JP6639715B1 - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer in which substrates can be arranged collectively. A first drive mechanism (30) attached to one side plate (5a) of a box-shaped frame (5), a second drive mechanism (40) attached to the other side plate (5b) of the frame (5), and a second drive mechanism (30) for driving the first drive mechanism (30). A drive unit (DC motor 51, DC motor 52), a second drive unit (stepping motor 53) for driving the second drive mechanism 40, and a main board 20 attached to one side plate 5a of the frame 5. The main board 20 includes a sensor (first sensor 21, second sensor 22) for detecting the operation of the first drive mechanism 30 and a sensor (first sensor 21, second sensor 22). And a control unit 25 for controlling one drive unit (DC motor 51, DC motor 52). [Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it is known that various substrates are attached to a printer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 1 discloses a control including a CPU, a memory, and the like that perform control of energization of a print head, drive control of a motor that drives a platen, and drive control of a motor that drives a ribbon support shaft and a ribbon take-up shaft. A configuration is disclosed that includes a substrate, a motor that drives a ribbon support shaft and a ribbon take-up shaft, a ribbon substrate to which a ribbon rotation detection sensor, a ribbon tension sensor, and the like are connected.

JP-A-2015-193107

  However, the configuration described in Patent Literature 1 has a problem that the substrates are provided at different locations, and the substrates cannot be arranged collectively.

  Then, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer which can arrange a board collectively.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printer according to the present invention includes a first drive mechanism attached to one side plate of a box-shaped frame, a second drive mechanism attached to the other side plate of the frame, and the first drive mechanism. A first drive unit for driving a mechanism; a second drive unit for driving the second drive mechanism; and a main board attached to one side plate of the frame, wherein the main board includes the first drive mechanism. And a control unit that controls the first drive unit based on a detection value of the sensor.

  In the printer of the present invention configured as described above, the boards can be collectively arranged.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a cover of the printer according to the first exemplary embodiment is opened. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a case of the printer according to the first exemplary embodiment is removed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a case of the printer according to the first exemplary embodiment is removed. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main board and a first driving mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printer according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second driving mechanism according to the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment for realizing a printer according to the present invention will be described based on a first embodiment shown in the drawings.

  The printer according to the first embodiment is applied to a sublimation type thermal transfer type printer.

[Configuration of sublimation type thermal transfer printer]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a cover of the printer according to the first embodiment is opened. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the case of the printer according to the first embodiment is removed. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the case of the printer according to the first embodiment is removed. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the printer according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration of the printer according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printer 1 has a box-shaped case 2, an upper cover 3 serving as a cover provided in an upper opening 2 a formed on the upper surface of the case 2, and a front surface of the case 2. And a front cover 4 provided in the front opening 2b as an opening.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a box-shaped frame 5 is provided inside the case 2. The frame 5 is formed in a box shape by one side plate 5a, the other side plate 5b, and the bottom plate 5c.

  One main board 20 and a first drive mechanism 30 are attached to one side plate 5 a of the frame 5.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a second drive mechanism 40 is attached to the other side plate 5b of the frame 5.

  As shown in FIG. 5, inside the case 2, as main components, a roll paper R for supplying a sheet S as a recording medium, a roll paper holder 10 for holding the roll paper R, an ink ribbon T, A thermal head 7 as an image forming unit, a platen roller 6, a cutter unit 8 as a cutting unit, and a driving roller 11 as a sheet conveying unit are provided.

  The sheet S fed from the roll paper R is wound around a driving roller 11 and a driven roller 12, is conveyed in a feeding direction D <b> 1 using the conveyance path X <b> 1 as a conveying direction, and discharges the sheet S from a discharge port 9. I do.

  As the roll paper R, for example, photographic paper thicker than plain paper is used. The roll paper R is rotatably held via a second drive mechanism 40 by a roll paper holder 10 connected to a stepping motor 53 as a second drive unit described later. The roll paper holder 10 is configured as a sheet transport unit that rotates the roll paper R and feeds out the sheet S.

  The drive roller 11 and the driven roller 12 are attached to the case 2 and arranged along the transport path X1. The drive roller 11 is connected via a second drive mechanism 40 to a stepping motor 53 as a second drive unit described later, and is rotatable in either a positive direction or a negative direction opposite to the positive direction. . An opposing roller 13 is disposed at a position opposing the driving roller 11.

