JPH0753105A - Paper conveying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a label from being peeled off from a separator when a curl of label paper rolled into a roll is eliminated. CONSTITUTION:A belt member 11e is suspended between a driving roller 11a, a driven roller 11b, and a tension roller 11c. A curl correcting roller 10 is supported freely rotationally in the tip of a freely oscillational arm 8a setting a shaft 8b as the center. A cam 8c is driven so that the curl correcting roller 10 is arranged in the curl eliminating position M1 via an arm 8a. Between the driving roller 11a and the driven roller 11b, a sheet of label paper 3A, in which labels 3a, 3a... are stuck on the surface of a separator 3b, is pressed onto the surface of the belt member 11e, and a curl on the label paper 3A is taken off. In this process, the label 3a is pressed onto the separator 3b by the belt member 11e, so that it is prevented from being peeled off.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper transporting apparatus for transporting recording paper by using a belt member and removing curl of the recording paper during transportation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a label printer is equipped with a paper transporting device for transporting a roll of recording paper while unrolling it, and this paper transporting device has a curl of the recording paper. A member for correction is provided.

FIG. 30 shows an outline of the above-mentioned paper conveying device.

The recording paper 3A to be printed has a number of labels 3a on the surface of a tape-shaped separator (mounting paper) 3b.
3a ... are adhered, and the label-shaped paper roll 3 is formed by winding the whole with the label 3a side facing inward. The recording sheet 3A has a pair of conveying rollers 14a, 14a.
By b, it is unwound from the paper roll 3 and sequentially conveyed in the direction of arrow K3.

By the way, the unwound recording sheet 3A is
Try to curl to the label 3a side. To prevent this, the curl correction roller 10 is arranged. The curl correction roller 10 is pressed by the pinch roller 10a, and the recording paper 3A is passed between the rollers 10 and 10a, so that the recording paper 3A is positively moved in the direction opposite to the curl direction as shown in FIG. It is curved to eliminate curl.

[0006]

However, according to the above-mentioned prior art, there are the following problems. Since the pressing force between the curl correction roller 10 and the pinch roller 10a is constant and the value cannot be changed, the curl amount is suitable according to the difference in the paper thickness of the recording paper used and the change in the diameter of the paper roll 3. It cannot be changed to. When the recording sheet 3A is the label sheet as described above,
At the point P where the recording paper 3A first contacts the curl correction roller 10, the separator 3b of the recording paper 3A tries to move along the surface of the curl correction roller 10 toward the nip portion N with the pinch roller 10a. Since the label 3a on the surface of the separator 3b tends to move in the tangential direction at the point P, the label 3a is easily peeled off from the separator 3b.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the recording paper is pressed against the surface of the belt member between the roller members, and the curl removing position can be finely adjusted to prevent the peeling of the label and appropriately adjust the curl amount. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper transport device having the above structure.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a belt member (11) that is wound around at least two roller members (11a, 11b).
A curl correction for removing the curl of the recording paper (3A) being conveyed in a paper conveying device (9) that conveys the recording paper (3A) wound in a roll shape by unwinding by rotating e). The curl includes a member (10) and a positioning mechanism (8) that movably supports the curl correction member (10) and moves the curl correction member (10) to a curl removal position (M ₁ ) and a retracted position (M ₂ ). The correction member (10) includes the belt member (11) located between the two roll members (11a, 11b) at the curl removing position (M ₁ ).
The recording sheet (3A) being conveyed is pressed against the surface of (e), and is separated from the surface of the belt member (11e) at the retracted position (M ₂ ).

Further, the positioning mechanism (8) is an adjusting mechanism (8a, 8b) for finely adjusting the curl removing position (M ₁ ).
It is preferable to change the pressing amount of the recording paper (3A) via the adjusting mechanism (8a, 8b).

[0010]

Based on the above construction, for example, when the recording paper (3A) is the above-mentioned label paper, when removing the curl, the label (3a) side of the surface of the separator (3b) is placed on the belt member (11).
The curl correction member (10) presses the separator (3b) against the belt member (11e) from the back surface side of the separator (3b) against the front surface of (e). As a result, in the decurling operation, the label (3a) is pressed against the separator (3b) by the belt member (11e), and the label (3a) is not likely to peel off.

Further, since the curl removing position (M ₁ ) of the curl correcting member (10) can be finely adjusted, the curl removing position (M ₁ ) can be adjusted according to the thickness of the recording paper (3A), the roll diameter of the recording paper (3A), and the like. The curl amount can be adjusted appropriately.

The reference numerals in the parentheses are for the purpose of comparing the drawings, and do not limit the structure of the present invention.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. <Embodiment 1> FIG. 27 schematically shows a paper transporting device which also serves as the curl correction unit 9.

The curl correction unit 9 is provided with a driving roller 11a as a roller member, a driven roller 11b, a tension roller 11c, and a belt member 11e wound around these rollers. The tension roller 11c is supported via a tension spring 11d, so that an appropriate tension is applied to the belt member 11e. A pinch roller (conveyance roller) 12 is pressed against the drive roller 11a from below.

