JP4593258B2 - Continuous winding device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is connected to a printer that prints on a plurality of labels temporarily attached to a belt-like mount, a belt-like sheet for tag production, etc. Are collectively referred to as a “continuum” and are wound into a roll.

  For example, in a label printer, a label continuum is used in which a plurality of labels are detachably pasted on a mount (separator) at regular intervals. Each time a label printer prints each label, the label continuum is conveyed at a predetermined speed. At that time, in order to sequentially wind up the label continuous body discharged from the label printer, a winder is installed outside the label printer.

  The take-up device is used by being fixed to the label printer, and power is supplied from the label printer to the take-up device by making a mechanical connection and an electrical connection between the take-up device and the label printer. Things are also done. However, in that case, if a heavy load operation is performed in the winding device, an overcurrent is generated, which may adversely affect the label printer.

  For example, the larger the diameter of the label continuum wound by the winding device, the larger the current required to rotate the motor that drives the winding shaft, which exceeds the current supply capability on the label printer side. This happens. As a result, there are adverse effects such as a drop in power supply voltage and activation of a protection circuit in the label printer.

  When the power supply voltage drops in the label printer, the voltage for driving the print head drops and print fading occurs. When a DC motor is used, if the voltage drop is large, the rotational speed decreases and the label It is also conceivable that the timing for transporting the continuum does not match. When the voltage drop further increases, there is a problem that the protection circuit is activated and the operation of the label printer is reset (restarted). Further, even when the transport speed in the label printer is high, it is necessary to increase the winding speed, and there is a problem similar to the above.

As a related technique, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-259561 discloses that printing defects such as printing misalignment and blurring that occur when the label issuing device is started, restarted, returned to normal work, and the like are disclosed. Yes. If the arm is at the bottom dead center at the start, the label sheet hangs down due to its own weight, and the label issuing device determines that the contact between the roller and the sheet has come off. In that case, the control unit stops issuing the label by the printer, starts only the winding of the sheet by the winding device, and removes the slack of the sheet. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose anything about solving the problem of overcurrent caused by an increase in load in the winding device.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-252501 (first page, FIG. 1)

  Accordingly, in view of the above points, the present invention does not place an excessive burden on a printer in a continuous body winding device that can operate by being supplied with power from a printer that performs printing on a continuous body that is a print medium. Thus, it aims at realizing a stable printing operation.

In order to solve the above problems, a continuous body winding device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a device for winding a continuous body discharged from a printer that performs printing on a continuous body that is a print medium, and winding means for winding the continuous body, a first power supply terminal power from the printer is supplied, a second power supply terminal power from an external power source other than the printer is supplied, the power to the first power supply terminal First power detection means for detecting whether power is supplied, second power detection means for detecting whether power is supplied to the second power supply terminal, and the first power supply detection means. Winding operation control means for limiting the winding speed in the winding means when the supply of power is detected only from that in the case where the supply of power is detected from at least the second power supply detection means It comprises.

A continuous body winding device according to a second aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for winding a continuous body discharged from a printer that performs printing on a continuous body that is a print medium, and winds the continuous body. Winding means, a first power supply terminal to which power is supplied from the printer, a second power supply terminal to which power is supplied from an external power supply other than the printer, and a first power supply terminal for detecting a voltage value of the first power supply terminal and power detection means, and a second power supply detection means for detecting a voltage value of the second power supply terminal, based on the voltage value of the total detected from both the first and second power detecting means, the total comprising a winding operation control means for limiting the winding speed of the winding means than when the higher voltage value of the sum when the lower voltage value of.

  According to the present invention, based on the detection result obtained by the power supply detection means for detecting whether or not power is supplied to each of the plurality of power supply terminals, by limiting the winding speed in the winding means, It is possible to provide a continuous winding device capable of realizing a stable printing operation without imposing an excessive burden on the printer and performing a stable winding operation.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where printing is performed on a label temporarily attached to a mount will be described as an example. In addition, the same reference number is attached | subjected to the same component and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a state in which the continuous body winding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is connected to a label printer, and shows the structure inside the housing. A continuous label 22 is wound around the supply reel 21 of the printer 20. The label continuous body 22 is configured by temporarily attaching a plurality of labels 23 to a mount 24 so as to be peeled off. As the label 23, for example, a thermal paper that develops a specific color (such as black or red) when a certain temperature region is reached is used.

