JP3962856B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer in which a ribbon cartridge can be easily and efficiently replaced by widening an interval distance between a carriage and a tray and which can properly print by holding a distance between a thermal head of a carriage and an optical disk to be a small optimum distance at a printing time. SOLUTION: When a tray 8 is drawn out from within a case 1, the tray 8 is held to a lower level position to facilitate setting the ribbon cartridge 55 to the carriage 50 with the thermal head 81 loaded. When the optical disk 6 is placed on the tray 8 and the tray 8 is pressed into the case 1 to print to a surface of the optical disk, the tray 8 is raised to an upper level position where the tray nears the carriage 50 in accordance with the pressing.

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints characters such as desired characters and symbols on the surface of a printing medium such as a CD-R (Compact Disk Recordable).
[0002]
[Prior art]
The CD-R is an optical recording medium on which data can be freely written by the user, and it is convenient for management to print and display the title of the written data on the surface of the CD-R.
[0003]
Conventionally, various printing apparatuses that perform label printing on the surface of an optical disk such as a CD-R have been proposed. This inventor has also developed a printing apparatus that performs label printing on the surface of an optical disk by a thermal transfer method. The printing apparatus includes a tray on which an optical disk is placed, and a printing unit that performs thermal transfer printing using an ink ribbon by moving a thermal head on the optical disk placed on the tray and disposed at a predetermined position in the apparatus body. It has.
[0004]
The tray is movably provided so as to protrude from the front surface of the apparatus main body to the outside of the apparatus main body so that the optical disk can be placed and taken out. A printer cover that covers the printing means is provided at the upper front of the apparatus main body above the tray. The printer cover is opened to replace the ink ribbon cartridge with respect to the carriage on which the thermal head is mounted. It is configured to be able to.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the printing apparatus, since the tray on which the optical disk is placed and the printing unit are arranged one above the other, the interval between the tray and the printing unit is changed when the cartridge is replaced with respect to the printing unit according to the consumption of the ink ribbon. If the distance is small, it is difficult to replace the cartridge, and there is a problem that the cartridge may come into contact with the surface of the optical disk and be damaged during the cartridge replacement operation.
[0006]
The printing apparatus is a thermal transfer system provided with a thermal head, but it is necessary to bring the thermal head into contact with the printing surface at a predetermined angle in order to perform proper printing. The thermal head is mounted on a carriage and is supported by one end of a head arm that rotates around a shaft, and is configured to move between a printing position and a printing standby position.
[0007]
Here, if the distance between the tray and the printing means is increased to some extent in consideration of the cartridge replacement workability, the rotation angle of the head arm also increases, and the contact angle of the thermal head with respect to the printing surface becomes a specified angle. There is a problem that it is out of the range and proper printing cannot be performed.
[0008]
Therefore, if the head arm that rotates about the shaft is lengthened and the contact angle of the thermal head with the printing surface is to be maintained at a predetermined angle, the printing means is used by the long head arm. A structure will enlarge.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem. When a cartridge containing a consumable material necessary for printing such as an ink ribbon is replaced with a printing unit, the interval between the printing unit and the tray is changed. The work can be performed easily and efficiently by widening the distance and without damaging the printing medium, and at the time of printing, the distance between the printing means and the printing medium is kept at a small optimum distance for proper printing. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of performing the above.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is arranged at a predetermined position in the apparatus main body, and is provided with support means for supporting a printing medium provided to be movable from the predetermined position to the outside of the apparatus main body, and for performing printing. A printing unit that detachably mounts a cartridge containing a consumable material, and that uses the consumable material contained in the cartridge to support the print medium that is supported by the support unit and disposed at the predetermined position; When the support means is arranged at the predetermined position in the apparatus main body, the support means is opposed to the printing means at a first distance, and when the support means moves out of the apparatus main body, And an interval distance changing unit that makes the support unit face the printing unit at a second interval distance larger than the first interval distance.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the interval distance changing unit corresponds to a difference between the first interval distance and the second interval distance on the mutually opposing surfaces of the apparatus main body and the support unit. The first convex portion and the second convex portion are provided with projecting heights, and the first convex portion and the second convex portion are configured so that the support means is provided in the apparatus main body. It is characterized in that they are in contact with each other and overlap when arranged at a predetermined position.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, an inclined surface is formed on one of the first convex portion and the second convex portion to guide the movement when the convex portions contact each other and overlap each other. It is characterized by that.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the printing unit includes a print head that moves in a predetermined print area in contact with a print medium via an ink ribbon as a consumable material accommodated in the cartridge. 1 convex part is provided in the position corresponding to the printing area | region by the said print head, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the printing unit includes a head cover that covers the print head, and the ink ribbon of the cartridge is moved in the mounting direction when the cartridge is mounted on the printing unit. A guide surface for guiding is formed.
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the support means moves a predetermined movement distance toward the outside of the apparatus main body, the support means engages with the second convex portion, and the support means further outside the apparatus main body. It is characterized in that there is provided a restricting means for restricting movement to the.
[0016]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the apparatus main body includes a printer cover that covers the printing means, and the printer cover is locked and prohibited from being opened when the support means is at the predetermined position in the apparatus main body. And a cover locking means for releasing the lock of the print cover and allowing the print cover to be opened when the support means moves from the predetermined position in the apparatus main body toward the outside of the apparatus main body. It is a feature.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the cover locking means enables the printer cover to be opened when the support means is moved to a maximum distance allowed for the apparatus main body. Yes.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
1 and 2 show the overall appearance of the printing apparatus. This printing apparatus includes a case 1 as a main body of the apparatus, and the case 1 is formed of a synthetic resin into a substantially box shape having a relatively small thickness. ing.
[0020]
An opening 2 is formed in a portion extending from the front surface of the case 1 to a part of the upper surface. The printer cover that opens and closes the opening 2 by rotating in the vertical direction about the pin 3 as a fulcrum. 4 is provided. In a normal state, the printer cover 4 is closed to the opening 2 as shown in the figure, and the opening 2 is closed.
