JP5901829B1 - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printer in which the visibility of a recording medium is improved in a recording medium arranged on a platen. An ink jet printer includes a platen having a recording medium disposed therein and extending in a main scanning direction Y, a plurality of pinch rollers disposed above the platen and arranged in the main scanning direction Y, and a pinch roller. A frame member 40 that is disposed above 20 and overlaps the platen 16 in plan view and extends in the main scanning direction Y, and a plurality of light sources 50 that are provided on the frame member 40 and emit light toward the platen 16. ing. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers that include an ink head that discharges ink onto a recording medium and a cutting head that cuts the recording medium are known. In recent years, development of large-scale printers that can use relatively large-sized recording media has been progressing. In such a large printer, the operator needs to place the recording medium in advance on the platen of the printer and align the recording medium before performing the operation by the printer. If the recording medium is not properly positioned, printing by the ink head or cutting by the cutting head may not be performed properly, so the operator must carefully place the recording medium on the platen. is there.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-174153

  By the way, in a printer capable of arranging a large recording medium on the platen, the alignment of the recording medium is often performed relatively inside the printer. The closer to the inside of the printer, the more light from outside does not reach, and the visibility of the recording medium located inside the printer decreases. For this reason, the conventional large printer has a problem that it is difficult to align the recording medium. Further, when printing or cutting, there is a problem that it is difficult to check the status of the recording medium because the inside of the printer is dark. Note that the technique shown in Patent Document 1 is provided with a light projecting means for irradiating light spotwise in order to clearly indicate a printing position on a recording medium. Visibility is not enough.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printer in which the visibility of a recording medium is improved in a recording medium arranged on a platen.

  The printer according to the present invention includes a platen on which a recording medium is arranged and extending in the main scanning direction, a plurality of pinch rollers arranged above the platen and holding the recording medium and arranged in the main scanning direction, and the pinch A frame member disposed above the roller, overlapping the platen in a plan view and extending in a main scanning direction; and a plurality of light sources provided on the frame member for irradiating light toward the platen.

  The printer of the present invention includes a frame member that is disposed above the pinch roller and overlaps the platen in plan view. Further, the frame member includes a plurality of light sources that emit light toward the platen. With such a configuration, when the recording medium is disposed on the platen, the platen and the recording medium are irradiated with light from a plurality of light sources. For this reason, the visibility of the recording medium is improved, and it is easy to arrange the recording medium on the platen. Furthermore, since the light is emitted from a plurality of light sources toward the recording medium arranged on the platen during printing and cutting, the status of the recording medium can be easily confirmed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the printer which improved the visibility of the recording medium in the recording medium arrange | positioned at a platen can be provided.

1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet printer according to an embodiment. 1 is a plan view showing an ink jet printer according to an embodiment. It is the front view which expanded some ink jet printers concerning one embodiment. 1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet printer according to an embodiment. It is the top view to which a part of inkjet printer concerning one embodiment was expanded. It is a schematic diagram which shows the recording medium and printing area | region to which the light from a light source is irradiated. It is a schematic diagram which shows the recording medium and printing area | region to which the light from a light source is irradiated.

  Hereinafter, an inkjet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, members / parts having the same action are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet printer 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printer 10 performs printing on a recording medium 12. The recording medium 12 is, for example, recording paper. However, the recording medium 12 is not limited to recording paper. For example, the recording medium 12 may be a sheet-like medium such as a resin sheet.