  The opposing roller 13 is attached to the case 2 and is arranged along the transport path X1. The opposing roller 13 is connected to a DC motor 52 as a first drive unit described later via a first drive mechanism 30, and is configured to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction D1.

  When the sheet S is conveyed, the opposing roller 13 contacts the drive roller 11 and rotates following the drive roller 11. When the driving roller 11 rotates in the forward direction, the sheet S is conveyed in the feeding direction D1 with the driving roller 11 and the opposing roller 13 sandwiching the sheet S. When the drive roller 11 rotates in the negative direction opposite to the positive direction, the sheet S is transported in the retraction direction D2 as the transport direction with the drive roller 11 and the opposing roller 13 sandwiching the sheet S. When the sheet S is not being conveyed, the opposing roller 13 is separated from the drive roller 11.

  The thermal head 7 is attached to the upper cover 3 and is arranged along the transport path X1. The thermal head 7 is disposed downstream of the driving roller 11 in the sheet feeding direction D1.

  The platen roller 6 is attached to the case 2 and is arranged to face the thermal head 7 along the transport path X1. The platen roller 6 is connected to a DC motor 52 as a first drive unit described later via a first drive mechanism 30, and is configured to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction D1.

  At the time of printing, the platen roller 6 moves in a direction approaching the thermal head 7 and presses the thermal head 7 via the sheet S and the ink ribbon T. The thermal head 7 generates heat while being pressed by the platen roller 6 via the sheet S and the ink ribbon T, so that the sublimable dye ink applied to the ink ribbon T is placed on the same area of the sheet S. By transferring, an image is formed on the sheet S. When printing is not performed, the platen roller 6 is located at a separated position moved in a direction away from the thermal head 7.

  The cutter unit 8 is attached to the case 2 and is arranged in front of the discharge port 9 in the feeding direction D1 along the transport path X1. The cutter unit 8 cuts the sheet S conveyed along the conveyance path X1.

  The ink ribbon T is, for example, a band-shaped sheet in which the ink areas of yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C, and the area of the overcoat OP are repeatedly arranged in the longitudinal direction. The ink ribbon T is held by a ribbon supply reel 14 for feeding out the ink ribbon T and a ribbon take-up reel 15 for winding the ink ribbon T.

  The ribbon take-up reel 15 is connected to a DC motor 51 as a first drive unit described later via a first drive mechanism 30, and rotates in a rotation direction E1. The ribbon take-up reel 15 is configured as an ink ribbon transport unit that transports the ink ribbon T. When the ribbon take-up reel 15 rotates in the rotation direction E1, the ink ribbon T is paid out from the ribbon supply reel 14. The ink ribbon T fed from the ribbon supply reel 14 is transported in the ribbon transport direction D3, passes through the space between the thermal head 7 and the platen roller 6 via the driven rollers 16 and 17, and passes through the ribbon take-up reel 15 It is wound up.

[Configuration of Main Board and First Driving Mechanism]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the main board 20 and the first drive mechanism 30 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the main board 20 and the first drive mechanism 30 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

(Main board)
As shown in FIG. 6, the main substrate 20 includes a first sensor 21 as a sensor, a second sensor 22 as a sensor, a CPU as a control unit 25, and a light guide plate for guiding light emitted from a light source element. 61 are attached.

  The first sensor 21 is, for example, a transmission-type photo sensor (photo interrupter), and a light emitting unit disposed across a slit formed in a rotating disk 31 attached to a rotating shaft of a DC motor 51 as a first driving unit. And a light receiving unit. The first sensor 21 detects a slit formed in the rotating disk 31.

  The second sensor 22 is, for example, a transmission type photo sensor (photo interrupter), and a slit formed in a cam 34 that rotates via a worm gear 35 attached to a rotation shaft 52a of a DC motor 52 as a first driving unit. And a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit disposed therebetween. The second sensor 22 detects a slit formed in the cam 34.

  That is, the first sensor 21 and the second sensor 22 detect the operation of the first drive mechanism 30.

  The light guide plate 61 guides light emitted from the light source element attached to the main board 20. The light guide plate 61 displays power ON / OFF, and displays an error.

