JP6246033B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer, for example, a thermal transfer printer that heats an ink sheet by a thermal head and prints an image on printing paper.

  In a printer that prints an image on a roll-shaped printing paper, the printing paper before printing is wound into a roll. After the printing operation inside the printer is finished, the printing paper is cut to a predetermined size and discharged from the printer main body to the outside.

  As a means for cutting the printing paper, there are one that cuts in the longitudinal direction of the printing paper (that is, the direction in which the printing paper is conveyed) and one that cuts in the longitudinal direction. In the present specification, the former is called a cutter and the latter is called a slitter. The cutter is used to separate the printing paper after printing from the roll-shaped printing paper. Further, the slitter is used when obtaining a photograph having a width smaller than the width of the printing paper (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  At this time, the dimension of the photograph determined by the cutting position with the cutter is called a length, and the dimension of the photograph determined by the cutting position with a slitter is called a width.

  The size of the cut printing paper is one of the quality of photographs (printed matter). That is, the photograph must be cut to the intended length and width dimensions.

JP 2007-111999 A

  In Patent Document 1, a predetermined size for cutting the printing paper is selected and whether or not to cut with a slitter is determined, but a specific method for accurately cutting the predetermined size is not mentioned.

  Even for printing paper of the same size, the width of the printing paper varies due to manufacturing errors and the like. In addition, due to the components constituting the printer and variations in assembling them, the position in the width direction of the printing paper with respect to the printer varies during printing.

  That is, in order to accurately cut out a photo having a predetermined width by the slitter, it is necessary to adjust the position of the slitter blade in accordance with the position of the printing paper at the time of cutting. For this purpose, it is first necessary to know the position of one end of the printing paper. If the slitter blade is moved to a position a predetermined distance from the detected one end and cut, a photograph having a predetermined width can be obtained.

  As a means for detecting the position of one end of the printing paper, there is a method in which one side of the printing paper is pressed by a member to move the other side to a fixed reference position. Thereby, even when the position of the printing paper varies, one end of the printing paper can be moved to the reference position. When correcting the position of the printing paper in this way, the amount of force for pressing the printing paper to the reference position is large enough to overcome the rigidity of the printing paper and move the printing paper in the width direction. There must be.

  When the correction amount is large, that is, when the position of the printing paper is greatly deviated from the fixed reference position, a large pressing force for the printing paper is required. In such a case, it is necessary to design a member that presses the side surface or a member that forms the reference position. Further, since the correction amount itself becomes large, there is a possibility that a member arranged on the path for conveying the printing paper from the roll to the correction position is strongly pressed against the printing paper. These become a load when transporting the printing paper.

  Further, when the force for pressing the printing paper to the reference position is increased, the printing paper is damaged. In addition, due to wear of the member that presses the side of the printing paper, the member that forms the reference position, and the member of the transport path that contacts the printing paper, the wear powder adheres to the photograph or the dimensions of the reference position shift and become accurate. The position cannot be set.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printer that can cut a printing sheet with high accuracy in a conveying direction with a simple configuration.

  A printer according to the present invention includes a printing paper position detection unit that detects a distance from a reference position to a side surface in the width direction of the printing paper, and a slitter blade that cuts the printing paper in a conveyance direction in which the printing paper is conveyed. The printing paper position detection unit is interposed in a power transmission path between a lever that rotates about one end as a rotation shaft, a motor that rotates the lever, and the motor and the lever, and reduces the torque of the motor to a predetermined value. A slip mechanism, a rotation amount detection unit for detecting the rotation amount of the lever, and a wall surface for defining a reference position are provided. When the lever is rotated in one direction, the other end of the lever contacts the side surface of the printing paper. When the lever is in contact and rotated in the other direction, the lever is arranged so that the other end of the lever contacts the wall surface, the other end of the lever contacts the side of the printing paper, and the other end of the lever Abutted against the wall A distance calculation unit that calculates a distance from the reference position to the side surface in the width direction of the printing paper based on the rotation amount detected by the rotation amount detection unit in accordance with the state change between the two states. The position of the slitter blade is adjusted in the paper width direction of the printing paper according to the calculated distance.

  Since the printer according to the present invention includes the printing paper position detection unit, the position of the side surface of the printing paper may vary due to variations in the width of the printing paper, components constituting the printer, and variations during assembly thereof. However, the position of the side surface of the printing paper can be accurately detected without affecting the conveyance of the printing paper and without scratching the printing paper. Furthermore, since the cutting is performed by adjusting the position of the slitter blade according to the detected position of the side surface of the printing paper, the printing paper can be cut with high accuracy in the transport direction.

2 is a partial plan view of the printer according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a paper position detection unit of a printer according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 illustrates a configuration of a printer according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a slitter unit according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a transport mechanism of a slitter unit according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a slitter unit position adjustment mechanism according to a fifth embodiment. It is a front view of the slitter part which concerns on Embodiment 5. FIG. It is a front view of the slitter part which concerns on Embodiment 5. FIG. FIG. 10 is a front view of a slitter unit according to a sixth embodiment.

<Embodiment 1>
<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of the printer according to the first embodiment. The printer according to the present embodiment includes a printing paper position detection unit 60, a slitter blade 80, and a slitter paper feed roller 25. In FIG. 1, a printing unit (such as a thermal head or a platen roller) that performs printing is not shown. Further, in FIG. 1, a paper roll in which the printing paper 8 is wound in a roll shape, an ink sheet to which ink is applied, and the like are not shown.

  In FIG. 1, a mechanism for adjusting the position of the slitter blade 80 in the paper width direction is not shown. A mechanism for adjusting the position of the slitter blade 80 in the paper width direction will be described in the fifth and sixth embodiments.

