JP6882020B2 - Printing equipment, control methods and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to printing devices, control methods and programs.

A printing device that performs double-sided printing by winding a sheet printed on the front surface by a printing unit and then supplying the wound sheet to the printing unit again to print on the back surface of the sheet is known. There is. Patent Document 1 describes a device having a supply unit capable of supplying paper drawn from a roll and a winding unit for winding a sheet (printed sheet) drawn from the supply unit and printed on the surface. ing. Further, in Patent Document 1, when performing double-sided printing, the apparatus winds a printed sheet on a winding unit, and then supplies the wound sheet to the printing unit again to print on the back surface of the sheet. ing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-126530

By the way, when the printed sheet is wound around the winding portion as in Patent Document 1, the printed sheet is fixed to the paper tube attached to the winding portion in advance with tape or the like. However, if the printed sheet is wound in a state where it is not properly fixed to the paper tube attached to the winding part, for example, the printed sheet is properly wound around the winding part. There is a problem that it may not be printed. Further, for example, there is a problem that the wound sheet is not properly supplied to the printing unit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the printed sheet may not be properly wound around the winding unit, or the wound sheet may not be properly supplied to the printing unit. The purpose is to suppress this.

The printing apparatus of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is
A printing unit that forms an image on the first surface of the recording medium and the second surface that is opposite to the first surface, and
A supply unit that supplies the recording medium to the printing unit, and
After the leading edge of the recording medium is fixed to the winding member, a winding portion for winding said recording medium which is printed on the first surface made by the printing unit to the take-up member,
Is a printing device that has
A first printing means that prints on the first surface of the recording medium supplied from the supply unit by the printing unit.
The tip of the recording medium is fixed to the take- up member by the first fixing method for winding the recording medium around the take-up member so that the first surface of the recording medium comes into contact with the take-up member. If so, by rotating the take-up member in the first direction, the recording medium printed on the first side of the recording medium is printed so that the first side of the recording medium comes into contact with the take-up member. wound into the winding member, the distal end of the second fixing method in said recording medium for said first face winding the recording medium so as not to be in contact with the winding member in the take-up member of the recording medium and If is secured to said take up member, control means for controlling said recording medium in which printing is performed on the first surface so as not wound on the winding member,
A supply means for supplying the recording medium wound around the take-up member to the printing unit by rotating the take-up member in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
It is characterized by having a second printing means for printing by the printing unit on the second surface of the recording medium supplied to the printing unit.

It is possible to improve the operability of a device capable of performing double-sided printing.

It is a perspective view of a printing apparatus. It is the schematic sectional drawing of the main part of the printing apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure of setting a roll sheet in a sheet supply device by a spool member. It is sectional drawing of the sheet supply device in the state which the roll sheet R attached to the spool member is set. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion around the seat sensor in the cross-sectional view of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process for automatically supplying a sheet to a transport path. It is a graph which shows the time-dependent change of the output value output by a sheet sensor, and is the sectional view of the sheet supply device. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control system provided in the printing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the state which the printing apparatus winds a sheet around a paper tube by an inward winding method. It is a figure which shows the state which the printing apparatus winds a sheet around a paper tube by an outer winding method. It is a figure which shows the fixing method for winding a sheet by an inner winding method, and the fixing method for winding a sheet by an outer winding method. It is a flowchart which shows the printing process which a printing apparatus executes in the state which "single-sided printing mode" is set. It is a flowchart which shows the printing process which a printing apparatus executes in the state which "single-sided take-back printing mode" is set. It is a flowchart which shows the printing process which a printing apparatus executes in the state which "double-sided printing mode" is set. It is a figure which shows the state of the sheet feeding device when winding of a sheet is executed with the tip of a sheet fixed by a tape. It is a front view of a spool member. It is sectional drawing of the printing apparatus in the state of executing a printing process. It is a figure which shows typically a straight line the transport path of the sheet transported from the spool member set in the upper sheet supply device. It is a figure for demonstrating decal processing. It is sectional drawing of the printing apparatus in the state which performs decal processing. It is a flowchart which shows the decal processing which a printing apparatus performs. This is an example of a screen displayed by a printing device. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing apparatus of the form which carries out double-sided printing by winding a sheet by an outer winding method.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and that all combinations of features described in the present embodiments are essential for the means for solving the present invention. Not exclusively.

(First Embodiment)
A printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described. In this embodiment, an inkjet printer is exemplified as a printing device. The printing device may be a device (MFP) having a plurality of functions other than printing such as a scanner, a copy, and a fax, or a single-function device (SFP) having a printing function. Further, the printing method used by the printing apparatus is not limited to the inkjet method, and may be, for example, an electrophotographic method. Here, printing refers to a process of forming an image on a recording medium such as paper using a recording agent such as ink.

The printing apparatus of this embodiment includes a sheet supply apparatus for supplying a roll sheet (paper) as a recording medium, and a printing unit for forming (printing) an image on the sheet with a recording agent. And.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system included in the printing apparatus 100. The CPU 201 controls each unit of the printing device 100 including the sheet supply device 200, the sheet transport unit 300, and the printing unit 400, which will be described later, according to the control program stored in the ROM 204. Since various setting information and the like based on the user operation on the operation panel 28 are input to the CPU 201 via the input interface 202, the CPU 201 stores the input information in the RAM 203. Further, the CPU 201 appropriately reads the information stored in the RAM 203, and uses the read information for various processes.

Further, in the CPU 201, the tip of the seat is detected by the seat sensor 6 (detection unit) or the seat sensor 16, or the roll sensor 32 detects that the spool member 2 is attached to the attachment position of the spool member 2. When the detection result is input. The detection result is information indicating that the object has been detected. By inputting the detection results from the sheet sensor 6 and the roll sensor 32, it is indicated that the automatic supply of the sheet to the printing unit 400 is ready. Therefore, when those detection results are input, the CPU 201 adjusts the pressing force on the arm member 4 by rotating the pressurizing drive motor 34. After that, the CPU 201 rotates the roll drive motor 33 to rotate the roll sheet R in the normal direction in the direction of the arrow C1 and feed the sheet 1 to the sheet transport unit 300. At this time, the action of the driven rotating bodies (pressure contact bodies) 8 and 9 provided on the arm member 4 which is in contact with the side surface of the roll sheet R from below suppresses the occurrence of sagging and distortion in the sheet 1. The sheet 1 is sent out straight. In the present embodiment, the driven rotating bodies 8 and 9 are not directly rotated by a motor or the like, but are rotated along with the rotation of the roll sheet R by transmitting the rotation of the roll sheet R.

In the present embodiment, in single-sided printing or double-sided printing, the path through which the sheet 1 passes by transporting is referred to as a transporting route.

The roll drive motor 33 is a motor for rotating the roll sheet R in the forward and reverse directions, and constitutes a drive mechanism (rotation mechanism) capable of rotationally driving the roll sheet R. The pressurizing drive motor 34 is a motor that rotates the rotary cam 3a in order to adjust the pressing force on the arm member 4, and the transfer roller drive motor 35 is a motor for rotating the transfer roller 14 in the forward direction and in the reverse direction. ..

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 100 holds a total of two roll sheets R in which the sheet 1 is wound around a roll core (paper tube) in a roll shape by two sheet feeding devices 200. It is possible. An image is printed on the sheet 1 selectively drawn from those roll sheets R. The number of sheet supply devices 200 included in the printing device 100 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. Further, in the present embodiment, the sheet supply device 200 is in a form that can be used as both a supply unit and a take-up unit, but may be a form that can be used only as a supply unit. Further, the printing apparatus 100 may be provided with a configuration that can be used only as a take-up unit.

The operation panel 28 is an interface module that receives various operations from the user. The user can make various settings for the printing device 100 by using various switches provided on the operation panel 28. The various settings for the printing device 100 include, for example, a setting for registering the size and type of the sheet 1, a setting for whether or not the printing device 100 is brought online, a setting for switching the operation mode described later, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of the printing apparatus 100. Inside the printing device 100, two sheet supply devices 200 capable of supplying roll sheets R are provided. The sheet 1 pulled out from the roll sheet R by the sheet supply device 200 is conveyed by the sheet conveying unit (conveying mechanism) 300 to the printing unit 400, which is a module for executing printing. The printing unit 400 forms an image on the sheet 1 on the platen 17 located opposite to the print head 18 by ejecting ink to the print head 18 for printing by the inkjet method. The print head 18 discharges ink from a discharge port by using a discharge energy generating element such as an electric heat conversion element (heater) or a piezo element. When an electric heat conversion element is used, the print head 18 can eject ink from an ejection port by utilizing the foaming energy generated by foaming the ink due to the heat generated by the print head 18.

As described above, the recording method used by the print head 18 is not limited to the inkjet method. Further, in the present embodiment, the printing method by the printing unit 400 is assumed to be a serial scanning method, but the printing method is not limited to this method, and for example, a full line method may be used. When the serial scan method is used, the printing unit 400 transports the sheet 1 by a predetermined distance on the transport path, and then scans the print head 18 in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the sheet 1 to scan the sheet 1. Form an image on top. Then, the printing unit 400 forms an image by repeating the conveying of the sheet 1 at a predetermined distance on the conveying path and the scanning of the print head 18. On the other hand, in the case of the full line system, the printing unit 400 fixes a long print head 18 extending in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the sheet 1 on the conveying path, and continuously conveys the sheet 1. At the same time, an image is formed by ejecting ink to the print head 18. The sheet 1 on which the image is formed passes through the sheet discharge port by being continuously conveyed, and then hangs down due to its own weight.

A shaft-shaped spool member 2 is inserted into the hollow hole portion of the roll sheet R. Then, the spool member 2 is rotationally driven in the directions of arrows C1 and C2 by a roll drive motor described later. As a result, the roll sheet R is held at its center and rotates in the directions of arrows C1 and C2. The C1 direction is the direction opposite to the transport direction of the sheet 1 at the printing position facing the print head 18, and the C2 direction is the sheet at the printing position facing the print head 18. It is the same direction as the transport direction of 1. As will be described later, the seat supply device 200 includes a drive unit 3, an arm member (moving body) 4, an arm rotating shaft 5, a first seat sensor 6, a swinging member 7, and a driven rotating body (pressure contact body) 8. 9. Separate flapper (upper guide body) 10 and flapper rotation shaft 11 are provided.

The transport guide 12 is a guide that constitutes a path for guiding the sheet 1 drawn out from the sheet supply device 200 to the printing unit 400. By configuring the transfer guide 12 to guide the lower surface of the sheet 1 and the separation flapper 10 to guide the upper surface of the sheet 1, the opening of the path for guiding the sheet 1 to the printing unit 400 is formed by the transfer guide 12 and the separation flapper. Formed by 10. The opening is located below the center of the paper tube attached to the sheet supply device 200 in the direction of gravity. The transfer roller 14 is rotated in the directions of arrows D1 and D2 by a transfer roller drive motor described later. Further, the nip roller 15 can be driven to rotate according to the rotation of the transport roller 14 in a close state in which the nip roller 15 is in close proximity to the transport roller 14. Further, the nip roller 15 is switched between a separated state and a close state in which the nip roller 15 is separated from the transfer roller by a nip roller separation motor (not shown), and the nip for the paper nipped between the transfer roller 14 and the nip roller 15. Force adjustments are made. The transport roller 14 is rotated when the second sheet sensor 16 detects the tip of the sheet 1. The transfer speed of the sheet 1 by the transfer roller 14 is set higher than the pull-out speed of the sheet 1 due to the rotation of the roll sheet R, and back tension is applied to the sheet 1. With such a form, it is possible to prevent the sheet 1 from loosening, and to suppress the occurrence of creases and transfer errors of the sheet 1.