A curl correction roller (curl correction member) 10 is pressed against the surface of the belt member 11e located between the drive roller 11a and the driven roller 11b. The curl correction roller 10 can be freely rotated by the positioning mechanism 8.
It is movably supported. The positioning mechanism 8 is provided with L-shaped arms 8a, 8a (however, only one arm 8a is shown in FIG. 27) that rotatably supports both ends of the curl correction roller 10. Curl correction roller 10 at the tip
The arm 8a for supporting the arm is swingably supported by a shaft 8b on the base end side. Below the arm 8a, a cam 8c that is engaged with and disengaged from the lower end of the arm 8a is arranged, and the arm 8a is biased in the direction of arrow R8 by a tension spring 8d. The cam 8c, as shown in FIG.
It is fixed to a shaft 8f on the side of the torque limiter 8e, and the power of the drive roller 11a (see FIG. 27) is transmitted to this torque limiter 8e via an idler gear 8g and an electromagnetic clutch 8h. As shown in FIG. 27, the curl correction roller 10 is arranged at the curl removing position M ₁ (solid line) via the arm 8a when the cam 8c is in the standing position shown by the solid line, while the cam 8c is at the second position. When the fall position shown by the dotted line is taken, it is arranged at the retracted position M ₂ (two-dot chain line) via the arm 8a. The curl correction roller 10 arranged at the curl removing position M ₁ presses the recording paper 3A against the surface of the belt member 11a located between the drive roller 11a and the driven roller 11b. Also,
The curl correction roller 10 arranged at the retracted position M ₂ is separated from the belt member 11e.

In the curl correction unit 9 having the above-described structure, the driving roller 11a rotates and the recording sheet 3A starts to be conveyed, and at the same time, the electromagnetic clutch 8h is passed through the idler gear 8g.
Rotates. Simultaneously with the rotation of the drive roller 11a, the electromagnetic clutch 8h becomes conductive and is in the ON state, so that the rotation is transmitted to the torque limiter 8e. This torque limiter 8e
Transmits the rotation unless torque above a certain level is applied to the shaft 8f. When the cam 8c pushes up the arm 8a, the curl correction roller 10 presses the recording paper 3A against the surface of the belt member 11e to correct the curl of the recording paper 3A.

When the drive roller 11a stops rotating or the main SW is turned off, the electromagnetic clutch 8
Since h is turned off and the movement of the torque limiter 8e and the shaft 8f, whose rotation has been transmitted until then, becomes free, the arm 8a is pulled by the tension spring 8d, and the distance between the belt member 11e and the curl correction roller 10 is increased. Back As a result, it becomes possible to set the recording paper 3A.

The pressing amount of the curl correction roller 10 is determined by the rotation angle of the cam 8c. If this angle can be finely adjusted by a stopper or the like, the pressing amount of the curl correction roller 10 against the belt member 11e can be That is,
The curl removal amount with respect to the recording sheet 3A can be appropriately adjusted according to the thickness of the recording sheet 3A and the diameter of the sheet roller with the recording sheet 3A wound. The rotation transmission of the shaft 8f is controlled by a stopper, but this movement is absorbed by the torque limiter 8e slipping. <Embodiment 2> FIG. 29 is a view showing Embodiment 2, in which the curl correction roller 10 of Embodiment 1 is provided with a belt member 10b, and the recording paper 3A is provided between the belt member 11e and the belt member 10b. It is to correct the curl. <Third Embodiment> A label printer to which the present invention is applicable will be described below with reference to FIGS. The present invention is applied as the curl correction unit (paper conveying device) 9 shown in FIG.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the label printer.

An operation panel 2 for performing online and paper feed is provided on the front of the apparatus main body 1. A paper roll 3 used for printing as a recording medium is mounted on the upper right portion of the apparatus body 1. Figure 1
In the example shown in (1), the continuous paper roll 3 is used. However, as the recording medium, other types of paper such as a paper having a label attached on a release paper and a continuous paper having perforations that can be cut off may be used. Good. Further, as the printer, a feeder may be mounted so that recording on a cut sheet such as a business card or a card is possible.

The contents recorded on the recording medium are not limited to characters, but may be images such as images or bar codes.

The barcode will be described below.
The bar code is an optical input means that represents one character (a number, a symbol, an alphabet, etc.) by a combination of several bars, and the sequence of the characters is “combined”. The bar code is “CODE39”. , "NW-
There are standards such as 7 "," UPC "," JAN ", etc., and each has a characteristic in display characters, number of characters, character density, bar width, etc. Depending on each characteristic, it is used for various purposes.

On the front surface of the apparatus main body 1 shown in FIG. 1, a door member 5 is provided so as to be opened so as to remove jammed paper and clean the recording system. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door member 5 is opened to expose the inside of the apparatus main body 1.

Next, the internal structure of the apparatus main body 1 will be described.

3 and 4 are a front view and a top view of the inside of the apparatus main body 1, respectively.