(First drive mechanism)
The first drive mechanism 30 is a wheel train including a rotating disk 31 to which a DC motor 51 is connected, a plurality of gears 32, a lever 33, a cam 34, and a worm gear 35 to which a DC motor 52 is connected. is there.

  When the DC motor 51 is driven, the rotating disk 31 rotates. When the DC motor 51 is driven, the ribbon take-up reel 15 is rotated via the plurality of gears 32.

  When the DC motor 52 is driven, the cam 34 rotates via the worm gear 35. The rotation of the cam 34 causes the lever 33 to rotate about the rotation support shaft 33a. As the lever 33 rotates, the platen roller 6 moves in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction D1. The rotation of the lever 33 causes the opposing roller 13 to move in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction D1.

  That is, the first drive mechanism 30 is configured as a train of wheels that drives the ribbon take-up reel 15 as an ink ribbon transport unit that transports the ink ribbon T, or a train of wheels that moves the platen roller 6 and the opposing roller 13.

[Functional Configuration of Printer]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printer 1 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a functional configuration of the printer 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  Information on the slit detected by the first sensor 21 is sent to the control unit 25. Information on the slit detected by the second sensor 22 is sent to the control unit 25.

  The control unit 25 calculates drive information of the DC motor 51 from the information of the slit detected by the first sensor 21. The control unit 25 calculates the position information of the platen roller 6 and the opposing roller 13 from the information of the slit detected by the second sensor 22.

  The control unit 25 controls the driving of the DC motor 51 based on the driving information of the DC motor 51. The control unit 25 controls the driving of the DC motor 52 based on the position information of the platen roller 6 and the opposing roller 13. That is, the DC motor 51 and the DC motor 52 are closed-loop controlled.

  In other words, the control unit 25 controls the DC motors 51 and 52 as the first driving unit based on the information on the slit detected by the first sensor 21 and the information on the slit detected by the second sensor 22.

[Configuration of Second Drive Mechanism]
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the second drive mechanism 40 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the second drive mechanism 40 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The second drive mechanism 40 is a wheel train including a pulley 41 to which a stepping motor 53 is connected, a plurality of gears 42, a belt 43, and a gear 44 connected to the belt.

  The stepping motor 53 as the second driving unit is controlled in an open loop without using feedback.

  When the stepping motor 53 is driven, the pulley 41 rotates. When the pulley 41 rotates, the roll paper holder 10 is rotated via the plurality of gears 42. When the pulley 41 rotates, the drive roller 11 rotates via the belt 43 and the gear 44.

  The second drive mechanism 40 is configured as a drive roller 11 as a sheet transport unit that transports the sheet S fed from the roll paper R and a gear (wheel train) that drives the roll paper holder 10.

[Printer operation]
Hereinafter, the operation of the printer 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the printer 1 configured as described above, when image data is input to the printer 1 and the printing operation is started, as shown in FIG. 5, the roll paper holder 10 rotates and the drive roller 11 moves in the forward direction. By rotating, the sheet S fed from the roll paper R is transported on the transport path X1 in the feeding direction D1.

  Next, the sheet S is transported in the retraction direction D2, and an image is formed on the sheet S by the thermal head 7.

  The thermal head 7 generates heat while being pressed by the platen roller 6 via the sheet S and the ink ribbon T, and transfers the sublimable dye ink applied to the ink ribbon T onto the same area of the sheet S. By doing so, an image is formed on the sheet S.

  The sheet S is repeatedly conveyed back and forth in accordance with the formation of the image of each color (yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, overcoat OP), and an image in which the respective colors are combined is formed in the same area of the sheet S. .

  Next, the sheet S is transported along the transport path X1 in the feeding direction D1, is cut by the cutter unit 8, and is discharged from the discharge port 9.

[Operation of Printer]
The operation of the printer according to the first embodiment will be described. The printer 1 according to the first embodiment includes a first drive mechanism 30 attached to one side plate 5a of the box-shaped frame 5, a second drive mechanism 40 attached to the other side plate 5b of the frame 5, and a first drive mechanism 30. Drive unit (DC motor 51, DC motor 52) for driving the motor, a second drive unit (stepping motor 53) for driving the second drive mechanism 40, and a main board 20 attached to one side plate 5a of the frame 5. The main board 20 includes a sensor (first sensor 21, second sensor 22) for detecting the operation of the first drive mechanism 30 and a detection value of the sensor (first sensor 21, second sensor 22). And a control unit 25 that controls the first drive unit (DC motor 51, DC motor 52) based on the control signal (FIG. 6).