[0021]
The case 1 has a base 7 at the inner bottom, and a tray 8 as a support means is provided on the base 7. Further, guide walls 9 are integrally formed on both side portions of the base 7 so as to stand up and face each other.
[0022]
3 shows a state where the base 7 and the tray 8 are taken out from the case 1, FIG. 4 shows a state where the tray 8 is removed from the base 7, FIG. 5 shows a state where the tray 8 is inverted, and FIG. FIG. 6 shows a single state of the base 7, and the guide wall 9 provided on the base 7 has a U-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. Slide portions 11 on both side edges of the tray 8 are slidably fitted in the groove 10, so that the tray 8 can move in the front-rear direction of the case 1 along the guide groove 10.
[0023]
That is, the tray 8 moves from a predetermined storage position in the case 1 so as to protrude forward through the opening 2 on the lower side of the printer cover 4, and also moves into the case 1 from the protruded state to move to a predetermined storage position. It is arranged in the position.
[0024]
A standing wall 12 is provided at the front end portion of the tray 8, and a placement portion 13 for placing an optical disc 6 such as a CD-R as a printing medium is provided near the front end of the upper surface of the tray 8. ing. The mounting portion 13 includes an anti-slip and cushion rubber 14 that supports the optical disc 6, a positioning protrusion 15 for positioning the optical disc 6 placed on the rubber 14, and a peripheral edge of the optical disc 6. And a notch 16 for placing a finger on. Further, on both sides of the rear portion of the upper surface of the tray 8, there are provided projections 24 for attaching and positioning an alignment member described later.
[0025]
An engaging claw 17 is formed to project from the inner surface of the upper portion of the upright wall 12 provided at the front end of the tray 8, and an engaging hole 18 is provided at the lower end of the printer cover 4 to face the engaging claw 17. It has been.
[0026]
When the tray 8 is disposed at a predetermined storage position in the case 1 and the printer cover 4 is closed in the opening 2, the engagement claw 17 is disposed in the engagement hole 18 as shown in FIG. Thus, a cover locking means for locking the printer cover 4 and prohibiting its opening is configured.
[0027]
A pair of projecting pieces 19 are formed on the upper surface of the rear part of the base 7, and coil springs 21 constituting the push-out mechanism 20 for the tray 8 are provided on the inner surfaces of the projecting pieces 19. 22 is installed.
[0028]
A locking mechanism 25 is provided on the upper surface of the rear portion of the base 7 so as to detachably lock the tray 8. The locking mechanism 25 includes a solenoid 26 and a locking lever 28 that rotates around the pin 27 in conjunction with the solenoid 26, and a hook 28 a is integrally formed at one end of the locking lever 28. The hook 28a is detachably engaged with a protrusion 29 formed on the lower surface of the rear portion of the tray 8 as shown in FIG.
[0029]
When the tray 8 is pushed into the case 1 and disposed at a predetermined storage position in the case 1, the rear edge of the tray 8 comes into contact with the pushing piece 22 of the pushing mechanism 20 and the coil spring 21 is compressed. Further, the protrusion 29 of the tray 8 engages with the hook 28 a of the locking lever 28, and the tray 8 is held in the case 1 against the elastic force of the coil spring 21 by this engagement.
[0030]
An eject button 30 for inputting a control signal for driving the solenoid 26 of the locking mechanism 25 is provided at one end portion of the front surface of the case 1, and the solenoid 26 is excited by pressing the eject button 30 with a fingertip. By this excitation, the plunger of the solenoid 26 is attracted, and by this attracting operation, the locking lever 28 is rotated around the pin 27, and by this rotation, the hook 28a is disengaged from the projection 29 of the tray 8 and is engaged. The tray 8 is pushed out to the front side of the case 1 by a predetermined dimension by the elastic force of the coil spring 21 of the push-out mechanism 20 in accordance with the release of the engagement. Then, the user can pull out the tray 8 pushed out by a certain size further forward with his hand, and the tray 8 can be protruded to the maximum allowable distance on the front side of the case 1.
[0031]
On the other hand, when the drawn tray 8 is pushed into the case 1, the rear edge of the tray 8 comes into contact with the pushing piece 22, and when the tray 8 is pushed further, the coil spring 21 is compressed and the projection 29 of the tray 8 is locked. Engaging with the hook 28 a of the lever 28, the tray 8 is held at a predetermined storage position in the case 1 against the elastic force of the coil spring 21 by this engagement.
[0032]
On the upper surface of the base 7, raised convex portions 33 a, 33 b and 33 c are provided for raising the tray 8 upward in response to the pushing of the tray 8. These convex portions 33a, 33b, and 33c are provided so as to be distributed in the front portion, the middle portion, and the rear portion of the upper surface of the base 7 as shown in FIG. 6, and the front portions of these convex portions 33a, 33b, and 33c are respectively provided. An inclined surface 34 that is inclined obliquely downward toward the front of the base 7 is provided.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of riding projections 35 a, 35 b, 35 c corresponding to the projections 33 a, 33 b, 33 c on the upper surface of the base 7 are formed on the lower surface of the tray 8. The protruding heights of the protruding protrusions 35a, 35b, and 35c are the same as the protruding heights of the protruding protrusions 33a, 33b, and 33c formed on the base 7.
[0034]
Then, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the tray 8 is pushed in, the riding-up projections 35a, 35b, and 35c are replaced with the corresponding projections 33a, 33b, and 33c. Each of them is laid on top of each other with the inclined surface 34 as a guide, so that the tray 8 is displaced upward while maintaining a horizontal state.
[0035]
The timing when the convex portions 35a, 35b, and 35c of the tray 8 ride on the convex portions 33a, 33b, and 33c of the base 7 is immediately before the pushing of the tray 8 into the case 1 is completed. That is, when the tray 8 is pulled out to the front side of the case 1, the tray 8 is held at a lower level position, and immediately before the tray 8 moves toward the inside of the case 1 and is placed in a predetermined storage position in the case 1. The convex portions 35a, 35b, and 35c ride on the convex portions 33a, 33b, and 33c and are displaced from the lower level position to the upper level position.