In the figure, 3 is a paper roll for printing and recording, 6 is a paper roll guide for regulating the width of the paper roll 3, and 7 is a paper roll for holding the paper roll 3 and the paper roll guide 6. A holding unit, 9 is a curl correction unit for correcting the curl of the paper roll 3, 10 is a curl correction roller that gives a curl opposite to the curl to correct the curl, and 11 is a slack appropriate for the paper ( Loop roller, which controls to give
12 is a pinch roller of the loop roller 11, 13 is a loop plate that is displaced along with a loop amount for giving an appropriate loop to the paper, 15 is a loop sensor that detects the amount of displacement of the loop plate 13, 16 is a lower guide plate of the paper, Reference numeral 17 is an upper guide plate of the paper, 19 is a TOF sensor which is a reflective sensor that detects the position of the paper, 20 is a TOF sensor which is a transmissive sensor that detects the position of the paper, similar to the TOF sensor 19.
1 is a charging roller for applying a potential to a charging belt, which will be described later, 22
Is a discharging roller for discharging the potential on the surface of the paper, 23 is a charging belt for charging the paper by applying a potential by the charging roller 21, and 25 is for reliably charging the paper sucked and conveyed by the charging belt 23. A paper pressing roller that presses against the belt 23, 26 a platen that stabilizes the flatness of the paper to be printed and recorded, 27 a print head block that prints and records on the conveyed paper, and 29 presses both ends of the conveyed paper. Paper holding plate to prevent the paper from floating
Is a moving block that moves the paper pressing plate 29 according to the width of the paper, 31 is a main roller that controls the main drive of the charging belt 23 for conveying the paper, and 32 is a charge roller 23 for driving the main roller 31. A driven roller is driven, 33 is a pinch roller of the main roller 31, 35 is a paper discharge roller for discharging the printed and recorded paper to the outside of the apparatus main body 1, and 36 is a paper discharge roller which is a pinch roller of the paper discharge roller 35. , 37 and 39 are guides for ejected paper, 4
Reference numeral 0 is a recovery system unit that cleans the thickened ink and adhered ink on the print head nozzle surface of the print head block 27, and 41 moves the print head block 27 to a printing position or a recovery operation position. A head moving motor, 42 is a paper conveying motor that drives the main roller 31 that performs the main drive of paper conveyance, 43 is a recovery unit moving motor that moves the recovery system unit 40 to the position where the print head block 27 is capped, and 45 is a A loop motor that detects the displacement of the loop plate 13 by the loop sensor 15 to secure an appropriate loop amount and controls the speed of the loop roller 11 based on the detected value.
6 is an ink supply unit for supplying ink to each head of the print head block 27, 47 is a power source for supplying each power source to the apparatus main body 1, and 49 is a reflection type for detecting whether or not the paper is normally conveyed. TOF sensor, 50 is T
A transmission type TOF sensor similar to the OF sensor 49, 51
(See FIG. 4) is a sub-board having a switch for performing a partial operation and adjustment of the apparatus body 1, 52 is a main board which is a controller of the apparatus body 1, 53 is a connection between various actuators and the main board 52. A terminal board, 55 is a memory card, and 56 is an interface section for connecting to a host computer or the like.

The recording system of the print head block 27 in the above label printer is an ink jet recording system in which recording is performed by using an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy for causing film boiling in the ink in response to an electric signal. The above-mentioned printer adopting this recording method is a so-called bubble jet printer.

FIG. 5 shows the internal structure of the apparatus main body 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view seen through so that the arrangement relationship can be particularly understood. The reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIGS. 3 and 4.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, substrates such as the main substrate 52 are arranged outside the rear surface of the apparatus main body 1, and not only the heat radiation effect but also the print head block 27, the recovery system unit 40 and the like are provided. By being configured to be separated from the recording unit, it is possible to prevent stains on the recording unit, particularly ink contamination in this example.

The recording portion having the print head block 27 and the like and the fixed portion such as the ink supply unit 46 and the power source 47 are divided into upper and lower parts, and the paper is conveyed between them. A recording unit that has a complicated apparatus configuration and is movably provided, and an ink supply unit 4 that needs to be replaced.
6 is separated from the ink tank to facilitate replacement of the ink tank and the like.

Further, since the recording head (described later) in the print head block 27 is arranged downward, the paper such as the label after recording is ejected with the printing surface facing upward without reversing the paper, This makes it easy for the user to confirm after recording. It has been confirmed that good recording results can be obtained by ejecting ink downward in the inkjet recording apparatus.

Further, by disposing the ink supply unit 46 below the print head block 27, when ink is supplied, a negative pressure due to gravity is received. If the ink supply unit 46 is provided above the print head unit 46, water pressure is applied to the ink supply side (the print head block 27 side) by gravity, and the ink is discharged from the ejection port of the recording head in the print head unit 27. It may also cause ink leakage. To eliminate ink leakage,
Since a mechanism for applying pressure (negative pressure) must be provided, the structure of the ink supply system becomes complicated, leading to an increase in cost.

Here, the paper roll 3 used in the above label printer will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the recording paper 3A is unwound from the web-shaped paper roll 3.

The recording paper 3A is a recording material of a label printer and is usually called a label paper. Although various sizes are used depending on the intended use, the label printer according to the present embodiment can be used with a maximum width W of 4 inches. The recording paper 3A has labels 3a, 3a ... With tack glue applied to the back surface on a front surface of a continuous strip-shaped mount (hereinafter referred to as “separator”) 3b called a release paper or a separator via a predetermined paper interval w. It is composed by continuously attaching. The above-mentioned paper roll 3 is configured by winding the separator 3b having the label 3a attached on the surface thereof in a roll shape.