The platen 17 of the printing unit 400 attracts the back surface of the sheet 1 by the negative pressure generated through the suction hole 17a by the suction fan 19. As a result, the position of the sheet 1 is restricted and the sheet 1 is conveyed along the platen 17, so that the sheet 1 does not float on the platen 17 and high-precision printing by the print head 18 is realized. Can be done. The cutter 20 (cut portion) cuts the sheet 1 on which the image is formed at the rear end of the region where the image is formed. When the printed matter is provided with a margin, the sheet 1 on which the image is formed is cut at a position rearward by the margin from the rear end of the region where the image is formed.

Further, the printing apparatus 100 is required to reach the position of the cutter 20 at the distance from the print head 18 to the cutter 20 and the rear end of the region where the image is formed after the image is formed by the print head 18. The transport distance and the like are set in advance. The sheet 1 on which the image is formed falls below the cutter 20 by being cut, but the cover 42 of the roll sheet R prevents the falling sheet 1 from returning to the sheet supply device 200 again. Each operation in such a printing apparatus 100 is controlled by the CPU 201.

3A, 3B, and 3C are views for explaining a procedure for setting the roll sheet R in the sheet supply device 200 by the spool member 2. The spool member 2 includes a spool shaft 21, a friction member 22, a reference side spool flange 23, a non-reference side spool flange 24, and a spool gear 25. A reference side spool flange 23 is provided at one end of the spool shaft 21, and a spool gear 25 for rotating the spool shaft 21 is attached to the other end. The reference side spool flange 23 and the non-reference side spool flange 24 are each provided with a friction member 22.

When setting the roll sheet R on the spool member 2, first, the non-reference side spool flange 24 fitted in the spool shaft 21 is removed, and then the spool shaft 21 is inserted into the hollow hole portion of the roll sheet R. The outer diameter of the spool shaft 21 is configured to be smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow hole portion of the roll sheet R. As a result, even when the spool shaft 21 is inserted into the hollow hole portion of the roll sheet R, a gap is formed between the spool shaft 21 and the roll sheet R, so that the user can roll the spool shaft 21 with a slight force. Can be inserted into the hollow hole of. When the spool shaft 21 is inserted into the hollow hole portion of the roll sheet R, the bottom portion on the right side of the roll sheet R in FIG. 3A comes into contact with the reference side spool flange 23. At this time, the friction member 22 provided on the reference side spool flange 23 is fitted into the hollow hole portion of the roll sheet R. As a result, the friction member 22 and the roll sheet R come into contact with each other, and the gap formed between the spool shaft 21 and the roll sheet R disappears, so that the spool shaft 21 and the wheel sheet R can be fixed. After that, the non-reference side spool flange 24 is passed through the spool shaft 21, and the friction member 22 inside the non-reference side spool flange 24 is fitted into the hollow hole portion of the roll sheet R. As a result, the roll sheet R can be fixed by the reference side spool flange 23 and the non-reference side spool flange 24, and the roll sheet R can be prevented from moving in the left-right direction on the spool shaft 21.

In this way, the roll sheet R is attached to the spool member 2. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a spool member 2 in a state where the roll sheet R is attached. After that, the setting of the roll sheet R is completed by fitting both ends of the spool member 2 to which the roll sheet R is attached into the spool holder 31 of the sheet supply device 200. FIG. 3C is a side view showing a state in which both ends of the spool member 2 are fitted in the spool holder 31.

When the paper tube 27 is attached to the spool member 2 for winding the sheet 1, the above process may be performed using the paper tube 27 instead of the roll sheet R.

The spool holder 31 is provided at a position corresponding to each of both ends of the spool shaft 21 in the seat supply device 200. The inner surface of the spool holder 31 is formed in a U shape, and the user can fit the end portion of the spool shaft 21 from the opening side thereof. In a state where the spool member 2 is fitted in the spool holder 31, the spool gear 25 is connected to a roll drive motor described later via a drive gear 30 on the seat supply device 200 side. The roll drive motor drives the roll sheet R in the forward and reverse directions together with the spool member 2, so that the sheet 1 can be supplied and wound. The roll sensor 32 detects the presence or absence of the spool member 2. That is, the roll sensor 32 detects whether or not the spool member 2 is set at the attachment position of the spool member 2 in the seat supply device 200.

<Explanation of paper feed configuration>
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet supply device 200 in a state where the roll sheet R attached to the spool member 2 is set as described above. The sheet 1 is pulled out from the roll sheet R set in the sheet supply device 200, and passes through an opening of a path for guiding the sheet 1 to the printing unit 400, which is composed of a transport guide 12 and a separation flapper 10 described later. It is guided to the printing unit 400. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the two sheet supply devices 200 have the same configuration.

Conventionally, the user has manually performed the operation of pulling out the sheet 1 from the roll sheet R set in the sheet supply device 200 and guiding the sheet 1 to the opening. Specifically, the conventional user first searches for the tip of the sheet 1 of the roll sheet R, and manually inserts the found tip into the opening. In the present embodiment, a mode in which the manual operation by the user can be omitted by automatically executing the operation of guiding the sheet 1 to the opening by the sheet supply device 200 will be described. A function in which the sheet feeding device 200 automatically executes an operation of guiding the sheet 1 to the opening is called an automatic paper feeding function.

An arm member (moving body) 4 is rotatably attached to the transport guide 12 in the directions of arrows A1 and A2 by a rotating shaft 5. A guide portion 4b (lower guide body) for guiding the lower surface of the sheet 1 pulled out from the roll sheet R is formed on the upper portion of the arm member 4. A torsion coil spring 3c that presses the arm member 4 in the direction of arrow A1 is interposed between the arm member 4 and the rotary cam 3a of the drive unit 3. When the rotary cam 3a is rotated by the pressurizing drive motor 34, the force with which the torsion coil spring 3c presses the arm member 4 in the direction of arrow A1 changes. When the relatively large-diameter portion 3a-1 of the rotary cam 3a comes into contact with the torsion coil spring 3c, the pressing force thereof increases, causing a "strong nip pressing force" as described later. Further, when the relatively small diameter portion 3a-2 of the rotary cam 3a comes into contact with the torsion coil spring 3c, the pressing force thereof becomes small, and a "weak nip pressing force" as described later is generated. When the flat surface portion 3a-3 of the rotary cam 3a comes into contact with the torsion coil spring 3c, the pressing force for pressing the arm member 4 in the direction of arrow A1 is released, and the first and second driven rotating bodies described later are rolled sheets. Leave R. That is, the seat supply device 200 presses the arm member 4 with a predetermined "weak nip pressing force", presses the arm member 4 with a predetermined "strong nip pressing force", and pushes the arm member 4. It is configured to be switchable in three stages: the state of releasing pressure and the state of releasing pressure. Further, the switching of the above states is realized by the CPU 201 controlling the drive of the pressurizing drive motor 34.

A swinging member 7 is swingably attached to the arm member 4, and a first and second driven rotating body (rotating body) 8 located along the circumferential direction of the roll sheet R is attached to the swinging member 7. , 9 are rotatably attached. These driven rotating bodies 8 and 9 are pressed against the outer peripheral portion of the roll sheet R from below the central axis in the horizontal direction of the roll sheet R in the gravitational direction by the pressing force on the arm member 4 in the arrow A1 direction. The pressure contact force is changed according to the pressing force that presses the arm member 4 in the direction of arrow A1. Therefore, the drive unit 3 functions as a pressing mechanism for pressing the arm member 4. The drive unit 3 also functions as a moving mechanism for moving the arm member 4 so as to separate the driven rotating bodies 8 and 9 from the outer peripheral portion of the roll sheet R.

A separation flapper 10 located above the arm member 4 is rotatably attached to the main body (printer main body) of the printing apparatus 100 in the directions of arrows B1 and B2 about the rotation shaft 11. The separation flapper 10 is configured to lightly press the roll sheet R by its own weight. When it is necessary to press the roll sheet R more strongly, an urging force by an urging member such as a spring may be used. A driven roller 10a is rotatably provided at a portion of the separation flapper 10 in contact with the roll sheet R in order to suppress the influence of the pressing force on the roll sheet R. In the device configuration as in the present embodiment, the roll sheet R is rotated in the C1 direction at the opening of the path for guiding the sheet 1 to the printing unit 400, which is composed of the transport guide 12 and the separation flapper 10. Guide the tip of the sheet 1 of the roll sheet R with. When the roll sheet R rotates in the C1 direction while the separation flapper 10 is pressing the roll sheet R, the tip of the sheet 1 of the roll sheet R floating from the surface of the roll sheet R becomes the tip of the separation flapper 10. Will be caught in the separation portion 10b of. As a result, the tip of the sheet 1 is separated from the roll sheet R, so that the tip of the sheet 1 is located on the transport path from the state where the tip of the sheet 1 is wound around the roll sheet R (the state shown in FIG. 4). ), The user automatically transitions without searching for the tip of the sheet 1. Further, the separating portion 10b is formed so as to extend to a position as close as possible to the surface of the roll sheet R so that the tip of the sheet 1 can be easily separated from the roll sheet R.

The sheet 1 is pulled out from the roll sheet R by passing over the driven rotating bodies 8 and 9, and the lower surface thereof is guided by the guide portion 4b at the upper part of the arm member 4, and then between the separation flapper 10 and the arm member 4. It is supplied through the path (supply path) formed in. In this way, the driven rotating bodies 8 and 9 are pressed against the outer peripheral portion of the roll sheet R from below, and the lower surface of the sheet 1 pulled out over the driven rotating bodies 8 and 9 is guided by the guide portion 4b. To do. As a result, the sheet 1 can be smoothly supplied by utilizing the weight of the sheet 1. Further, by rotating the driven rotating bodies 8 and 9 and the guide portion 4b according to the roll outer diameter of the roll sheet R, the sheet 1 can be reliably removed from the roll sheet R regardless of the roll outer diameter of the roll sheet R. It can be pulled out and transported.

The sheet 1 pulled out from the roll sheet R passes below the lower surface 10c of the separation flapper 10 and then passes below the lower surface 12a (supply path) of the transport guide 12. In the present embodiment, an operation of guiding the sheet 1 onto the supply path by rotating the roll sheet R in the C1 direction with the tip of the sheet 1 at an appropriate position for the sheet 1 to be automatically supplied to the supply path. Can be automatically performed by the printing device 100. Specifically, for example, the appropriate position for the seat 1 to be automatically supplied to the supply path is between the driven rotating body 8 and the separating portion 10b.

