JPH0736770Y2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Outline] Locking means for preventing a shift when a single-color printing ink ribbon cassette is set, and detection means for detecting the type of the ink ribbon cassette according to the operation of the locking means are provided. Aim for simplification and price reduction.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to the structure of a printer for performing single-color and multi-color printing by selecting and setting either a single-color printing ink ribbon cassette or a multi-color printing ink ribbon cassette.

Various serial printers are used for input / output terminals of data processing devices, word processors, and the like.

Among them, the serial dot printer has an extremely large number of types of characters and the like because characters and the like are formed by dots and printed, and the application is expanding as a terminal device in office automation (OA).

In recent years, printing by these printers is in the direction of multicolor printing, and there is a demand for high reliability of operation and cost reduction.

[Conventional technology]

As illustrated in the plan view of FIG. 3, side frames 1 _R and 1 _L are provided on both sides of the printer, and a platen 2 is rotatably supported between the side frames 1 _R and 1 _L.

A sheet 3 is wound around the platen 2 as shown by a chain double-dashed line, and the sheet 3 is fed in the direction of arrow A in the figure by the rotation of the platen 2.

On the other hand, below the front view of the platen 2, a carrier 4 is slidably engaged with a guide shaft 5 parallel to the platen 2, and is screwed to a feed screw 6 also provided in parallel.

The feed screw 6 is connected to a motor (not shown), and the carrier 4 reciprocates as shown by an arrow B-C by the forward and reverse rotations of the motor.

A print head 7 that prints on the carrier 4 by dots.
Is installed.

There are two types of ink ribbon cassettes, one for single color printing and one for multicolor printing. The single color printing ink ribbon cassette 8 generally stores a black ink ribbon, and the multicolor printing ink ribbon cassette 9 stores a color ink ribbon. The color ink ribbon has four stages of color bands to which color inks of black, blue, red, yellow, etc. are attached in the width direction, and these color bands are provided over the entire length.

Therefore, in order to perform multicolor printing using the multicolor printing ink ribbon cassette 9, it is necessary to shift the color ink ribbon for each ink ribbon cassette in front of the print head 7 to select a desired color band.

The ink ribbon cassette 9 for multi-color printing is expensive, and if it is used for black printing, which occupies most of the printing, the ink ribbon cassette has a long service life of the black color band even though other color bands can still be used sufficiently. It is uneconomical because the life of itself is exhausted.

Therefore, in the case of only black printing, a dedicated single-color printing ink ribbon cassette 8 is set and used.

As shown in the side view of FIG. 4, these ink ribbon cassettes 8 or 9 are supported by supporting portions 10a which are upright on both sides of the ribbon frame 10.

On the other hand, in the case of the ink ribbon cassette 9 for multicolor printing,
Since the thickness of the cassette is thick as shown by the chain double-dashed line in the figure, its bottom surface is in contact with the ribbon frame 10. However, in the case of the ink ribbon cassette 8 for single-color printing, the thickness of the cassette is as shown by the solid line. Because it is thin, it is floating from the ribbon frame 10.

In addition, the multi-color printing ink ribbon cassette 9 and the mono-color printing ink ribbon cassette 8 have different depth dimensions as shown in the figure, and the mono-color printing ink ribbon cassette 8 is longer.

As described above, in the printer to which the present invention is applied, the ink ribbon cassette is exchanged and used according to the purpose of printing, and whether the ink ribbon cassette installed in the printer is for single color printing or multicolor printing is automatically selected. If it is for multicolor printing, it is necessary to perform control such as shifting the ribbon frame 10 around the rotation fulcrum 10b as shown by an arrow GH by a shift mechanism (not shown). There is.

Therefore, as shown in Figure 3 in, and a detecting means 11 for sending a signal to the control unit detects the type of cassette in a position close to the side frames 1 ₁ ribbon frame 10.

