JP5419206B2 - Printer transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device and a transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing method, and in particular, a printer transfer / printing mechanism capable of opening / closing a transfer roller or a thermal head in a printer capable of double-sided printing. The present invention relates to an opening / closing device and a transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing method thereof.

Conventionally, regardless of single-sided printing or double-sided printing on printing paper such as labels and tags, a pair of transfer rollers that rotate while sandwiching the printing paper, a platen roller combined with a thermal head, etc. These transfer members are used.
Thus, by setting the transfer speed, speed ratio or transfer amount of the downstream transfer member (leading drive side) in the transfer direction to be relatively larger than that of the upstream transfer member, By applying a predetermined tension to the printing paper, it is possible to avoid paper jamming or the like due to sagging of the printing paper.
However, depending on the content of printing on the printing paper, the printing paper once transferred in the forward direction (from upstream to downstream) may be transferred in the reverse direction (downstream to upstream) (reverse transfer or back feed). In the backfeed operation in which the transfer direction is reversed, the transfer speed ratio is reversed between the downstream side and the upstream side. As a result, the printing paper sags in the transfer path, causing paper jamming. There is a problem of end.

In order to avoid such paper jamming, the above transfer roller, thermal head, or platen roller is required to be released (pushing up or down) from other transfer rollers, platen roller, or thermal head at an appropriate timing. It is required to return to the original position at a proper timing.
In particular, in a printer for double-sided printing that prints on both the front and back sides of printing paper, the thermal head and platen roller for front side printing, and the thermal head and platen roller for back side printing are opened sequentially at appropriate time intervals (separation). And there is a problem that it needs to be closed (returned).

JP 2006-82903 A

    The present invention has been considered in view of the above problems, and provides a transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device and a transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing method for a printer capable of appropriately transferring printing paper in the forward and reverse directions. Is an issue.

    The present invention also relates to a printer transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device that does not cause paper jamming even in reverse transfer in a printer in which a large speed ratio is set on the leading drive side in the transfer direction, and its transfer / It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing mechanism opening / closing method.

    The present invention also relates to a printer transfer / printing mechanism capable of sequentially opening and closing (separating, pushing up, and returning) the transfer roller and the thermal head even in a printer that performs double-sided printing on printing paper. It is an object of the present invention to provide an opening / closing device and a transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing method thereof.

    Further, the present invention relates to a printer transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device for a printer in which double-sided printing is performed on a printing sheet with a pair of front and back thermal heads, and the thermal head wear and damage can be minimized. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing method.

That is, according to the present invention, even in a printer in which the transfer speed ratio between the upstream side and the downstream side in the transfer direction is set, the transfer mechanism or the print mechanism is opened by the cam mechanism at the time of back feed, so that the single print Focusing on avoiding jamming and sagging of printing paper by enabling a reverse transfer operation by a mechanism or a transfer mechanism, the first invention is provided along a printer housing and a transfer path provided inside the printer housing. A transfer mechanism for transferring the printing paper and a printing mechanism for printing on the printing paper, and the upstream of the transfer path with respect to either the transfer mechanism or the printing mechanism located on the downstream side of the transfer path. The transfer mechanism is set slightly larger than the other of the printing mechanism or the transfer mechanism located on the side. A transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device of the printer, wherein the transfer mechanism has a pair of transfer rollers that can rotate while sandwiching the printing paper, and the printing mechanism can rotate by contacting the printing paper. A first cam drive unit that has a platen roller and a thermal head that can contact and separate from the platen roller via the printing paper, and that drives one of the transfer rollers to be openable and closable with respect to the other transfer roller ; a first cam mechanism having, the thermal head have a, a second cam mechanism having a second cam driver which openably driven against the platen roller, the first cam driver and The second cam driving unit is provided on one side of the printer housing, and the second cam driving unit rotates the pair of transfer rollers and the platen roller. - print drive unit is a transfer-printing mechanism switchgear of the printer, wherein Rukoto provided which on the other side of the printer housing.
The first cam mechanism has a roller opening / closing action end capable of pressing one of the transfer rollers in the opening direction, and a roller opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion, and a roller rotatable around the roller opening / closing plate shaft An opening / closing plate; a roller opening / closing cam capable of operating the roller opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion of the roller opening / closing plate; and a first cam driving portion capable of driving the roller opening / closing cam; Has a head opening / closing action end capable of pressing the thermal head in the opening direction, a head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion, a head opening / closing plate rotatable about the head opening / closing plate shaft, and the head opening / closing plate. A head opening / closing cam capable of operating the head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion, and a second cam driving portion capable of driving the head opening / closing cam. It is possible.
First cam drive and the second cam drive portion above SL has a single cam drive motor, the transfer-printing drive unit can have a single transfer-printing drive motor.
The printing mechanism includes an upstream platen roller and a downstream platen roller that can rotate in contact with the printing paper, and an upstream platen roller and a downstream platen roller that can contact and separate from the upstream platen roller and the downstream platen roller via the printing paper, respectively. A thermal head and a downstream thermal head, and the upstream thermal head is capable of printing on either the back surface or the front surface of the printing paper, and the downstream thermal head is a surface of the printing paper. Alternatively, printing can be performed on either the other side of the back surface, and the second cam mechanism can open and close the upstream thermal head and the downstream thermal head with respect to the upstream platen roller and the downstream platen roller, respectively. be able to.
The second cam mechanism has an upstream head opening / closing action end capable of pressing the upstream thermal head in the opening direction and an upstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion, and rotates around the head opening / closing plate shaft. A movable upstream head opening / closing plate, an upstream head opening / closing cam capable of operating the upstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion of the upstream head opening / closing plate, and a downstream side capable of pressing the downstream thermal head in the opening direction. A downstream head opening / closing plate having a head opening / closing action end and a downstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion and rotatable about the head opening / closing plate shaft, and the downstream head of the downstream head opening / closing plate A downstream head opening / closing cam capable of operating the opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion, and the second cam driving portion includes the upstream head opening / closing cam and the downstream side. The head cams can be driven.
The upstream side head opening / closing cam and the downstream side head opening / closing cam can be attached so as to be rotatable around the same head opening / closing cam shaft with a first phase difference.
The upstream pressure receiving shaft of the upstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion and the downstream pressure receiving shaft of the downstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion are centered on the head opening / closing cam shaft in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the head opening / closing cam shaft. As the second phase difference .