The seat sensor 6 is a sensor for detecting the position of the tip of the seat 1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion around the seat sensor 6 in the cross-sectional view of FIG. The sheet sensor 6 has a built-in LED light emitting unit 6c and a light receiving unit 6d, and the LED light emitted from the LED light emitting unit 6c toward the roll sheet R is reflected on the surface of the roll sheet R and incident on the light receiving unit 6d. To do. As a result, the seat sensor 6 outputs an output value corresponding to the light incident on the light receiving unit 6d. The light emitted from the LED light emitting unit 6c toward the roll sheet R and incident on the light receiving unit 6d is attenuated as the path taken to the incident is longer. That is, the output value output by the seat sensor 6 becomes smaller as the distance from the seat sensor 6 to the surface of the roll sheet R (distance of the dotted arrow in the figure) is longer, and becomes larger as the distance is shorter.

When the tip of the sheet 1 is separated from the roll sheet R, the tip of the sheet 1 hangs down in the direction of the sheet sensor 6 due to its own weight. That is, the distance from the seat sensor 6 to the surface of the roll sheet R is shortened, and the output value output by the seat sensor 6 is increased. Therefore, the seat sensor 6 detects that the tip of the seat 1 is at an appropriate position for the seat 1 to be automatically supplied to the supply path when the output value becomes large.

The seat sensor 6 does not have to emit light by the LED as long as the output value changes depending on the distance between the seat sensor 6 and the roll sheet R (including the seat tip 1). The light detected by 6d is not limited to the specularly reflected light. The seat sensor 6 is connected to the CPU 201, and the CPU 201 can acquire the output value output by the seat sensor 6 at an arbitrary timing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process for automatically supplying the sheet 1 to the supply path. It is assumed that the process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 reading the program from the ROM 204 or an external storage device (not shown), loading the program into the RAM 203, and executing the program. Further, the process shown in this flowchart shall be started when the roll sensor 32 detects that the spool member 2 is set in the sheet supply device 200. For example, the process shown in this flowchart may be started when the user instructs the execution of the automatic paper feeding function via the operation panel 28.

First, the CPU 201 starts polling the output value obtained by the seat sensor 6 in S601.

Next, in S602, the CPU 201 starts the rotation of the roll drive motor 33 to start the rotation of the spool member 2 in the winding direction. If the winding method is the inner winding method described later, the winding direction is the C2 direction, and if the winding method is the outer winding method described later, the winding direction is the C1 direction. Here, an example in which the winding method is an inward winding method will be described.

Next, the CPU 201 executes control for moving the tip of the sheet 1 to an appropriate position for the sheet 1 to be automatically supplied to the supply path.

FIG. 7A is a graph showing the time course of the output value output by the seat sensor 6. The vertical axis of the graph is the output value output by the sheet sensor 6, and the horizontal axis is the rotation angle of the roll sheet R that rotates in the C2 direction with the passage of time. The rotation angle at the time when the CPU 201 starts polling is set to 0 degree. As described above, the output value output by the seat sensor 6 becomes smaller as the distance from the seat sensor 6 to the surface of the seat tip 1 is longer, and becomes larger as the distance is shorter. The CPU 201 can detect that the tip of the seat 1 has passed over the seat sensor 6 by polling the change in the output value output by the seat sensor 6.

In the present embodiment, the output value exceeding the threshold value TH1 is regarded as level H (hereinafter referred to as level H), and the output value not exceeding the threshold value TH1 is regarded as level L (hereinafter referred to as level L). The threshold value TH1 is a value preset for this determination, and is stored in the printing device 100 main body or the non-volatile memory inside the sheet sensor 6. Specifically, the threshold value TH1 is set as (H0 + L0) / 2. L0 is an output value in a state where the tip of the seat 1 is located between the driven rotating body 8 and the seat sensor 6. Further, H0 is an output value in a state where the tip of the sheet 1 is located directly above the sheet sensor 6. Since this set value fluctuates due to variations in the sensors, a step of measuring L0 and H0 corresponding to the amount of light reflected from the roll sheet R for each sensor and calculating the threshold value TH1 based on the values is performed. After that, the threshold value TH1 may be determined.

When the tip of the sheet 1 passes by the driven roller 10a of the separation flapper and falls on the arm member 4 by its own weight, the distance from the tip of the sheet 1 to the surface of the roll sheet R becomes short, so that the output value rises from level L to the level. It changes to H. In the example of FIG. 7A, since the rotation angle of the roll sheet R when the output value exceeds the threshold value TH1 is about 170 degrees, the roll sheet R has rotated about 170 degrees from the time when polling is started. Therefore, it can be seen that the seat tip 1 has fallen on the arm member 4 by its own weight.

Further, when the rotation of the roll sheet R in the C2 direction is continued even after the output value changes from the level L to the level H, the tip of the sheet 1 is the sheet sensor 6 as shown in FIG. 7 (c). Will pass over. In that case, since the seat sensor 6 receives the reflection from the surface of the roll sheet R again, the output value changes from the level H to the level L. After the tip of the sheet 1 passes over the seat sensor 6, the output value remains at level L at least until the rotation in the C2 direction is continued and the sheet tip 1 passes over the driven rotating body 9. Will be done.

Therefore, the CPU 201 determines in S603 whether or not the output value obtained by the seat sensor 6 has changed from level L to level H and then further changed from level H to level L. If the determination is YES, the CPU 201 proceeds to S606. On the other hand, the CPU 201 proceeds to S604 in the case of a NO determination.

In S606, the CPU 201 outputs the output obtained by the seat sensor 6 even if the spool member 2 is rotated in the predetermined rotation angle A or more in the C2 direction after the output value obtained by the seat sensor 6 changes from level H to level L. Determine if the value was maintained at level L. The predetermined rotation angle A is an angle set based on the angle θ'corresponding to the angle formed by the seat sensor 6 and the driven rotating body 9 when the center of the spool member 2 is the axis, and is a predetermined angle in the present embodiment. The rotation angle A = θ'/ 2 is set. In this determination, for example, after the output value obtained by the seat sensor 6 changes from level H to level L, the output value obtained by the seat sensor 6 is obtained even if the spool member 2 is rotated in the C2 direction for a predetermined time or longer. May be a process of determining whether or not is maintained at level L. The CPU 201 proceeds to S104 in the case of a YES determination, and proceeds to S105 in the case of a NO determination. The case where the NO determination is made is, for example, a case where the sheet 1 separated from the roll sheet R has a wavy shape. In such a case, the output value obtained by the sheet sensor 6 changes from level H to level L at the convex portion of the sheet 1 having a wavy shape. However, after that, the output value obtained by the sheet sensor 6 changes from level L to level H again in the recessed portion of the sheet 1. That is, since the change in the output value obtained by the seat sensor 6 from level H to level L does not necessarily correspond to the fact that the tip of the seat 1 has passed over the seat sensor 6, false detection is performed by executing this determination. Suppress.

In the case of NO determination in S603 or NO determination in S606, the CPU 201 determines in S604 whether or not the spool member 2 has been rotated by a predetermined angle or more or a predetermined time or more. The CPU 201 proceeds to S605 in the case of a YES determination, and executes the process of S603 again in the case of a NO determination.

In S605, the CPU 201 executes error processing. Specifically, as an error process, the CPU 201 displays a screen on the operation panel 28 for prompting the user to manually execute an operation of guiding the tip of the sheet 1 to the supply path. Then the process ends.

If the determination is YES in S606, the timing at which the output value obtained by the seat sensor 6 changes from level H to level L is the timing at which the tip of the seat 1 passes over the seat sensor 6. That is, at the timing when the output value obtained by the seat sensor 6 changes from level H to level L, the tip of the seat 1 is located above (near) the seat sensor 6. The rotation angle B required to move the seat 1 from the position above the seat sensor 6 to an appropriate position for the seat 1 to be automatically supplied to the supply path can be determined in advance based on the device configuration. is there. Therefore, in S607, the CPU 201 further rotates the spool member 2 in the C2 direction by a rotation angle B in consideration of the position of the tip of the seat 1, and the seat 1 is automatically supplied to the supply path at an appropriate position. Move the tip of 1. After that, the CPU 201 stops the rotation of the spool member 2. The CPU 201 may not further rotate the spool member 2 after the YES determination is made in S606, for example, if the rotation of the spool member 2 can be stopped quickly. Then, the CPU 201 may stop the rotation of the spool member 2 at the timing when the YES determination is made in S606. By this process, the tip of the sheet 1 is moved to an appropriate position for the sheet 1 to be automatically supplied to the supply path.

Subsequently, the CPU 201 starts the rotation of the roll drive motor 33 in S608 to start the rotation of the spool member 2 in the transport direction. The transport direction is the opposite of the winding direction. That is, if the winding method is an inward winding method, the transport direction is the C1 direction. At this time, the tip of the seat 1 is dropped on the arm member 4 by its own weight. Therefore, when the spool member 2 rotates in the C1 direction, the tip of the sheet 1 is pulled out from the roll sheet R and moves along the arm member 4, and is guided to the result supply path. Even if the sheet 1 moves along the roll sheet R due to a roll habit or the like, the outer peripheral surface of the roll sheet R and the tip of the sheet 1 are separated by the separation flapper 10 (from the outer peripheral surface of the roll sheet R to the sheet 1). The tip peels off). Therefore, the tip of the sheet 1 is guided to the supply path.

Even after the tip of the sheet 1 is guided to the supply path, the CPU 201 continues to rotate the spool member 2 in the C1 direction. When the spool member 2 continues to rotate in the C1 direction, the seat sensor 16 detects that the tip of the seat 1 has passed over the seat sensor 16. Then, when the detection result is input from the sheet sensor 16, the CPU 201 conveys the sheet 1 to the printing unit 400 by rotating the transfer roller 14 in the forward direction in the direction of the arrow D1 by the transfer roller drive motor 35.

With such an automatic transfer function, it is possible to omit the user from manually executing the operation of guiding the tip of the sheet 1 to the supply path.

For example, in the case where the spool member 2 is not set in the sheet supply device 200 or the case where the spool member 2 to which the roll sheet R is not attached is set in the sheet supply device 200, an instruction to execute the automatic transfer process is given. May be struck. In that case, since the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the sheet sensor 6 is not reflected by the roll sheet R, the output value obtained by the sheet sensor 6 becomes significantly small. Therefore, for example, the CPU 201 may execute the error processing even when the output value obtained by the seat sensor 6 is extremely small. In this case, specifically, whether or not the output value obtained by the seat sensor 6 is maintained at a level smaller than the predetermined threshold value TH2 even if the spool member 2 is rotated in the winding direction by a predetermined rotation angle C or more. To judge. Then, the CPU 201 executes error processing in the case of a YES determination. In this error processing, a screen different from the screen displayed in the error processing of S605 may be displayed on the operation panel 28. For example, a screen for urging the user to attach the spool member 2 or the roll sheet R may be displayed on the operation panel 28. Further, when an input indicating that the attachment of the spool member 2 and the roll sheet R is completed is received from the user after that, the process from S601 may be executed again.