  The printing paper position detection unit 60 detects the position of the side surface 8 c of the printing paper 8. More specifically, the distance B from the reference position 67a to the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 is detected. Here, the reference position 67a is a position defined by a wall surface 67 described later.

  The slitter blade 80 is provided downstream of the path along which the printing paper 8 is conveyed. The slitter blade 80 cuts the printing paper 8 in the transport direction (y direction in FIG. 1). In the printer of the present embodiment, the position of the slitter blade 80 is movable in the x direction in FIG. Further, the position of the slitter blade 80 is adjusted according to the detection result of the printing paper position detection unit 60.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing paper 8 after printing is composed of a blank area 81b and a photo area 81a. As will be described later, the slitter blade 80 cuts the printing paper 8 at the cutting position 8e. After cutting, the printing paper 8 is separated into a photo area 81a and a blank area 81b. In FIG. 1, the distance from the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 to the cutting position 8e corresponds to the width A of the photo area 81a. The distance from the side surface 8d opposite to the side surface 8c to the cutting position 8e corresponds to the width of the blank area 81b.

  The slitter paper feeding roller 25 sandwiches the printing paper 8 together with a pinch roller (not shown) and conveys the printing paper 8 in the y direction in FIG. Since the printing paper 8 is sandwiched between the slitter paper feeding roller 25 and a pinch roller (not shown), movement in the x direction in FIG. 1 is restricted.

  The configuration of the printing paper position detection unit 60 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing paper position detection unit 60 includes a lever 65, a motor 61, a slip mechanism 62, a rotation amount detection unit 63, a distance calculation unit 66, and a wall surface 67.

  The lever 65 rotates with the fulcrum 65b as a rotation axis. The fulcrum 65 b is fixed to the gear 64. The motor 61 rotates the lever 65 through a series of power transmission paths. The rotation amount detection unit 63 detects the rotation amount of the lever 65. The rotation amount detection unit 63 is a rotary encoder, for example.

  The slip mechanism 62 is interposed in the power transmission path between the motor 61 and the lever 65, and reduces the torque transmitted from the motor 61 to the lever 65 to a predetermined value. Here, the predetermined value of torque is a value at which the rotation of the lever 65 is stopped when the lever 65 can be rotated and the tip 65a of the lever 65 contacts the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8. Torque. That is, the predetermined value of torque is a torque that is small enough not to damage the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 when the tip 65a of the lever 65 contacts the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8.

  The lever 65 is disposed between the side surface 8 c of the printing paper 8 and the wall surface 67. That is, when the lever 65 rotates in one direction, the tip 65a of the lever 65 contacts the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8. Further, when the lever 65 rotates in the other direction, the tip 65a of the lever 65 comes into contact with the wall surface 67. Here, the position of the side surface 8 c of the printing paper 8 changes according to the size of the printing paper 8. Even if the size of the printing paper 8 is the same, the position of the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 slightly changes every time printing is performed. On the other hand, the wall surface 67 is fixed to the housing of the printer. Therefore, the position of the reference position 67a defined by the wall surface 67 is also fixed.

  The distance calculation unit 66 detects the amount of rotation in accordance with a change in state between the state in which the tip 65a of the lever 65 is in contact with the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 and the state in which the tip 65a of the lever 65 is in contact with the wall surface 67. Based on the rotation amount detected by the unit 63, the distance from the reference position 67a to the side surface in the width direction of the printing paper 8 (that is, the position of the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8) is calculated. The calculation method will be described later.

  In FIG. 1, the width of the photo area of the printing paper 8 is defined as a width A. The width A is a value determined by a photo size standard. A distance from the reference position 67a to the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 is defined as a distance B. The distance B is a value that varies depending on conditions such as the width of the printing paper 8 and the size and arrangement variation of each member of the printer.

  In FIG. 1, the distance from the reference position 67a to the cutting position 8e is defined as a distance C. Here, the cutting position 8 e is a position where the slitter blade 80 actually cuts the printing paper 8. As shown in FIG. 1, the distance C is equal to the sum of the width A and the distance B (ie, C = A + B).

  In FIG. 1, the distance from the reference position 67 a to the standby position 8 f of the slitter blade 80 is defined as a distance D. Here, the standby position 8f is a position where the slitter blade 80 and the printing paper 8 do not overlap in plan view, and the slitter blade 80 is waiting at the standby position during an operation other than the cutting operation. The distance D is a preset value.

  In FIG. 1, the distance from the standby position 8 f of the slitter blade 80 to the cutting position 8 e is defined as a distance E. Further, the distance that the slitter blade 80 actually moves from the standby position 8f of the slitter blade 80 is defined as a distance F. As shown in FIG. 1, the distance E is a distance obtained by subtracting the distance D from the distance C (that is, E = C−D). That is, the distance E can be expressed as E = A + BD. By moving the slitter blade 80 from the standby position 8f by this distance E, the slitter blade 80 can be disposed at the cutting position 8e.

<Operation>
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer according to the first embodiment. Note that the printing operation in the printer of the present embodiment is the same as that of a general thermal transfer printer, and thus the description thereof is omitted. After the printing operation, the printing paper 8 is conveyed to a position slightly beyond the slitter paper feed roller 25. As an initial state, it is assumed that the leading end 65a of the lever 65 is located away from the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8. Further, it is assumed that the slitter blade 80 is in the standby position 8f. Here, the standby position 8 f is a position where the slitter blade 80 does not overlap the printing paper 8 in plan view.