The recording sheet 3A is unwound during use and conveyed in the direction of arrow K3. As shown in FIG. 7, on the back surface side of the separator 3b, that is, on the opposite side of the sticking surface of the front surface on which the label 3a is stuck, as shown in FIG. A TOF (Top of Form) mark 3c serving as a trigger for is printed by printing. This TFO mark 3c
Is detected by each of the TOF sensors described above, and
A tip signal is output from the sensor.

The labels 3a, 3 on the separator 3b are also
In the case of the label 3a in which the space w between the sheets a is constant, the size (length in the carrying direction) of the label 3a can be detected from the space w between the TOF marks 3c and 3c, and further, the printable area can also be detected.

In this embodiment, the TOF sensor is used to
Although the OF mark 3c is detected, when the separator 3b having high light transmittance is used, it is also possible to detect the print start position, the size of the label 3a, etc. by a transmission type sensor.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a high speed color printer to which the present invention is applied. Image data printed by this high-speed color printer is created by the host computer 60,
Alternatively, after being edited, it is sent to the data transmitting / receiving unit 61 as color image data or color character data.

These are divided into the case where they are received as bitmap data for each of the four colors (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) and the case where they are character code data.

Whether the received print data is bitmap data or character code data is identified by a command received in advance.

In the case of character code data, for each character data, or for each of a plurality of character strings, that is, for each change point of the print style, the print start position designation, character font, character size,
Commands such as recording color designation are inserted.

The data received by the data transmission / reception unit 61 is read by the main CPU 62, and the work RAM 63 is sequentially operated.
Is stored in the RO, and the bitmap is expanded character by character.
The content of the character generator of the corresponding character is read from M65 and the result is written in the print buffer 66. The print buffer 66 includes recording heads 67K, 67C, 67M, 67.
Corresponding to Y, four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow are independently held.

For example, in this embodiment, the printing resolution is 360d.
A line head with 1444 nozzles per head is used in pi, and 1328 nozzles are used for recording, so the maximum print width is about 3.7 inches.

When the page length is set to 4 inches, the required print buffer size is 1328 × 360 [dot / inch] × 4 [inc.
h] = 1912320 [bit / page] Required. When continuously printing different text or graphic data of a plurality of pages without impairing the effective printing speed, a method having the print buffer 66 for two pages, that is, a double buffer method is effective. In this case, the print buffer size is required to be 1912320 [bit / page] × 2 [page] = 3824640 [bit] per color.

If one page is used as a buffer currently being printed and another page is dedicated to editing the next page, the high-speed printing characteristic of the present invention can be realized.

The image data expanded in the print buffer 66 is continuously read from the head control circuit 69 and four-color recording heads 67K, 67C, 67M, 67Y (hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the recording heads by color). Are appropriately transferred to the "recording head 67"). Print buffer 6
6, head control circuit 69, and recording heads 67K, 6
Detailed timings of the 7C, 67M, 67Y and the main CPU 62 will be described later.

The ROM 65 stores a control process for controlling the entire color printer together with the character generator and the bar code generator.

The main CPU 6 under the control of the control program
2 drives and controls the drive motors 72 via the I / O port 70 and the drive circuit 71.

The drive motors 72 include a paper feed motor for conveying paper, a head motor for moving the recording head up and down, a capping of the ink nozzle portion of the recording head, a capping motor for operating a cleaning mechanism, and the like. included.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the drive pulse for driving the paper feed motor and the printing operation are completely synchronized.

In the sensor circuit 73, the TOF sensor for detecting the leading position of the label 3a to be printed, each home position sensor for determining the reference position of the head motor, the capping motor, etc., and the remaining amount of ink of each color are monitored. Ink level sensor and the like are included.

The main CPU 62 is the host computer 6
The print data received from 0 may be stored in the memory card 75.

When the host computer 60 and the color printer are separated to perform the printing operation, the memory card 75 can be used as one of effective means. The data stored in the memory card 75 is usually in the form of character code data, but fixed print image data that does not need to be changed may be stored as bitmap data for four colors. A print command for a print operation using the memory card 75 is output from the control panel 76. The control panel 76 can change the print format of print data in the memory card 75 in addition to the print start and stop operation commands. Details of the control panel 76 will be described later.

An external view of the operation panel 2 is shown in FIG.

The operation panel 2 includes a power switch 2a for turning on / off the power of the power system, an online switch 2b for switching between online / offline operation with the host computer 60, a feed switch 2c for feeding a sheet, and a position adjustment of the leading edge of the sheet. A TOF switch 2d for performing, a stop switch 2e for forcibly stopping printing, and an alarm 2f are provided.

FIG. 10 shows the control panel 76 described above.
It is a block diagram of.

The control panel 76 is normally used in a state in which the color printer of the present invention and the host computer 60 are separated, that is, in the offline mode.

The main function of the control panel 76 is to display print image data and change the print format. The control panel 76 is provided in a housing different from the apparatus main body 1 of the color printer.

The normal display image data is sent from the main CPU 62 side to the communication port of the sub CPU 76a in the form of code data, but the display image data of bit map may be received and displayed. Here, the case where the character code data is received will be described.