    In the printer transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing apparatus and the transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing method according to the present invention, the first cam mechanism capable of opening and closing one of the transfer rollers with respect to the other transfer roller, and the thermal head as the platen roller Since the second cam mechanism that can be opened and closed is provided, the transfer mechanism and the printing mechanism are opened and closed at a predetermined timing by operating the first cam mechanism and the second cam mechanism. Thus, jamming can be avoided even if the printing paper is reversely transferred.

    In particular, according to the transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device of the printer according to the first invention, the first cam mechanism for opening / closing the transfer mechanism and the second cam mechanism for opening / closing the printing mechanism are provided. Thus, the transfer mechanism and the printing mechanism are opened and closed, and the printing paper can be transferred with an appropriate tension.

    In particular, according to the transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing method of the printer according to the second invention, in the printer capable of double-sided printing, the second cam mechanism moves the printing paper loaded in the transfer path to the upstream thermal head and the upstream side. Since it is sandwiched between the downstream thermal head and the downstream platen roller after being sandwiched by the platen roller, it can be opened and closed without damaging each thermal head.

1 is a side view of a printer (thermal printer 1) provided with a transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the thermal printer 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a view taken along line IV in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a side view of the main part of the transfer mechanism 6 and the printing mechanism 7 in a closed state (transfer / printing state). FIG. 6 is a side view of the main part of the transfer mechanism 6 and the printing mechanism 7 in an open state (separated state, transfer / printing released state). FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first cam mechanism 19. FIG. 8 is a side view of the main parts of the roller opening / closing plate 21 and the roller opening / closing cam 22 in the first cam mechanism 19, and FIG. 8 (1) shows the closing of the transfer mechanism 6 (fixed transfer roller 13 and movable transfer roller 14). FIG. 8B is a side view of the main part of the transfer mechanism 6 (the fixed transfer roller 13 and the movable transfer roller 14) in the open state. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second cam mechanism 20. FIG. 10 is a side view of an essential part of the upstream head opening / closing plate 35 and the upstream head opening / closing cam 36, and further the downstream head opening / closing plate 37 and the downstream head opening / closing cam 38 in the second cam mechanism 20; 1) is a side view of an essential part of the upstream thermal head 17 and the upstream platen roller 15 in a closed state, and FIG. 10B is a side view of an essential part of the upstream thermal head 17 and the upstream platen roller 15 in an opened state. 10 (3) is a side view of the main part of the downstream thermal head 18 and the downstream platen roller 16 in a closed state, and FIG. 10 (4) is an opened state of the downstream thermal head 18 and the downstream platen roller 16. FIG. 10 (5) is a side view of the main portion of the upstream head opening / closing cam 36 and the downstream head opening / closing cam 38. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device 9 (transfer mechanism 6, printing mechanism 7) that simultaneously closes the upstream thermal head 17 and the downstream thermal head 18 following the closing of the movable transfer roller 14. is there. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device 9 (transfer mechanism 6, printing mechanism 7) for sequentially closing the upstream thermal head 17 and the downstream thermal head 18 following the closing of the movable transfer roller 14; is there.