[0036]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slide portion 11 on both side edges of the tray 8 is formed with a step 39 in the middle of its longitudinal direction so that the tray 8 can be displaced vertically. The slide portion 11 is divided into a high-level section 11a having a high height on the rear side of the tray 8 and a low-level section 11b having a low height extending from the high-level section 11a to the front side of the tray 8.
[0037]
When the tray 8 is pushed into the case 1 and displaced upward, as shown in FIGS. 9 (a1) and (a2), the high-order section 11a is detached from the guide groove 10 and the upper surface of the low-order section 11b is guided. When the tray 8 is almost in contact with the upper surface of the groove 10 and the tray 8 is pulled out to the front of the case 1 and displaced downward, as shown in FIGS. 9 (b1) and 9 (b2), the high-order section 11a is in the guide groove 10 And the upper surface of the high-order section 11a is substantially in contact with the upper surface of the guide groove 10, thereby suppressing the rattling of the tray 8 in any state.
[0038]
More specifically, FIGS. 8A and 8B show a situation when the convex portion 35a of the tray 8 rides on the convex portion 33a of the base 7, and the tray 8 is moved in response to the pushing of the tray 8. The convex portion 35a slides on the inclined surface 34 and rides on the upper surface of the convex portion 33a so that the tray 8 is displaced from the lower level position to the upper level position. When the tray 8 is disposed at a predetermined storage position in the case 1, the convex portion 35 a of the tray 8 is disposed at an intermediate point on the upper surface of the convex portion 33 a of the base 7.
[0039]
Further, when the tray 8 moves to the front of the case 1, the convex portion 35 a of the tray 8 moves along the inclined surface 34 from above the convex portion 33 a of the base 7 and moves to the lower front side of the case 1. Is displaced from the upper level position to the lower level position.
[0040]
Here, the height of the convex portion 33a of the base 7 is A, the horizontal distance of the inclined surface 34 is D, the distance between the upper side edge of the inclined surface 34 and the midpoint of the upper surface of the convex portion 33a is C, As shown in FIG. 9 (a1), the height difference between the high-order section 11a and the low-order section 11b in the slide portion 11 of the tray 8 is the same as the height of the convex portion 33a of the base 7, and the step 39 of the slide portion 11 The horizontal distance of the inclined surface 40 provided in the portion is the same D as the horizontal distance of the inclined surface 34 of the base 7. And when the convex part 35a of the tray 8 is arrange | positioned in the intermediate point of the upper surface of the convex part 33a of the base 7, the distance between the lower side edge part of the inclined surface 40 of the slide part 11 and the end surface of the guide wall 9 is set. C + α is greater than C.
[0041]
Thereby, when the convex part 35a of the tray 8 moves from the midpoint of the upper surface of the convex part 33a of the base 7 to the front side of the case 1, the inclined surface 34 of the slide part 11 is not caught by the edge of the guide groove 10. The inclined surface 34 can smoothly enter the guide groove 10.
[0042]
For example, A is 2 mm, C is 1.5 mm, and D is 7 mm. The dimensional relationship between the other convex portions 33b and 33c of the base 7 and the other convex portions 35b and 35c of the tray 8 is also set to the same relationship as described above. When the dimension A is 2 mm, the tray 8 is displaced up and down with a height difference of 2 mm in accordance with the movement in the front-rear direction.
[0043]
A stopper claw 41 is provided on the upper surface of the base 7 near the front as shown in FIG. Then, when the tray 8 is pulled forward, the convex portion 35c of the tray 8 abuts against the stopper claw 41, whereby the protruding movement range of the tray 8 is regulated within a predetermined allowable range and detached from the base 7. Is to be prevented.
[0044]
On the other hand, a printing mechanism as a printing unit is provided at a position above the front tray 8 in the case 1. That is, a metal printer frame 45 extending in the width direction of the case 1 is attached across the tray 8 as shown in FIG. 3, and this printer frame 45 is attached to the upper surface of the tray 8 as shown in FIGS. And a guide shaft 47 extending in parallel to the lower side of the horizontal beam 46, and a guide rail 48 and a rack 49 extending along the longitudinal direction are provided on the lower surface of the horizontal beam 46. ing. The carriage 50 is provided so as to be movable with respect to the guide shaft 47 and the guide rail 48, and the ribbon cartridge mounting surface on the front surface thereof faces the opening 2 of the case 1.
[0045]
A head cover 51 that protrudes integrally in front of the cartridge 50 is formed on the front surface of the carriage 50, and a thermal head 81 is provided inside the head cover 51. The thermal head 81 is covered by the head cover 51. Yes. The carriage 50 is provided with a traveling drive mechanism for the carriage 50, a head moving mechanism for the thermal head 81, and a winding mechanism for an ink ribbon as a printing consumable material. A possible stepping motor 52 is attached to the back of the carriage 50.
[0046]
A ribbon cartridge 56 containing an ink ribbon 55 as a printing consumable is detachably mounted on the front surface of the carriage 50. The ribbon cartridge 56 includes a case 57 in which a U-shaped recess 57 a into which the head cover 51 is fitted is formed.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 11, a ribbon supply core 58 and a ribbon take-up core 59 are provided in the case 57, and an ink ribbon 55 is wound around the ribbon supply core 58 in a roll shape, from above the ribbon supply core 58. The drawn out ink ribbon 55 is hooked on the take-up core 59 via a plurality of guide pins 60, and the ink ribbon 55 is taken up on the take-up core 59 sequentially in accordance with the forward rotation of the take-up core 59. ing. The middle of the ink ribbon 55 is exposed to the outside of the case 57 and travels on the lower surface side of the recess 57a where the thermal head 81 is located.