  As the stepping motor 25 rotates the platen roller 26 via the belt, the label continuum 22 is transported from the right side (upstream side in the transport direction) to the left side (downstream side in the transport direction). The conveyance of the continuous label body 22 is controlled by the control unit 28 based on the detection result of the sensor 27, and the thermal head 29 prints on the label 23. The power supply unit 30 supplies power to each unit of the printer 20 and the winding device 10.

  The winding device 10 is used by being mechanically and electrically connected to the printer 20. This makes it possible to supply power from the printer 20 to the winding device 10. Furthermore, an AC adapter or other external power source can be connected to the winding device 10. The winding device 10 is provided with a voltage detection unit 11 for detecting the power supply voltage supplied from these external power sources, and the detection signal generated in the voltage detection unit 11 is transmitted to each part of the winding device 10. Is output to the control unit 12 for controlling.

  Further, the winding device 10 includes a first guide roller 13 and a second guide roller 14 that guide the conveyance of the continuous label body 22 discharged from the printer 20, and a space between the first guide roller 13 and the second guide roller 14. A tension roller 15 that abuts the label continuous body 22 spanned between the tension roller 15 and applies tension to the label continuous body 22, a sensor 16 that detects the position of the tension roller 15, and a continuous label fed from the second guide roller 14. A winding shaft 17 for winding the body 22, guides 18 provided on both sides of the winding shaft 17, a motor 19 for driving the winding shaft 17, and a buzzer and LED for notifying the occurrence of an error are included. And a notification unit 9.

  When the motor 19 rotates the winding shaft 17 via the belt, the label continuous body 22 is wound around the winding shaft 17. The tension roller 15 moves to the lowest point by its own weight or the urging force of the tension spring. Therefore, by detecting the position of the tension roller 15 using the sensor 16, the tension applied to the continuous label body 22 can be measured. The rotation of the winding shaft 17 is controlled by the control unit 12 based on the output signal of the sensor 16 that detects the position of the tension roller 15.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a voltage detection unit of the winding device illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the voltage detection unit 11 includes a comparator 11a, 11b, 11c, and ..., and a voltage source for generating a threshold voltage _{V T.} The comparator 11a is connected as an external power supply A to a power supply terminal to which a printer power supply circuit is connected, the comparator 11b is connected as an external power supply B to a power supply terminal to which an AC adapter is connected, and the comparator 11c is used as an external power supply C. It is connected to the power supply terminal to which other external power supply is connected. Thus, a plurality of types of external power sources can be connected to the winding device according to the present embodiment, and the number thereof is arbitrary.

Each of the comparators 11a, 11b, 11c,... Detects whether power is supplied to the power supply terminal from an external power supply by comparing the voltage of the power supply terminal with the threshold voltage V _T. A detection signal representing the detection result is output to the control unit 12. The power supply voltage supplied to each power supply terminal is supplied to each part of the winding device via a diode for preventing backflow. Furthermore, a stabilization circuit for stabilizing the power supply voltage may be provided as necessary.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control unit of the winding device illustrated in FIG. 1. A ROM (read only memory) 121 of the control unit 12 stores in advance a control program executed by a CPU (central processing unit) 120 to control each unit of the winding device 10. On the other hand, RAM (random access memory) 122 temporarily stores data obtained by a detection operation or the like.

  The arm position detection circuit 125 receives the output signal of the sensor 16 that detects the position of the tension roller, and generates data representing the detection result of the arm position. The CPU 120 controls the winding operation of the winding device 10 based on this data. When the winding control circuit 123 drives the motor 19 under the control of the CPU 120, the label continuous body 22 shown in FIG. 1 is wound around the winding shaft 17 while receiving an appropriate tension. Further, when the slack in the continuous label body 22 occurs, the tension roller 15 moves to the lowest point, so that the arm position detection circuit 125 detects the slack in the continuous label body 22 based on the output signal of the sensor 16. Can be detected.

  In addition, the control unit 12 receives a detection signal from the voltage detection unit 11 and outputs a signal for driving a buzzer, an LED, and the like to the notification unit 9, and performs communication between the printer 20 and the printer 20. And an external interface 126. Detection signals output from the comparators 11 a to 11 c (see FIG. 2) of the voltage detection unit 11 are input to the CPU 120 via the internal interface 124. Based on these detection signals, the CPU 120 grasps from which external power source the power supply voltage is supplied, sets a limit on the winding speed, and the winding control circuit 123 drives the motor 19 accordingly. Thus, the winding speed is controlled.

  For example, when the power supply voltage is supplied only from the printer, the CPU 120 limits the cycle of pulses included in the drive signal for driving the motor 19 to 2000 pps (pulses / second) or less. In the present embodiment, the pulse period 2000 pps included in the drive signal corresponds to a rotation speed (winding rotation speed) at which the winding shaft rotates 1 to 2 degrees per second.