<Explanation about winding>
In the present embodiment, when the printing device 100 is set to the “single-sided winding printing mode” or “double-sided printing mode” described later, the printed sheets are set in the two sheet feeding devices 200. It can be wound around one of the tubes 27. Further, as the winding method used at this time, there are an inner winding method and an outer winding method. These methods will be described below. In the present embodiment, a member different from the spool member 2 is treated as the paper tube 27, but for example, the spool member 2 may be directly wound around the spool member 2, and in that case, the spool member 2 is made of paper. Treated as tube 27.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the printing apparatus 100 winds the sheet 1 around the paper tube 27 by the inward winding method. The inward winding method refers to a method of winding the sheet 1 so that the side on which the image is printed on the sheet 1 is on the inside. In other words, the inward winding method refers to a method of winding the sheet 1 so that the surface of the sheet 1 on which the image is printed is in contact with the paper tube 27. Further, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the printing apparatus 100 winds up the sheet 1 by an outer winding method. The outer winding method refers to a method of winding the sheet 1 so that the side on which the image is printed on the sheet 1 is on the outside. In other words, the inward winding method refers to a method of winding the sheet 1 so that the surface of the sheet 1 on which the image is not printed is in contact with the paper tube 27.

In the following, a mode in which the upper sheet supply device 200 is used as the supply unit (supply unit) of the sheet 1 and the lower sheet supply device 200 is used as the take-up unit (winding unit) of the sheet 1 will be described. , Not limited to this form. That is, the relationship between the supply unit and the take-up unit may be reversed. Further, each of the upper and lower seat supply devices 200 may be provided with a sensor for detecting a flange attachment (not shown) attached to the reference side spool flange 23 side of the spool member 2. In that case, which sheet supply device 200 is used as the supply unit of the sheet 1 is determined according to the detection result by the sensor. More specifically, for example, a seat supply device 200 in which a spool member having a flange attachment attached to the reference side spool flange 23 side is set is determined for seat supply. Further, a seat supply device 200 in which a spool member to which a flange attachment is not attached is set on the reference side spool flange 23 side is determined for sheet winding. Further, the determination of which sheet supply device 200 to be used as the supply unit of the sheet 1 may be made based on the operation on the changeover switch of the supply unit performed by the user.

When printing is performed on one side of the sheet 1 and the sheet 1 passes through the sheet discharge port, the sheet 1 hangs downward due to its own weight. In order to wind the hanging sheet 1 around the sheet supply device 200, the user needs to fix the sheet 1 to the paper tube 27 attached to the spool member 2 set in the sheet supply device 200. There is. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the user fixes the sheet 1 to the paper tube 27 attached to the spool member 2 set in the sheet supply device 200 with an adhesive member such as tape. At this time, the user can wind the sheet 1 without distortion by fixing the tip side of the sheet 1 so as to be parallel to the axis of the paper tube 27. The method of fixing the sheet 1 to the paper tube 27 is not limited to the method of fixing the sheet 1 with an adhesive member such as a tape. For example, the sheet 1 may be fixed to the paper tube 27 by providing the paper tube 27 with a structure in which the tip of the sheet 1 is nipped.

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a fixing method for winding the sheet 1 by the inward winding method. Specifically, after moving the sheet 1 so as to pass between the spool member 2 and the main body of the printing device 100, the paper tube so that the surface of the sheet 1 on which the image is printed comes into contact with the surface of the paper tube 27. The sheet 1 is fixed to 27 with the tape 51. With the sheet 1 fixed to the paper tube 27 in this way, the spool member 2 rotates in the C2 direction, so that the sheet 1 is wound around the paper tube 27 inwardly.

On the other hand, FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a fixing method for winding the sheet 1 by an outer winding method. Specifically, the sheet 1 is wound from the side opposite to the printing device 100 main body side of the spool member so that the surface of the sheet 1 on which the image is not printed is in contact with the surface of the paper tube 27. The sheet 1 is fixed to the tube 27 with the tape 51. With the sheet 1 fixed to the paper tube 27 in this way, the spool member 2 rotates in the C1 direction, so that the sheet 1 is wound around the paper tube 27 in an outward winding manner.

<Explanation of operation mode>
Here, each operation mode of the printing apparatus 100 will be described. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are three operation modes in which the printing device 100 can operate: "single-sided printing mode", "single-sided winding printing mode", and "double-sided printing mode". Then, the printing device 100 operates in the operation mode set for the printing device 100 among the three operation modes.

In the "single-sided printing mode", first, the printing device 100 is operated so as to print on the first surface (front surface) of the sheet 1 drawn from the upper or lower sheet supply device 200. After that, in the "single-sided printing mode", the printing device 100 is set so as to cut the printed sheet 1 without winding the printed sheet 1 on any of the spool members 2 set in the sheet supply device 200. Make it work.

In the "single-sided take-up printing mode", first, the printing device 100 is operated so as to print on the first surface (front surface) of the sheet 1 drawn from the upper or lower sheet supply device 200. After that, in the "single-sided take-up printing mode", the printing device 100 is operated so that the printed sheet 1 is taken up by the other sheet supply device 200.

In the "double-sided printing mode", first, the printing device 100 is operated so as to print on the first surface (front surface) of the sheet 1 drawn from the upper or lower sheet supply device 200. After that, in the "double-sided printing mode", the printing device 100 is operated so as to wind the printed sheet 1 around the other sheet feeding device 200. Further, in the "double-sided printing mode", the wound sheet 1 is fed back to the supply path and printed so as to print on the second side (back side) which is the opposite side of the first side of the sheet 1. The device 100 is operated.

Each operation mode is set in the printing device 100 by receiving a user operation via the operation panel 28, for example. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the "single-sided printing mode" is set in the printing device 100 in the initialization state immediately after the power of the printing device 100 is turned on. Therefore, when the user wants to operate the printing device 100 in an operation mode other than the "single-sided printing mode", the user sets the operation mode other than the "single-sided printing mode" in the printing device 100 by operating the operation panel 28 or the like. To do. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the printing device 100 is provided with a mode changeover switch (not shown) in addition to the operation panel 28. Then, the user can switch the setting of whether or not to wind the printed sheet 1 on one of the sheet supply devices 200 by switching the mode changeover switch. That is, the user switches whether to set the operation mode of the printing device 100 to "single-sided printing mode" or to a mode other than "single-sided printing mode" ("single-sided take-up printing mode" or "double-sided printing mode"). be able to. Then, when an operation for setting the operation mode of the printing device 100 other than the "single-sided printing mode" is performed, which of the "single-sided take-up printing mode" and the "double-sided printing mode" is set in the printing device 100 is set. A screen for asking the user is displayed on the operation panel 28. The user can set the "single-sided take-up printing mode" or the "double-sided printing mode" in the printing device 100 by inputting to the screen.

With such a form, the user can set the operation mode in the printing device 100 and cause the printing device 100 to perform printing according to the set operation mode.

For example, when the power of the printing device 100 is turned off while the operation mode of the printing device 100 is changed, the CPU 201 sets the changed operation mode of the ROM 204 before the power of the printing device 100 is turned off. You may memorize it in etc. As a result, when the power of the printing device 100 is subsequently turned on, the CPU 201 may cause the printing device 100 to set the changed operation mode even in the initial state.

Here, a mode in which printing is performed based on an operation mode set in the printing device 100 when the printing device 100 receives a printing instruction has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, when the print job includes print setting information for instructing which operation mode to print, the print is performed based on the operation mode corresponding to the content of the print setting information. There may be.

<Explanation of printing in "single-sided printing mode">
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a printing process executed by the printing apparatus 100 in a state where the “single-sided printing mode” is set. It is assumed that the process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 reading the program from the ROM 204 or an external storage device (not shown), loading the program into the RAM 203, and executing the program. Further, it is assumed that the process shown in this flowchart is started in a state where the "single-sided printing mode" is set in the printing device 100 by the initialization process or the user operation.

First, the CPU 201 receives a print instruction in S1201. The print instruction may be an operation for instructing the printing device 100 to execute the printing process directly from the user via the operation panel 28 or the like. Further, it may be a print job received from an external device of the printing device 100 via wireless communication or wired communication.

Subsequently, the CPU 201 determines in S1202 whether or not the seat 1 is detected by the seat sensor 16. If the sheet 1 is pulled out from the roll sheet R attached to the sheet supply device 200 by the above-mentioned automatic paper feeding function, the sheet 1 is detected by the sheet sensor 16. This determination is performed, for example, by determining whether or not it is detected by the roll sensor 32 provided in the upper seat supply device 200 that the spool member 2 is attached to the attachment position of the spool member 2. You can be broken. Further, for example, it may be performed by determining whether or not the seat 1 is detected by the seat sensor 6 provided in the upper seat supply device 200. The CPU 201 proceeds to S1204 in the case of a YES determination, and proceeds to S1203 in the case of a NO determination.

In S1203, the CPU 201 instructs the user to attach the roll sheet R to the upper sheet supply device 200. Specifically, for example, the CPU 201 displays a screen for instructing the attachment of the roll sheet R to the upper sheet supply device 200 on the operation panel 28. After that, the CPU 201 proceeds to S1202 again.

Subsequently, in S1204, the CPU 201 forms an image based on the print instruction in the region of the surface of the sheet 1 facing the print head 18 while appropriately transporting the sheet 1. In the state where the "single-sided printing mode" is set in the printing device 100, the CPU 201 does not provide a margin between the tip of the sheet 1 and the position where the image on the sheet 1 is formed, or a small area. Only provide a margin. As a result, the CPU 201 can suppress the waste of the sheet 1.

Subsequently, when the rear end portion of the region on the sheet 1 in which the image is formed reaches the position of the cutter 20 by transportation, the CPU 201 cuts the sheet 1 by the cutter 20 in S1205. As a result, the sheet 1 on which the image is formed falls by its own weight and is stored in the basket 62. Here, since the sheet 1 is cut for each image, when a plurality of images are printed on the sheet 1, the sheet 1 is cut a plurality of times. Further, the printing of the subsequent image by the print head 18 may be performed in parallel with the cutting of the sheet 1.

<Explanation of printing in "single-sided take-up printing mode">
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a printing process executed by the printing apparatus 100 in a state where the “single-sided take-up printing mode” is set. It is assumed that the process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 reading the program from the ROM 204 or an external storage device (not shown), loading the program into the RAM 203, and executing the program. Further, it is assumed that the process shown in this flowchart is started in a state where the "single-sided take-up printing mode" is set in the printing apparatus 100 by a user operation or the like. Further, in the present embodiment, a mode in which printing is performed using the upper sheet supply device 200 as a supply unit and the lower sheet supply device 200 as a take-up unit will be described.

As described above, in order to wind the printed sheet 1 around the lower sheet supply device 200, the sheet 1 is attached to the paper tube 27 attached to the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200. It is necessary to fix the tip of the paper. Therefore, first, in S1301, the CPU 201 receives the transfer instruction of the sheet 1 from the user via the operation panel 28, a physical button (not shown), or the like.