  In the following description, left, right, top, and bottom mean left, right, top, and bottom as viewed from an operator in front of the ink jet printer 10. Moreover, the direction which approaches the said operator from the inkjet printer 10 is made into the front, and the direction which leaves | separates is made into the back. Reference numerals F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings represent front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower, respectively. An ink head 80 (see FIG. 2) described later is movable leftward and rightward. The recording medium 12 can be conveyed forward and backward. In the present embodiment, the moving direction of the ink head 80 is referred to as a main scanning direction Y, and the conveyance direction of the recording medium 12 is referred to as a sub-scanning direction X. Here, the main scanning direction Y corresponds to the left-right direction, and the sub-scanning direction X corresponds to the front-rear direction. The main scanning direction Y and the sub scanning direction X are orthogonal to each other. However, the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately set according to the form of the inkjet printer 10 and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the inkjet printer 10 includes a main body portion 15, a platen 16, a left side portion 22, a right side portion 24, a left leg portion 26, and a right leg portion 28. The main body 15 extends in the left-right direction. A left side part 22 is arranged on the left side of the main body part 15. A right side portion 24 is disposed on the right side of the main body portion 15. A platen 16 is provided at the front of the main body 15. A first side wall 14 </ b> A extending in the vertical direction is provided at the left end portion, which is one end portion in the main scanning direction Y, of the platen 16. A second side wall 14 </ b> B extending in the vertical direction is provided on the right end, which is the other end of the platen 16 in the main scanning direction Y. The first side wall 14 </ b> A and the second side wall 14 </ b> B are attached to the main body portion 15. The left leg portion 26 and the right leg portion 28 are attached to the lower portion of the main body portion 15. As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printer 10 includes a first cover member 15A, a second cover member 22A, and a third cover member 24A. The first cover member 15 </ b> A covers the upper portion and the rear portion of the main body portion 15. The second cover member 22 </ b> A covers the left end portion of the main body portion 15 and the left side portion 22. The third cover member 24 </ b> A covers the right end portion of the main body portion 15 and the right side portion 24. The first cover member 15A is provided with a front cover 15H that is rotatable about the front end of the first cover member 15A. The front cover 15H is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that can transmit light. In the present embodiment, the front cover 15H is formed of a transparent acrylic resin. Through the front cover 15H, the operator can check the printing state and the like. A handle 15M is provided on the front cover 15H. When the operator takes 15M forward and the front cover 15H is opened. In FIG. 2, the first cover member 15A, the second cover member 22A, and the third cover member 24A are not shown for convenience.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording medium 12 is disposed on the platen 16. The platen 16 supports the recording medium 12. The platen extends in the main scanning direction Y. The platen 16 includes a flat portion 16A and a bending portion 16B. The planar portion 16A is provided with an alignment portion 17 where the end 12A of the recording medium 12 is disposed. The alignment unit 17 of the present embodiment is a groove extending in the sub-scanning direction X. The alignment unit 17 may be a mark extending in the sub-scanning direction X or a protrusion. The alignment part 17 is formed in front of the pinch roll 18 positioned rightward among the pinch rolls 18 described later. The curved portion 16B is curved from the front edge 16AA of the flat surface portion 16A toward the front obliquely downward direction. The bending of the bending portion 16B increases as the distance from the flat portion 16A increases. A heater (not shown) is provided inside the bending portion 16B, and the bending portion 16B is warmed by this heater. The ink ejected to the recording medium 12 is warmed at the curved portion 16B, and drying is promoted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the platen 16 is provided with a plurality of cylindrical grid rollers 18 as a transport mechanism for transporting the recording medium 12. The grid rollers 18 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y. The grid roller 18 is embedded in the platen 16 with its upper surface exposed. The grid roller 18 is driven by a feed motor (not shown). The feed motor is controlled by a control device 70 (see FIG. 2) described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ink jet printer 10 includes a plurality of pinch rollers 20 disposed above the platen 16. The pinch rollers 20 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y. The pinch roller 20 is disposed above the grid roller 18. The pinch roller 20 faces the grid roller 18. The pinch roller 20 is configured such that the position in the vertical direction can be set according to the thickness of the recording medium 12. The pinch roller 20 presses the recording medium 12. The grid roller 18 and the pinch roller 20 are configured to be able to convey the recording medium 12 in the sub-scanning direction X (front-rear direction) while sandwiching the recording medium 12.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inkjet printer 10 includes a guide rail 30. The guide rail 30 is disposed above the platen 16. The guide rail 30 is disposed above the pinch roller 20. The guide rail 30 is disposed in parallel with the platen 16 and extends in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the inkjet printer 10 includes an ink head 80 and a cutting head 82. The ink head 80 discharges ink to the recording medium 12. The ink head 80 has a nozzle (not shown) that ejects ink. The ink head 80 is provided on a carriage 81 that slidably moves on the guide rail 30. The ink head 80 is connected to a plurality of ink cartridges 85 (see FIG. 1) as an ink container for containing ink. The ink cartridge 85 is disposed above the frame member 40. The ink cartridge 85 is accommodated in the second cover member 22A. The cutting head 82 cuts the recording medium 12. The cutting head 82 has a cutter (not shown). The cutting head 82 is provided on a carriage 83 that slidably moves on the guide rail 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inkjet printer 10 includes a frame member 40. The frame member 40 is disposed above the pinch roller 20. The frame member 40 is supported by the first side wall 14A (see FIG. 2) and the second side wall 14B. In the present embodiment, the frame member 40 is supported by the left side portion 22. The frame member 40 extends in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. 2, the frame member 40 overlaps the platen 16 in plan view. The frame member 40 overlaps the planar portion 16A of the platen 16 in plan view. The frame member 40 is disposed in front of the pinch roller 20. The frame member 40 is disposed behind the curved portion 16B of the platen 16A. The frame member 40 is provided with a plurality of circuit boards 42 on which a light source 50 described later is mounted. As shown in FIG. 3, the frame member 40 has a plurality of openings 44. The opening 44 is formed below a light source 50 described later. The opening 44 is formed at a position overlapping the light source 50 in plan view.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inkjet printer 10 includes a plurality of light sources 50. The light source 50 is not particularly limited as long as it is a member that emits light. Examples of the light source 50 include a light emitting diode (LED), a laser diode (LD), and a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser). In the present embodiment, an LED is used as the light source 50. The light source 50 is provided on the frame member 40. The light sources 50 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y. The light source 50 is mounted on the circuit board 42. The light sources 50 mounted on the circuit board 42 are arranged at substantially equal intervals. The light sources 50 are arranged at intervals of, for example, about 50 mm to 100 mm. In the present embodiment, three light sources 50 are arranged on each circuit board 42. The number of circuit boards 42 and the number of light sources 50 arranged on the circuit board 42 are not limited to the above configuration. At least one light source 50 is disposed between the pinch roll 20 and the pinch roll 20. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, a light source 50B, a light source 50C, and a light source 50D are arranged between the pinch roll 20A and the pinch roll 20B. The light source 50B, the light source 50C, and the light source 50D are arranged on the pinch roller 20B side from the pinch roller 20A (that is, on the right side of the pinch roller 20A). The light source 50B, the light source 50C, and the light source 50D are disposed on the pinch roller 20A side (that is, on the left side of the pinch roller 20B) from the pinch roller 20B. As shown in FIG. 2, the light source 50 is disposed between the front edge 16AA of the planar portion 16A of the platen 16 and the pinch roller 20 in plan view. The light source 50 is disposed closer to the pinch roll 20 than an intermediate point M between the front edge 16AA of the flat portion 16A of the platen 16 and the pinch roll 20 in plan view. The light source 50 is disposed behind the intermediate point M in plan view. In the present embodiment, the intermediate point M is a point on a straight line extending in the sub-scanning direction X from the axial center extending in the main scanning direction Y of the pinch roll 20, and the distance from the axial center of the pinch roll 20 and the leading edge This is the point where the distance from 16AA becomes equal.