  Thus, the boards required for the printer 1 can be collected on one side plate 5a of the frame 5. Therefore, a simple design can be achieved, and control accuracy can be improved. Further, workability of attaching the substrate to the frame 5 can be improved. Further, the size of the printer 1 can be reduced.

  In the printer 1 according to the first embodiment, the first transport mechanism is a wheel train that drives an ink ribbon transport unit (ribbon take-up reel 15) that transports the ink ribbon T (FIG. 6).

  Thereby, the transport mechanism of the ink ribbon T can be integrated on one side plate 5 a of the frame 5. Therefore, a simple design can be achieved.

  In the printer 1 according to the first embodiment, the second drive mechanism 40 is a train of wheels that drives a sheet transport unit (the drive roller 11 and the roll paper holder 10) that transports the sheet S fed from the roll paper R (FIG. 8). .

  Thus, the transport mechanism of the sheet S can be integrated on the other side plate 5b of the frame 5. Therefore, a simple design can be achieved.

  In the printer 1 according to the first embodiment, the main board 20 is a single board (FIG. 6). As a result, the number of components on the board can be reduced. Therefore, cost can be reduced.

  In the printer 1 according to the first embodiment, a light guide plate 61 that guides light emitted from a light source element is attached to the main board 20 (FIG. 6).

  Thereby, the light guide plate 61 can be integrated on the main substrate 20. Therefore, it is possible to display power ON / OFF and error display with a simple design.

  The printer of the present invention has been described based on the first embodiment. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and changes and additions of the design are allowed without departing from the gist of the invention according to each claim of the claims.

  In the first embodiment, an example in which the main board 20 is formed of one sheet has been described. However, the main board may be composed of a plurality of main boards as long as the main board is attached to one side plate 5a of the frame 5.

  In the first embodiment, an example in which the first sensor 21, the second sensor 22, the control unit 25, and the light guide plate 61 are attached to the main board 20 has been described. However, a sensor or the like for detecting the open / closed state of the upper cover 3 or the front cover 4 may be attached to the main board. Further, an interface for input and output may be attached to the main board.

  The first drive mechanism 30 and the second drive mechanism 40 are not limited to the example shown in the first embodiment. The first drive mechanism may be any mechanism that is driven by a closed loop-controlled drive unit. The second drive mechanism may be any mechanism that is driven by a drive unit that is controlled by open loop.

  In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the first driving unit is the DC motors 51 and 52, and the second driving unit is the stepping motor 53. However, the first drive unit and the second drive unit are not limited to this mode, and a known motor can be used.

  In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the sheet is used as photo paper for photography. However, the sheet is not limited to this mode, and may be plain paper, for example.

  In the first embodiment, an example is described in which the present invention is applied to the printer 1 of the sublimation type thermal transfer system. However, the present invention is also applicable to impact dot printers, thermal printers, laser printers, ink jet printers, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 5 Frame 5a One side plate 5b The other side plate 10 Roll paper holder (an example of a sheet conveyance part)
11 Driving roller (an example of a sheet conveying unit)
15 Ribbon take-up reel (example of ink ribbon transport unit)
20 Main board 21 First sensor (an example of a sensor)
22 Second sensor (example of sensor)
25 control unit 30 first drive mechanism 40 second drive mechanism 51, 52 DC motor (an example of a first drive unit)
53 Stepping Motor (Example of Second Drive Unit)
61 Light guide plate

Claims (5)

A first drive mechanism attached to one side plate of the box-shaped frame;
A second drive mechanism attached to the other side plate of the frame;
A first drive unit that drives the first drive mechanism;
A second driving unit that drives the second driving mechanism;
A main board attached to one side plate of the frame,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the main board includes a sensor that detects an operation of the first drive mechanism, and a control unit that controls the first drive unit based on a detection value of the sensor. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the first drive mechanism is a wheel train that drives an ink ribbon transport unit that transports the ink ribbon. 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the second drive mechanism is a train that drives a sheet transport unit that transports a sheet fed from roll paper. 4. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the main board is a single board. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a light guide plate that guides light emitted from a light source element is attached to the main board.