When the data reception request key is pressed from the keyboard 76b, the sub CPU 76a issues a data request command to the main CPU 62 side. Main CPU 62
The data sent from the side is stored in RAM76c,
In parallel, the sub CPU 76a displays the image data received under the control of the control program stored in the ROM 76d to display the C.I. G. Are sequentially read and written in the display memory 76f via the display control circuit 76e.

C. for display G. Is provided in the ROM 76d. The display control circuit 76e continuously reads the contents of the display memory 76f and continuously controls the display of the display 76g.
The display 76g is, for example, a 320 × 240 [dot] liquid crystal display. If the weight of 1 [dot] on the display device 76g corresponds to 1/90 [inch] on the print medium vertically and horizontally, it is possible to display an area of about 3.6 × 2.7 [inch]. is there.

Image data and format are keyboard 7
6b can be used to make changes on indicator 76g. The changed contents are sequentially stored in the RAM 76c.

When printing the results, the sub C
The PU 76a issues a data reception request command to the main CPU 62, and the main CPU 62 side receives the updated image data and performs a printing operation.

The display 76g is provided with a backlight 76h for improving the display quality. Usually, a cold cathode tube or the like is suitable, and in that case, an inverter 76i for converting and driving DC to AC is used.

FIG. 11 is an internal block diagram of the head control circuit 69 described above.

In this case, the print buffer 66 has a DRAM.
Is used. The main CPU 62 is the print buffer 6
When accessing 6, the access signal CRAM1 * is activated from the decoding circuit 69a. The refresh operation of the print buffer 66 is performed by setting the access signal RRAM1 * of the refresh request circuit 69b in the active state. Furthermore, recording heads 67K, 67C, 6
When transferring data to 7M and 67Y, the access signal HRAM1 * of the head data request circuit 69c is activated. These three signals are input to the bus arbitration circuit 69d.

The bus arbitration circuit 69d can access the print buffer 66 in accordance with a predetermined priority order for these three accesses. Each access method is controlled by the DRAM control circuit 69e. The bus arbitration circuit 69d controls the bus switching circuit 69f, and the CP
Address bus HA1 output from U address buses A1 to 18 and head data address switch circuit 69g
To 18 are output and the address buses DRAD0 to 17 for the print buffer 66 are output.

Similarly to the address, the data bus is switched by the bus arbitration circuit 69d to the CPU data buses DRD0 to DRD15 and the data buses HD0 to HD15 transferred to the respective color data transfer circuits 69h by the bus switching circuit 69f. It is connected to the data buses DRD0-15.

The chip select signals are also CCS0 to 1 similarly.
5, and outputs RAS0 to 15 *.

During the printing operation, the head data request circuit 69c
Requests access right to the print buffer 66, permits timing in the bus arbitration circuit 69d, and the bus switching circuit 6
The address of each color is output from 9f to the print buffer 66, is output to the print data HD0 to 15, and is transferred from the color data transfer circuit 69h to the recording head 67K or the like. By this series of operations, the print data and the print content can be matched.

The operation timing of the above operation is determined by the timing generation circuit 69i. Timing generation circuit 69
i is sent in synchronization with the FEEDMCK signal sent to the paper feed motor.

As described above, since the data transfer of each color recording head during printing is hardware-controlled inside the head control circuit 69, the main CPU 62 does not need to access the print buffer 66 during the printing operation, and the load is large. It is possible to print at high speed because it is reduced to.

When the recording data is different for each page, the print buffer 66 is made to wait for two pages or more, and the main PU 62 develops the bitmap in the other page buffer while the data in one page buffer is being printed. Continuous recording is possible by switching the address of the print buffer 66 when transferring to the recording head.

Further, the main CPU 62 measures the processing time required to expand the recording data bit map RAM for one page, and the recording speed is preset so that the expansion processing time does not exceed the recording processing time required for recording one page. By setting, you can effectively expand and record. That is, by changing the recording speed according to the amount of image data such as a bar code, it is possible to efficiently develop and record.

The recording speed may be changed finely and stepwise, or 50, 100, 200 (mm / sec) (1
The length of the label recorded per second) may be set broadly. Further, the recording speed may be changed by the user by a switch.

In addition, 360 dot / inch (14 do
In order to record with a resolution of t / mm), the recording head is
When the recording speed is 200 mm / sec, 200 mm / sec * 14 dot / mm = 2800 do
t / sec That is, it is driven at a frequency of 2.8 kHz.

Similarly, according to the recording speed, the recording speed is 10
1.4 kHz at 0 mm / sec, 50 mm / sec
At that time, it is driven at a frequency of 0.7 kHz.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the printing mechanism (print head block) 27 of the high speed line printer. Four recording heads arranged in a line are individually installed. That is, the recording head 67K for black color printing,
Recording head 67C for cyan color printing, recording head 67M for magenta color printing, recording head 6 for yellow color printing
It is 4 of 7Y. Various methods are used for the recording head. For example, (a) heat is applied to the heater in the nozzle to generate bubbles,
Inkjet method for ejecting ink by pressure generated by air bubbles (b) Filling ink into a cylindrical piezoelectric element and ejecting ink by contraction of the piezoelectric element. Inkjet method (c) A heat-meltable film for recording paper and heater. A thermal transfer method that places a heater between them and heats the heater to transfer the color of the film to the recording paper. (D) Use a thermal reaction recording paper and apply heat to the heater to change the color of the recording paper. However, the control method is basically the same.
That is, it is a method of electrically applying a pulse to a recording head portion such as a heater or a piezoelectric element and controlling the time or voltage of this pulse. In particular, the recording head of the method (a) is adopted here.