    In the present invention, the first cam mechanism and the second cam mechanism are controlled so that the transfer roller and the platen roller are sequentially opened and closed. A printer transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device and a transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing method capable of printing and reverse transfer were realized.

Next, a printer transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device and a transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a side view of a printer (thermal printer 1) having a transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the thermal printer 1, and the thermal printer 1 includes a printer housing 2 and The transfer path 4 for inserting and transferring the printing paper 3 into the printer housing 2, the paper sensor 5, the transfer mechanism 6, the printing mechanism 7, the width guide lock mechanism 8, and the transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device according to the present invention. 9 and.

    The printer housing 2 includes a paper supply port 10 and a paper discharge port 11 that communicates with the paper supply port 10 through a transfer path 4. A width guide lock mechanism 8 is provided in the paper supply port 10. Yes.

    The printing paper 3 can be supplied in any form from the paper supply port 10 into the printer housing 2 in any form. In the illustrated example, the printing paper 3 is in the form of a fan hold folded on the supply unit 12. Supply this.

    The transfer path 4 is provided inside the printer housing 2, and is a passage for transferring the printing paper 3 from the paper supply port 10 to the paper discharge port 11. The transfer mechanism 6 is provided on the paper supply port 10 side. The printing mechanism 7 is provided on the downstream side, and the transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device 9 is provided in association with the transfer mechanism 6 and the printing mechanism 7.

    The paper sensor 5 detects a position detection mark (not shown) provided in advance on the printing paper 3, and determines the relative position of the printing paper 3 with respect to the transfer mechanism 6, the printing mechanism 7, the transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device 9, and the like. A light-reflective sensor capable of detection, and a light-transmissive sensor that detects the presence or absence of paper loading by detecting the leading edge of the printing paper 3 loaded from the paper supply port 10.

    The transfer mechanism 6 includes a pair of upper and lower transfer rollers (a fixed transfer roller 13 and a movable transfer roller 14). The print sheet 3 is sandwiched between the transfer rollers 6 and the fixed transfer roller 13 is driven to rotate to move the print sheet 3 to the transfer path 4. The supply unit 12 can supply the printing mechanism 7 along the direction.

The printing mechanism 7 is sequentially provided with a pair on the upstream side and the downstream side in order to print predetermined information on both the front and back sides of the printing paper 3 by an arbitrary method. For example, the printing mechanism 7 rotates in contact with the printing paper 3. An upstream platen roller 15 and a downstream platen roller 16 that are possible, and an upstream thermal head 17 and a downstream thermal head 18 that can contact and separate from the upstream platen roller 15 and the downstream platen roller 16 via the printing paper 3, respectively. Have.
The upstream thermal head 17 can print on either the back surface or the front surface (back surface in the illustrated example) of the printing paper 3 by a thermal coloring method, and the downstream thermal head 18 can be printed on the front surface or the back surface of the printing paper 3. It is possible to print on the other (the surface in the illustrated example) by a thermal coloring method.
Of course, the printing mechanism 7 may be configured to print only on one side of the printing paper 3 by providing only a single thermal head and a platen roller.

    For the printing mechanism 7 located on the downstream side of the transfer path 4, the transfer amount of the printing paper 3 by the downstream platen roller 16 is slightly larger than the transfer amount of the upstream platen roller 15 located on the upstream side, and further upstream By setting the transfer amount of the side platen roller 15 to be slightly larger than the transfer amount of the transfer mechanism 6, a predetermined tension is applied to the printing paper 3 so that no slack occurs on the transfer path 4.

    The width guide lock mechanism 8 regulates the width direction of the printing paper 3 so that the printing paper 3 can be properly guided without meandering on the transfer path 4.

The transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device 9 according to the present invention includes a first cam mechanism 19 capable of opening / closing (moving up and returning) the movable transfer roller 14 in the transfer mechanism 6 with respect to the fixed transfer roller 13, and a printing mechanism. A second cam mechanism 20 capable of opening and closing (pushing and pushing up and returning) the upstream thermal head 17 and the downstream thermal head 18 in FIG. 7 with respect to the upstream platen roller 15 and the downstream platen roller 16, respectively. Have
3 is a view taken along the line III in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line IV in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the main part in the closed state (transfer / print state) of the transfer mechanism 6 and the print mechanism 7 FIG. 6 and FIG. 6 are side views of the main part of the transfer mechanism 6 and the printing mechanism 7 in an open state (separated state, transfer / print release state).
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first cam mechanism 19, and FIG. 8 is a side view of the main parts of the roller opening / closing plate 21 and the roller opening / closing cam 22 in the first cam mechanism 19, and FIG. FIG. 8B is a side view of an essential part of the transfer mechanism 6 (the fixed transfer roller 13 and the movable transfer roller 14) in a closed state. FIG. 8B is an essential part of the transfer mechanism 6 (the fixed transfer roller 13 and the movable transfer roller 14) in an opened state. It is a side view.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second cam mechanism 20, and FIG. 10 is an upstream head opening / closing plate 35 and upstream head opening / closing cam 36, and further a downstream head opening / closing plate 37 and downstream side in the second cam mechanism 20. FIG. 10 (1) is a side view of the main part of the head opening / closing cam 38, FIG. 10 (1) is a side view of the main part in a closed state of the upstream thermal head 17 and the upstream platen roller 15, and FIG. FIG. 10 (3) is a side view of the main part of the head 17 and the upstream platen roller 15 in an open state, FIG. 10 (3) is a side view of the main part of the downstream thermal head 18 and the downstream platen roller 16 in a closed state. FIG. 10 (5) is a side view of the main part of the downstream thermal head 18 and the downstream platen roller 16 in the opened state, and FIG. 10 (5) shows the upstream head opening / closing cam 36 and the downstream head opening / closing. It is a fragmentary side view of the arm 38.

In particular, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the first cam mechanism 19 includes a pair of roller opening / closing plates 21 and roller opening / closing cams 22 positioned on the left and right of the movable transfer roller 14, and a first cam driving unit. 23 (FIG. 4).
The roller opening / closing plate 21 includes a roller opening / closing action end 24 capable of pressing the movable transfer roller 14 against the fixed transfer roller 13 in an opening direction, and a roller opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion 25, and the roller opening / closing plate shaft 26. It can be rotated around.
The movable transfer roller 14 constantly urges the fixed transfer roller 13 by a plate spring 27, and the roller opening / closing action end 24 is a roller of the movable transfer roller 14 against the urging force of the plate spring 27. It can be operated to push up the shaft 28.
In particular, as shown in FIG. 7, the roller opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion 25 is provided with a pressure receiving shaft 29 and a pressure receiving roller 30, and the roller opening / closing cam 22 can operate the pressure receiving roller 30 (roller opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion 25). .

    In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, the first cam drive unit 23 includes a single cam drive motor 31, a belt 32, a roller camshaft gear 33, and a roller opening / closing camshaft 34. The roller opening / closing cam 22 can be driven.

    As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the roller opening / closing plate 21 is moved around the roller opening / closing plate shaft 26 by the pressing operation by the roller opening / closing cam 22 rotating counterclockwise around the roller cam shaft gear 33 in FIG. It rotates in the clockwise direction (changes from the state of FIG. 8 (1) to the state of FIG. 8 (2)), and the movable transfer roller 14 is fixed to the fixed transfer roller 13 by the amount of change ΔR of the roller opening / closing action end 24. Can be separated from.

    In particular, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 9, the second cam mechanism 20 includes a pair of upstream head opening / closing plates 35 (head opening / closing plates) positioned on the left and right of the upstream thermal head 17 and upstream head opening / closing. A cam 36 (head open / close cam), a pair of downstream head open / close plates 37 (head open / close plates) and downstream head open / close cams 38 (head open / close cams) located on the left and right of the downstream thermal head 18, and a second cam And a drive unit 39 (FIG. 4).

The upstream head opening / closing plate 35 includes an upstream head opening / closing action end 40 capable of pressing the upstream thermal head 17 against the upstream platen roller 15 in the opening direction, and an upstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion 41. At the same time, it can rotate around the head opening / closing plate shaft 42.
The upstream thermal head 17 always urges the upstream thermal head 17 in the direction of the upstream platen roller 15 around the upstream head shaft 44 by the urging force of the upstream head winding spring 43, and the upstream head opening / closing action end 40 is The upstream head pin 45 of the upstream thermal head 17 can be pushed down against the urging force of the upstream head winding spring 43.
In particular, as shown in FIG. 9, the upstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion 41 is provided with an upstream pressure receiving shaft 46 and an upstream pressure receiving roller 47, and the upstream head opening / closing cam 36 is connected to the upstream pressure receiving roller 47 (upstream side). The head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion 41) can be operated.