[0048]
The travel drive mechanism, the head moving mechanism, and the ribbon take-up mechanism provided in the carriage 50 will be described. In the carriage 50, an output gear 64 attached to the output shaft of the stepping motor 52 is disposed. A first gear 65a meshes with the gear 64, a second gear 65b is provided coaxially with the first gear 65a, a third gear 65c meshes with the second gear 65b, and further The third gear 65c meshes with the fourth gear 65d.
[0049]
A ribbon take-up shaft 63 is provided on the same axis as the rotation shaft of the fourth gear 65d via a one-way clutch (not shown), and the ribbon take-up shaft 63 extends forward from the cartridge mounting surface of the carriage 50. The winding core 59 is engaged with the ribbon winding shaft 63 in accordance with the mounting of the ribbon cartridge 56 on the cartridge mounting surface.
[0050]
The third gear 65c meshes with the rack 49, and by this meshing, the carriage 50 reciprocates along the guide rail 48 and the guide shaft 47 according to the forward and reverse rotation of the third gear 65c. .
[0051]
A cam gear 66 is provided in the carriage 50, and an arcuate cam groove 67 that is eccentric with respect to the center of rotation is formed in the cam gear 66. A swing clutch 68 is provided between the cam gear 66 and the output gear 64.
[0052]
The swing clutch 68 includes a sun gear 69 meshed with the output gear 64 and a pair of planetary gears 71 a meshed with the sun gear 69 and supported so as to be movable in the circumferential direction of the sun gear 69 via the arm 70. 71b, when one of the planetary gears 71a is engaged with the cam gear 66 and the other planetary gear 71b is separated from the cam gear 66 when the sun gear 69 rotates in the forward direction (clockwise). During reverse rotation (counterclockwise rotation), one planetary gear 71 a is separated from the cam gear 66 and the other planetary gear 71 b is engaged with the cam gear 66.
[0053]
A head arm 75 that rotates in the vertical direction around the shaft 74 is provided in the carriage 50. The head arm 75 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. The head arm 75 is elastically biased, and a pin 77 is provided near one end of the head arm 75, and the pin 77 is slidably inserted into the cam groove 67 of the cam gear 66.
[0054]
A head holder 78 is attached to the end of the other end side of the head arm 75, and the head holder 78 is disposed in the head cover 51 protruding forward of the carriage 50, and the carriage 50 extends along the head cover 51. The head base 80 is supported on the lower surface of the head holder 78 via a shaft 79, and a thermal head 81 as a print head is attached to the lower surface of the head base 80. The head cover 51 is disposed so as to face the opening on the lower surface of the head cover 51.
[0055]
As shown in FIG. 12, a guide surface 51 a that is inclined toward the mounting direction when the ribbon cartridge 56 is mounted on the carriage 50 is formed at the lower front end of the head cover 51. When the ribbon cartridge 56 is mounted on the front surface of the carriage 50 while being fitted to the carriage 51, the ink ribbon 55 exposed on the lower surface side of the recess 57a is introduced to the lower surface side of the head cover 51 while being guided by the guide surface 51a. Can be done.
[0056]
In a normal state, the carriage 50 and the ribbon cartridge 56 are covered and protected by the printer cover 4 closed in the opening 2 of the case 1.
[0057]
The thermal head 81 moves along the guide shaft 47 and the guide rail 48 integrally with the carriage 50, and printing is performed within the movement range of the thermal head 81. As shown in FIG. 8B, the convex portion 33a of the base 7 and the convex portion 35a of the tray 8 overlying the convex portion 33a correspond to a printing region that is a portion that receives a pressing force by the thermal head 81. It is provided in the position to do.
[0058]
In other words, the convex portions 33 a and 35 a are arranged at positions immediately below the thermal head 81. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the convex portions 33 a and 35 a are provided so as to extend over the section of the stroke range S of the movement of the thermal head 81.
[0059]
In this way, in particular, by providing the convex portion 35 a at the back surface position of the tray 8 corresponding to the movement range of the thermal head 81, the tray 8 is reinforced by the convex portion 35 a at a portion to which a force is applied by the thermal head 81. Thus, the entire tray 8 does not necessarily have a robust structure.
[0060]
In addition, a circuit board including a control circuit for controlling the solenoid 26, the motor 52, the thermal head 81 and the like (not shown) is provided at the rear part of the case 1, and a power jack and a USB jack are provided on the back of the case 1. Is provided. When the printing apparatus is used, a power cable is connected to the power jack to supply power, and a USB cable is inserted into the USB jack to connect a personal computer to the printing apparatus.
[0061]
In this printing apparatus, the tray 8 is normally stored in a predetermined storage position in the case 1, the opening 2 is closed by the printer cover 4, and the opening of the printer cover 4 is engaged with the engagement claw 17 and the engagement hole 18. Is in a state of being blocked by the engagement.
[0062]
When using the printing apparatus from this state, a power cable is connected to the power jack of the printing apparatus to supply power, and a USB cable is inserted into the USB jack to connect a personal computer to the printing apparatus.
[0063]
Then, the user presses the eject button 30 of the printing apparatus or clicks the eject toggle of the dedicated application on the personal computer screen. In response to this, the locking lever 28 is rotated by driving by the solenoid 26, the hook 28 a and the protrusion 29 of the tray 8 are disengaged, and the tray 8 is moved by the elastic force of the coil spring 21 by the pushing mechanism 20. Projects by a certain dimension forward.
[0064]
Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the user pulls out the tray 8 protruding by a certain dimension further to the front side of the case 1 to the maximum allowable distance by manual operation. At this time, the convex portion 35c of the tray 8 abuts against the stopper claw 41 of the base 7, thereby restricting the length of the tray 8 to be pulled within an allowable maximum distance and preventing the tray 8 from being detached from the case 1.
[0065]
After the tray 8 is pulled out, the optical disk 6 as a printing medium is placed on the placement portion 13 of the tray 8, and then the tray 8 is manually pushed into the case 1. By this pushing, the protrusion 29 of the tray 8 is engaged with the hook 28 a of the locking lever 28, and the tray 8 is held at a predetermined storage position in the case 1.