Printing is performed by these recording heads 67K and 67K.
The recording paper 3A is fed below the C, 67M and 67Y by a paper feed motor, and this clock, that is, FEEDMCK
Printing is performed line by line in synchronization with the signal.

FIG. 13 shows an example of an equivalent circuit of the print head block 27. Since the heater 67a of the recording head is electrically considered to be a resistor, it is indicated by a resistance. In addition, the IC 67b that controls the 64 heaters 67a is 21
The number of heaters 67a is 1344 (= 64 × 2).
8) Number of pieces.

The print data is SI-synchronized with the SICK signal.
Transferred by signal. Data is D1 by shift register
To D1344 are shifted. L when transfer is completed
The AT * signal is input and the shifted data is temporarily held. For printing, the STRB1 signal and the STRBCK signal have a shift register configuration in IC units.
It will be controlled in units of 64 heaters. The reason why the 1344 heaters 67a are not controlled simultaneously is that the heaters 67a are
This is because a large amount of current is applied to the device and the time-division driving improves power efficiency.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the printing mechanism 27 (print head block). Similar to the printing mechanism 27 shown in FIG. 12, four line-shaped recording heads are arranged.
The recording heads 67K, 67C, 67M, and 67Y correspond to four colors of black K, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y, respectively, and are in the conveying direction of the recording paper 3A (arrow K).
3 directions) from the upstream side in the order of increasing lightness.

Recording heads 67K, 67C, 67M, 6
The 7Ys are arranged at intervals of 19.05 mm (7.5 inches), and the respective recording heads are controlled so that the recording positions of the recording paper 3A and the label 3a overlap.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the entire ink supply system, which will be described below according to the flow of ink.

The ink is sucked out from the ink bag 68a ₁ in the ink cartridge 68a by suction of the pump 68b, and is stored in the sub tank 68d via the one-way valve 68c ₁ in the valve 68c. This is indicated by the white arrow 1 in the figure. On the other hand, during normal printing, the sub tank 68d
From the above, the same amount of ink as the used amount of ink is supplied to the recording head 67 as indicated by the white arrow 2 in the figure.

Further, if the same pattern is printed or if it is left unused without being used, ink in the nozzles of the recording head 67 may thicken, or bubbles may be generated (condensed) in the recording head 67 or in the tube. Then, the printing after that may be hindered. In such a case, the recovery operation of the recording head 67 is required. The black arrows 1 and 2 in the figure show the flow of ink at this time.

First, the black arrow 1 indicates the circulation of the ink to the recording head 67, and the pump 68b rotates in the opposite direction to the time when the ink is supplied to the sub-tank 68d, whereby the ink is transferred from the sub-tank 68d to the bubble 68c. One way valve 68
It circulates to the recording head 67 via c ₂ and the sub tank 68d
Is to return to. At this time, the thickened ink near the nozzles of the recording head 67 is discharged from the nozzles, and the bubbles in the flow path are also discharged from the nozzles or collected in the sub tank 68d.

Next, a black arrow 2 indicates a recovery system of the ink discharged from the nozzle of the head to the recovery system unit 40. The pump 68b has the ability to circulate ink to the recording head 67 and at the same time to operate this ink recovery system. Then, the ink discharged into the recovery system unit 40 is collected by the pump 68b in the waste ink absorber 68a ₂ in the ink cartridge 68a, so that a new waste ink absorber 6 is replaced when the ink cartridge 68a is replaced.
8a ₂ will be replaced.

The above is the description of the entire ink supply system.
As a portion not described above, the presence / absence detection sensor 68 of the ink cartridge 68a is provided in the ink cartridge housing portion.
f is provided, and the recording head 67 can be connected to the main body side by a head joint 68g.

In addition, the sub tank 68d has an ink level sensor 68h for keeping the amount of ink above a certain amount,
An overflow sensor 68i for stopping the apparatus when it fails for some reason and a breather valve 68j for opening the atmospheric pressure in the tank to the atmosphere are provided. Further, the recording head 67 is provided with a head filter 68k.

FIG. 16 illustrates the recording head 67 and the head holder 7777 on the apparatus main body 1 side for connecting the recording head 67. Four recording heads 67 are arranged in parallel in the head holder 77, that is, recording heads 67K, 67C, 67M, 67 for black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.
Y is inserted, and its positioning is performed by inserting the head positioning pin 67c under each recording head 67 into a joint portion (not shown) in the head holder 77.

Further, a head flex A 67d having a contact is connected to the upper part of each recording head 67, and a head flex B provided on the lid portion 77a of the head holder 77.
By fixing in a state of being in contact with 77b, an electric signal from the apparatus main body 1 side is received.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of an actual ink supply system in the apparatus main body 1. Here, for the elements other than the recording head 67, the sub tank 68d, and the recovery system unit 40, only the yellow Y portion is shown.

