JP5629470B2 - Head clamp mechanism and rewritable card printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a head clamp mechanism that rewrites a card (hereinafter referred to as a “rewritable card”) whose print contents can be rewritten by a plurality of heads.

  In general, a head clamping mechanism of a rewritable card has a configuration in which a thermal head that performs printing by predetermined heating and an erasing head that erases printed matter by predetermined heating are arranged side by side on a conveyance path (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

  When rewriting a plurality of cards having different print areas, for example, in a device that rewrites a large area card that has almost the entire rewritable card as a print area and a small area card that has a part of the print area as a print area. In order to prevent heating to an unnecessary area, the erasure unit shown in FIG. 9 is provided for each of the large area and the small area, and is arranged as shown in FIG.

  That is, reference numeral 1 denotes a rewritable card that is carried in as indicated by an arrow Xin from the right end of the figure, and 2 is a conveyance roller including a feed roller and a pressure roller. 54s is a small area card erasing unit, and 54b is a large area card erasing unit, each having a small area card erasing head 6s and a large area card erasing head 6b, in front of each erasing head 6s, 6b. Are provided with sensors 8s and 8b for controlling the rising and lowering timings of the erasing heads 6s and 6b, respectively.

  The configurations of the small area card erasing unit 54s and the large area card erasing unit are as shown in FIG. 9, and are the same except for the width of the erasing head 6.

  The small area card erasing head 6s is fixed to the tip of the press holder 11s. A sensor (not shown) is provided on the lower rear side of the press holder 11s, and the sensor is shielded from light by the rotation of the press holder 11s. It detects and detects the rising and falling positions of the press holder 11s, that is, the erasing head 6s.

  Then, rollers 13s are rotatably disposed at both rear ends of the press holder 11s. Further, both ends of the fulcrum shaft 15s are fixed to the frame 14s and serve as a rotation fulcrum of the press holder 11s. A head spring or the like (not shown) is attached on the same axis as the fulcrum shaft 15s, and is erased as indicated by an arrow D. The head 6s is always urged in the downward direction.

  Further, both ends of the cam shaft 58 are supported by the frame 14s, and a gear 19s is fixed to one end. The motor 21s to which the motor gear 20s is fixed is fixed to the frame 14s, and the motor gear 20s and the gear 19s are engaged with each other.

  With the above configuration, the conventional head clamp mechanism operates as follows. This operation will be described below with reference to the operation explanatory diagrams of FIGS. First, when an instruction to rewrite the print is issued from a host device (not shown), the rewritable card 1 carried in from the direction of the arrow Xin is conveyed by the conveyance roller 2 to the small area card erasing unit 54s. The state of the head clamp mechanism at this time is the state shown in FIG.

  When the instruction from the host device is rewriting of a small area card, the tip of the rewritable card 1 that has been conveyed is detected by the sensor 8s, and after a certain amount of rewritable card 1 has been conveyed, the right side of FIG. The motor 21s is rotated in the direction of arrow B.

  Then, the gear 19s that meshes with and rotates with the motor gear 20s rotates in the direction of the arrow C, and the cam 58s also rotates in the direction of the arrow C by the accompanying rotation, and the position of the roller 13s that is in contact with the cam 58s shifts upward. Since the tip of the press holder 11s, that is, the erasing head 6s is urged in the direction of arrow D by a head spring or the like, the erasing head 6s is lowered.

  The descending position of the erasing head 6s at this time is monitored by a sensor (not shown), and the erasing head 6s is lowered to a position where it abuts on the rewritable card 1 to erase the print data recorded in the printing area.

  When the erasing for the printing area is completed, the motor 21s is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow B direction, the erasing head 6s is raised, the raised position is detected by the sensor, and the motor 21s is stopped at a predetermined position. Returning to the state of FIG.

  Then, the rewritable card 1 is conveyed to the discharge port 30 side, passes through the large area card erasing unit 54b, performs desired printing by the thermal head 23, is discharged from the discharge port 30 in the direction of the arrow Xout, and the rewriting process is completed. .

  On the other hand, when the instruction from the host device is rewriting of the large area card, the tip of the rewritable card 1 conveyed through the small area card erasing unit 54s is detected by the sensor 8b, and a certain amount of the rewritable card 1 is detected. Then, the motor 21b is rotated in the direction of arrow B as shown on the left side of FIG.