  In step S <b> 101, the motor 3 is driven in a direction in which the leading end 65 a of the lever 65 approaches the side surface 8 c of the printing paper 8. Then, the tip 65 a of the lever 65 is pressed against the side surface of the printing paper 8. The position of the lever 65 at this time is shown by a solid line in FIG. Since there is a slip mechanism 62 in the power transmission path between the motor 61 and the lever 65, the tip 65a of the lever 65 is kept in contact with the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 even if the motor 61 continues to drive. It is. The torque transmitted to the lever 65 by the slip mechanism 62 is a torque that is sufficient to move the lever 65 and is such that the tip 65a of the lever 65 does not damage the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8.

  As described above, since the printing paper 8 is sandwiched between the slitter paper feeding roller 25 and the pinch roller, the movement in the paper width direction is restricted. The force with which the tip 65a of the lever 65 presses the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 is a weak force that does not cause the printing paper 8 to be damaged. Therefore, even if the tip 65a of the lever 65 contacts the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8, the printing paper 8 does not move in the paper width direction due to the force. After the leading end 65a of the lever 65 contacts the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8, the driving of the motor 61 is stopped.

  Next, in step S <b> 102, the motor 61 is driven in a direction in which the tip 65 a of the lever 65 approaches the wall surface 67. That is, the motor 61 is driven in the direction opposite to that in step S101. Then, the leading end 65 a of the lever 65 is separated from the side surface 8 c of the printing paper 8, and eventually the leading end 65 a of the lever 65 is pressed against the wall surface 67. Since the slip mechanism 62 is also present at this time, even if the motor 61 continues to drive, the position of the tip 65a of the lever 65 does not move any further. Thereafter, the driving of the motor 61 is stopped.

  Next, in step S103, the rotation angle α of the lever 65 is obtained. As shown in FIG. 1, the rotation amount detection unit 63 is provided closer to the lever 65 than the slip mechanism 4 in the drive path. Therefore, the rotation amount detection unit 63 detects the rotation angle of the lever 65 by rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the lever 65 while the lever 65 is rotating regardless of whether the motor 61 is driven. Accordingly, the rotation amount α of the lever 65 when the tip 65a of the lever 65 moves from the position where it abuts against the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 to the position where it abuts against the wall surface 67 is measured by the rotation amount detector 63.

  Next, in step S104, the distance calculation unit 66 obtains the distance B based on the rotation angle α. Here, the distance B is a distance from the reference position 67a to the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 as described above. The distance calculation unit 66 stores in advance a table in which values of the distance B corresponding to various rotation angles α are described. The distance calculation unit 66 obtains the distance B corresponding to the rotation angle α by referring to this table. Since the position of the reference position 67a, the position of the fulcrum 65b of the lever 65, the size of the tip 65a of the lever 65, the length of the lever 65, etc. are defined at the time of designing the printer, It is also possible to calculate the distance B.

  Next, in step S <b> 105, the distance calculation unit 66 calculates the distance E based on the distance B. As described above, the relationship E = A + BD is established between the distance E and the distance B. The distance calculation unit 66 calculates the distance E by substituting the width A and the distance D, which are preset values, and the distance B obtained in step S104 into this equation.

  Next, in step S106, the movement of the slitter blade 80 is started. That is, the slitter blade 80 positioned at the standby position 8f is moved toward the cutting position 8e. The distance that the slitter blade 80 has moved from the standby position 8f is defined as a distance F.

  In step S107, it is determined whether the distance F is equal to the distance E. If the distance F is not equal to the distance E, it is necessary to move the slitter blade 80 further. Therefore, the process returns to step S106, and the slitter blade 80 is continuously moved.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S107 that the distance F is equal to the distance E, it is determined that the slitter blade 80 has reached the cutting position 8e, and the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the movement of the slitter blade 80 is stopped.

  In step S109, the printing paper 8 is cut by the slitter blade 80. The slitter blade 80 performs a cutting operation while conveying the printing paper 8 in the longitudinal direction (y direction in FIG. 1). Upstream of the slitter blade 80, a slitter paper feed roller 25 and a pinch roller (not shown) for pressing the printing paper 8 against the slitter paper feed roller 25 are arranged. Although not shown, a roller for conveying the printing paper 8 and a pinch roller for pressing the printing paper 8 against the roller are disposed downstream of the slitter blade 80.

  Since the printing paper 8 is sandwiched between the slitter paper feeding roller 25 and the pinch roller, when the slitter paper feeding roller 25 is rotated, the printing paper 8 is conveyed in the longitudinal direction in accordance with the movement. Further, since the printing paper 8 is sandwiched between the slitter paper feeding roller 25 and the pinch roller, the movement in the paper width direction (x direction in FIG. 1) is restricted. Therefore, the printing paper 8 does not move freely in the paper width direction.

<Effect>
The printer according to the first embodiment includes a printing paper position detection unit 60 that detects a distance from the reference position 67a to the side surface 8c in the width direction of the printing paper 8, and the conveyance direction in which the printing paper 8 is conveyed. The printing paper position detecting unit 60 includes a lever 65 that rotates about one end (that is, a fulcrum 65b), a motor 61 that rotates the lever 65, a motor 61, and a lever 65. A slip mechanism 62 that reduces the torque of the motor 61 to a predetermined value, a rotation amount detection unit 63 that detects the rotation amount of the lever 65, and a wall surface for defining the reference position 67a 67, when the lever 65 is rotated in one direction, the other end (that is, the leading end 65a) of the lever 65 contacts the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8, and the lever 65 is rotated in the other direction. Then, the lever 65 is disposed so that the other end of the lever 65 (namely, the leading end 65a) contacts the wall surface 67, and the other end (namely, the leading end 65a) of the lever 65 contacts the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8. The width of the printing paper 8 from the reference position 67a based on the rotation amount detected by the rotation amount detection unit 63 in accordance with the change in state between the other end (tip 65a) of the lever 65 and the wall surface 67. A distance calculation unit 66 that calculates the distance to the side surface 8 c in the direction is further provided, and the position of the slitter blade 80 is adjusted in the paper width direction of the printing paper 8 according to the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit 66.