Further, when the monochromatic printing ink ribbon cassette 8 is installed, in order to prevent the operator or the like from mistakenly pressing the ink ribbon cassette 8 and shifting it, a locking means (only for the monochromatic printing ink ribbon cassette) is operated. The ribbon frame 10 is provided at a position close to the side frame 1 _R at the rear end of the ribbon frame 10.

As shown in the side view of FIG. 5 (a), the detection means 11 is rotatably supported by a rotation fulcrum 14 and has a torsion spring 13.
Lever 15 which is urged in the direction of arrow D with its tip 15a protruding from the ribbon frame 10 and the rear end 15b of the lever 15.
The lever 15 is turned on when the tip portion 15a of the lever 15 projects from the ribbon frame 10, and the tip portion 15a
Is composed of a switch 16 which is turned off when it is retracted from the ribbon frame 10.

As described above, since the ink ribbon cassettes have different thicknesses and the bottom surface of the ink ribbon cassette 8 for single-color printing floats from the ribbon frame 10, the tip end portion 15a of the lever projects from the ribbon frame 10 as shown in the drawing.
The micro switch 16 is turned on.

On the other hand, when the multi-color printing ink ribbon cassette 9 is mounted, the tip of the lever as shown in the side view of FIG.
15a is pushed down on the bottom surface of the ink ribbon cassette to retract from the ribbon frame 10, and the micro switch 16 is turned off.

Depending on the ON / OFF signal of the micro switch 16 as described above,
A control unit (not shown) of the printer detects the type of the loaded ink ribbon cassette and performs a predetermined control corresponding to each ink ribbon cassette.

Further, the structure of the locking means 12 is such that the end can be freely rotated at the rotation fulcrum 17 as shown in the side view of FIG. 6A and the perspective view of the main part of FIG. And a first lever 19 which is urged in the direction of arrow E by a torsion spring 18 and whose one end is rotatably supported by a rotation fulcrum 17 from one end 19a of the first lever 19. A second lever 20 provided with an engaging hole 20a that swingably engages with the projecting protrusion 19b, and is biased by the torsion spring 18 in the direction of arrow D;
And a coil spring 21 for urging the protrusion 19b of the lever of the first lever 19 in the direction of the arrow F.
It is attached so that it can swing with respect to.

Therefore, the tip end portion 19c of the first lever 19 is biased by the coil spring 21 and rotates in the direction of arrow E as shown in the drawing to project from the ribbon frame 10, and the second lever 20 projects from the projection of the first lever. It is pulled by the portion 19b and retracts from the cutout portion 1 _R ′ of the side frame 1 _R.

Therefore, the ribbon frame 10 can be shifted.

That is, the tip end portion 19c of the first lever is arranged at a position outside the mounting area of the multicolor printing ink ribbon cassette 9, and the case where the multicolor printing ink ribbon cassette 9 having a short depth dimension is mounted is described above. The leading end portion 19c is in a state of protruding from the ribbon frame 10.

On the other hand, when the ink ribbon cassette 8 for single-color printing is mounted, the first lever tip portion 19 is provided on the bottom surface of the ink ribbon cassette having a long depth as shown in the side view of FIG.
When c is pressed, the first lever 19 rotates in the direction of arrow D against the bias of the coil spring 21.

This rotation causes the second lever 20 to rotate in the same direction via the torsion spring 18, projects the second lever 20 in the side frame 1 _R direction as shown in the drawing, and abuts against the end of the side frame. Lock the ribbon frame 10 so that it cannot be shifted.

The reason why the second lever 20 is swingably attached to the first lever 19 is that the ink ribbon cassette 9 for multicolor printing is mounted and the ribbon frame is used for shifting.
When 10 is tilted, the second lever 20 is in the lower position, but if it is replaced with the single color printing ink ribbon cassette 8 at this time, the second lever 20 collides with the side frame 1 _R and cannot be mounted. Therefore, in such a case, the second lever
The first lever 19 can be rotated regardless of the collision of 20.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

As described above, the detecting means for detecting the type of the ink ribbon cassette and the locking means for preventing the shift of the ink ribbon cassette for single-color printing are separately provided, but the structure is complicated and the number of steps for assembling is expensive. There was a problem.