Subsequently, the CPU 201 determines in S1302 whether or not the seat 1 is detected by the seat sensor 16. The details of this determination are the same as the processing of S1202. This determination is performed, for example, by determining whether or not it is detected by the roll sensor 32 provided in the upper seat supply device 200 that the spool member 2 is attached to the attachment position of the spool member 2. You can be broken. Further, for example, it may be performed by determining whether or not the seat 1 is detected by the seat sensor 6 provided in the upper seat supply device 200. The CPU 201 proceeds to S1304 in the case of a YES determination, and proceeds to S1303 in the case of a NO determination.

In S1303, the CPU 201 instructs the user to attach the roll sheet R to the upper sheet supply device 200. The details of this determination are the same as the processing of S1203. After that, the CPU 201 proceeds to S1302 again.

The CPU 201 determines in S1304 whether or not it is detected by the roll sensor 32 provided in the lower seat supply device 200 that the spool member 2 is attached to the attachment position of the spool member 2. The CPU 201 proceeds to S1306 in the case of a YES determination, and proceeds to S1305 in the case of a NO determination. If the determination is YES, the CPU 201 may further determine whether or not the roll sheet 1 is attached to the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200. Then, in the case of NO determination, the CPU 201 proceeds to S1306. Further, in the case of the YES determination, the CPU 201 is a screen for instructing the user to remove the roll sheet 1 from the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200 and to attach the paper tube 27 to the spool member 2. May be displayed on the operation panel 28. The determination of whether or not the roll sheet 1 is attached to the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200 is determined by, for example, detecting the magnitude of the output value by the roll sensor 32 or the sheet sensor 6. Is done by. Then, the CPU 201 proceeds to S1306 when an input indicating that the operation based on the instruction has been performed is performed.

In S1305, the CPU 201 instructs the user to attach the spool member 2 to the lower seat supply device 200. Specifically, for example, the CPU 201 displays a screen for instructing the attachment of the spool member 2 to the lower seat supply device 200 on the operation panel 28. At this time, not only the attachment of the spool member 2 to the lower sheet supply device 200 but also the attachment of the paper tube 27 to the spool member 2 may be instructed. After that, the CPU 201 proceeds to S1304 again.

When the arm member 4 of the lower sheet supply device 200 is in pressure contact with the paper tube 27, the arm member 4 interferes with the operation for fixing the tip of the sheet 1 to the paper tube 27. Therefore, the CPU 201 moves the arm member 4 to a position away from the paper tube 27 in S1306.

Subsequently, the CPU 201 conveys the sheet 1 in S1307 so that the tip of the sheet 1 reaches the lower sheet supply device 200 before printing is executed by the printing unit 400. When the sheet 1 is conveyed in this way, the user fixes the tip of the sheet 1 to the paper tube 27 attached to the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200. At this time, the CPU 201 displays a screen on the operation panel 28 for instructing the user to fix the tip of the sheet 1 to the paper tube 27 attached to the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200. You can. In the state where the "single-sided winding printing mode" is set in the printing device 100, the method of fixing the tip of the sheet 1 is for the outer winding method even if it is for the inner winding method. There may be. As a result, a margin having a predetermined length L1 is formed between the tip of the sheet 1 and the region where the image is formed on the sheet 1. The predetermined length L1 is the length from the position facing the print head 18 to the position where the tip of the sheet 1 is fixed in the transport path of the sheet 1.

Subsequently, in S1308, the CPU 201 receives an input indicating that the fixing of the tip of the sheet 1 is completed from the user via the operation panel 28 or the like.

Subsequently, the CPU 201 receives a print instruction in S1309. This process is the same as the process of S1201.

Subsequently, the CPU 201 executes an inward winding detection process (internal winding determination process) in S1310. Specifically, the inward winding detection process is a process of determining whether or not the tip of the sheet 1 is fixed by the inward winding detection sensor 50 by the fixing method for the inward winding method. This is because the direction in which the spool member 2 is rotated differs depending on the winding method, and the CPU 201 needs to specify which winding method should be used. In the case of the YES determination, the CPU 201 specifies that the sheet 1 is to be wound by the inner winding method and proceeds to S1313, and in the case of the NO determination, the CPU 201 specifies that the sheet 1 is to be wound by the outer winding method and proceeds to S1311. ..

The details of the inward winding detection process will be described below.

FIG. 15B is a fixing method for the inward winding method, in which the tip of the sheet 1 is fixed to the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200 by using the tape 51. It is a figure which shows 200. 15 (a) and 15 (c) are fixing methods for the outer winding method, in which the tip of the sheet 1 is fixed to the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200 by using the tape 51. It is a figure which shows the sheet supply device 200 of. The fixing method for the inner winding method is a fixing method as shown in FIG. 11 (a), and the fixing method for the outer winding method is a fixing method as shown in FIG. 11 (b).

An inward winding detection sensor 50 including a light emitting unit (not shown) and a light receiving unit (not shown) is mounted on the separation flapper 10. When the light emitting portion emits light while the tip of the sheet 1 is fixed by the fixing method for the inward winding method, the sheet 1 is positioned near the light emitting portion (on the path PB) as shown in FIG. 15 (b). To do. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting unit is reflected by the sheet 1, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit. That is, a large value can be obtained as the output value output from the inward winding detection sensor 50. Therefore, when the output value output from the inward winding detection sensor 50 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the CPU 201 determines that the tip of the sheet 1 is fixed by the fixing method for the inward winding method.

On the other hand, when the light emitting portion emits light while the tip of the sheet 1 is fixed by the fixing method for the outer winding method, the light emitting portion is located away from the light emitting portion (on the path PA) as shown in FIG. 15 (c). Sheet 1 is located. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting unit is diffused before reaching the sheet 1 and is not reflected by the sheet 1, so that the light receiving unit does not receive the reflected light. That is, a small value can be obtained as the output value output from the inward winding detection sensor 50. Therefore, when the output value output from the inward winding detection sensor 50 is less than a predetermined threshold value, the CPU 201 determines that the tip of the sheet 1 is not fixed by the fixing method for the inward winding method.

The inward winding detection sensor 50 is arranged so as to be able to detect the path through which the sheet 1 passes when the tip of the sheet 1 is fixed by the fixing method for the inward winding method. Further, in the inward winding detection sensor 50, the difference in the output value output from the inward winding detection sensor 50 becomes large depending on whether the tip of the sheet 1 is fixed or not by the fixing method for the inward winding method. It is preferable to arrange it in such a position. Specifically, for example, when the tip of the sheet 1 is fixed by the fixing method for the outer winding method, the inner winding detection sensor 50 is placed at a position where the light receiving portion does not receive the light reflected by the paper tube 27. It is preferable to be arranged.

Further, as the roll sheet R, a sheet having a width of 8 inches to 60 inches is generally used. Therefore, the position where the inward winding detection sensor 50 is attached to the sheet supply device 200 is preferably a position where the inward winding detection process can be executed regardless of the width of the sheet attached to the spool member. Here, the minimum width of the roll sheet R that can be attached to the sheet supply device 200 is called the minimum roll sheet width L8A, and is the largest width of the roll sheet R that can be attached to the sheet supply device 200. The width is called the maximum roll sheet width L8B. The minimum width is 8 inches in this embodiment, and the maximum width is 60 inches in this embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the spool member 2. The position of the inward winding detection sensor 50 in the X direction in the figure will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, in the present embodiment, when the user attaches the roll sheet R to the spool member 2, the spool shaft 21 is rotated by the roll sheet R until the bottom surface of the roll sheet R on the right side in the drawing comes into contact with the reference side spool flange 23. Insert it into the hollow hole of. Therefore, the roll sheet R attached to the spool member 2 is located immediately inside the reference side spool flange 23 regardless of the width of the sheet. Position A is a position on the spool member 2 that is separated from the position of the reference side spool flange 23 by the length of the minimum roll sheet width L8A in the inner direction of the spool member 2. In the present embodiment, the inward winding detection sensor 50 is provided at a position on the spool member 2 where a region between the position of the reference side spool flange 23 and the position A can be detected. Specifically, the inward winding detection sensor 50 is provided on the upper side in the direction of gravity and on the back side of the printing device 100 with respect to the center of the lower paper tube. The inward winding detection sensor 50 may detect at least one region, not all of the above regions.

The position B is defined as a position separated by the maximum roll sheet width L8B in the inner direction of the spool member 2 from the position of the reference side spool flange 23. For example, when the inward winding detection sensor 50 is provided at a position where only the area between the position A and the position B can be detected, the inward winding detection sensor 50 may detect the roll sheet R having the minimum roll sheet width L8A. Can not. In the present embodiment, by providing the inward winding detection sensor 50 at the position as described above in the sheet supply device 200, the inward winding detection process can be executed regardless of the width of the roll sheet R.

For example, when the roll sheet R is attached to the spool member 2, the position where the bottom surface of the roll sheet R is brought into contact may be a position other than the reference side spool flange 23. In such a case, the position where the inward winding detection sensor 50 is provided may be determined according to the position where the bottom surface of the roll sheet R is brought into contact. Specifically, for example, the minimum roll sheet width L8A is separated from the position where the bottom surface of the roll sheet R is brought into contact with the spool member 2 and the position where the bottom surface of the roll sheet R is brought into contact with the spool member 2 inward. It is a position where the area between the position and the position can be detected. Further, for example, if the roll sheet R is attached to the substantially center of the spool member 2, the position where the inward winding detection sensor 50 is provided may be a position where the region of the substantially center of the spool member 2 can be detected. .. In this way, the inward winding detection sensor 50 may be provided at an appropriate position according to the position of the roll sheet R attached to the spool member 2.

In S1311, the CPU 201 forms an image based on the print instruction in the region of the surface of the sheet 1 facing the print head 18 while appropriately transporting the sheet 1. At the same time, the CPU 201 rotates the lower spool member 2 in the C1 direction to wind the printed sheet 1 around the lower paper tube 27 by an outer winding method.

Subsequently, when the rear end portion of the region on the sheet 1 in which the image is formed reaches the position of the cutter 20 by transportation, the CPU 201 cuts the sheet 1 by the cutter 20 in S1312. Then, the CPU 201 further rotates the lower spool member 2 in the C1 direction, so that all the printed sheets 1 are wound around the lower paper tube 27. Then the process ends.

In S1313, the CPU 201 forms an image based on the print instruction in the region of the surface of the sheet 1 facing the print head 18 while appropriately transporting the sheet 1. At the same time, the CPU 201 rotates the lower spool member 2 in the C2 direction to wind the printed sheet 1 around the lower paper tube 27 by the inward winding method. Further, when the sheet 1 is wound by the inward winding method, the CPU 201 brings the arm member 4 into contact with the roll sheet R formed by winding the sheet 1. As a result, the sheet 1 can be wound while suppressing the occurrence of sagging or distortion in the sheet 1. In the present embodiment, when the sheet 1 is wound by the outer winding method, the arm member 4 is not brought into contact with the roll sheet R formed by winding the sheet 1. This is because if the arm member 4 comes into contact with the printed surface, the formed image may be affected.