The ink flow shown in FIG.
Describing using u, when the ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 68a to the sub tank 68d, the ink is supplied to the sub tank 68d via the tubes Tu1, Tu2, Tu3. Further, at the time of printing, ink is supplied from the sub tank 68d to the recording head 67Y via the tube Tu4. When the ink is circulated through the head, the tubes Tu3, Tu
Ink flows in the order of 2, Tu5, and Tu4, and then circulates to the sub tank 68d again. When collecting the ink, the ink flows from the recovery system unit 40 to the waste ink absorber of the ink cartridge 68a via the tubes Tu6 and Tu7.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the print head block 27 including the recording head 67, the head holder 77, etc. and the recovery system unit 40. The print head block 27 can be moved in the vertical direction (arrow K27 direction) by a drive source (not shown), while the recovery system unit 40 can be moved in the horizontal direction (arrow K40 direction).

In the recovery system unit 40, the recording head 6
In order to efficiently collect the ink discharged from the nozzles at the time of recovery of No. 7, an absorber roller 352 is provided below each recording head 67. Absorber roller 40
A is rotationally driven by a recovery system motor 40f mounted on the recovery system unit 40 via a roller gear 40b, an idler gear 40c, a motor idler gear 40d, a motor gear 40e, etc., which are incorporated on the shaft thereof.

FIG. 19 illustrates the operation within the recovery system unit 40 when the recording head 67 is recovered. The state shown in the figure shows a state in which the recording head 67 is in close contact with the recovery system unit 40 (capping, which will be described later).
7. The ink circulation during the recovery operation is performed in this state.

As described with reference to FIG. 18, the absorber roller 40a below the recording head 67 is the recovery system unit 40.
The ink is discharged from the head nozzle 67e and is squeezed by the recovery system motor 40f which is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow by the recovery system motor 40f and is pressed against the diaphragm roller 40g. The upper side of the body roller 40a is always in a state where ink easily penetrates. In the figure, the yellow recording head 67Y
It shows the case where the ink is circulated in the interior of the recovery system unit 40.
8b, it is transferred to the waste ink absorber 68a ₂ of the ink cartridge 68a through the tubes Tu6 and Tu7.

In the figure, 67f is a head front plate, 40h is a blade, and 40i is a cap rubber.

FIG. 20 illustrates each position of the recording head 67 and the recovery system unit 40.

20 (a), (b), (c) and (d) are enlarged views for explaining the respective positions of the recording head 67 and the recovery system unit 40. As shown in FIG.

Next, each operation will be described.

FIG. 20A shows the capping state. The capping is a position at the time of ink circulation in the normal standby state or the recording head 67 recovery operation. The head front plate 67f of the recording head 67 and the capping rubber 40i of the recovery system unit 40 are in close contact with each other.

FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a wiping state. Wiping is one of the recovery operations of the recording head 67, and removes ink droplets remaining around the head nozzle 67e that are not absorbed in the ink discharged from the head nozzle 67e due to ink circulation.

FIG. 13C shows a state in which the recording head 67 and the recovery system unit 40 are retracted. In the retracted state, when the capping state is changed to the printing state, or in the reverse movement, the recovery system unit 40 largely moves, so that the recording head 67 escapes so as not to contact the recovery system unit 40. This is the operation to be performed.

FIG. 10D shows a normal printing state,
The recovery system unit 40 is completely retracted to the right, the recording head 67 is moved further below the capping position, and is kept in a predetermined distance from the recording sheet 3A (not shown).

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of the initial processing after the power is turned on in this embodiment.

After the power is turned on, RA is executed in S (step) 001.
Initialization and initialization of M63, initialization of the print buffer 66, etc. are performed, and initialization of the I / O port 70 and the head control circuit (GA) 69 is performed in S002.

Next, in S003, the print head block 2
After the head moving motor 41 is driven and the home position is detected, 7 is positioned at the retracted position shown in FIG. Here, if an abnormality such as the inability to detect the home position occurs, abnormal termination is performed.

Similarly, in S004, the recovery system unit 40 is positioned at the capping position shown in FIG. 20A after detecting the home position where the recovery unit moving motor 43 is driven. Here, if an abnormality such as the inability to detect the home position occurs, abnormal termination is performed.

Further, in S005, the print head block 2
The head moving motor 41 is driven to position 7 at the capping position shown in FIG.

Thereafter, in S006, the recovery process described in FIG. 24 is performed (described later), and the standby state is set. Here, if an abnormality occurs in the recovery process, the abnormal end is performed.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the printing process of this embodiment.

First, in step S101, the preliminary ejection process described in FIG. 25 is performed (described later). If an abnormality occurs in the preliminary ejection process, the abnormal end is performed. In S102, a preliminary ejection timer that defines the time interval of the preliminary ejection operation is started.

Next, in S103, the print head block 2
7 and the position state of the recovery system unit 40 are checked, and FIG.
If the print position shown in FIG.
The recovery unit moving motor 43 and the head moving motor 41 are driven to position at the printing position.

Then, in S105, the supply of the feed clock signal to the drive circuit 71 and the head control circuit 69 is started. Here, the feed clock signal is varied according to the acceleration, constant speed, and deceleration speed tables that specify the transport speed specified in advance.