[0066]
Next, specify the print contents with the dedicated application on the PC and click the print toggle. In response to this, a printing operation is started, and characters such as predetermined characters and symbols are printed in a predetermined region on the surface of the optical disc 6. When predetermined printing is completed, the tray 8 is automatically ejected.
[0067]
The operation during printing will be described. First, when waiting for the printing operation, as shown in FIG. 11A, the head arm 75 in the carriage 50 is held in a substantially horizontal state, and the thermal head 81 is moved from the surface of the optical disc 6. It is in a state where it is arranged at a print standby position separated by a certain distance. The carriage 50 is stopped at a home position set near the right end of the movement range. In this state, the motor 52 is driven to rotate forward, and the output gear 64 rotates counterclockwise. The rotational power of the output gear 64 is transmitted to the first, second, third, and fourth gears 65a, 65b, 65c, and 65d. Then, the counterclockwise rotation of the third gear 65c meshing with the rack 49 causes the carriage 50 to move to the right along the guide shaft 47 and the guide rail 48, and the rotation of the fourth gear 65d further The ribbon take-up shaft 63 rotates in the ribbon take-up direction, and the take-up core 59 in the ribbon cartridge 56 that engages with the ribbon take-up shaft 63 rotates. The ribbons 55 are sequentially wound and run.
[0068]
In parallel with this operation, the sun gear 69 of the swing clutch 68 is driven and rotated by the rotation of the output gear 64, and one planetary gear 71 a approaches the cam gear 66 according to the rotation of the sun gear 69. The cam gear 66 meshes with the cam gear 66, whereby the rotational power of the sun gear 69 is transmitted to the cam gear 66, and the cam gear 66 rotates clockwise.
[0069]
As the cam gear 66 rotates in the clockwise direction, the pin 77 in the cam groove 67 moves upward together with the head arm 75. Then, the head arm 75 that moves integrally with the pin 77 rotates counterclockwise about the shaft 74, and this rotation causes the thermal head 81 to move downward as shown in FIG. Tilt against.
[0070]
A missing portion (not shown) is formed in a part of the periphery of the cam gear 66, and when the cam gear 66 rotates by a certain angle, the planetary gear 71a falls into the missing portion and idles. The thermal head 81 maintains a predetermined inclination angle and is held at a printing position where it contacts the surface of the optical disk 6 with the ink ribbon 55 interposed therebetween. At this time, the thermal head 81 comes into contact with the surface of the optical disc 6 with a predetermined pressure by the elastic force of the spring 76.
[0071]
When the motor 52 is further driven to rotate forward, the planetary gear 71a is located in the missing portion, so that the carriage 50 is moved to the right while the thermal head 81 is held at the printing position, and the ink ribbon 55 is wound up. Is done.
[0072]
Simultaneously with the movement of the carriage 50 and the winding of the ink ribbon 55, the heating element of the thermal head 81 is driven to generate heat based on the print data, and the ink on the ink ribbon 55 is sequentially melted and thermally transferred to the surface of the optical disc 6. Characters such as predetermined characters and symbols are printed in a predetermined printing area corresponding to the moving range of the carriage 50 (thermal head 81) on the surface of the optical disc 6.
[0073]
At this time, the tray 8 on which the optical disk 6 is placed is supported horizontally by the convex portions 33a, 33b, 33c, 35a, 35b, and 35c that overlap each other, and the convex portions 33a and 35a that overlap each other are shown in FIG. As shown in (b), the thermal head 81 is provided at a position corresponding to the printing area so as to extend along the printing area. Therefore, even if the tray 8 is pressurized by the thermal head 81, Deformation is reliably prevented and proper printing is performed.
[0074]
After the printing is completed, the motor 52 is driven in reverse and the output gear 64 rotates in the reverse direction (clockwise direction). The reverse rotation of the output gear 64 causes the third gear 65c to also rotate reversely in the clockwise direction, and the reverse rotation of the third gear 65c causes the carriage 50 to move in the reverse direction (leftward) along the guide shaft 47 and the guide rail 48. To return to the home position.
[0075]
Since the fourth gear 65d is connected to the ribbon take-up shaft 63 via a one-way clutch, the reverse rotation operation of the fourth gear 65d is not transmitted to the ribbon take-up shaft 63 and the ink ribbon 55 is wound. No take is done.
[0076]
At the same time, the sun gear 69 of the swing clutch 68 is reversely rotated by the reverse rotation of the output gear 64, and one planetary gear 71 a is separated from the cam gear 66 by the reverse rotation of the sun gear 69 and the other planetary gear 71 b is the cam gear. 66, the rotating power of the sun gear 69 is transmitted to the cam gear 66, and the cam gear 66 rotates counterclockwise.
[0077]
Then, by reverse rotation of the cam gear 66, the pin 77 in the cam groove 67 moves downward integrally with the head arm 75. Then, the head arm 75 that moves integrally with the pin 77 rotates clockwise about the shaft 74, and this rotation causes the thermal head 81 to move upward and away from the surface of the optical disk 6. Return to the horizontal state.
[0078]
A missing portion (not shown) is formed on a part of the periphery of the cam gear 66 corresponding to the planetary gear 71b. The cam gear 66 rotates by a certain angle and the thermal head 81 returns to the print standby position. The planetary gear 71b falls into the missing part and idles. After the planetary gear 71b is located in the missing portion, only the carriage 50 moves in the reverse direction (leftward) while the thermal head 81 is held at the print standby position by the reverse drive of the motor 52.
[0079]
Thereafter, the tray 8 is automatically ejected and protrudes to the front of the case 1, and the optical disk 6 in the tray 8 can be taken out by this protrusion.
[0080]
By repeating such a printing process, when the entire length of the effective length of the ink ribbon 55 is wound around the winding core 59 of the ribbon cartridge 56 and the ink ribbon 55 is consumed, the ribbon cartridge 56 is replaced with a new ribbon cartridge. Replace with 56.