The downstream head opening / closing plate 37 includes a downstream head opening / closing action end portion 48 capable of pressing the downstream thermal head 18 against the downstream platen roller 16 in an opening direction, and a downstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion 49. At the same time, it can rotate around the head opening / closing plate axis 42 coaxial with the upstream head opening / closing plate 35.
The downstream thermal head 18 always urges the downstream thermal head 18 around the downstream head shaft 51 in the direction of the downstream platen roller 16 by the urging force of the downstream head winding spring 50, and the downstream head opening / closing action end portion 48 is The downstream head pin 52 of the downstream thermal head 18 can be pushed up against the urging force of the downstream head winding spring 50.
A downstream pressure receiving shaft 53 and a downstream pressure receiving roller 54 are attached to the downstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion 49, and the downstream head opening / closing cam 38 connects the downstream pressure receiving roller 54 (downstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion 49). It is possible to operate.

    In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, the second cam drive unit 39 includes the same cam drive motor 31 and belt 32 as the first cam drive unit 23, a head cam shaft gear 55, a head opening / closing cam shaft 56, The upstream head opening / closing cam 36 and the downstream head opening / closing cam 38 can be driven.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10 (1) and 10 (2), the pressing operation by the upstream head opening / closing cam 36 that rotates counterclockwise in FIGS. 10 (1) and 10 (2) around the head cam shaft gear 55. (Pressing operation) causes the upstream head opening / closing plate 35 to rotate clockwise around the head opening / closing plate shaft 42 in FIG. 10 (change from the state of FIG. 10 (1) to the state of FIG. 10 (2)). The upstream thermal head 17 can be separated from the upstream platen roller 15 by the amount of change ΔH1 of the upstream head opening / closing plate 35.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10 (3) and 10 (4), the pressing operation by the downstream head opening / closing cam 38 that rotates around the head cam shaft gear 55 in the counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 10 (3) and 10 (4). (Push-up operation) causes the downstream head opening / closing plate 37 to rotate around the head opening / closing plate shaft 42 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 10 (change from the state of FIG. 10 (3) to the state of FIG. 10 (4)). The downstream thermal head 18 can be separated from the downstream platen roller 16 by the amount of change ΔH2 of the downstream head opening / closing plate 37.

As shown in FIG. 10 (5), the upstream head opening / closing cam 36 and the downstream head opening / closing cam 38 are rotatable around the same head opening / closing cam shaft 56 with a first phase difference α. Is attached.
The upstream pressure receiving shaft 46 of the upstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion 41 and the downstream pressure receiving shaft 53 of the downstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion 49 are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the head opening / closing cam shaft 56. Therefore, the upstream head opening / closing cam 36 and the downstream head opening / closing cam are adjusted by adjusting the first phase difference α and the second phase difference β. By shifting the operation timing of the upstream head opening / closing plate 35 and the downstream head opening / closing plate 37 by 38, the timing of the opening operation of the upstream thermal head 17 and the downstream thermal head 18 can be appropriately controlled.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the first cam drive unit 23 related to the transfer mechanism 6 having the movable transfer roller 14 and the second cam drive unit 39 related to the print mechanism 7 are arranged on one side of the printer housing 2. This is provided.
Further, a transfer / printing drive unit 57 that rotationally drives the fixed transfer roller 13 in the transfer mechanism 6 and the upstream platen roller 15 and the downstream platen roller 16 in the printing mechanism 7 is provided on the other side of the printer housing 2. .

In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, the transfer / print drive unit 57 includes a single transfer / print drive motor 58, a roller timing belt 59, a roller gear 60 of the fixed transfer roller 13, a head timing belt 61, and a downstream. The platen gear 62 of the side platen roller 16, the connection timing belt 63, the connection gear 64, and the platen gear 65 of the upstream platen roller 15 are included.
The fixed transfer roller 13, the upstream platen roller 15, and the downstream platen roller 16 are rotated by driving the transfer / print drive motor 58, so that the print paper 3 is transferred and reverse transferred by the transfer mechanism 6 and the print paper 3 is printed by the print mechanism 7. Enables printing.

    Therefore, the transfer / print driving unit 57 for transferring and printing the printing paper 3, the first cam driving unit 23 and the first cam driving unit 23 for opening / closing the movable transfer roller 14, the upstream thermal head 17 and the downstream thermal head 18. Since the two cam drive units 39 are independently provided on the opposite side of the printer housing 2, the assembling work and the maintenance inspection work are easy.

