JPH0568813U - Label detection device for label printer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To reduce the protruding portion of the label issuing port. [Structure] A longitudinal direction side portion of a label issuing port 17 formed to have a predetermined width is located on one side of the label issuing port 17 and in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of a label 18 issued from the label issuing port 17. The light emitting portion 34 and the light receiving portion 35 having the optical axes 36 and 37, and the label issuing port 17
Of the first prism 26, which is located on one side of the label emitting port 34 and has a reflecting surface 28 that bends the light from the light emitting portion 34, and the light from the first prism 26, which is located on the other side of the label issuing port 17. It is formed by the second prism 31 having the reflecting surface 33 that is bent in the direction of the optical axis 37 of the light receiving portion 35.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a label detection device for a label printer that issues a label on which predetermined items are printed.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 Generally, in this type of label printer, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a label is provided at the label issuing port. The sensor is generally an optical means, but two conventional examples will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a first conventional example, which is a detection device using an optical axis that obliquely crosses a label issued from a label issuing port. That is, the printer 4 is formed by arranging the printing unit 2 and the mount conveying unit 3 inside the main body housing 1 at a predetermined interval, and the printer 4 and the mount conveying unit are formed at the ends of the printer 4. A label issuing port 5 having a predetermined width is formed by the portion 3. A light emitting section 6 is provided on the lower side of one side of the label issuing port 5. Further, on the other side upper part of the label issuing port 5, a light receiving part 7 for receiving the light from the light emitting part 6 is provided. The light emitting unit 6 and the light receiving unit 7 form an optical axis 9 that obliquely crosses the label 8 issued from the label issuing port 5.

Next, what is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is a second conventional example. Although the same parts as those described above are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted, in this case, a reflection sensor 12 in which a light emitting portion 10 and a light receiving portion 11 are integrally formed is arranged at the upper center of the label issuing port 5. It was set up.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 In the first conventional example, it is good when the width of the label 8 is large as shown in A as shown in FIG. 6, but it cannot be detected when the width of the label 8 is small as shown in B. Becomes In order to solve such a defect, when the issuing standard of the label 8 is set to one side, the position of the optical axis 9 that crosses the label 8 may be biased to one side, but in the first conventional example, Since the distance between the light emitting portion 6 and the light receiving portion 7 is large, light is likely to be scattered, which is problematic in terms of detection reliability.

Next, in the second conventional example, the diameter of the reflection sensor 12 itself is 5.8 mm, and when the mounting member and the like are further included, the amount of protrusion from the mounting surface is about 10 mm. Therefore, when the label 8 is torn off together with the backing sheet, there is a problem that it hits the reflection sensor 12 and scratches the label 8. Further, since the mounting position of the reflection sensor 12 is located substantially in the center of the label issuing port 5, there is a manufacturing problem that it is difficult to route the wiring and it is difficult to assemble. Further, the visibility of the wiring to the reflection sensor 12 from the outside is not good in appearance.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 Light emission having a label issuing port formed in a predetermined width, and an optical axis located in the longitudinal side portion of the label issuing port, respectively, and having an optical axis in a direction substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of the label issued from the label issuing port. And a light receiving part, and a first prism provided on one side of the label issuing port on the optical axis of the light emitting part to bend the light from the light emitting part, and the optical axis of the light receiving part. And a second prism that is located on the other side of the label issuing port and has a reflecting surface that bends the light from the first prism in the optical axis direction of the light receiving portion.

[0008]

[Action]

 In the light path from the light emitting section to the light receiving section, the light path can be formed by the first prism and the second prism, so that the light is less scattered and the position where the label is crossed is thereby reduced. Can be detected reliably regardless of where the label is issued, and the thickness of the first and second prisms can be reduced, so the amount of protrusion at the end of the label is reduced. As a result, the label does not hit the prism and is not scratched when the label is torn off along with the mount, and the light emitting part and the light receiving part for electrical wiring are labeled. Since it is located on the side of the slot in the longitudinal direction, wiring is easy and the appearance can be improved without being visible from the outside.

[0009]

【Example】

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a printer 16 is formed by disposing a printing unit 14 and a mount transport unit 15 inside the main body housing 13 at a predetermined interval, and at the end of the printer 16, the printing unit 14 and the base unit are mounted. A label issuing port 17 having a predetermined width is formed by the paper transport unit 15. Further, between the printing unit 14 and the mount carrier unit 15, a long mount 19 having a label 18 attached is bent at an acute angle to separate the label 18 from the mount 19. A label peeling portion 20 having a triangular cross section is provided.

Next, inside the main body housing 13, a mount 19 with a label 18 wound in a roll shape is stored in a storage unit 21, and the mount 19 pulled out from the storage unit 21 is a platen 22. At the position of the platen 22, a predetermined matter is printed on the label 18 by the printing unit 14 at the position of the platen 22. Below the platen 22, a peeling roller 23 that presses the mount 19 against the platen 22 is provided in the mount transport unit 15.