  The light source 50 emits light toward the platen 16. Light from the light source 50 is applied to the platen 16 through an opening 44 (see FIG. 3) formed in the frame member 40. As shown in FIG. 4, the light source 50 (see FIG. 3) irradiates light toward the flat portion 16 </ b> A of the platen 16. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 50 </ b> X indicates an irradiation range of light emitted from the light source 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the irradiation ranges 50 </ b> X of light emitted from the light source 50 overlap each other. As shown in FIG. 5, the light source 50 </ b> A located on the rightmost side among the light sources 50 irradiates light toward the alignment unit 17. The alignment unit 17 is located within the light irradiation range 50X of the light source 50A. The light source 50 is configured to irradiate light only to an area including the print area 12X of the recording medium 12. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the light sources 50 </ b> A to 50 </ b> G irradiate the print area 12 </ b> X of the recording medium 12, but the light sources 50 </ b> H and 50 </ b> I do not irradiate the print area 12 </ b> X of the recording medium 12. That is, the light irradiation range 50X of the light sources 50A to 50G overlaps the print area 12X, but the light irradiation ranges 50X of the light sources 50H and 50I do not overlap the print area 12X. For this reason, the light source 50H and the light source 50I are controlled by the control device 70 (see FIG. 2) described later so as not to irradiate light. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the light sources 50 </ b> A to 50 </ b> D irradiate the printing area 12 </ b> X of the recording medium 12, but the light sources 50 </ b> E to 50 </ b> I do not irradiate the printing area 12 </ b> X of the recording medium 12. That is, the light irradiation range 50X of the light source 50A to the light source 50D overlaps with the printing region 12X, but the light irradiation range 50X of the light source 50E to the light source 50I does not overlap with the printing region 12X. For this reason, the light source 50E to the light source 50I are controlled by the control device 70 so as not to emit light. In this specification, the printing area 12X is a concept including an area where ink is ejected from the ink head 80 and an area where the cutting head 82 cuts the recording medium 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printer 10 includes a control device 70. The overall operation of the inkjet printer 10 is controlled by the control device 70. The control device 70 is connected to the ink head 80, the cutting head 82, and the light source 50. In the present embodiment, the control device 70 includes a microcomputer. The control device 70 is provided on the left side portion 22 (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in Table 1, the control device 70 controls the light source 50 according to the state of the inkjet printer 10. The control device 70 controls the lighting state of the light source 50, that is, the illuminance by changing the current supplied to the light source 50 according to the state of the inkjet printer 10.