In the thermal printer 1 and the transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device 9 configured as described above, the transfer mechanism 6 and the printing mechanism 7 can be opened / closed at necessary timings.
For example, FIG. 11 shows an operation procedure of the transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device 9 (the transfer mechanism 6 and the printing mechanism 7) that simultaneously closes the upstream thermal head 17 and the downstream thermal head 18 following the closing of the movable transfer roller 14. In step S1, the sheet sensor 5 detects the printing sheet 3, and in step S2, the first cam mechanism 19 moves the roller opening / closing plate 21 from the state shown in FIGS. 8 (2) to 8 (1). By rotating, the movable transfer roller 14 is closed toward the fixed transfer roller 13 (from the state shown in FIGS. 6 to 5).
Next, in step S3, with the fixed transfer roller 13 and the movable transfer roller 14 sandwiching the print paper 3, the transfer mechanism 6 transfers the print paper 3 to the initial position upstream of the upstream thermal head 17 in the transfer direction. At the same time, the transfer is stopped at this initial position.

In step S4, the printer waits until print data is received. When print data is received, the upstream head opening / closing plate 35 is moved from the state (1) to the state (2) in FIG. Then, the downstream side head opening / closing plate 37 is rotated from the state shown in FIGS. 10 (3) to 10 (4) so that the upstream side thermal head 17 and the downstream side thermal head 18 are moved to the upstream side platen roller 15 and the downstream side platen roller 16. These are closed to the states shown in FIGS.
Further, in step S6, transfer of the printing paper 3 by the transfer mechanism 6 is started, and in step S7, printing on the back surface of the printing paper 3 by the upstream thermal head 17 is started. In step S8, printing paper by the downstream thermal head 18 is started. 3 is started, and printing is performed on the front and back surfaces of one sheet of printing paper 3.

In step S9, the transfer of the printing paper 3 is stopped, and in step S10, it is confirmed whether printing has been completed for all the printing data on the plurality of printing papers 3.
If printing has not been completed, in step S11, the second thermal mechanism 17 and the downstream thermal head 18 are released from the upstream platen roller 15 and the downstream platen roller 16 by the second cam mechanism 20, respectively. In S12, reverse transfer (back feed) is performed by the transfer mechanism 6 to return the printing paper 3 to the initial position (step S3) on the upstream side of the upstream thermal head 17, and wait in a state of waiting for print data in step S4. .
When printing is completed in step S10, the movable transfer roller 14 is released from the fixed transfer roller 13 in step S13, and the next transfer and printing are prepared.

    Thus, even if there is a reverse transfer operation of the printing paper 3 by the transfer mechanism 6, the upstream thermal head 17 and the downstream thermal head 18 in the printing mechanism 7 are connected to the upstream platen roller 15 and the downstream by the transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device 9. Since the side platen roller 16 can be opened, it is possible to avoid jamming of the printing paper 3 in the printing mechanism 7.

Next, FIG. 12 shows the operation procedure of the transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device 9 (transfer mechanism 6, printing mechanism 7) for sequentially closing the upstream thermal head 17 and the downstream thermal head 18 following the closing of the movable transfer roller 14. FIG.
Steps S11 to S14 are practically the same as steps S1 to S4 in FIG.
That is, the paper sensor 5 detects the printing paper 3 in step S11, and the movable transfer roller 14 is closed toward the fixed transfer roller 13 in step S12.
Next, in step S13, while the fixed transfer roller 13 and the movable transfer roller 14 hold the print sheet 3, the transfer mechanism 6 transfers the print sheet 3 to the initial position upstream of the upstream thermal head 17 in the transfer direction. Stop the transfer and wait.

In step S14, the process waits until print data is received. When print data is received, in step S15, transfer of the print paper 3 by the transfer mechanism 6 is started, and in step S16, the upstream head in the second cam mechanism 20 is started. The upstream head opening / closing plate 35 is rotated from the state shown in FIGS. 10 (2) to 10 (1) by rotating the opening / closing cam 36 clockwise in FIGS. 10 (1) and 10 (2). 17 is closed toward the upstream platen roller 15, and printing on the back surface of the printing paper 3 by the upstream thermal head 17 is started in step S17.
Further, in step S18, the downstream head opening / closing plate 37 is turned from FIG. 10 (4) by rotating the downstream head opening / closing cam 38 in the second cam mechanism 20 in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 10 (3) and 10 (4). Rotation is performed in the state (3), the downstream thermal head 18 is closed toward the downstream platen roller 16, and printing on the surface of the printing paper 3 by the downstream thermal head 18 is started in step S19.

In step S20, the transfer of the printing paper 3 is stopped, and in step S21, it is confirmed whether printing has been completed for all the printing data on the plurality of printing papers 3.
If printing has not been completed, in step S22, the upstream thermal head 17 and the downstream thermal head 18 are released from the upstream platen roller 15 and the downstream platen roller 16 by the second cam mechanism 20, respectively. In S23, reverse transfer (back feed) is performed by the transfer mechanism 6 to return the printing paper 3 to the initial position on the upstream side of the upstream thermal head 17 (step S13), and waits for the print data waiting state in step S14.
When printing is completed in step S21, the movable transfer roller 14 is released from the fixed transfer roller 13 in step S24, and the next transfer and printing are prepared.