[0081]
When replacing the ribbon cartridge 56, the eject button 30 is operated to cause the tray 8 to protrude forward of the case 1, and the tray 8 is manually pulled out to the maximum allowable distance to the front side of the case 1.
[0082]
When the tray 8 is disposed at a predetermined storage position in the case 1, the engaging claw 17 of the standing wall 12 of the tray 8 engages in the engaging hole 18 in the lower part of the printer cover 4 and the printer cover 4 Accordingly, the carriage 50 and the ribbon cartridge 56 are covered and protected by the printer cover 4 when the printing apparatus is stored or during a printing operation.
[0083]
Further, unless the tray 8 is pulled forward, the printer cover 4 is prevented from being opened alone, so that the ribbon cartridge 56 cannot be replaced right above the tray 8 on which the optical disk 6 is placed. There is no possibility of damaging the surface of the optical disk 6 during the replacement work.
[0084]
On the other hand, when the tray 8 is pulled out to the front of the case 1, the engaging claw 17 is detached from the engaging hole 18 and the locking of the printer cover 4 is released. Therefore, when the tray 8 is pulled out to the front of the case 1 when replacing the rib cartridge 56, the printer cover 4 is rotated upward as shown in FIG. 2 after the pulling out, and the opening 2 is opened to open the carriage 50 and the ribbon cartridge. 56 can be exposed to the outside.
[0085]
In this state, the consumed ribbon cartridge 56 is pulled out from the front surface of the carriage 50 and removed, and a new ribbon cartridge 56 is mounted on the front surface of the carriage 50 in place of the ribbon cartridge 56.
[0086]
In this mounting, the concave portion 57a of the ribbon cartridge 56 is fitted to the outer periphery excluding the lower surface of the head cover 51 protruding from the front surface of the carriage 50, and the ink ribbon 55 exposed below the concave portion 57a is inserted into the head cover 51. And is inserted into the gap between the tray 8 and the tray 8.
[0087]
At this time, since a guide surface 51 a that is inclined toward the mounting direction of the ribbon cartridge 56 is formed at the lower front end of the head cover 51, the front surface of the carriage 50 is fitted while the concave portion 57 a of the ribbon cartridge 56 is fitted to the head cover 51. When the ribbon cartridge 56 is mounted, the ink ribbon 55 exposed on the lower surface side of the concave portion 57a is smoothly introduced to the lower surface side of the head cover 51 while being guided by the guide surface 51a. Can be installed smoothly.
[0088]
When the tray 8 is pulled out in front of the case 1, the convex portions 35a, 35b, and 35c of the tray 8 are detached from the upper surfaces of the convex portions 33a, 33b, and 33c of the base 7, and the tray 8 is lowered to a lower level position. Therefore, the distance between the carriage 50 and the tray 8 is relatively large, so that the ribbon cartridge 56 can be easily attached to the carriage 50 efficiently.
[0089]
In particular, the ink ribbon 55 exposed on the lower surface of the recess 57a of the ribbon cartridge 56 can be easily inserted between the thermal head 81 (head cover 51) and the tray 8, and the ink ribbon 55 is somewhat slackened. The ink ribbon 55 can be smoothly inserted without being damaged by being caught on the tray 8 or the thermal head 81 (head cover 51).
[0090]
Further, even when the ribbon cartridge 56 is replaced while the optical disk 6 is placed on the mounting portion 13 of the tray 8, contact between the optical disk 6 and the ribbon cartridge 56 is avoided and the surface of the optical disk 6 is damaged. Therefore, the ribbon cartridge 56 can be replaced smoothly.
[0091]
Further, since the tray 8 is pulled out to the maximum distance, the upright wall 12 at the front end thereof is in a state of being retracted with a large distance from the carriage 50. Therefore, the upright wall 12 at the front end of the tray 8 is retracted. The ribbon cartridge 56 can be easily replaced without obstruction.
[0092]
On the other hand, when printing the optical disc 6, when the tray 8 is pushed into the case 1 and placed in a predetermined storage position, the convex portions 35a, 35b, and 35c of the tray 8 become the convex portions 33a, 33b, and 33c of the base 7. And the tray 8 is held at the upper level position, so that the distance between the optical disk 6 and the carriage 50 on the tray 8 is narrowed, and the surface of the optical disk 6 approaches the thermal head 81 and opposes it.
[0093]
For this reason, it is possible to reduce the moving distance of the thermal head 81 that moves from the print standby position to the print position by the rotation of the head arm 75 during printing, and thus the length dimension of the head arm 75 can also be reduced. . Since the length of the head arm 75 can be reduced, the carriage 50 can be reduced in size.
[0094]
By the way, when pre-made printing is performed on the surface of the optical disc 6, it is preferable to align the arrangement direction of characters such as characters and symbols to be newly printed with the arrangement direction of the pre-printed symbols. In such a case, it is possible to use an alignment member as shown in FIG.
[0095]
The alignment member shown in FIG. 13 comprises a thin film-like transparent sheet 85, and a printing window 86 corresponding to the printing area is formed on the sheet 85, and a printing window is formed on the surface of the sheet 85. Positioning ruled lines 89 that are parallel and orthogonal to 86 are vertically and horizontally provided.
[0096]
Then, as shown in FIG. 14, after the optical disk 6 is placed on the placement portion 13 of the tray 8, the sheet 85 is placed on the optical disk 6, and the positioning hole 88 of the sheet 85 is positioned on the upper surface of the tray 8. The sheet 85 is placed in a predetermined position by being inserted into the protrusion 24.
[0097]
In this state, the optical disc 6 is rotated by placing a fingertip on the periphery of the optical disc 6 from the notch portion 16 of the tray 8, and the arrangement direction of the pattern P such as the existing characters on the surface of the optical disc 6 with reference to the ruled line 89 of the sheet 85. Align so that the direction of the ruled line 89 matches.