  Then, when the motor 21b rotates in the direction of arrow B, the gear 19b, which meshes with the motor gear 20b and rotates, rotates in the direction of arrow C, and the cam 58b rotates in the direction of arrow C due to the rotation, and the roller is in contact with the cam 58b. The position of 13b is shifted upward. Since the tip of the press holder 11b, that is, the erasing head 6b is urged in the direction of arrow D by a head spring or the like, the erasing head 6b is lowered.

  Note that the lowering position of the erasing head 6b at this time is monitored by a sensor (not shown), and the erasing head 6b is lowered to a position where the erasing head 6b contacts the rewritable card 1, thereby erasing the print data recorded in the printing area.

  When the erasure for the print area is completed, the motor 21b is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow B direction, the erasing head 6b is raised, the raised position is detected by the sensor, and the motor 21b is stopped at a predetermined position. Returning to the state of FIG.

  Then, the rewritable card 1 is conveyed in the direction of the discharge port 30, desired printing is performed by the thermal head 23, the sheet is discharged from the discharge port 30 in the direction of the arrow Xout, and the rewriting process is completed.

JP 2001-88331 A

  However, the conventional head clamp mechanism has a problem in that the cost increases because it is necessary to provide motors for the small area card and the large area card as drive sources for raising and lowering the erasing head. In addition, there is a problem that a long transport path is required, the apparatus size in the transport direction is increased, and the transport time is increased.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above-described problems. That is, a motor capable of forward and reverse rotation, two idle gears meshed with a motor gear provided coaxially with the motor shaft, and two camshafts arranged symmetrically with respect to the motor position, Gears that mesh with the idle gears and cams that are symmetrical to each other with respect to the motor position are coaxially arranged, symmetrically arranged with respect to the motor position, and attached in a direction to lower the tip. Two pressed holders are provided, a roller that contacts the cam is disposed at the rear end of the press holder, a head is disposed at the front end of the press holder, and a rotation support shaft is provided substantially at the center. The fulcrum shaft is arranged, and the respective heads are driven alternately by the change of the contact position of the cam and the roller by the rotation of the motor. Was to so that.

  According to the head clamp mechanism of the present invention, the motor that can be driven forward and backward, the two idle gears that mesh with the motor gear provided coaxially with the shaft of the motor, and the motor position are arranged symmetrically. Two camshafts are provided with gears that mesh with the idle gear and cams that are symmetrical with each other with respect to the motor position, and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the motor position. Two press holders urged in the direction of lowering the tip part are provided, a roller that contacts the cam is arranged at the rear end part of the press holder, and a head is arranged at the tip part of the press holder. , A fulcrum shaft serving as a rotational support shaft is arranged at the approximate center, and the respective positions of the cam and the roller are changed by the rotation of the motor. Since so as to alternately drive the head, together with low cost can be reduced, to reduce the device size can also shorten the length of the conveyance direction can be shorter transport time.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a head clamp mechanism according to the first embodiment. 3 is an external perspective view of an erasing unit of the head clamp mechanism of Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the head clamp mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the head clamp mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the head clamp mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a positional relationship between an erasing area and an erasing head of a head clamp mechanism according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of the head clamp mechanism according to the second embodiment. It is a block diagram of the conventional head clamp mechanism. It is an external appearance perspective view of the erasing part of the conventional head clamp mechanism. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the conventional head clamp mechanism. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the conventional head clamp mechanism. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the conventional head clamp mechanism.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element common to drawing.

(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a head clamp mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view illustrating a configuration of an erasing unit of the head clamp mechanism according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a rewritable card, and 2 denotes a conveyance roller including a feed roller and a pressure roller. 4s is an erasing unit for a small area card, 4b is an erasing unit for a large area card, and each erasing unit has an erasing head 6s for a small area card and an erasing head 6b for a large area card. Are provided with sensors 8s and 8b for controlling the rising and lowering timing of the erasing head.

  The mechanism structures of the small area card erasing unit 4s and the large area card erasing unit are as shown in FIG. 2, and the motor 21 is a single drive source, and the driving force of the motor 21 is set to each card erasing unit. The idle gears 22s and 22b are newly provided for transmission to the vehicle.

  First, each card erasing head 6s, 6b is fixed to the tip of the press holder 11s, 11b, and a sensor (not shown) is provided behind the press holder 11s, 11b. The light shielding of the sensor is detected and the rising and lowering positions of the press holders 11s and 11b are detected.