  Therefore, since the printer according to the first embodiment includes the printing paper position detection unit 60, the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 is affected by variations in the width of the printing paper 8, components constituting the printer, and variations during assembly thereof. Even when the positions vary, the position of the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 can be accurately detected without affecting the conveyance of the printing paper 8 and without scratching the printing paper 8. Furthermore, since the cutting is performed by adjusting the position of the slitter blade 80 in accordance with the detected position of the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8, the photographic area 81a can be accurately cut out.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, a mechanism (printing paper pressing mechanism) for restricting movement of the printing paper 8 in the width direction when the tip 65a of the lever 65 contacts the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 is a slitter paper feed roller. This is realized by sandwiching the printing paper 8 by 25 and a pinch roller.

  The printer according to the present embodiment is configured to further include a cutter that cuts the printing paper in the paper width direction. The cutter is disposed at a position adjacent to the slitter blade 80.

  The cutter cuts the printing paper by moving the cutter blade in the paper width direction. At this time, the printing paper 8 receives a force in the paper width direction. The printing paper pressing mechanism is provided in the cutter. In order to prevent the position of the printing paper 8 from being shifted due to this force, the printing paper pressing mechanism is provided in the cutter.

  This printing paper pressing mechanism may be used to restrict the movement of the printing paper 8 in the width direction when the tip 65a of the lever 65 comes into contact with the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8. Further, a dedicated printing paper pressing mechanism may be provided to restrict the printing paper 8 from freely moving in the paper width direction.

<Effect>
The printer according to the second embodiment further includes a printing paper pressing mechanism, and the printing paper pressing mechanism presses the printing paper 8 from above and below when the lever 65 contacts the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8.

  Therefore, by providing the printing paper pressing mechanism, it is possible to prevent the printing paper 8 from moving slightly when the lever 65 contacts the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the accuracy with which the printing paper position detection unit 60 detects the position of the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8.

<Embodiment 3>
In the first embodiment, the lever 65 has a rotatable structure. A similar effect can be obtained even if the lever 65 has a linear motion without a center of rotation.

<Effect>
The printer according to the third embodiment includes a printing paper position detection unit 60 that detects the distance from the reference position 67a to the side surface 8c in the width direction of the printing paper 8, and the conveyance direction in which the printing paper 8 is conveyed. The printing paper position detecting unit 60 includes a lever that moves on a straight line, a motor 61 that moves the lever on a straight line, and a power transmission path between the lever and the motor 61. A motor direction change mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the motor 61 into a linear motion and transmits power to the lever, and a power transmission path between the motor 61 and the lever, and the torque of the motor 61 is reduced to a predetermined value. A slip mechanism 62 that reduces, a rotation amount detection unit 63 that detects a movement amount of the lever as a rotation amount, and a wall surface 67 that defines a reference position 67a, and when the lever is moved to one side, When the lever is in contact with the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 and the lever is moved to the other side, the lever is arranged so that the lever contacts the wall surface 67, the lever is in contact with the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8, and the lever The distance from the reference position 67a to the side surface 8c in the width direction of the printing paper 8 is calculated based on the rotation amount detected by the rotation amount detection unit 63 in accordance with the change in state between the contact point and the wall surface 67. A distance calculation unit 66 is further provided, and the position of the slitter blade 80 is adjusted in the paper width direction of the printing paper 8 according to the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit 66.

  Therefore, since the printer according to the third embodiment includes the printing paper position detection unit 60, the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 is affected by the variation in the width of the printing paper 8, the components constituting the printer, and the variation during assembly thereof. Even when the positions vary, the position of the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8 can be accurately detected without affecting the conveyance of the printing paper 8 and without scratching the printing paper 8. Furthermore, since the cutting is performed by adjusting the position of the slitter blade 80 in accordance with the detected position of the side surface 8c of the printing paper 8, the photographic area 81a can be accurately cut out.

<Embodiment 4>
In the first embodiment (FIG. 1), the rotation amount detection unit 63 is provided in the power transmission path between the slip mechanism 62 and the lever 65. In the fourth embodiment, a rotation amount detection unit 63 is arranged as shown in FIG. That is, the rotation amount detection unit 63 is not provided on the power transmission path.

  Further, a plurality of gears (that is, a gear 64 and a gear 68) are arranged between the lever 65 and the rotation amount detection unit 63. Here, it is assumed that the number of teeth of the gear 64 is larger than the number of teeth of the gear 68. That is, while the gear 64 makes one rotation, the gear 68 rotates more than one rotation. That is, the angular speed of the lever 65 is amplified with respect to the rotation amount detection unit 63 by the two gears 64 and 68.

<Effect>
The printer according to the fourth embodiment further includes a plurality of gears 64 and 68 disposed between the rotation shaft of the lever 65 and the rotation amount detection unit 63, and the angular speed of the rotation shaft of the lever 65 is increased by the plurality of gears. The rotation amount detection unit 63 amplifies the rotation amount.

  Accordingly, the rotation amount detection unit 63 can detect the rotation amount of the lever 65 with higher accuracy.

  In the above first to fourth embodiments, the control method for adjusting the position of the slitter blade 80 has been described. In the following fifth and sixth embodiments, an example of a mechanism for adjusting the position of the slitter blade 80 will be described. The slitter blade 80 corresponds to the drive-side round blade 27 and the driven-side round blade 21 provided in the slitter unit 14 (or 14A) described in the fifth and sixth embodiments below. The contents described below are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-018180 belonging to the same applicant as the present application.

