the front. Subsequently, the second reversing unit 5B is rotated 90 ° clockwise to return to the original state, and then the card C is conveyed and sent to the encoder unit 7.
[0069]
Then, information writing is performed by the encoder unit 7, the card C that has been written is conveyed in the reverse direction, and the second reversing unit 5B receives the card C. Next, after the second reversing unit 5B is rotated 90 ° clockwise, the card C is passed to the first reversing unit 5A and stopped at the center, and then rotated 90 ° counterclockwise to the original position. After that, the card C is sent from the first reversing unit 5A to the printer unit 6 through the cleaning means 8. The printer unit 6 transports the card C as described above and prints on one side thereof. The printed card C is discharged from the card discharge unit 3 to the stacker 11.
[0070]
The transport path is appropriately set according to the case of performing double-sided printing, the case of performing printing first, and the like. Further, the installation position of each unit can be changed as appropriate, and the conveyance path is set accordingly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front configuration diagram of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a main part front view showing a schematic structure of a transfer unit.
FIG. 3 is a main part rear view showing the drive system of the same part.
FIG. 4 is a right side view of the same part.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the same part.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the main part of the cleaning means.
FIG. 7 is a front view of an essential part in a state where the cover and the inner frame of the means are removed.
FIG. 8 is a left side view of the same means.
FIG. 9 is a left side view of the same means with the slide table pulled out.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the same means.
FIG. 11 is a schematic front view showing a conveyance unit of the printer unit.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of the same part
FIG. 13 is a left side view excluding the delivery roller of the same part.
FIG. 14 is a schematic rear view showing the drive system of the same part.
FIG. 15 is a front view of an essential part showing a mechanism for adjusting a gap between a capstan roller and a pinch roller.
FIG. 16 is a side view of the main part of the same part.
FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing a phase excitation mode of a stepping motor.
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a phase excitation pattern of a stepping motor.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a card transport routine in the printer unit.
FIG. 20 is a route diagram illustrating an example of conveyance.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Main unit
6 Printer unit
9 Thermal head
C card (recording medium)
F Transfer film
61, 62 Capstan roller (conveyance roller)
63 Platen roller
64, 65 Pinch roller (conveyance roller)
66 Delivery roller
70 Platen motor (conveyance motor)
74 Detection sensor
76 Fixed guide
77 Movable guide
79 Spring
82 Bearing
83 Clearance adjustment auxiliary ring
84 Clearance adjustment ring
85 outlet sensor
90 Thermal head unit

Claims (4)

A recording unit that records images, characters, and other information on the recording surface of the card-like recording medium according to the movement of the recording medium, a conveyance roller that conveys the recording medium to the recording unit, and a conveyance roller In a recording apparatus comprising: a conveyance motor that drives; and a recording medium detection sensor disposed in a conveyance path of the recording medium.
The recording unit includes a thermal head that performs thermal transfer printing on at least the recording medium,
The transport motor is configured with a stepping motor, and the drive control of the stepping motor is configured such that the control accuracy can be switched in a plurality of stages by switching the phase excitation of the energization method and the monitoring interrupt frequency.
When performing thermal transfer printing of information such as images and characters on the surface of the recording medium by the thermal head, it is driven with the finest control accuracy when transporting the recording medium to the reference position detected by the recording medium detection sensor, Transport of the recording medium to the thermal transfer printing start position by the thermal head and transport during thermal transfer printing are driven with control accuracy corresponding to the resolution of the print image, and further, the recording medium is carried into the recording unit and thermal transfer printing It is configured to drive with coarse control accuracy when unloading after completion, driving with the finest control accuracy for at least one recording medium, and driving with control accuracy corresponding to the resolution of the print image A recording apparatus characterized in that the recording process is repeated a plurality of times. The drive control of the stepping motor, the recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the benzalkonium switched its 1-2-phase excitation and 2-phase excitation as the excitation method.   The recording medium detection sensor is disposed in a conveyance path of the recording medium between the conveyance roller and the thermal head, and when the drive control is switched by the stepping motor repeated a plurality of times, the recording medium is The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is reciprocally conveyed along a conveyance path of the recording medium between the recording medium detection sensor and the thermal head.   2. The recording according to claim 1, wherein when the recording medium is conveyed to the reference position, the recording medium is reversely conveyed after passing through the recording medium detection sensor position and positioned at the reference position. apparatus.

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