[Means for solving problems]

FIG. 1 (a) is a side view showing a lock and detection means applied to the printer of the present invention.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention, when the monochromatic printing ink ribbon cassette 8 is set on the ribbon frame 10, locks the ribbon frame 10 to the ink of the monochromatic printing ink ribbon cassette 8 with respect to the print head 7. When the ribbon position is fixed and the ink ribbon cassette 9 for multicolor printing is set on the ribbon frame 10, the print head 7
On the other hand, in a printer configured so that the ink ribbons of the ink ribbon cassette 9 for multicolor printing can be freely shifted, when the ink ribbon cassette 8 for monocolor printing is set, the tip of the ink ribbon cassette 8 for monocolor printing is at the bottom. Department
The first lever 27 is rotated by pressing 27c and the first lever 27 is rotated, and is engaged with a stopper 29 provided on the side frame to lock the ribbon frame 10, and A second lever 28 for turning on a switch 16 for sending a signal in which the ink ribbon cassette 8 for single-color printing is set to the control portion is provided.

[Action]

The lock can be operated with one lever at the same time.

〔Example〕

 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention.

The same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings.

In the present invention, when the ink ribbon cassette for single-color printing is set as shown in the side view of FIG. 1 (a), the first lever 27 is rotated by pressing the front end portion 27c at the bottom of the ink ribbon cassette. And a second lever 28 which rotates with the rotation of the first lever 27 and engages the stopper 29 to operate the switch 16 when in the locked position.

That is, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 2, the locking means 22 is arranged at a position close to the right side frame 1 _R at the rear end portion (downward in the figure) of the ribbon frame 24 as in the prior art.

As shown in the side view of FIG. 1 (a), the structure is such that one end 27a is rotatably supported by a rotation fulcrum 25 as in the prior art.
Further, the first lever 27 biased by the torsion spring 26 in the direction of the arrow E and the one end of which is similarly rotatably supported by the rotation fulcrum 25, and the protrusion 27b of the one end 27a of the first lever 27. A second lever 28 having an engaging hole 28a that is swingably engaged and biased by the torsion spring 26 in the arrow D direction and a protrusion 27b of the first lever in the arrow F direction. It consists of a coil spring 21 and a coil spring.

Accordingly, the tip end portion 27c of the first lever 27 is biased by the coil spring 21 as shown in the drawing and pivots in the direction of arrow E to project from the ribbon frame 24, and the second lever 28 projects from the first lever. It is in a position retracted from the end of the stopper 29 that is pulled by the portion 27b and is projected on the side frame 1 _R.

For this reason, the ribbon frame 24 is shiftable.

That is, this state is the case of the multicolor printing ink ribbon cassette 9 having a short depth dimension, and the tip portion of the first lever is
27c is arranged at a position outside the mounting area of the ink ribbon cassette 9 for multicolor printing.

On the other hand, when the ink ribbon cassette 8 for single-color printing is installed, the tip end portion 27 of the first lever is provided on the bottom surface of the ink ribbon cassette having a long depth as shown in the side view of FIG.
When c is pressed, the first lever 27 rotates in the direction of arrow D against the bias of the coil spring 21.

This rotation causes the second lever 28 to rotate in the same direction via the torsion spring 26, and the second lever 28 moves in the side frame 1
_The ribbon frame 24 projects in the direction of the stopper 29 of _R and abuts against the end of the stopper 29, and the ribbon frame 24 is locked so that it cannot be shifted.

Next, the detection means 23 for detecting the type of ink ribbon cassette
Will be explained.

The detection means 23 is configured to operate simultaneously with the operation of the lock means 22 described above.

The structure is composed of a protrusion 28b provided at the end of the second lever 28 described above, and a switch 16 facing the protrusion 28b and fixed to a stopper 29 of the side frame 1 _R.