<Embodiment 5>
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the printer according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the printer in the fifth embodiment presses the printing paper 8 against the ink sheet 9 between the thermal head 2 that heats the ink sheet 9 and the thermal head 2 as a printing unit that performs printing. The platen roller 6 is provided. A heat sink 4 for radiating heat from the thermal head 2 is attached to the thermal head 2. The heat sink 4 is cooled by a cooling fan 5.

  The printer also includes a grip roller 7a and a pinch roller 7b that pull out and convey the printing paper 8 from the printing paper roll 8a. The pinch roller 7b is pressed against the grip roller 7a via the printing paper 8. The ink sheet 9 is unwound from the unwinding reel 10b, used for printing, and then wound on the winding reel 10a. On the ink sheet 9, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) dyes, and an overcoat layer (OP) are arranged in this order.

  The printer further includes a cutter unit 11 that cuts the printing paper 8 in the paper width direction, a slitter unit 14 that cuts the printing paper 8 in the paper conveyance direction, and a paper discharge port 15.

  In FIG. 4, a power supply unit, an image processing unit, a sensor, a drive unit, a control unit, a structure support unit, and the like are not illustrated.

  Next, the printing operation of the printer will be described with reference to FIG. The image data is transferred to a printer and converted into print data for printing by an image processing unit (not shown). At the time of printing, the thermal head 2 is pressed against the platen roller 6 via the ink sheet 9 and the printing paper 8. The thermal head gives the heat generation amount corresponding to the print data to the ink sheet 9 and the printing paper 8, thereby sublimating the dye of the ink sheet 9 and transferring it to the printing paper 8. For image formation, for example, the printing operation is repeated on the printing screen of the printing paper 8 in the order of Y, M, C, and OP. At the time of printing, the printing paper 8 is transported while being sandwiched between the grip roller 7a and the pinch roller 7b. The grip roller 7a is rotated at a constant speed by a stepping motor (not shown). At the time of printing, the ink sheet 9 is taken up with a predetermined tension by the ink take-up motor 12 via the ink take-up reel 10a. The ink supply reel 10b is also directly connected to the torque limiter 13 so that the ink sheet 9 has a predetermined tension.

  The printing operation 8 is repeated in the order of Y, M, C, and OP, and the printing paper 8 on which the printing image has been formed is conveyed to the cutter unit 11 by the grip roller 7a and the pinch roller 7b. When the unprinted margin front end portion of the paper 8 passes through the cutter unit 11 by a predetermined amount, the front end portion of the printing paper 8 is cut in the paper width direction by the cutter provided in the cutter unit 11. The printing paper 8 from which the marginal tip has been cut is continuously conveyed to the slitter unit 14 by the grip roller 7a and the pinch roller 7b.

  In the slitter unit 14, the printing paper is cut in a direction parallel to the transport direction. The slitter unit 14 will be described later. Further, a portion that becomes the rear end of the printing paper 8 in the cutter unit 11 is cut and the printing paper 8 is separated from the printing paper roll 8 a, and then the printing paper 8 is discharged from the paper discharge port 15.

<Detailed description of slitter unit>
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the slitter unit 14 of the printer according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the transport mechanism of the slitter unit 14. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cutting position adjusting mechanism of the slitter unit 14. 8 and 9 are front views of the slitter unit 14. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the slitter unit 14 includes a driving-side round blade 27 and a driven-side round blade 21 arranged on a frame 40 (described later) that moves in the paper width direction. The driven side round blade 21 rotates following the rotation of the drive side round blade 27. The printing paper 8 is cut in a direction parallel to the transport direction by passing between the driving-side round blade 27 as the lower blade and the driven-side round blade 21 as the upper blade. The slitter unit 14 is provided with a slitter driving roller 26 and a pinch roller 23 for conveying paper. The slitter driving roller 26 is fixed to the same shaft 20 as the driving side round blade 27. That is, the slitter driving roller 26 and the driving side round blade 27 rotate at the same speed. The pinch roller 23 is arranged coaxially with the driven-side round blade 21.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the slitter paper feeds the paper toward the slitter driving roller 26 side to the cutter unit 11 side of the slitter unit 14 (that is, the side opposite to the paper discharge port 15). A pinch roller 23 that presses the printing paper 8 between the roller 25 and the slitter paper supply roller 25 is provided.

  On the paper discharge port 15 side, a slitter paper discharge roller 28 that conveys the paper toward the paper discharge port 15 and a pinch roller 24 that presses the print paper 8 between the slitter paper discharge roller 28 are provided. In addition, the slitter unit 14 includes an upper sheet guide 47 and a lower sheet guide 48 as guides for a sheet conveyance path.

  Each pinch roller 22, 23, 24 is pressed by a spring (not shown) so that an appropriate pressure is applied to the slitter driving roller 26, the slitter paper feed roller 25, and the slitter paper discharge roller 28. .

  The operation of the transport mechanism of the slitter unit 14 will be described. The shared motor 32 rotates the slitter driving roller 26 via the torque limiter 30 and the gear 34. The shared motor 32 also rotates the slitter paper feed roller 25 and the slitter paper discharge roller 28 via a torque limiter and a gear (not shown). At this time, since the driving side round blade 27 and the slitter driving roller 26 are connected by the shaft 20, the two rotate at the same rotational speed. The printing paper 8 guided to the slitter unit 14 is conveyed while being sandwiched between the slitter paper feed roller 25 and the pinch roller 23, and is passed between the slitter driving roller 26 and the pinch roller 22. The printing paper 8 is cut in the conveyance direction by passing between the rotating drive side round blade 27 and the driven side round blade 21 while being conveyed by the slitter driving roller 26 and the pinch roller 22. The paper is then sandwiched between the slitter paper discharge roller 28 and the pinch roller 24 and is discharged from the paper discharge port 15.