[0098]
Thereafter, the sheet 8 is removed from the tray 8, or the tray 8 is pushed into the case 1 with the sheet 85 attached, and printing is performed in the above-described process. When the sheet 85 remains attached on the case 8, the thermal head 81 contacts the surface of the optical disc 6 through the printing window 86 of the sheet 85 during printing, and predetermined printing is performed.
[0099]
In this way, the optical disk 6 is positioned on the tray 8 and printing is performed, so that the direction of characters such as characters and symbols by the printing accurately matches the direction of the existing pattern P, and the appearance is good in appearance. Can be applied.
[0100]
FIG. 15 shows a dedicated adapter attached to the optical disk storage case and used for printing on the index label paper mounted in the storage case and used. This adapter includes a mount 90a, and a releasable adhesive is applied to the upper surface of the mount 90a, and a transparent sheet cover 90b is adhered to the mount 90a with one side adhered to each other.
[0101]
The sheet cover 90b is provided with a printing window 86a corresponding to the printing area of the thermal head 81, and the mount 90a and the sheet cover 90b are provided with positioning holes 88a corresponding to the positioning protrusions 24 of the tray 8. Yes. The sheet cover 90b may be provided with a ruled line 89a for alignment.
[0102]
When this adapter is used, the index label paper is placed on the mount 90a, and the sheet cover 90b is placed thereon and set on the tray 8. Thereby, it is possible to print on the exposed portion of the index label paper in the printing window 86a. For example, by printing the same contents as the optical disk on the index label paper, it is convenient to know the recorded contents of the optical disk at a glance with the index label paper when the optical disk is stored in the storage case. .
[0103]
By the way, an anti-slip and cushioning rubber 14 for the optical disk 6 is attached to the mounting portion 13 of the tray 8. Therefore, when the optical disk 6 is placed on the rubber 14 and printing is performed, a thermal head is used. The optical disk 6 slightly sinks downward with the rubber 14 due to the pressure applied by 81 and deforms into a curved shape. This causes a blur in the central portion of the print portion or a running defect in the ink ribbon 55, resulting in a print quality. There is a risk of lowering.
[0104]
As a countermeasure in such a case, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, a thickness made of a hard material is formed on the tray 8 on the lower side of the rubber 14 so as to correspond to the printing area by the thermal head 81. A thin plate-like spacer 93 may be provided. The size of the spacer 91 is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the printing area by the thermal head 81.
[0105]
By providing the spacer 93, the portion corresponding to the spacer 93 on the surface of the rubber 14 slightly protrudes at the normal time as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16B, when the optical disk 6 is placed on the rubber 14 during printing and the thermal head 81 is brought into contact with the surface and pressed, the raised portion of the rubber 14 is elasticized by the pressure. Thus, the entire surface of the rubber 14 becomes a flat surface, thereby preventing the optical disk 6 from being bent and deformed, so that a predetermined printing is performed on the optical disk 6 while maintaining good quality without deteriorating the print quality. Can do.
[0106]
In the above embodiment, the inclined surface 34 for guiding and raising the convex portions 35a, 35b, 35c of the tray 8 is formed on the front surface portion of the convex portions 33a, 33b, 33c of the base 7. Instead of the inclined surface 34, an inclined surface may be formed on the front surface portion of the convex portions 35a, 35b, 35c of the tray 8.
[0107]
In the above embodiment, the printer cover 4 can be opened when the tray 8 protrudes from the case 1 by a certain dimension. However, like the cover locking means shown in FIG. May be configured to allow the printer cover 4 to be opened when it has moved to a substantially maximum distance allowed for the case 1.
[0108]
That is, in this cover locking means, an L-shaped lever 100 is rotatably provided in the case 1 via a pin 101, and this lever 100 is elastically biased counterclockwise in the figure by a spring 102. Has been.
[0109]
An engagement bar 103 is rotatably connected to one end of the lever 100 via a pin 104, and the upper end of the engagement bar 103 is inserted into an engagement hole 105 formed in the printer cover 4. As a result, the printer cover 4 cannot be opened. A protrusion 106 is provided on the rear upper surface of the tray 8 at a position corresponding to the lever 100. Reference numeral 107 denotes a stopper that regulates the rotation range of the lever 100.
[0110]
In this state, when the tray 8 moves to the front side of the case 1 to the maximum allowable distance with respect to the case 1, the protrusion 105 comes into contact with the other end of the lever 100, and the lever 100 springs by this contact. The lever 100 is rotated clockwise against the elastic force of 102, and by this rotation, the engagement bar 103 is lowered and detached from the engagement hole 105 of the printer cover 4, so that the printer cover 4 can be opened. It becomes a state.
[0111]
In such a configuration, when the ribbon cartridge 56 is replaced, the tray 8 is always pulled out to the maximum distance, so that the ribbon cartridge 56 is not always obstructed by the standing wall 12 at the front end of the tray 8. Can be easily and efficiently exchanged.
[0112]
FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a rectangular recess 110 is formed on the upper surface of the tray 8. The recess 110 has a quadrangular shape corresponding to the outer shape of the case 6 a for storing the optical disk 6.
[0113]
An adapter 111 is removably accommodated in the recess 110, and a circular recess 112 corresponding to the optical disc 6 is formed in the adapter 111.
[0114]
When printing on the optical disk 6, as shown in FIG. 18A, the adapter 111 is accommodated in the recess 110 of the tray 8, and the optical disk 6 is accommodated in the recess 112 of the adapter 111. Is pushed into the case 1 and characters such as predetermined characters and symbols are printed on the surface of the optical disc 6 by the printing means.
[0115]
In this printing apparatus, characters such as letters and symbols can be printed on the surface of the housing case 6 a in addition to the optical disk 6. When a character is printed on the case 6a, the adapter 111 in the concave portion 110 of the tray 8 is removed and the case is accommodated in the concave portion 110 as shown in FIG. Then, the tray 8 is pushed into the case 1 and characters such as predetermined characters and symbols are printed on the surface of the case by the printing means.