  When the power supply voltage is supplied only from the AC adapter, the CPU 120 limits the cycle of the pulse included in the drive signal to 3000 pps or less. Alternatively, when the power supply voltage is supplied from both the printer and the AC adapter, the cycle of the pulse included in the drive signal may be limited to 4000 pps or less.

  When the winding shaft is winding the label continuous body 22 at the maximum winding speed limited by the above conditions, when the slack of the label continuous body is detected based on the position of the tension roller 15, that is, the tension When it is detected that the roller 15 has reached the lowest point, the CPU 120 notifies the occurrence of an error by sounding the buzzer of the notification unit 9 or turning on the LED.

  Alternatively, the CPU 120 may notify the printer 20 of the occurrence of an error via the external interface 126. The printer 20 that has received the notification of the occurrence of the error eliminates the error by reducing the conveyance speed of the label continuous body 22. In this way, an overcurrent in an external power source such as a printer or an AC adapter is prevented, and no printing error or malfunction occurs, and no winding error occurs.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state in which the continuous body winding device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is connected to the label printer, and shows the structure inside the housing. In the winding device 40 according to the second embodiment, the voltage detection unit 11 of the winding device 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is replaced with a voltage detection unit 41, and the other parts are the same. This is the same as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the voltage detection unit of the winding device illustrated in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the voltage detector 41 includes A / D converters 41 a, 41 b, 41 c,. The A / D converter 41a is connected as an external power supply A to a power supply terminal to which a printer power supply circuit is connected. The A / D converter 41b is connected as an external power supply B to a power supply terminal to which an AC adapter is connected. The A / D converter 41c is connected to a power supply terminal to which another external power supply is connected as the external power supply C. Thus, a plurality of types of external power sources can be connected to the winding device according to the present embodiment, and the number thereof is arbitrary.

  Each of the A / D converters 41a, 41b, 41c,... Detects the voltage value by A / D converting the voltage of each power supply terminal, and outputs an 8-bit digital signal representing each voltage value. Output to the control unit 12. The power supply voltage supplied to each power supply terminal is supplied to each part of the winding device via a diode for preventing backflow. Furthermore, a stabilization circuit for stabilizing the power supply voltage may be provided as necessary.

  The configuration of the control unit 12 is the same as that in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, but in the second embodiment, the control unit 12 is based on the voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit 41. Control the winding operation in real time. That is, the control unit 12 appropriately controls the winding operation in accordance with not only information about which power supply terminal is supplied with power from the external power supply but also the supplied power supply voltage.

  Specifically, the CPU 120 of the control unit 12 determines the value of the control parameter in the control equation for determining the rotation speed of the winding shaft based on the voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit 41, and the winding The control circuit 123 controls the winding operation by driving the motor 19 in accordance with the control equation.

First, the control unit 12 measures the speed at which the printer discharges the label continuum without winding the label continuum. That is, the CPU 120 calculates the discharge speed of the label continuum from the printer based on the data representing the arm position detection result output from the arm position detection circuit 125. Assuming that the position of the arm has moved by the distance L during the unit time T, the discharge speed V of the label continuous body from the printer is expressed by the following equation.
V = 2 · L / T

A smooth winding operation can be performed by adjusting the length of the label continuous body wound in the winding device 40 per unit time, that is, the winding linear speed to the discharge speed V of the label continuous body from the printer. . For this purpose, the stationary winding shaft must be rotated while being accelerated. Here, the rotational speed Y of the winding shaft can be expressed as a quadratic function of time t as in the following equation.
Y = at ² + bt + c
This equation is a control equation for controlling the rotational speed Y of the winding shaft. In this formula, normally c = 0. Further, a and b are control parameters, which are determined by the CPU 120 based on the voltage value detected by the voltage detector 41.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the rotation speed of the winding shaft and time in the control equation. When the target value of the rotational speed Y is Y0, the control characteristics change as shown by curves A to C shown in FIG. 6 depending on the value of the control parameter. Thereby, since the rotation of the winding shaft is appropriately accelerated according to the value of the power supply voltage, it is possible to suppress the burden on the external power supply and prevent the power supply voltage from dropping.

  When the target value of the rotational speed Y is higher than Y0, for example, when the power supply voltage is supplied only from the printer, the CPU 120 includes a pulse included in the drive signal for driving the motor 19. Is limited to 2000 pps (pulses / second) or less. Thereby, the rotational speed Y of the winding shaft is limited to the rotational speed Y1 corresponding to the pulse period 2000 pps included in the drive signal.