  The peripheral speed of the slitter paper discharge roller 28 is defined as V1, the peripheral speed of the slitter driving roller 26 is defined as V2, and the peripheral speed of the slitter paper feed roller 25 is defined as V3. In the present embodiment, the slitter paper feed roller 25, the slitter drive roller 26, and the slitter paper discharge roller 28 are rotated so that V1 is larger than V2 and V2 is larger than V3. That is, the relation of V1> V2> V3 is established. By setting the circumferential speed of each roller to such a relationship, it is possible to suppress wrinkles and the like from being generated on the printing paper 8 being conveyed. Therefore, the cutting quality by the slitter unit 14 can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 6, appropriate torque limiters 29, 30, 31 and gears (not shown) are provided between the shared motor 32 and each roller so that the peripheral speed of each roller has the above-described relationship. Etc. are provided.

  Next, the position adjustment mechanism of the slitter unit 14 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the slitter unit 14 rotates the screw shaft 42, the frame 40 that moves in the paper width direction along the screw shaft 42, and the screw shaft 42 via the gear 50 a and the transmission gear 41. A pulse motor 50 is provided. The frame 40 meshes with the paper guide 49, the round blade frame 45 for holding the driving side round blade 27 and the driven side round blade 21, and the screw portion 42 a of the screw shaft 42, and the shaft fixed to the round blade frame 45. A connection unit 43 is provided.

  The slitter unit 14 includes a sensor 46 described later, and the frame 40 includes a sensor shielding unit 45 a that shields the sensor 46. The frame 40 includes a spring 44. The spring 44 applies pressure to the driven-side round blade 21 to press the driven-side round blade 21 against the drive-side round blade 27.

  The operation of the position adjustment mechanism of the slitter unit 14 will be described. The frame 40 moves in the rotation axis direction of the screw shaft 42 (that is, the paper width direction) in accordance with the rotation of the screw shaft 42. The frame 40 is waiting at the standby position shown in FIG. 9 as an initial state. Here, the standby position is a position where the round blades (the driving side round blade 27 and the driven side round blade 21) arranged on the frame 40 do not overlap the printing paper 8 in plan view. When the frame 40 is in the standby position, the sensor 46 is blocked by the sensor shield 45a. That is, the control unit (not shown) can determine whether or not the frame 40 is located at the standby position based on the signal from the sensor 46.

  The control unit moves the frame 40 from the standby position to a position corresponding to a desired paper width (for example, the position shown in FIG. 8) before the leading edge of the printing paper 8 reaches the slitter unit 14. That is, when the frame 40 is in the standby position, by driving the pulse motor 50 by a predetermined pulse, the screw portion 42a of the screw shaft 42 rotates by a predetermined amount, and the frame 40 is in the standby position (FIG. 9). To the desired cutting position (FIG. 8).

  The amount of rotation of the pulse motor 50 can be accurately controlled by the number of pulses input to the pulse motor 50. That is, by rotating the shaft 42 by the pulse motor 50, the position of the frame 40 can be accurately moved to an arbitrary position.

  When the printing paper 8 is not cut in a direction parallel to the paper conveyance direction, the frame 40 remains in the standby position.

  In addition, although the screw part 42a of the screw shaft 42 is provided to the half of the whole screw shaft 42, you may expand the range of the screw part 42a. By enlarging the range of the screw portion 42a of the screw shaft 42, the movable range of the frame 40 is expanded, and cutting can be performed at an arbitrary position over the entire width of the sheet.

  In the present embodiment, the pulse motor 50 is used to rotate the screw shaft 42. However, the pulse motor 50 is not limited to the pulse motor, and the frame is provided with a general motor and a sensor for detecting the position of the frame 40. 40 position controls may be performed. Further, the position of the frame 40 may be controlled by providing a general motor and an encoder for detecting the rotation of the motor.

  Alternatively, after the printing paper 8 is cut by the slitter unit 14, the printing paper 8 may be rewound in the paper feeding direction, the position of the frame 40 may be changed, and the cutting by the slitter unit 14 may be performed again. By doing so, cutting at a plurality of positions becomes possible. Alternatively, a plurality of sets of the driving side round blade 27 and the driven side round blade 21 may be provided, and cutting may be performed at a time on a plurality of positions of the printing paper 8.

<Effect>
The printer according to the fifth embodiment includes a printing unit that performs printing by thermally transferring the ink of the ink sheet 9 to the printing paper 8, and a slitter unit 14 that cuts the printing paper 8 printed by the printing unit in the paper conveyance direction. The slitter unit 14 is characterized in that the cutting position for cutting the printing paper 8 can be adjusted.

  Therefore, by making it possible to adjust the cutting position for cutting the printing paper by the slitter unit 14, it is possible to output the printing paper 8 having various paper widths. Since it is possible to output printing paper 8 having various paper widths, the convenience of the printer is improved. In addition, since the printer according to the present embodiment can output printing paper 8 with various paper widths, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of printers for different paper widths, and printed matter with different paper widths can be obtained at low cost. It is.

  In the printer according to the fifth embodiment, the slitter unit 14 is engaged with the screw shaft 42, the motor that rotates the screw shaft 42 (that is, the pulse motor 50), and the screw portion 42 a of the screw shaft 42. And a frame 40 that moves in the rotational axis direction of the screw shaft 42 as the screw 42 rotates. The frame 40 includes at least one blade for cutting the printing paper 8. The axial direction is a sheet width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction.