Subsequently, when the rear end portion of the region on the sheet 1 in which the image is formed reaches the position of the cutter 20 by transportation, the CPU 201 cuts the sheet 1 by the cutter 20 in S1314. Then, the CPU 201 further rotates the lower spool member 2 in the C2 direction, so that all the printed sheets 1 are wound around the lower paper tube 27. Then the process ends.

With such a form, the sheet 1 printed on the surface can be wound around the paper tube 27.

The printing process in the single-sided take-up printing mode is not limited to the above-mentioned form.

For example, in the above description, a form in which a margin of a predetermined length L1 is provided between the tip of the sheet 1 and the position where the image on the sheet 1 is formed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, similar to the printing process in the single-sided printing mode, there is no margin between the tip of the sheet 1 and the position where the image on the sheet 1 is formed, or only a small area is provided. You may. In this case, the user fixes the tip of the sheet 1 to the paper tube 27 after printing is performed on the area of a predetermined length L1 on the sheet 1.

Further, in the above description, a mode in which the winding method to be used is automatically switched according to the result of the inward winding detection process has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, the CPU 201 receives an input from the user as to which winding method to use by operating the operation panel 28, a switching button (not shown), or the like, and winds the sheet 1 by the winding method according to the received input. Is also good. When the CPU 201 receives an input from a user as to which winding method to use, the CPU 201 has a predetermined length of margin provided on the sheet 1 before printing, depending on the winding method used. The length L1 may be switched. Specifically, the predetermined length L1 when the inner winding method is used may be controlled to be larger than the predetermined length L1 when the outer winding method is used.

Further, the CPU 201 may execute both the reception of the instruction as to which winding method to use and the inward winding detection process. In that case, when the winding method according to the instruction and the winding method specified by the inward winding detection process match, the CPU 201 winds the sheet 1 by the matching winding method. Further, when the winding method according to the instruction and the winding method specified by the inward winding detection process are different, the CPU 201 displays an error screen indicating that on the operation panel 28, and the winding methods match. Do not print or wind up until.

<Explanation of printing in "double-sided printing mode">
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a printing process executed by the printing apparatus 100 in a state where the “double-sided printing mode” is set. It is assumed that the process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 reading the program from the ROM 204 or an external storage device (not shown), loading the program into the RAM 203, and executing the program. Further, it is assumed that the process shown in this flowchart is started in a state where the "double-sided printing mode" is set in the printing device 100 by a user operation or the like. Further, in the present embodiment, a mode in which printing is performed using the upper sheet supply device 200 as a supply unit and the lower sheet supply device 200 as a take-up unit will be described.

Since the processes from S1401 to S1405 are the same as the processes from S1301 to S1305, the description thereof will be omitted.

In S1406, the CPU 201 moves the arm member 4 to a position away from the paper tube 27 in the same manner as in S1306. A cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus 100 in this state is shown in FIG. 17 (a).

Subsequently, the CPU 201 further conveys the sheet 1 in S1407 so that the tip of the sheet 1 reaches the lower sheet supply device 200 before printing is executed by the printing unit 400. In the present embodiment, the CPU 201 needs to wind the sheet 1 around the paper tube 27 by the inward winding method when the "double-sided printing mode" is set in the printing apparatus 100 for the reason described later. Therefore, when the sheet 1 is conveyed in this way, the user is set in the lower sheet supply device 200 by the fixing method for the inward winding method (that is, by the fixing method as shown in FIG. 11A). The tip of the sheet 1 is fixed to the paper tube 27 attached to the spool member 2. The fixing method for the inward winding method is a fixing method as shown in FIG. 11A. At this time, the CPU 201 may display a screen on the operation panel 28 for instructing the user to fix the tip of the sheet 1 to the lower paper tube 27 by the fixing method for the inward winding method. FIG. 17B shows a cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus 100 in a state where the sheet 1 is fixed to the lower paper tube 27 by the fixing method for the inward winding method.

Since the processing of S1408 and S1409 is the same as the processing of S1308 and S1309, the description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the CPU 201 executes double-sided printing when the "double-sided printing mode" is set in the printing device 100. In double-sided printing, after the sheet 1 printed on one side (front side) is wound, the sheet 1 is printed so that the non-printed side (back side) of the sheet 1 faces the print head 18. This is a printing method in which printing is performed on the back surface of the sheet 1 by resupplying to the printing unit 400. In the present embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIG. 17D, the sheet 1 is wound by rotating the lower spool member 2 in the C1 direction while the sheet 1 is wound by the lower paper tube 27. The sheet 1 is supplied to the printing unit 400 again. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the CPU 201 controls the sheet 1 to be wound by the inward winding method when the "double-sided printing mode" is set in the printing device 100. However, the user may make a mistake in the operation, and the tip of the sheet 1 may be fixed to the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200 depending on the fixing method for the outer winding method.

FIG. 15A shows a fixing method for the outer winding method, in which the tip of the sheet 1 is fixed to the lower paper tube 27 by the tape 51, and the sheet 1 is wound by the inner winding method. It is a figure which shows the state of the sheet supply device 200 in the case of. The fixing method for the outer winding method is, that is, the fixing method as shown in FIG. 11B. In the present embodiment, when the sheet 1 is wound around the lower paper tube 27 by the inward winding method, the CPU 201 rotates the lower spool member 2 in the C2 direction. However, when the spool member 2 rotates in the C2 direction while the tip of the sheet 1 is fixed to the paper tube 27 by the fixing method for the outer winding method, a force in the direction for peeling the tape 51 from the paper tube 27 is applied. It will be added to the tape 51. Therefore, when the spool member 2 rotates as described above, there is a problem that the tape 51 is peeled off from the paper tube 27 through the states 51a and 51b of the tape 51 shown by the dotted line in FIG. 15A. Further, if the sheet 1 is wound by the outer winding method even though the fixing method for the outer winding method is used, the sheet 1 is successfully placed in the supply path even if the spool member 2 is rotated. There is a problem that the sheet 1 is not properly supplied to the printing unit without being guided.

In this embodiment, the CPU 201 executes the inward winding detection process in S1410 in order to suppress the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems. The details of the inward winding detection process are the same as those described in the description of the print process in the single-sided take-up printing mode. The CPU 201 proceeds to S1412 when the determination in the inward winding detection process is YES, and proceeds to S1411 when the determination in the inward winding detection process is NO.

In S1411, the CPU 201 instructs the user to fix the tip of the sheet 1 to the lower paper tube 27 by the fixing method for the inward winding method. Specifically, the CPU 201 displays a screen (a screen as shown in FIG. 22) for instructing the user to fix the tip of the sheet 1 to the lower paper tube 27 by the fixing method for the inward winding method on the operation panel. Display on 28. After that, the CPU 201 returns to S1410. In FIG. 22, the instruction screen 220 includes, for example, regions 221 to 224. The area 221 is an area indicating a message for instructing the user to fix the tip of the sheet 1 to the lower paper tube 27 by the fixing method for the inward winding method. The area 222 is an area for receiving an input from the user when the tip of the sheet 1 is fixed by the fixing method for the inward winding method. The CPU 201 proceeds to S1410 when it receives an input to the area 222 from the user. The area 223 is an area for receiving an input for canceling double-sided printing from the user. When the CPU 201 receives an input to the area 223 from the user, the CPU 201 ends the process without executing double-sided printing. Region 224 is a region for illustrating a fixing method for the inward winding method.

The CPU 201 further conveys the sheet 1 and partially winds the sheet 1 on the spool member 2 before printing by the printing unit 400 in S1412.

The details of the process of S1412 will be described. In the present embodiment, the tip of the sheet 1 is fixed to the lower paper tube 27 by the tape 51 for winding the sheet 1, but the traveling direction of the sheet 1 is opposite to that of the front surface printing when printing on the back surface. The rear end of the sheet 1 is fixed to the lower paper tube 27.

In the present embodiment, the sheet 1 is supplied to the printing unit 400 with the rear end of the sheet 1 fixed. In such a form, there is a problem that the region of the LP having a predetermined length from the rear end on the sheet 1 is not conveyed to the printing unit 400 and is not printed by the printing unit 400. The predetermined length LP is the length from the position of the spool member 2 to the position of the printing unit 400 in the transport path of the sheet 1 transported from the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200. Further, in the present embodiment, the double-sided printing is completed by cutting the rear end portion of the area on the sheet 1 where the double-sided printing is executed by the cutter 20. In the form in which the rear end of the sheet 1 is fixed, there is a problem that the region of the sheet 1 having a predetermined length LC from the rear end is not transported to the cutter 20 and is not cut by the cutter 20. The predetermined length LC is the length from the position of the spool member 2 to the position of the cutter 20 in the transport path of the sheet 1 transported from the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200.

In the present embodiment, in consideration of the fact that an area that is not printed or cut is generated in the form in which the rear end of the sheet 1 is fixed, the rear end of the area where printing is executed on the sheet 1 is a cutter. Make sure that it reaches the position of 20 and the printing unit 400. Therefore, in S1412, the sheet 1 is further conveyed so that the length from the tip of the sheet 1 to the tip of the region on which the image is formed on the sheet 1 is at least the length L2 or more. That is, a margin region having a length of L2 or more is provided between the tip of the sheet 1 and the position where the image on the sheet 1 is formed. If the position of the printing unit 400 is on the upstream side of the position of the cutter 20 in the transfer path of the sheet 1 conveyed from the spool member 2 set in the lower stage, the length L2 is the spool member in the above transfer path. It is the length from the position of 2 to the position of the cutter 20. If the position of the cutter 20 is on the upstream side of the position of the printing unit 400 in the transfer path of the sheet 1 conveyed from the spool member 2 set in the lower stage, the length L2 is the spool member in the above transfer path. It is the length from the position of 2 to the position of the printing unit 400.

If the sheet 1 is forcibly conveyed during backside printing in order to peel off the rear end of the sheet 1 from the lower paper tube 27, the sheet 1 may be torn or the tape 51 peeled off from the lower paper tube 27 may be attached to the sheet 1. Printing may be performed with it attached. By providing a margin as in the present embodiment, double-sided printing can be completed while the rear end of the sheet 1 is fixed to the lower paper tube 27, so that such a problem is suppressed. You can also do it.

18 (a) to 18 (f) schematically show a transport path (a transport path of the sheet 1 for printing the surface) of the sheet 1 transported from the spool member 2 set in the upper sheet supply device 200. It is a figure shown by a straight line. 18 (g) to 18 (i) schematically show a transport path of the sheet 1 (a transport path of the sheet 1 for printing the back surface) of the sheet 1 transported from the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200. It is a figure shown by a straight line.

First, when the sheet 1 is pulled out from the upper sheet supply device 200, the sheet 1 is fixed to the lower paper tube 27 by the tape 51 as shown in FIG. 18 (b) through the state of FIG. 18 (a). (S1407). That is, at this time, the sheet 1 is conveyed so that a margin having a length of at least L1A is provided. The length of L1A is the length of the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200 from the print head 18 in the transfer path of the sheet 1 conveyed from the spool member 2 set in the upper sheet supply device 200. The length to the position.