  As shown in Table 1, when the power of the ink jet printer 10 is OFF, the power is not supplied to the control device 70 and no current is supplied to the light source 50, so the light source 50 is turned off. In addition, (1) when the inkjet printer 10 is on standby, and (2) when performing regular maintenance, the control device 70 does not supply current to the light source 50, so the light source 50 is turned off.

  On the other hand, as shown in Table 1, (1) when the origin positions of the ink head 80 and the cutting head 82 are set, (2) when the front cover 15H is opened, (3) when test printing is performed, (4) When the inkjet printer 10 is performing printing or cutting operation, (5) when the inkjet printer 10 is temporarily stopping printing or cutting operation, and (6) when the ink head 80 is being cleaned, control Since the device 70 supplies current to the light source 50, the light source 50 is turned on.

  Furthermore, since the control device 70 intermittently supplies current to the light source 50 until the ink jet printer 10 is turned on and the heater provided in the curved portion 16B reaches a predetermined temperature, the light source 50 Flashes. The state of the ink jet printer 10 and the state of the light source 50 are not limited to the above combination. Further, the blinking interval of the light source 50 may be changed as appropriate. In addition, when an operator operates an operation panel (not shown) provided on the inkjet printer 10 or a controller (not shown) that controls an inkjet printer provided separately from the inkjet printer 10, The light source 50 may be forcibly turned on and off regardless of the state of the printer 10.

  As described above, the inkjet printer 10 includes the frame member 40 that is disposed above the pinch roller 20 and overlaps the platen 16 in plan view. Further, the frame member 40 includes a plurality of light sources 50 that emit light toward the platen 16. With such a configuration, when the recording medium 12 is disposed on the platen 16, light is emitted from the plurality of light sources 50 to the platen 16 and the recording medium 12. For this reason, the visibility of the recording medium 12 is improved, and the recording medium 12 can be easily disposed on the platen 16. Furthermore, since the light is emitted from the plurality of light sources 50 toward the recording medium 12 disposed on the platen 16 during printing and cutting, the state of the recording medium 12 can be easily confirmed.

  According to the inkjet printer 10 of the present embodiment, the light source 50 irradiates light toward the alignment unit 17 as shown in FIG. In this way, the alignment unit 17 is irradiated with light from the light source 50, so that the visibility of the alignment unit 17 is improved, and the end 12A of the recording medium 12 can be easily disposed on the alignment unit 17. It becomes.

  According to the inkjet printer 10 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the frame member 40 is reliably supported by the first side wall 14A and the second side wall 14B. Therefore, a large number of light sources 50 and circuit boards 42 can be arranged on the frame member 40.

  According to the inkjet printer 10 of the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 85 is disposed above the frame member 40 as shown in FIG. The frame member 40 is securely supported by the first side wall 14A and the second side wall 14B. For this reason, the ink cartridge 85 can be stably disposed above the frame member 40.

  According to the inkjet printer 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the light source 50 is disposed between the front edge 16AA of the flat portion 16A of the platen 16 and the pinch roller 20 in plan view. Thereby, the light source 50 can irradiate light over a wide range of the platen 16.