Since the detection means 23 has such a configuration, when the mounted ink ribbon cassette is the multicolor printing ink ribbon cassette 9, the locking means 22 does not operate and the second lever 28 moves as shown in FIG. It is in the initial position.

Therefore, the protruding portion 28b is located in the lower portion apart from the switch 16, and therefore the switch 16 is OFF.

On the other hand, when the ink ribbon cassette is the single color printing ink ribbon cassette 8 as shown in FIG. 7B, the locking means 22 is activated and the protrusion 28b of the second lever 28 presses the switch 16 to turn it on. To do.

As described above, when the ink ribbon cassette 8 for single-color printing is mounted on the ribbon frame 24, the ribbon frame 24 is locked by the lock means 22, and at the same time, the switch 16
Turns on.

A control unit (not shown) of the printer detects that the on-board ink ribbon cassette is for single-color printing and performs control for single-color printing.

On the other hand, in the case of the ink ribbon cassette 9 for multicolor printing,
The ribbon frame 24 is not locked and the switch 16 is
When the printer is off, the control unit of the printer detects that the on-board ink ribbon cassette is for multicolor printing and performs control for multicolor printing.

The second lever 28 and the first lever 27 are mounted so as to be swingable as in the prior art. However, in the present invention, in addition to the effect similar to the prior art, the switch 16 is pushed. It works to make the pressure a proper value.

[Effect of device]

As described above, by applying the printer of the present invention, the structure of the lock means and the type detection means of the ink ribbon cassette is simplified, the number of parts is reduced, the assembly man-hour is reduced, and the cost can be reduced. It has a great effect on economy and industry.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 (a) is a side view showing a lock and detection means applied to the printer of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (b) is a side view showing a case where an ink ribbon cassette for single-color printing is mounted in FIG. 1 (a), 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view of a conventional printer to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which an ink ribbon cassette is mounted on a ribbon frame, and FIG. FIG. 5A is a side view of a conventional detecting means, FIG. 5B is a side view showing a case where an ink ribbon cassette for multicolor printing is mounted in FIG. 5A, and FIG. 6A is a conventional locking means. FIG. 6 (b) is a perspective view of a main part of FIG. 6 (a), and FIG. 6 (c) is a side view showing a case where an ink ribbon cassette for single-color printing is mounted in FIG. 6 (a). . In the figure, 1 _R , 1 _L are side frames, 2 are platens, 3 are paper,
7 is a print head, 8 is an ink ribbon cassette for single-color printing, 9 is an ink ribbon cassette for multi-color printing, 10 and 24 are ribbon frames, 11 and 23 are detection means, 12 and 22 are locking means, and 13, 18 and 26 are torsion. Springs, 10c, 14, 17, 25 are rotation fulcrums, 15 is a lever, 15a, 19c, 27c is a front end, 15b is a rear end, 16 is a switch, 19 and 27 are first levers, 19a, 2
7a is one end, 19b, 27b and 28b are protrusions, 20 and 28 are second levers, 20a and 28a are engaging holes, 21 is a coil spring, 23 is a detecting means, and 29 is a stopper.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An ink ribbon cassette for monochrome printing when the ink ribbon cassette (8) for monochrome printing is set on a ribbon frame (10) by locking the ribbon frame (10) to the print head (7). When the position of the ink ribbon of (8) is fixed and the ink ribbon cassette for multicolor printing (9) is set in the ribbon frame (10), the ink ribbon cassette for multicolor printing is set to the print head (7). In a printer configured so that the ink ribbons of the set (9) can be shifted, when the ink ribbon cassette (8) for monochromatic printing is set, the tip end is at the bottom of the ink ribbon cassette (8) for monochromatic printing. The first lever (27) which is rotated by pressing the part (27c) and the stopper (29) provided on the side frame which is rotated by the rotation of the first lever (27). And a second lever (28) for locking the ribbon frame (10) and turning on a switch (16) for sending a signal in which the ink ribbon cassette (8) for monochromatic printing is set to a control unit. A printer provided with.