Therefore, in S1412, the CPU 201 further conveys the sheet 1 having a length equal to or longer than L2-L1A, which is longer than the length of L1B, before printing is executed, as shown in FIG. 18C. A margin with a length of L2 or more is provided on the top. In the present embodiment, since a sheet 1 having an amount longer than L2 is required to perform double-sided printing, the remaining amount of the roll sheet R set in L2, L1A, L1B and the upper sheet supply device 200 Each of L3 needs to satisfy the following relationship.

L2 ≤ L1A + L1B <L3
Since the CPU 201 can detect the remaining amount L3 of the roll sheet R set in the upper sheet supply device 200, if it is determined that each value does not satisfy the above relationship, the operation panel 28 or the like is warned. Display the screen etc. and stop the operation. The values of L1A, L1B, and L2 are determined by the length of the transport path and may be different for each product. Therefore, it is assumed that each value is stored in advance in a memory or the like in the main body (not shown), and is called when necessary and used for the above-mentioned determination. If the device configuration of the printing device 100 is such that the margin amount L1A has a relationship of L1A> L2, the CPU 201 does not need to further convey the sheet 1 in S1412. Further, if the device configuration of the printing device 100 is such that the margin amount L1A has a relationship of L1A <L2, the magnitude relationship of the margin generated at the tip of the sheet 1 in each mode is "single-sided printing mode". ≤ "single-sided take-up printing mode"<"double-sided printing mode".

Subsequently, in S1413, the CPU 201 forms an image based on the print instruction in the region facing the print head 18 on the surface of the sheet 1 conveyed to the printing unit 400 while scanning the print head 18 by the carriage. .. At this time, since printing is started in the state where the sheet 1 is conveyed as described above, the length corresponding to L2 is between the tip of the sheet 1 and the position where the image on the sheet 1 is formed. A margin will be provided. When the CPU 201 is instructed to print a plurality of images based on the print instruction, the CPU 201 continuously prints the plurality of images on the sheet 1 without cutting the sheet 1 by the cutter 20. Therefore, as printing progresses, the state of the sheet 1 on the transport path becomes as shown in FIG. 18 (d). Further, by rotating the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200 with printing, the sheet 1 conveyed by the transfer roller 14 and printed on one side can be wound around the spool member 2. it can. The torque used to drive the roll drive motor 33 is set sufficiently lower than the torque used to drive the transport roller drive motor 35. Therefore, even if the transfer roller 14 transfers the sheet 1 and the sheet 1 is wound around the spool member 2 at the same time, the accuracy of the sheet 1 transfer by the transfer roller 14 is not affected. A cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus 100 in a printing state is shown in FIG. 17 (c).

Subsequently, the CPU 201 executes the decal process in S1414. The decal process is a process for reducing the curl habit of the sheet 1 drawn from the roll sheet R. FIG. 19A is a diagram showing a state of the lower sheet supply device 200 when the sheet 1 is cut and wound around the spool member 2 without executing the decal process. When the decal process is not executed, the curl habit indicated by the arrow A remains at the rear end portion of the sheet 1 pulled out from the roll sheet R. In this state, when the sheet 1 is supplied to the supply path for double-sided printing, the sheet 1 bent due to the curl habit collides with the separation flapper 10, the arm member 4, etc., and is supplied as shown in FIG. 19 (b). The sheet 1 may be clogged in the path. In the present embodiment, decal processing is executed as a means for solving this problem.

The decal processing will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a decal process executed by the printing apparatus 100. It is assumed that the process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 reading the program from the ROM 204 or an external storage device (not shown), loading the program into the RAM 203, and executing the program. Further, the process shown in this flowchart is the process corresponding to S1414 in FIG. Further, it is assumed that the process shown in this flowchart is started when the print head 18 completes printing on one side of the sheet 1.

FIG. 20A is a diagram showing a state of the printing apparatus 100 at the time when single-sided printing is completed. In FIG. 20, with respect to the sheet 1 drawn out from the roll sheet R, a portion where printing has already been performed on one side is indicated by a solid line, and a portion where printing has not yet been performed is indicated by a broken line.

First, in S2101, the CPU 201 transports the sheet 1 by the transfer roller 14 and the lower sheet until the sheet 1 is rolled up to the rear end of the printed area on the sheet 1. The sheet 1 is wound by the feeding device 200. The state of the printing apparatus 100 at this time is shown in FIG. 20 (b).

Subsequently, in S2202, the CPU 201 is a roll drive motor so as to rotate the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200 in the T direction in the drawing while the transfer of the sheet 1 by the transfer roller 14 is stopped. Drive 33. The state of the printing apparatus 100 at this time is shown in FIG. 20 (c). At this time, since the transfer of the sheet 1 by the transfer roller 14 is stopped, the spool member 2 does not actually rotate. However, since a force for rotating in the T direction in the drawing is applied to the spool member, a predetermined tension is applied to the sheet 1 wound around the spool member 2. As a result, the curl habit of the sheet 1 in the arrow A direction is corrected according to the curl of the roll formed in the lower sheet supply device 200, so that the curl habit of the sheet 1 in the arrow A direction is reduced.

Subsequently, in S2103, the CPU 201 reversely conveys (backs) the sheet 1 until the rear end portion of the printed area on the sheet 1 moves to the position of the cutter 20 as shown in FIG. 20 (d). Feed). At this time, the arm member 4 is pressed against the roll so that the roll formed in the lower sheet supply device 200 is not loosened.

In this way, by performing the decal process before refeeding the single-sided printed sheet 1 to the printing unit 400, the possibility that the sheet 1 is clogged in the supply path can be reduced.

The curl habit of the sheet 1 is stronger as the rigidity of the sheet 1 is higher. Therefore, the parameters used for the decal processing may be changed according to the rigidity of the sheet 1 and the paper type. For example, if the sheet 1 is a paper type having high rigidity, the driving force of the roll drive motor 33 is increased, and the tension applied to the sheet 1 in S2102 is increased. Further, for example, in S2102, the time for applying tension to the sheet 1 is lengthened. On the other hand, for example, if the sheet 1 is a paper type having low rigidity, the driving force of the roll drive motor 33 is reduced, and the tension applied to the sheet 1 in S2102 is reduced. Further, for example, in S2102, the time for applying tension to the sheet 1 is shortened. Further, for example, the decal processing itself is omitted.

Further, the curl habit of the sheet 1 becomes stronger as the winding diameter of the roll sheet R from which the sheet 1 is pulled out becomes smaller. The CPU 201 can calculate the winding diameter of the roll sheet R by calculation using the rotation encoder provided in the sheet supply device 200. Therefore, when the winding diameter of the roll sheet R is small, the driving force of the roll drive motor 33 is increased, and the tension applied to the sheet 1 in S2102 is increased. Further, for example, in S2102, the time for applying tension to the sheet 1 is lengthened. On the other hand, for example, when the winding diameter of the roll sheet R is large, the driving force of the roll drive motor 33 is reduced, and the tension applied to the sheet 1 in S2102 is reduced. Further, for example, in S2102, the time for applying tension to the sheet 1 is shortened. Further, for example, the decal processing itself is omitted.

In the printing in the single-sided printing mode or the single-sided winding mode, the sheet 1 is not supplied to the supply path for double-sided printing, so that the decal processing does not need to be executed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the decal processing is executed only when printing in the double-sided printing mode. With such a form, in the printing in the single-sided printing mode or the single-sided winding mode, the decal processing can be omitted and the printing can be completed quickly.

Further, the decal treatment is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and any process may be used as long as it is a process for suppressing the curl habit of the sheet 1, such as a form using a roller for decal. Further, the timing at which the decal processing is executed is not limited to the above-mentioned form. It suffices if the decal process is executed before at least the single-sided printed sheet 1 is re-fed to the printing unit 400. For example, even if the decal process is performed before the sheet 1 is wound, the sheet 1 is wound. It may be done later. However, in the above-described form, the decal processing can be executed with the configuration necessary for executing double-sided printing.

Subsequently, when the rear end portion of the region on the sheet 1 in which the image is formed reaches the position of the cutter 20 by reverse transport, the CPU 201 uses the cutter 20 in S1415 as shown in FIG. 18 (e). Cut the sheet 1.

Subsequently, in S1416, the CPU 201 rotates the spool member 2 after cutting the sheet 1 to put all the sheets 1 on which the images are formed into the lower paper tube 27 as shown in FIG. 18 (f). Wrap it inward. Further, the CPU 201 rotates the upper spool member 2 in the winding direction in order to retract the sheet 1 pulled out from the upper roll sheet R.

Subsequently, in S1417, the CPU 201 again conveys the sheet 1 wound around the spool member 2 set in the lower sheet supply device 200 to the printing unit 400 in order to execute double-sided printing. In the present embodiment, the sheet 1 is retransmitted to the printing unit 400 by the above-mentioned automatic paper feeding function. As a result, the user can perform double-sided printing without performing an operation of guiding the sheet 1 to the supply path after single-sided printing is performed. By executing the process shown in FIG. 6 in S1417, the CPU 201 again conveys the sheet 1 to the printing unit 400 by the automatic paper feeding function. At this time, the CPU 201 brings the separation flapper 10 into contact with the paper tube 27. This is because the separation flapper 10 is brought into contact with the paper tube 27 so that the sheet 1 can be guided on the supply path when the sheet 1 is resupplied to the printing unit 400 for double-sided printing. is there. FIG. 17 (d) shows a cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus 100 in a state where the sheet 1 pulled out from the upper roll sheet R is retracted and the sheet 1 is retransmitted to the printing unit 400. Further, the state of the sheet 1 during re-transportation in the transport path is as shown in FIG. 18 (g).

Subsequently, in S1418, the CPU 201 forms an image based on the print instruction by the print head 18 in the region facing the print head 18 on the back surface of the sheet 1 conveyed to the printing unit 400. Since the printing executed at this time is double-sided printing, printing is performed on one side of the sheet 1 on the opposite side of the area where printing has already been performed. Further, by the processing of S1412, a margin having a length corresponding to L2 is provided at the rear end of the sheet 1. Therefore, even when the rear end of the sheet 1 is fixed to the spool member 2 by the tape 51, the rear end on one surface of the sheet 1 on the opposite side of the area where printing has already been performed reaches the printing portion 400. .. The state of the sheet 1 while printing is being executed on the back surface is as shown in FIG. 18 (h).

Subsequently, the CPU 201 cuts the sheet 1 by the cutter 20 when the rear end portion of the region on the sheet 1 in which the image is formed reaches the position of the cutter 20 by transportation. As a result, the sheet 1 on which the image is formed falls by its own weight and is stored in the basket 62. Here, since the sheet 1 is cut for each image, when a plurality of images are printed on the sheet 1, the sheet 1 is cut a plurality of times as shown in FIG. 18 (i). Further, the printing of the subsequent image by the print head 18 may be performed in parallel with the cutting of the sheet 1.

In addition, for example, when three or more sheet feeding devices 200 are provided, or when the roll is removed from the upper sheet feeding device 200 after single-sided printing and a paper tube is set instead, double-sided printing is performed. The sheet 1 may be wound up.

With such a configuration, in the present embodiment, not only single-sided printing on the roll sheet but also double-sided printing on the roll sheet can be executed by one printing device.