    Thus, even if there is a reverse transfer operation of the printing paper 3 by the transfer mechanism 6, the upstream thermal head 17 and the downstream thermal head 18 in the printing mechanism 7 are connected to the upstream platen roller 15 and the downstream by the transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device 9. Since the side platen roller 16 can be opened, it is possible to avoid jamming of the printing paper 3 in the printing mechanism 7.

    Further, as in Step S16 to Step S19 in FIG. 12, the second cam mechanism 20 holds the printing paper 3 loaded in the transfer path 4 between the upstream thermal head 17 and the upstream platen roller 15, Since it is sandwiched between the downstream thermal head 18 and the downstream platen roller 16, that is, the fixed transfer roller 13 and the movable transfer roller 14 in the upstream transfer mechanism 6 are closed from the open state, and the upstream thermal head Since the downstream thermal head 18 and the downstream platen roller 16 are brought into the closed state from the opened state after the 17 and the upstream platen roller 15 are brought into the closed state from the opened state, particularly from step S5 of FIG. Transfer of printing paper 3 until step S8 In addition, noise caused by the rotational drive of the downstream platen roller 16 while the printing paper 3 does not exist between the downstream thermal head 18 and the downstream platen roller 16 is reduced, and between the downstream platen roller 16 and the downstream platen roller 16. The impact caused by the collision is reduced, and the wear of the downstream thermal head 18 can be suppressed as much as possible.

Further, as in steps S11 and S12 in the flowchart of FIG. 11 and steps S22 and S23 in the flowchart of FIG. 12, the transfer mechanism 6 is arranged on the upstream side of the print mechanism 7 in the transfer path 4, and the print mechanism 7 Since the printing paper 3 is reversely transferred from the downstream side to the upstream side by the transfer mechanism 6 after the opening is opened, the printing paper 3 is reversely transferred only by the transfer mechanism 6 regardless of the printing mechanism 7. Thus, it is possible to guarantee the reliability of reverse transfer.

1 Thermal printer (printer, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Printer housing 3 Printing paper 4 Transfer path 5 Paper sensor 6 Transfer mechanism 7 Printing mechanism 8 Width guide lock mechanism 9 Printer transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device (Example, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 9)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Paper supply port 11 Paper discharge port 12 Supply part 13 Fixed transfer roller 14 of transfer mechanism 6 Movable transfer roller 15 of transfer mechanism 6 Upstream platen roller 16 of printing mechanism 7 Downstream platen roller 17 of printing mechanism 7 Upstream thermal head 18 Downstream thermal head 19 of printing mechanism 7 First cam mechanism (FIGS. 5 and 7)
20 Second cam mechanism (FIGS. 5 and 9)
21 Roller opening / closing plate 22 Roller opening / closing cam 23 First cam drive section (FIG. 4)
24 Roller opening / closing action end portion 25 of roller opening / closing plate 21 Roller opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion 26 of roller opening / closing plate 21 Roller opening / closing plate shaft 27 of roller opening / closing plate 21 Leaf spring 28 Roller shaft 29 Pressure receiving shaft 30 Pressure receiving roller 31 Cam drive motor (FIG. 4)
32 Belt 33 Roller camshaft gear 34 Roller opening / closing cam shaft 35 Upstream head opening / closing plate 36 Upstream head opening / closing cam 37 Downstream head opening / closing plate 38 Downstream head opening / closing cam 39 Second cam drive unit (FIG. 4)
40 Upstream head opening / closing action end 41 of upstream head opening / closing plate 35 Upstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion 42 of upstream head opening / closing plate 35 Head opening / closing plate shaft 43 of upstream head opening / closing plate 35 and downstream head opening / closing plate 37 Upstream head winding spring 44 Upstream head shaft 45 Upstream head pin 46 Upstream pressure receiving shaft 47 Upstream pressure receiving roller 48 Downstream head opening / closing end 49 of downstream head opening / closing plate 37 Downstream head of downstream head opening / closing plate 37 Opening / closing cam pressure receiving section 50 Downstream head winding spring 51 Downstream head shaft 52 Downstream head pin 53 Downstream pressure receiving shaft 54 Downstream pressure receiving roller 55 Head camshaft gear 56 Head opening / closing camshaft 57 Transfer / print drive section (FIG. 2, FIG. 3)
58 Transfer / printing drive motor (Fig. 3)
59 Roller timing belt 60 Roller gear 61 Head timing belt 62 Platen gear 63 Linked timing belt 64 Linked gear 65 Platen gear ΔR The amount of change in the position of the roller opening / closing action end 24 (FIG. 8 (2))
ΔH1 The amount of change in the position of the upstream head opening / closing plate 35 (FIG. 10 (2))
ΔH2 The amount of change in position of the downstream head opening / closing plate 37 ((4) in FIG. 10)
α First phase difference between the upstream head opening / closing cam 36 and the downstream head opening / closing cam 38 (FIG. 10 (5))
β Second phase difference between the upstream pressure receiving shaft 46 of the upstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion 41 and the downstream pressure receiving shaft 53 of the downstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion 49 (FIG. 10 (5)).