  On the other hand, when the power supply voltage is supplied only from the AC adapter, the CPU 120 limits the cycle of the pulse included in the drive signal to 3000 pps or less. Thereby, the rotational speed Y of the winding shaft is limited to the rotational speed Y2 corresponding to the pulse period 3000 pps included in the drive signal.

  Alternatively, when the power supply voltage is supplied from both the printer and the AC adapter, the cycle of the pulse included in the drive signal may be limited to 4000 pps or less. Thereby, the rotational speed Y of the winding shaft is limited to the rotational speed Y3 corresponding to the pulse period 4000 pps included in the drive signal.

  When the label continuous body is wound at the maximum winding speed limited by the above conditions, when the slack of the label continuous body is detected based on the position of the tension roller, that is, the tension roller 15 is at its lowest point. When it is detected that the error has been reached, the CPU 120 notifies the occurrence of an error by sounding the buzzer of the notification unit 9 or turning on the LED.

  Alternatively, the CPU 120 may notify the printer 20 of the occurrence of an error via the external interface 126. The printer 20 that has received the notification of the occurrence of the error eliminates the error by reducing the transport speed of the label continuum. In this way, an overcurrent in an external power source such as a printer or an AC adapter is prevented, and no printing error or malfunction occurs, and no winding error occurs.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in a winding device that is connected to a printer that performs printing on a continuum serving as a print medium, and that winds the continuum discharged from the printer and winds it into a roll.

It is a mimetic diagram showing the state where the continuum winding device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention is connected to a label printer. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the voltage detection part of the winding apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control part of the winding apparatus shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state by which the continuous body winding device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is connected to the label printer. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the voltage detection part of the winding apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the rotational speed of the winding shaft in a control equation, and time.

Explanation of symbols

9 Informing part 10, 40 Winding device 11, 41 Voltage detection part 11a, 11b, 11c, ... Comparator 41a, 41b, 41c, ... A / D converter 12 Control part 13 First guide roller 14 Second Guide roller 15 Tension roller 16 Sensor 17 Winding shaft 18 Guide 19 Motor 20 Label printer 21 Supply reel 22 Label continuum 23 Label 24 Mount 25 Stepping motor 26 Platen roller 27 Sensor 28 Control unit 29 Thermal head 30 Power supply unit

Claims (6)

An apparatus for winding a continuous body discharged from a printer that performs printing on a continuous body that is a print medium,
Winding means for winding the continuum;
A first power supply terminal to which power is supplied from the printer;
A second power supply terminal to which power is supplied from an external power supply other than the printer;
First power detection means for detecting whether or not power is supplied to the first power supply terminal;
Second power source detection means for detecting whether power is supplied to the second power source terminal;
When the supply of power is detected only from the first power supply detection means, the winding speed at the winding means is higher than at least when the supply of power is detected from the second power supply detection means. Winding control means for limiting;
A continuous body winding device.   When the supply of power is detected only from the second power source detection unit, the winding operation control unit receives power from both the first power source detection unit and the second power source detection unit. 2. The continuous body winding device according to claim 1, wherein the winding speed in the winding means is limited as compared with a case where the winding is detected. Whether the first and second power supply detection means compare the voltage of the first and second power supply terminals with a threshold voltage to determine whether power is supplied to the first and second power supply terminals. The continuous body winding device according to claim 1, wherein each of the continuous body winding devices is detected. An apparatus for winding a continuous body discharged from a printer that performs printing on a continuous body that is a print medium,
Winding means for winding the continuum;
A first power supply terminal to which power is supplied from the printer;
A second power supply terminal to which power is supplied from an external power supply other than the printer;
First power supply detecting means for detecting a voltage value of the first power supply terminal;
Second power supply detection means for detecting a voltage value of the second power supply terminal;
Based on the total voltage value detected from both the first and second power source detection means , when the total voltage value is low, the winding in the winding means is higher than when the total voltage value is high. Winding operation control means for limiting the winding speed ;
A continuous body winding device. Tension detecting means for detecting the tension of the continuous body wound by the winding means;
Error notifying means for notifying the occurrence of an error when the continuum is detected by the tension detecting means when the continuum is being wound at the maximum winding speed limited by the winding operation control means. The continuous body winding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: The winding operation control means determines the value of the control parameter in the control equation based on the total voltage value detected from both of the first and second power supply detection means , and thereby according to the control equation The continuous body winding device according to claim 4, wherein a winding speed in the winding means is limited .

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