Then, two positioning holes 24 are formed in the end surface on the front side of the mount conveying section 15 so as to be separated from each other in the horizontal direction by a predetermined dimension, and the projections 25 that fit into these positioning holes 24 are formed. A first prism 26 is fixed along the label issuing port 17. One end surface of the first prism 26 is a vertical surface 27, and the other end surface thereof is a reflecting surface 28 inclined at 45 degrees. Further, two positioning holes 29 are formed in the front end surface of the printing portion 14 in the horizontal direction with a predetermined distance therebetween, and a second prism 31 having a projection 30 that can be fitted into these positioning holes 29 is formed. It is fixed along the label issuing port 17. One end surface of the second prism 31 is a vertical surface 32 and the other end surface is a reflecting surface 33 inclined at 45 degrees. The thickness of these first and second prisms 26 and 31 is about 3 mm.

Next, a light emitting portion 34 and a light receiving portion 35 are provided on a longitudinal side portion of the label issuing port 17, that is, a side portion where the label issuing port 17 does not exist. That is, the light emitting section 34 is positioned and fixed so as to have an optical axis 36 in the longitudinal direction of the first prism 26, and the light receiving section 35 is optical axis in the longitudinal direction of the second prism 31. It is positioned and fixed so as to have 37.

Further, the reflecting surfaces 28, 33 of the first prism 26 and the second prism 31 are located at a vertical optical axis 38 position, and the optical axis 38 laterally crosses the label 18. It is set to cut.

In such a configuration, the mount 19 stored in the storage section 21 is pulled out from the storage section 21, passes between the platen 22 and the printing section 14, and is sharply bent at the label peeling section 20 to be labeled. 18 is ejected from the label issuing port 17 substantially horizontally, and the mount 19 itself is sandwiched between the platen 22 and the peeling roller 23 and ejected downward. In this process, the printing unit 14 prints predetermined items on the label 18 and issues the label 18 on which necessary information is displayed.

Such label issuance is performed on condition that the label issuing port 17 does not have the label 18. Therefore, when the label 18 is issued as described above, the label 18 crosses the optical axis 38, so that the light from the light emitting section 34 does not reach the light receiving section 35. Signal is generated. In this state, the label issuing operation does not proceed even if there is a new label issuing command.

However, since the distance between the light emitting portion 34 and the vertical surface 27 of the first prism 26 is short, light is not scattered at this portion and loss is small. In addition, since the optical axis 38 is also short, the distance between the vertical surface 32 of the second platen 31 and the light receiving section 35 is small, the light is scattered little in the entire optical path, and efficient detection is performed. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the amount of light emitted by the light emitting unit 34.

Further, the light emitting portion 34 and the light receiving portion 35 have relatively large diameters, but since their installation positions are the longitudinal side portions of the label issuing port 17, there is sufficient installation space. Easy to install. Moreover, since the thickness of the first and second prisms 26 and 31 is 3 mm, the protrusion size from the label issuing port 17 is small, which allows the prism 18 to be torn off together with the mount 19 when the label 18 is used. Since the label 18 does not hit the 26 and 31, the label 18 is not likely to be damaged.

When the width dimension of the label 18 to be used changes, even if the label is issued from the label issuing port 17 based on the center reference or the side reference, the optical axis 38 may be crossed even if the width is narrowest. The mounting positions of the first and second prisms 26 and 31 are set. In this case, the lengths of the first and second prisms 26 and 31 are appropriately selected and used as required.

[0019]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above, the present invention has a label issuing port formed to have a predetermined width, and the label issuing port is located at a longitudinal side portion of the label issuing port and is substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of the label issued from the label issuing port. A light emitting portion having a directional optical axis, a light receiving portion, and a first prism having a reflecting surface located on one side of the label issuing port on the optical axis of the light emitting portion and bending the light from the light emitting portion. And a second prism which is located on the other side of the label issuing port on the optical axis of the light receiving section and which has a reflecting surface for bending the light from the first prism in the optical axis direction of the light receiving section. Therefore, in the light path from the light emitting section to the light receiving section, the light path can be formed by the first prism and the second prism, so that the light is less scattered and thereby crosses the label. Label position Issuing throat Even if it is set to, reliable detection can be performed, and since the thickness of the first and second prisms can be reduced, the amount of protrusion at the end of the label issuing port can be reduced. By doing so, even when the label is torn off with the backing sheet, the label does not hit the prism and is not scratched, and furthermore, the light emitting part and the light receiving part where electrical wiring is to be performed do not come out of the label issuing port. Since it is located on the side in the longitudinal direction, wiring is easy, and the appearance can be improved without being visible from the outside.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an essential part showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a relationship between an optical axis for detection and a label.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a prism mounting structure.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view showing a part of the label printer.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a first conventional example.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the main part thereof.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a second conventional example.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing the main part thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

 17 Label Issue Port 18 Label 26 First Prism 28 Reflective Surface 31 Second Prism 33 Reflective Surface 34 Light Emitting Section 35 Light Receiving Section 36 Optical Axis 37 Optical Axis

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A label issuing port formed to have a predetermined width, and an optical axis located in a longitudinal side portion of the label issuing port and in a direction substantially orthogonal to a moving direction of a label issued from the label issuing port. A light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, a first prism having a reflecting surface located on one side of the label issuing port on the optical axis of the light emitting unit and bending the light from the light emitting unit, and A second prism located on the other side of the label issuing port on the optical axis and provided with a reflecting surface for bending the light from the first prism in the optical axis direction of the light receiving section. Label detection device for label printers.