(Other embodiments)
In the above description, when the "double-sided printing mode" is set in the printing apparatus 100, the form in which the sheet 1 is wound by the inward winding method has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this form. Depending on the configuration of the printing apparatus 100, the sheet 1 may be wound by an outer winding method. FIG. 23 shows an example of a printing apparatus 100 in which the sheet 1 is wound by an outer winding method to perform double-sided printing. In the form shown in FIG. 23, double-sided printing is realized by winding the sheet 1 by an outer winding method. FIG. 23A shows a printing apparatus 100 in which the sheet 1 is printed on one side of the sheet 1 and the sheet 1 is wound around the lower paper tube 27 by an outer winding method. FIG. 23B shows a printing apparatus 100 in which the sheet 1 is wound around the lower paper tube 27 by an outer winding method after the printing on one side of the sheet 1 is completed. In FIG. 23 (c), after detecting that the tip of the sheet 1 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the roll sheet R, the lower spool member 2 is rotated in the C2 direction to use the tip of the sheet 1 as the supply path. The printing apparatus 100 in the guided state is shown. FIG. 23D shows the printing apparatus 100 in a state where the sheet 1 advances the supply path and is resupplied to the printing unit 400. In this way, by rotating the lower spool member 2 in the C2 direction, the sheet 1 wound on the lower paper tube 27 is re-supplied to the printing unit 400, and the sheet 1 is wound by the outer winding method. Then, double-sided printing becomes feasible. Even in such a form, as shown in FIG. 23, if the sheet sensor 6 is installed between the roll sheet R and the entrance (opening) of the supply path, the automatic paper feeding function can be realized. Further, as also shown in FIG. 23, if the inward winding detection sensor 50 is installed on the upper part of the roll sheet on the opening side, it can be determined whether or not the method of fixing the sheet 1 is for the inward winding method. It can be detected. However, in this form, error processing is executed when it is detected that the fixing method is for the inner winding method, and double-sided printing is normally performed when it is detected that the fixing method is for the outer winding method. Will be executed.

In the above description, the form in which the sheet 1 is pulled out from the roll sheet and printing is performed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, a configuration capable of supplying a cut sheet may be provided on the back surface of the printing apparatus, and printing may be performed on a recording medium supplied from the configuration.

Further, the present invention can be applied to various sheet supply devices in addition to the sheet supply device that supplies a sheet as a recording medium to a printing device. For example, it can be applied to a device that supplies a sheet to be read to a reading device such as a scanner or a copier, and a device that supplies a sheet-shaped processing material to a processing device such as a cutting device. Such a sheet feeding device can be configured separately from devices such as a printing device, a reading device, and a processing device, and may also include a control unit (CPU) for the sheet feeding device.

The above-described embodiment supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device execute the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. Further, the above-described embodiment can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

100 Printing device 200 Sheet supply device 400 Printing section

Claims (17)

A printing unit that forms an image on the first surface of the recording medium and the second surface that is opposite to the first surface, and
A supply unit that supplies the recording medium to the printing unit, and
After the leading edge of the recording medium is fixed to the winding member, a winding portion for winding said recording medium which is printed on the first surface made by the printing unit to the take-up member,
Is a printing device that has
A first printing means that prints on the first surface of the recording medium supplied from the supply unit by the printing unit.
The tip of the recording medium is fixed to the take- up member by the first fixing method for winding the recording medium around the take-up member so that the first surface of the recording medium comes into contact with the take-up member. If so, by rotating the take-up member in the first direction, the recording medium printed on the first side of the recording medium is printed so that the first side of the recording medium comes into contact with the take-up member. wound into the winding member, the distal end of the second fixing method in said recording medium for said first face winding the recording medium so as not to be in contact with the winding member in the take-up member of the recording medium and If is secured to said take up member, control means for controlling said recording medium in which printing is performed on the first surface so as not wound on the winding member,
A supply means for supplying the recording medium wound around the take-up member to the printing unit by rotating the take-up member in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
A printing apparatus comprising: a second printing means for printing by the printing unit on the second surface of the recording medium supplied to the printing unit. The recording medium path wound on the winding member via the for conveying rolled-up the recording medium to the take-up member is fed to the printing unit,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the opening of the path is located below the center of the take-up member set in the take-up portion in the direction of gravity. The recording medium path wound on the winding member via the for conveying rolled-up the recording medium to the take-up member is fed to the printing unit,
From the front of the printing apparatus, the recording medium on which the image is formed on the first surface is ejected by the printing unit.
Claim 1 or claim 1, wherein the opening of the path is located on the back side, which is a surface opposite to the front surface of the printing apparatus, with respect to the center of the winding member set in the winding portion. 2. The printing apparatus according to 2. The printing apparatus winds the recording medium printed on the first surface by the printing unit on the winding member, and then winds the recording medium on the second surface of the recording medium. The claim is characterized in that it can operate in any one of a plurality of states including a first state in which printing is not performed and a second state in which printing is performed on the first surface and the second surface of the recording medium. The printing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3. Or the distal end of the first fixing method in said recording medium is fixed to the winding member, regardless of whether the distal end of the second of said recording medium in a fixing method is fixed to the winding member, wherein further comprising a take-up control means for recording medium is controlled in so that wound on the winding member,
The take-up control means controls the recording medium to be taken up by the take-up member when the printing device is in the first state, and the control means controls the printing device so that the printing device is taken up by the second take-up member . If it is a state, or the tip of the recording medium in the first fixing method is fixed to the winding member, the tip of the second fixing method in said recording medium is fixed to the take-up member depending on whether it has, according to claim 4, wherein the recording medium is characterized in that said recording medium or controlling to be wound on the winding member is controlled so as not wound around the take-up member Printing equipment. The first setting for winding the recording medium around the winding member so that the first surface of the recording medium is in contact with the winding member, or the first surface of the recording medium is attached to the winding member . Further having a receiving means for accepting a second setting for winding the recording medium around the winding member so as not to come into contact with the recording medium.
When the printing apparatus is in the first state and the first setting is accepted, the recording medium is wound around the take-up member by rotating the take-up member in the first direction. Taken,
When the printing apparatus is in the first state and the second setting is accepted, the recording medium is wound around the take-up member by rotating the take-up member in the second direction. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing apparatus is taken. When the printing device is in the first state and the tip of the recording medium is fixed to the take-up member by the first fixing method, the take-up member is rotated in the first direction. As a result, the recording medium is wound around the winding member, and the recording medium is wound around the winding member.
When the printing device is in the first state and the tip of the recording medium is fixed to the take-up member by the second fixing method, the take-up member is rotated in the second direction. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording medium is wound around the winding member. In the plurality of states, after printing is performed on the first surface of the recording medium by the printing unit, the recording medium printed on the first surface is not wound around the winding member. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising the state of. When the tip of the recording medium is fixed to the take-up member by the second fixing method, it further has an instruction means for instructing the user to fix the tip of the recording medium by the first fixing method. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Further having a determination means for executing a determination process for determining whether or not the tip of the recording medium is fixed to the take-up member by the first fixing method.
When the result of the determination process indicates that the tip of the recording medium is fixed to the take-up member by the first fixing method, the take-up member is rotated in the first direction. When the recording medium is wound around the winding member and the result of the determination process does not indicate that the tip of the recording medium is fixed to the winding member by the first fixing method, the winding member The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the recording medium is not wound. Based on the detection result of the detection unit that detects whether or not the recording medium is on the path through which the recording medium passes when the tip of the recording medium is fixed to the take-up member by the first fixing method. The printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the determination process is executed. From the front of the printing apparatus, the recording medium on which the image is formed on the first surface is ejected by the printing unit.
The claim is characterized in that the detection unit is arranged on the back side, which is the upper side in the direction of gravity and the surface opposite to the front surface of the printing device, with respect to the center of the winding member set in the winding unit. Item 11. The printing apparatus according to item 11. When the detection unit detects that the recording medium is present, the result of the determination process indicates that the tip of the recording medium is fixed to the take-up member by the first fixing method.
When the detection unit does not detect that the recording medium is present, the result of the determination process does not indicate that the tip of the recording medium is fixed to the take-up member by the first fixing method. The printing apparatus according to claim 11 or 12. A user operation on the recording medium for supplying the recording medium wound on the winding member to the printing unit is not accepted after the recording medium is wound on the winding member. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the recording medium wound around the winding member is supplied to the printing unit. A roll of the recording medium can be attached to the take-up portion.
When the recording medium that has not been printed is supplied from the supply unit, printing is executed by the printing unit on the first surface of the recording medium supplied from the supply unit, and printing is performed. When the unbroken recording medium is supplied from the winding unit, the printing unit executes printing on the first surface of the recording medium supplied from the winding unit. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14. A printing unit that forms an image on the first surface of the recording medium and the second surface that is opposite to the first surface, and
A supply unit that supplies the recording medium to the printing unit, and
After the leading edge of the recording medium is fixed to the winding member, and a winding section printed on the first surface by the printing unit is taken up by the take-up member of the recording medium is performed,
It is a control method of a printing apparatus having
A first printing step in which the printing unit executes printing on the first surface of the recording medium supplied from the supply unit.
When the tip of the recording medium is fixed to the take- up member by a fixing method for winding the recording medium around the take-up member so that the first surface of the recording medium comes into contact with the take-up member . by rotating the winding member in a first direction, as described above the first surface of the recording medium comes into contact with the winding member, the winding of the recording medium on which printing is performed on the first surface wound into member, the take-up member is a tip of the recording medium in a fixing method for the first face winding the recording medium so as not to be in contact with the winding member in the take-up member of the recording medium When fixed, a control step for controlling the recording medium printed on the first surface so as not to be wound around the winding member, and
A supply step of supplying the recording medium wound around the take-up member to the printing unit by rotating the take-up member in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
A control method comprising a second printing step of printing by the printing unit on the second surface of the recording medium supplied to the printing unit. A printing unit that forms an image on the first surface of the recording medium and the second surface that is opposite to the first surface, and
A supply unit that supplies the recording medium to the printing unit, and
After the leading edge of the recording medium is fixed to the winding member, and a winding section printed on the first surface by the printing unit is taken up by the take-up member of the recording medium is performed,
To the computer of the printing device with
A first printing step in which the printing unit executes printing on the first surface of the recording medium supplied from the supply unit.
When the tip of the recording medium is fixed to the take- up member by a fixing method for winding the recording medium around the take-up member so that the first surface of the recording medium comes into contact with the take-up member . by rotating the winding member in a first direction, as described above the first surface of the recording medium comes into contact with the winding member, the winding of the recording medium on which printing is performed on the first surface wound into member, the take-up member is a tip of the recording medium in a fixing method for the first face winding the recording medium so as not to be in contact with the winding member in the take-up member of the recording medium When fixed, a control step for controlling the recording medium printed on the first surface so as not to be wound around the winding member, and
A supply step of supplying the recording medium wound around the take-up member to the printing unit by rotating the take-up member in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
A program characterized in that a second printing step of printing by the printing unit is executed on the second surface of the recording medium supplied to the printing unit.

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