  Rollers 13s and 13b are rotatably disposed at both rear ends of the press holders 11s and 11b, respectively. Further, fulcrum shafts 15s and 15b are fixed to the frame 14 and serve as rotational fulcrums for the press holders 11s and 11b, and a head spring (not shown) is attached on the same axis as the fulcrum shafts 15s and 15b. As described above, the erasing heads 6s and 6b are always urged downward.

  Further, both ends of the camshaft 18 are supported by the frame 14, and gears 19s and 19b are respectively fixed to one end. The motor 21 to which the motor gear 20 is fixed is fixed to the frame 14, and the motor gear 20 is engaged with the gears 19s and 19b via the idle gears 22S and 22b.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the cam 18s of the small area card erasing unit 4s and the cam 18b of the large area card erasing unit 4b are mounted 180 degrees out of phase and symmetrical with respect to the motor 21. It is the shape of.

(Operation)
With the above configuration, the head clamp mechanism of Example 1 operates as follows. This operation will be described in detail below with reference to the operation explanatory diagrams of FIGS.

  First, when an instruction to rewrite is issued from a host device (not shown), the rewritable card 1 conveyed in the direction of the arrow Xin is conveyed to the erasing unit 4s by the conveying roller 2. At this time, the head clamp mechanism is in the state shown in FIG.

  When the instruction from the host device is rewriting of a small area card, the front end of the rewritable card 1 that has been conveyed is detected by the sensor 8s, and after a certain amount of rewritable card 1 has been conveyed, the motor as shown in FIG. 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow F.

  Then, the gears 19s and 19b engaged with the motor gear 20 rotate in the direction of arrow G, the gears 19s and 19b engaged with the motor gear 20 rotate in the direction of arrow H, and the cams 8s and 8b rotate in the direction of arrow H due to rotation. The position of the roller 13b that contacts the cam 8b on the convex side remains the same, but the position of the roller 13s that contacts the cam 8s on the concave side is shifted upward, and the tip of the press holder 11s, that is, the erasing head 6s is the head spring. For example, the erasing head 6s is lowered because it is biased in the direction of the arrow D.

  The descending position of the erasing head 6s at this time is monitored by a sensor (not shown), and the erasing head 6s is lowered to a position where it abuts on the rewritable card 1 to erase the print data recorded in the printing area.

  When the erasing for the printing area is completed, the motor 21 is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow F, the erasing head 6s is raised, the raised position is detected by the sensor, and the motor 21 is stopped at a predetermined position. Return to the state of FIG. At this time, since the vertical contact position between the cam 18b and the roller 13b is not changed, the erasing head 6b is maintained in the state shown in FIG.

  Then, the rewritable card 1 is conveyed to the discharge port 30 side, passes through the large area card erasing unit 4b, performs desired printing by the thermal head 23, is discharged from the discharge port 30 in the direction of the arrow Xout, and the rewriting process is completed. .

  On the other hand, when the instruction from the host device is rewriting a large area card, the tip of the rewritable card 1 conveyed through the small area card erasing unit 4s is detected by the sensor 8b, and a certain amount of rewritable card 1 is removed. After the conveyance, the motor 21 is rotated in the arrow J direction as shown in FIG.

  Then, the gears 19s and 19b engaged with the motor gear 20 are rotated in the direction of the arrow K, the gears 19s and 19b engaged with the motor gear 20 are rotated in the direction of the arrow L, and the cams 8s and 8b are rotated in the direction of the arrow L. The position of the roller 13s that is in contact with the cam 8s on the convex side remains the same, but the position of the roller 13b that is in contact with the cam 8b on the concave side is shifted upward, and the erasing head 6b is moved to the arrow D by the head spring or the like. Since it is biased in the direction, the erasing head 6b is lowered.

  Note that the lowering position of the erasing head 6b at this time is monitored by a sensor (not shown), and the erasing head 6b is lowered to a position where the erasing head 6b contacts the rewritable card 1, thereby erasing the print data recorded in the printing area.

  When the erasing for the print area is completed, the motor 21 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow J direction, the erasing head 6b is raised, the raised position is detected by the sensor, and the motor 21 is stopped at a predetermined position. Return to the state of FIG. At this time, since the vertical contact position between the cam 18s and the roller 13s is not changed, the erasing head 6s is maintained in the state shown in FIG.

  Then, the rewritable card 1 is conveyed to the discharge port 30 side, desired printing is performed by the thermal head 23, and the rewritable card 1 is discharged from the discharge port 30 in the arrow Xout direction, and the rewriting process is completed.

  In the above description of the embodiment, the example in which the large area and small area erasing heads are driven by one motor has been described. The head may be driven up and down by one motor.