  According to the inkjet printer 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the light source 50 is located on the pinch roller 20 side from the intermediate point M between the front edge 16AA of the flat portion 16A of the platen 16 and the pinch roller 20 in plan view. Is arranged. The amount of light around the pinch roller 20 tends to be smaller than the area of the front edge 16AA of the flat portion 16A of the platen 16. According to this embodiment, the light source 50 can emit light from the periphery of the pinch roller 20.

  According to the inkjet printer 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a light source 50B, a light source 50C, and a light source 50D are disposed between the pinch roller 20A and the pinch roller 20B. In this way, by setting the interval between the light sources 50, it is possible to irradiate the wide range of the platen 16 with light.

  According to the inkjet printer 10 of the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the light sources 50 </ b> A to 50 </ b> D are configured to irradiate light only to the area including the print area 12 </ b> X of the recording medium 12. As described above, the ink jet printer 10 can irradiate not only the entire recording medium 12 but also a part of light, so that unnecessary light irradiation can be suppressed and power consumption can be reduced. In addition, when the recording medium 12 is relatively small, there is a portion on the platen 16 where the recording medium 12 is not disposed. However, power consumption can be reduced by not irradiating the portion with light. Can be realized.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ink jet printer 10 includes the ink head 80 and the cutting head 82, but is not limited thereto. The inkjet printer 10 may include only the ink head 80 or may include only the cutting head 82.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Inkjet printer 12 Recording medium 12A End part 14A 1st side wall 14B 2nd side wall 16 Platen 16A Plane part 16AA Front edge 16B Curved part 17 Positioning part 20 Pinch roller 40 Frame member 50 Light source

Claims (10)

A platen on which a recording medium is disposed and extending in the main scanning direction;
A plurality of pinch rollers disposed above the platen, holding the recording medium and arranged in the main scanning direction;
A frame member disposed above the pinch roller, overlapping the platen in plan view, and extending in the main scanning direction;
A printer provided with a plurality of light sources provided on the frame member and irradiating light toward the platen and the pinch roller . The platen is provided with an alignment portion in which an end of the recording medium is disposed,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the light source emits light toward the alignment unit.   A platen on which a recording medium is disposed and extending in the main scanning direction;
  A plurality of pinch rollers disposed above the platen, holding the recording medium and arranged in the main scanning direction;
  A frame member disposed above the pinch roller, overlapping the platen in plan view, and extending in the main scanning direction;
  A plurality of light sources provided on the frame member and irradiating light toward the platen;
  The platen is provided with an alignment portion in which an end of the recording medium is disposed,
  The printer, wherein the light source emits light toward the alignment unit. A first side wall provided at one end of the platen in the main scanning direction;
A second side wall provided at another end of the platen in the main scanning direction,
The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the frame member is supported by the first side wall and the second side wall. An ink head for ejecting ink onto the recording medium;
A plurality of ink containers for containing the ink,
The printer according to claim 4 , wherein the ink container is disposed above the frame member. The platen includes a flat part, and a curved part that curves from the front edge of the flat part toward the front diagonally downward direction,
The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the light source is disposed between the front edge of the planar portion and the pinch roller in a plan view. The printer according to claim 6 , wherein the light source is disposed closer to the pinch roller than an intermediate point between the front edge of the planar portion and the pinch roller in plan view.   A platen on which a recording medium is disposed and extending in the main scanning direction;
  A plurality of pinch rollers disposed above the platen, holding the recording medium and arranged in the main scanning direction;
  A frame member disposed above the pinch roller, overlapping the platen in plan view, and extending in the main scanning direction;
  A plurality of light sources provided on the frame member and irradiating light toward the platen;
  The platen includes a flat part, and a curved part that curves from the front edge of the flat part toward the front diagonally downward direction,
  The printer, wherein the light source is disposed closer to the pinch roller than an intermediate point between the front edge of the planar portion and the pinch roller in plan view. As the plurality of pinch rollers, a first pinch roller and a second pinch roller disposed adjacent to the first pinch roller,
The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein at least one of the light sources is disposed between the first pinch roller and the second pinch roller. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the light source is configured to irradiate light only toward an area including a print area of the recording medium.

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