  Therefore, the slitter unit 14 is configured by combining the motor 40 (that is, the pulse motor 50), the screw shaft 42, and the frame 40 having at least one blade, so that the position of the frame 40 can be set according to the rotation amount of the motor. It becomes possible to adjust. Accordingly, the cutting position at which the printing paper 8 is cut by the slitter unit 14 can be adjusted. Further, by moving the position of the frame 40 using the screw shaft 42, the position adjustment mechanism of the frame 40 can be realized in a small space and at a low cost.

  In the fifth embodiment, the motor (that is, the pulse motor 50) is a pulse motor.

  Accordingly, since the rotation amount of the screw shaft 42 can be accurately controlled by the pulse motor 50, the cutting position for cutting the printing paper 8 by the slitter unit 14 can be adjusted with high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to suppress variations in the width of the printing paper 8 output from the printer.

  In the printer according to the fifth embodiment, the slitter unit 14 further includes a rotary encoder that detects the amount of rotation of the screw shaft 42.

  Therefore, since the rotation amount of the screw shaft 42 can be detected by further providing a rotary encoder, the cutting position to be cut by the slitter unit 14 can be adjusted with high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to suppress variations in the width of the printing paper 8 output from the printer.

  Further, in the printer according to the fifth embodiment, at least one blade provided in the frame 40 stands by at a position where it does not overlap with the printing paper 8 in plan view when the printing paper 8 is not cut.

  Accordingly, when the printing paper 8 is not cut in the slitter unit 14, it is possible to reliably prevent the printing paper 8 from being unintentionally damaged by the blades provided in the frame 40. Since the printing surface can be prevented from being scratched, it is particularly effective when printing on both sides of the printing paper 8.

  The printer according to the fifth embodiment includes a slitter paper supply roller 25 that supplies the printing paper 8 to the slitter unit 14, a pinch roller 23 that presses the printing paper 8 between the slitter paper supply roller 25, and a slitter. A slitter paper discharge roller 28 that discharges the print paper 8 from the section 14, a pinch roller 24 that presses the print paper 8 between the slitter paper discharge roller 28, a slitter paper supply roller 25, and a slitter paper discharge roller 28. A slitter drive roller 26 disposed between the slitter drive roller 26 and the pinch roller 22 that presses the print paper 8 between the slitter drive roller 26, and at least one blade included in the frame 40 includes: The two round blades are arranged so as to face each other with the printing paper 8 interposed therebetween, and one of the two round blades rotates at a speed equal to that of the slitter driving roller 26. And the other blade is a driven-side round blade 21 that is pressed and rotated by the drive-side round blade 27, and the peripheral speed of the slitter discharge roller 28 is greater than the peripheral speed of the slitter drive roller 26. The peripheral speed of the slitter driving roller 26 is larger than the peripheral speed of the slitter paper feed roller 25.

  Therefore, by making the circumferential speed of the slitter paper discharge roller 28 larger than the circumferential speed of the slitter driving roller 26 and making the circumferential speed of the slitter driving roller 26 larger than the circumferential speed of the slitter paper feeding roller 25, It is possible to prevent wrinkles and the like from being generated on the printing paper 8 conveyed in the slitter unit 14. Therefore, the cutting quality by the slitter unit 14 can be improved.

<Embodiment 6>
FIG. 10 is a front view of the slitter unit 14A of the printer according to the sixth embodiment. The configuration other than the position adjustment mechanism of the slitter unit 14A of the printer in the present embodiment is the same as that of the slitter unit 14 in the fifth embodiment. Therefore, description of the transport mechanism of the slitter unit 14A of the printer in the sixth embodiment is omitted. Note that the same reference numerals as in the fifth embodiment are used for the same members as in the fifth embodiment.

  The slitter unit 14A according to the sixth embodiment is a set of pulleys 53 and 54, a belt 51 spanned on the pulleys 53 and 54, fixed to the belt 51, and moved in the conveying direction of the belt 51 (that is, the paper width direction). A motor 57 for rotating the frame 40 and the pulley 53 is provided.

  The slitter unit 14 </ b> A further includes a relay gear 56 and a gear 55 that transmit the power of the motor 57 to the pulley 53. The gear 55 is provided with a rotary encoder that detects the amount of rotation of the pulley 53.

  The frame 40 is fixed to the belt 51 at the belt connecting portion 52. Since the other configuration of the frame 40 is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, description thereof is omitted. Further, similarly to the fifth embodiment, the slitter unit 14 </ b> A includes a sensor 46.

  The operation of the position adjusting mechanism of the slitter unit 14A will be described. The frame 40 moves in the conveyance direction of the belt 51 (that is, the paper width direction) in accordance with the rotation of the pulley 53. The frame 40 is waiting at the standby position as an initial state. Here, the standby position is a position where the round blades (the driving side round blade 27 and the driven side round blade 21) arranged on the frame 40 do not overlap the printing paper 8 in plan view. When the frame 40 is in the standby position, the sensor 46 is blocked by the sensor shield 45a. That is, the control unit (not shown) can determine whether or not the frame 40 is located at the standby position based on the signal from the sensor 46.

  The controller moves the frame 40 from the standby position to a position corresponding to a desired paper width (for example, the position shown in FIG. 7) before the leading edge of the printing paper 8 reaches the slitter portion 14A. That is, in a state where the frame 40 is positioned at the standby position, the motor 57 is driven until the rotary encoder that detects the rotation amount of the pulley 53 detects a predetermined rotation amount, whereby the frame 40 is moved from the standby position (FIG. 9). Move to the desired cutting position (FIG. 8).