(Effect of Example 1)
As described above, according to the head clamp mechanism of the first embodiment, the motor that can be driven forward and backward, the two idle gears that mesh with the motor shaft provided coaxially with the motor shaft, and the motor position as a reference. Two camshafts arranged symmetrically, gears respectively meshing with the idle gear, and cams provided so as to be symmetrical with respect to the motor position are coaxially provided, and the motor position is used as a reference. Two press holders arranged symmetrically and urged in the direction of lowering the tip end portion, each having a roller in contact with the cam at the rear end portion of the press holder, and the tip end portion of the press holder A fulcrum shaft serving as a pivot shaft is arranged at the approximate center, and a change in the contact position between the cam and the roller due to the rotation of the motor. Since so as to alternately drive the respective heads, with low cost can be reduced, to reduce the device size can also shorten the length of the conveyance direction can be shorter transport time.

(Constitution)
The configuration of the head clamp mechanism of the second embodiment is a configuration in which the small area erasing head 6s and the large area erasing head 6b are replaced with the upper head 6u and the lower head 6d, as will be described later with reference to FIG. The small area erasing head 6s corresponds to the upper head 6u, and the large area erasing head 6b corresponds to the lower head 6d. Other configurations are the same as those of the head clamp mechanism according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and detailed description thereof is omitted for the sake of brevity.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the erasing area and the erasing head of the head clamp mechanism according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the width of the erasing heads 6d and 6u is a width corresponding to the erasing area. Each of the erasing heads 6d and 6u has an overlapping portion Lf in the erasing head width direction, and the pitch Lg in the transport direction of the rewritable card 1 is, for example, not less than the erasing area Lw as a distance that does not interfere with erasing heat. It is arranged to be a distance.

(Operation)
With the above configuration, the head clamp mechanism according to the second embodiment operates as follows. This operation will be described in detail below with reference to the aforementioned operation flowcharts of FIGS. 1 to 6 and FIG.

  First, when there is an instruction to erase the upper half area A of the rewritable card 1 from a host device (not shown) (step S01), the motor 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow F as shown in FIG. (Step S02), and the area A is erased (step S03).

  Similarly, when there is an erase instruction for area B (step S04), the motor 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow J as shown in FIG. 5, and the lower erase head 6d is lowered as shown by arrow D (step S05). The area B is erased (step S06).

  If there is an erase instruction for area C (entire surface) (step S07), first, the motor 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow F as shown in FIG. 4 to lower the upper erase head 6u (step S08). The area A is erased (step S09). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, the motor 21 is rotated in the arrow J direction, the lower erasing head 6d is lowered (step S10), and the area B is erased (step S11).

  In the above description of the embodiment, an example in which the upper half and the lower half having a predetermined overlapping area are divided and erased has been described, but the upper side is 1/3 and the lower side is 2/3, or vice versa. The present invention can be applied in the same manner even when the upper side is divided by 1/4, the upper side is 1/4 and the lower side is 3/4, or vice versa.

(Effect of Example 2)
As described above, according to the head clamp mechanism of the second embodiment, the erasing head is configured to have areas that are divided into a plurality of areas and overlap each other. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the erasing head is relatively inexpensive and short. The entire area can be erased by a plurality of heads, and the apparatus cost can be further reduced.

  As described above, the present invention can be widely used in rewritable card printers and the like having a mechanism for rewriting a rewritable card with a plurality of heads.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rewritable card 2 Conveyance roller 4s Small area card erasing part 4b Large area card erasing part 6s, 6b Erase head 8s, 8b Sensor 11s, 11b Press holder 13s, 13b Rollers 15s, 15b Support shaft 18 Cam shaft 18s, 18b Cam 19s, 19b Gear 20 Motor gear 21 Motor 22s, 22b Idle gear 23 Thermal head

Claims (5)

A plurality of erasing heads capable of erasing the printed content of different areas of the medium;
A plurality of cams that rotate by passively driving a single motor,
A head clamping mechanism characterized in that the erasing heads are alternately separated from and brought into contact with the medium by rotation of the cam.   The head clamp mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the cam has a convex shape at one end and a concave shape at the other end. 3. The head clamp mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a camshaft that rotates by passively driving the motor and transmits the drive to the cam. The head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a plurality of press holders provided with the erasing head at a front end portion and causing the cam to contact and rotate to separate the front end portion from the medium. Clamp mechanism. The head clamping mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the different areas are a wide area and a narrow area, or an area divided into a plurality of areas.

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