Claims (7)

A printer housing;
A transfer mechanism for transferring printing paper along a transfer path provided inside the printer housing;
A printing mechanism for printing on the printing paper,
For either one of the transfer mechanism or the printing mechanism located on the downstream side of the transfer path, the transfer amount is slightly larger than the other of the printing mechanism or the transfer mechanism located on the upstream side of the transfer path. A printer transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device that has been set up,
The transfer mechanism has a pair of transfer rollers that can rotate while sandwiching the printing paper,
The printing mechanism includes a platen roller that can rotate by contacting the printing paper, and a thermal head that can contact and separate from the platen roller via the printing paper, and one of the transfer rollers is used as the other transfer roller. A first cam mechanism having a first cam drive unit that is driven to be openable and closable with respect to
A second cam mechanism having a second cam drive section for driving the thermal head to be openable and closable with respect to the platen roller;
I have a,
The first cam driving unit and the second cam driving unit are provided on one side of the printer housing,
A transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device for a printer, wherein the pair of transfer rollers and the transfer / printing drive unit that rotationally drives the platen roller are provided on the other side of the printer housing . The first cam mechanism includes:
A roller opening / closing action end capable of pressing one of the transfer rollers in an opening direction, and a roller opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion, and a roller opening / closing plate rotatable about a roller opening / closing plate shaft;
A roller opening / closing cam capable of operating the roller opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion of the roller opening / closing plate;
A first cam drive unit capable of driving the roller opening and closing cam,
The second cam mechanism includes:
A head opening / closing plate having a head opening / closing action end capable of pressing the thermal head in an opening direction and a head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion, and capable of rotating around a head opening / closing plate axis;
A head opening / closing cam capable of operating the head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion of the head opening / closing plate;
The printer transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device according to claim 1, further comprising a second cam driving unit capable of driving the head opening / closing cam. The first cam drive unit and the second cam drive unit have a single cam drive motor,
The transfer-printing drive unit, the transfer-printing mechanism switchgear according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the printer characterized by having a single transfer-printing drive motor. The printing mechanism is
An upstream platen roller and a downstream platen roller that can rotate in contact with the printing paper;
An upstream thermal head and a downstream thermal head that can contact and separate from the upstream platen roller and the downstream platen roller via the printing paper, respectively, and the upstream thermal head is a back surface of the printing paper. Or it can be printed on either surface,
This downstream thermal head is capable of printing on either the front surface or the back surface of the printing paper,
The second cam mechanism includes:
2. The printer transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device according to claim 1, wherein the upstream thermal head and the downstream thermal head can be opened and closed with respect to the upstream platen roller and the downstream platen roller, respectively. The second cam mechanism includes:
An upstream head opening / closing plate having an upstream head opening / closing action end capable of pressing the upstream thermal head in the opening direction and an upstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion and rotatable about a head opening / closing plate shaft When,
An upstream head opening / closing cam capable of operating the upstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion of the upstream head opening / closing plate;
A downstream head opening / closing action end capable of pressing the downstream thermal head in the opening direction; and a downstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion; and a downstream head opening / closing rotatable about the head opening / closing plate shaft Plates,
A downstream head opening / closing cam capable of operating the downstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion of the downstream head opening / closing plate;
5. The printer transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device according to claim 4, wherein the second cam driving unit can drive the upstream head opening / closing cam and the downstream head opening / closing cam. The upstream head opening / closing cam and the downstream head opening / closing cam are:
6. A printer transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing device according to claim 5 , wherein the same is mounted so as to be rotatable around the same head opening / closing camshaft with a first phase difference. The upstream pressure receiving shaft of the upstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion and the downstream pressure receiving shaft of the downstream head opening / closing cam pressure receiving portion are:
7. The printer transfer / printing mechanism opening / closing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the opening / closing mechanism opening / closing mechanism of the printer is located with a second phase difference around the head opening / closing cam shaft in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the head opening / closing cam shaft. .

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