  By detecting the amount of rotation of the pulley 53 with a rotary encoder, the position of the frame 40 can be accurately controlled. That is, the frame 40 can be accurately moved to an arbitrary position.

  When the printing paper 8 is not cut in a direction parallel to the paper conveyance direction, the frame 40 remains in the standby position.

<Effect>
The slitter unit 14A provided in the printer according to the sixth embodiment includes a set of pulleys (pulleys 53 and 54), a belt 51 spanned on the set of pulleys, and a motor 57 that rotates the set of pulleys. The frame 40 includes a frame 40 fixed to the belt 51 and a rotary encoder that detects the amount of rotation of a set of pulleys. The frame 40 includes at least one blade for cutting the printing paper 8. The conveyance direction is a sheet width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction.

  Accordingly, the slitter unit 14A is configured by combining the motor 57, the belt 51 that is hung on a set of pulleys, and the frame 40 that includes at least one blade. Can be adjusted. Therefore, the cutting position for cutting the printing paper 8 by the slitter unit 14A can be adjusted. By moving the position of the frame 40 using a pair of pulleys and the belt 51, the position adjustment mechanism of the frame 40 can be realized in a small space and at a low cost. Further, by providing a rotary encoder (incorporated in the gear 55) for detecting the amount of rotation of the pulley 53, the position of the frame 40 can be accurately controlled. That is, the frame 40 can be accurately moved to an arbitrary position. Therefore, it is possible to suppress variations in the width of the printing paper 8 output from the printer.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be freely combined with each other within the scope of the invention, and each embodiment can be appropriately modified or omitted.

  2 thermal head, 4 heat sink, 5 cooling fan, 6 platen roller, 7a grip roller, 7b pinch roller, 8 printing paper, 8a printing paper roll, 9 ink sheet, 10a ink take-up reel, 10b ink take-out reel, 11 cutter Part, 12 ink take-up motor, 13 torque limiter, 14, 14A slitter part, 15 paper discharge port, 20 shaft, 21 driven side round blade, 22, 23, 24 pinch roller, 25 slitter paper feed roller, 26 slitter drive roller 27 Driving side round blade, 28 Slitter discharge roller, 29, 30, 31 Torque limiter, 32 Common motor, 34 Gear, 40 Frame, 41 Transmission gear, 42 Screw shaft, 42a Screw portion, 43 Shaft connection portion, 44 Spring 45 round blade frame, 45 Sensor shield, 46 Sensor, 47 Upper paper guide, 48 Lower paper guide, 49 Paper guide, 50 Pulse motor, 50a Gear, 51 Belt, 52 Belt connection, 53, 54 Pulley, 55 Gear, 56 Relay gear, 57 Motor, 8c, 8d side surface, 8e cutting position, 8f standby position, 60 printing paper position detection unit, 61 motor, 62 slip mechanism, 63 rotation amount detection unit, 64, 68 gear, 65 lever, 65a tip, 65b fulcrum, 66 Distance calculation unit, 67 wall surface, 67a reference position, 80 slitter blade, 81a photographic area, 81b margin area.

Claims (4)

A printing paper position detection unit that detects the distance from the reference position to the side surface in the width direction of the printing paper;
A slitter blade 80 for cutting the printing paper in the transport direction in which the printing paper is transported;
With
The printing paper position detection unit
A lever that rotates around one end as a rotation axis;
A motor for rotating the lever;
A slip mechanism interposed in a power transmission path between the motor and the lever to reduce the torque of the motor to a predetermined value;
A rotation amount detection unit for detecting the rotation amount of the lever;
A wall surface for defining the reference position;
With
When the lever is rotated in one direction, the other end of the lever is in contact with the side surface of the printing paper, and when the lever is rotated in the other direction, the other end of the lever is in contact with the wall surface. The lever is arranged in
The rotation amount detection unit detects the state change between a state in which the other end of the lever is in contact with a side surface of the printing paper and a state in which the other end of the lever is in contact with the wall surface. A distance calculating unit that calculates a distance from the reference position to a side surface in the width direction of the printing paper based on a rotation amount;
Adjusting the position of the slitter blade in the paper width direction of the printing paper according to the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit;
Printer. A plurality of gears disposed between the rotation shaft of the lever and the rotation amount detection unit;
The angular velocity of the rotating shaft is amplified with respect to the rotation amount detection unit by the plurality of gears,
The printer according to claim 1. A printing paper position detection unit that detects the distance from the reference position to the side surface in the width direction of the printing paper;
A slitter blade for cutting the printing paper in a transport direction in which the printing paper is transported;
With
The printing paper position detection unit
A lever that moves on a straight line,
A motor for moving the lever on the straight line;
A motion direction converting mechanism that is interposed in a power transmission path between the lever and the motor, and that converts the rotational motion of the motor into a linear motion and transmits the power to the lever;
A slip mechanism interposed in a power transmission path between the motor and the lever to reduce the torque of the motor to a predetermined value;
A rotation amount detector that detects the amount of movement of the lever as a rotation amount;
A wall surface defining the reference position;
With
The lever is arranged such that when the lever is moved to one side, the lever is in contact with the side surface of the printing paper, and when the lever is moved to the other side, the lever is in contact with the wall surface;
Based on the rotation amount detected by the rotation amount detection unit in accordance with a change in state between the state where the lever contacts the side surface of the printing paper and the state where the lever contacts the wall surface, the reference A distance calculation unit that calculates a distance from the position to the side surface in the width direction of the printing paper;
Adjusting the position of the slitter blade in the paper width direction of the printing paper according to the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit;
Printer. A printing paper presser mechanism;
The printing paper pressing mechanism presses the printing paper from above and below when the lever contacts the side surface of the printing paper,
The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images