[0116]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the support means is moved out of the apparatus body, and the support means is opposed to the printing means at a second interval distance larger than the first interval distance. Since the cartridge containing the consumable material can be attached to and detached from the printing means, the cartridge replacement operation can be performed easily and efficiently, and the printing medium is not damaged during the cartridge replacement operation.
[0117]
On the other hand, when the support means is arranged at a predetermined position in the apparatus main body and printing is performed on the printing medium by the printing means, the first interval suitable for printing in which the printing means and the support means are smaller than the second interval distance. Opposing at distance, and therefore proper printing can be performed.
[0118]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the interval distance changing means is composed of a combination of the supporting means and the convex portions provided on the apparatus main body, so that the structure becomes simple.
[0119]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the support means can be smoothly moved in the height direction of the convex portion when the support means moves in and out of the apparatus main body.
[0120]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the pressure applied to the support means by the print head of the printing means can be accurately received by the convex portion as the interval distance changing means, and deformation of the support means can be prevented.
[0121]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the guide surface for guiding the movement of the ink ribbon when the cartridge is mounted is formed on the head cover of the printing unit, the cartridge can be mounted smoothly on the printing unit. it can.
[0122]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the support means from being detached from the apparatus main body by restricting the movement of the support means beyond the predetermined movement distance toward the outside of the apparatus main body by the restricting means.
[0123]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the printer cover that covers the printing unit is opened and the cartridge is replaced with respect to the printing unit unless the support unit is moved out of the apparatus main body by the cover locking unit. In other words, the cartridge is replaced after the support means supporting the print medium is retracted from the main body of the apparatus. For this reason, the front end portion of the support means becomes an obstacle when the cartridge is replaced. In addition, the print medium is not damaged when the cartridge is replaced.
[0124]
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the cover locking means is released when the support means moves to the maximum distance allowed with respect to the apparatus main body, so that the support means is outside the apparatus main body. Since the cartridge is exchanged in a state of being largely retracted, the ease of the cartridge exchange operation is further improved, and damage to the printing medium at the time of exchange can be more reliably prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall appearance of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus with a print cover opened.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a base and a tray of the printing apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tray.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the tray inverted.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the base.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a locking means of a printer cover of the printing apparatus.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an operational relationship between a convex portion of a base of a printing apparatus and a convex portion of a tray.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation relationship between a guide groove of a base of the printing apparatus and a slide portion of the tray.
FIG. 10 is a front view showing a support structure for a carriage and a ribbon cartridge of the printing apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an internal structure of a carriage and a ribbon cartridge of the printing apparatus.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a mounting structure of the ribbon cartridge with respect to the carriage of the printing apparatus.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an alignment member of an optical disk as a printing medium.
FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a state in use of the alignment member.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a dedicated adapter used when printing on index label paper as a printing medium.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example in which a spacer is interposed between a tray and a rubber of the printing apparatus.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the locking means for locking the printer cover of the printing apparatus.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a printing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Case
2 ... Opening
4. Printer cover
6 ... Optical disc (CD-R)
7 ... Base
8 ... Tray
10 ... Guide groove
11 ... Slide part
17 ... engaging claw
18 ... engagement hole
30 ... Eject button
33a, 33b, 33c ... convex portion
34 ... Inclined surface
35a, 35b, 35c ... convex portion
41 ... Stopper claw
45 ... Frame
47 ... Guide shaft
50 ... carriage
51. Head cover
51a ... Guide surface
52 ... Stepping motor
55. Ink ribbon
56 ... Ribbon cartridge
75 ... Head arm
81 ... Thermal head

Claims (8)

A support means for supporting a print medium provided at a predetermined position in the apparatus main body and movably provided from the predetermined position to the outside of the apparatus main body;
A cartridge containing a consumable material for printing is detachably mounted, and printing is performed on a printing medium supported by the support means and arranged at the predetermined position using the consumable material contained in the cartridge. Printing means to perform;
When the support means is arranged at the predetermined position in the apparatus main body, the support means is opposed to the printing means at a first distance, and when the support means moves out of the apparatus main body, An interval distance changing means for causing the support means to face the printing means at a second interval distance larger than the first interval distance;
A printing apparatus comprising: The interval distance changing means is
A first protrusion and a first protrusion provided on the mutually opposing surfaces of the apparatus main body and the support means with a protruding height corresponding to the difference between the first distance and the second distance; 2 convex parts,
2. The printing according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion overlap each other when the supporting unit is disposed at the predetermined position in the apparatus main body. apparatus. The inclined surface which guides a movement when these convex parts mutually contact | abut and overlap is formed in either one of a said 1st convex part and a 2nd convex part, The 2nd convex part is characterized by the above-mentioned. The printing apparatus as described in. The printing means includes a print head that moves in a predetermined printing area in contact with a printing medium via an ink ribbon as a consumable material housed in the cartridge.
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first convex portion is provided at a position corresponding to a printing area by the print head. The printing unit includes a head cover that covers the print head, and a guide surface that guides movement of the ink ribbon of the cartridge in the mounting direction when the cartridge is mounted on the printing unit is formed on the head cover. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: When the support means moves a predetermined moving distance toward the outside of the apparatus main body, a restricting means that engages with the second convex portion and restricts further movement of the support means to the outside of the apparatus main body. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing apparatus is provided. The apparatus main body includes a printer cover that covers the printing means, and when the support means is at the predetermined position in the apparatus main body, the printer cover is locked to prohibit the opening, and the support means is provided in the apparatus main body. 7. A cover locking means for releasing the lock of the print cover and allowing the print cover to be opened when the print cover is moved from the predetermined position toward the outside of the apparatus main body is provided. The printing apparatus in any one. 8. The printing according to claim 7, wherein the cover locking means enables the printer cover to be opened when the support means is moved to a maximum distance allowed for the apparatus main body. apparatus.

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