When the feed clock signal is supplied, the conveyance of the paper roll 3 is started. Along with that, S10
The TOF mark 3c is detected at 6 and, if detected, a print trigger signal is given to the head control circuit 69 at S107.

During the printing operation, the preliminary ejection processing during printing described in FIG. 23 is performed in S108 (described later). Here, if an abnormality occurs in the preliminary ejection processing during printing, the abnormal end is performed.

It is checked in S109 whether the printing operation is continued,
If it is continued, the process returns to S106. When not continuing, S11
At 0, the feed clock signal is stopped.

Finally, in S111, the recovery unit moving motor 43 and the head moving motor 41 are driven to move the print head block 27 and the recovery system unit 40.
It is positioned at the capping position shown in (a).

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of the preliminary ejection process during printing in this embodiment.

First, in step S121, if the preliminary ejection timer for defining the preliminary ejection time interval indicates that the predetermined time interval has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S122, and otherwise ends normally.

In S122, the feed clock signal is stopped.

Next, in S123, the preliminary ejection process described in FIG. 25 is performed (described later). Here, if an abnormality occurs in the preliminary ejection processing, the processing ends abnormally.

Then, in step S124, the preliminary discharge timer for defining the preliminary discharge time interval is restarted.

Finally, in S125, the supply of the feed clock signal to the drive circuit 70 and the head control circuit 69 is restarted.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the recovery process of this embodiment.

First, in S201, the positional states of the print head block 27 and the recovery system unit 40 are examined, and
If it is not at the capping position shown in 0 (a), the recovery unit moving motor 43 and the head moving motor 41 are driven and positioned at the capping position in S202.

Next, in S203, the presence / absence of the cartridge is checked by the cartridge presence / absence sensor 68f, and if there is a cartridge that is not detected, the process ends abnormally. Of course, for the cartridge, four colors are checked for each color.

Thereafter, if an overflow is detected by the overflow sensor 68i in S204, the process ends abnormally.

Further, in S205, ink is supplied. The ink level sensor 68h and the overflow sensor 68i are checked each time the ink pump 68b is rotated in the supply direction by a predetermined number of revolutions, and the ink level sensor 68h is not detected within the predetermined total number of revolutions when the ink level sensor 68h is not detected. Is detected, S206
If not, the process ends abnormally. As a matter of course, this ink supply is performed for each of the four colors.

Then, a recovery operation is performed in S206. The recovery system motor 40f is activated, and the ink pump 68b is rotated in the recovery direction at a rotational speed that is determined in advance by the time interval of the recovery operation, and then the recovery system motor 40f is stopped. Of course, this recovery operation is performed for each color.

Finally, in step S207, the preliminary ejection process described in FIG. 25 is performed. Here, if an abnormality occurs in the preliminary ejection processing, the processing ends abnormally.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the preliminary ejection process of this embodiment.

From S211 to S215, S in FIG.
The same processing as from 201 to S205 is performed.

Next, in step S216, the number of preliminary ejections determined by the time interval of the preliminary ejection operation is given to the head control circuit 69. Then, in step S217, an instruction for the preliminary ejection operation is given to the head control circuit 69.

Finally, in S218, the wiping process described in the next FIG. 26 is performed.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the wiping process of this embodiment.

First, in S221, the recovery system unit 40
20A, the print head block 27 is driven by the head moving motor 41 in step S222 when the capping position shown in FIG.
It is positioned at the retracted position shown in FIG. Then S
At 223, the recovery system unit 40 drives the recovery unit moving motor 43 to position it at the capping position shown in FIG.

Thereafter, in S224, the print head block 2
The head moving motor 41 is driven to position 7 at the wiping position shown in FIG. Then, S225
The recovery system unit 40 is driven by the recovery unit moving motor 43 to be positioned at the wiping position shown in FIG.

Finally, in S227, the recovery system unit 40 is driven by the recovery unit moving motor 43 to be positioned at the capping position shown in FIG. 20 (a). Then S
At 228, the print head block 27 is moved to the head moving motor 4
1 is driven and positioned at the capping position shown in FIG.

[0142]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The curl correction member presses the recording paper against the surface of the belt member arranged between the two roller members to remove the curl. For example, when the recording paper is label paper, the belt member removes the label during the curl removing operation. As it can be held down from above, the label is a separator
Effectively prevent peeling from.

By making it possible to finely adjust the curl removing position of the curl correcting member during the curl removing operation,
Depending on the thickness of the recording paper, the roll diameter of the recording paper, etc., the pressing amount can be changed to perform good curl removal.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applicable, with a door opened.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view seen from the front of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, as seen from above.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating label roll paper (recording paper).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a TOF mark on label roll paper.

FIG. 8 is a system block diagram of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an operation panel of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a control panel of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a head control circuit of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applicable.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a printing mechanism of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of a head unit of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applicable.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a gap between print recording heads of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 15 is an ink supply block diagram of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applicable.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a print head block of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an ink supply system of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a recovery system of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a recovery system of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D are views for explaining the position of the recovery system of the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applicable.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart when the power of the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied is turned on.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a printing process of the recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for preliminary ejection during printing of the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applicable.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a recovery process of the recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of preliminary ejection of the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applicable.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a wiping process of the recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the configuration of a paper transport device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a cam drive mechanism of the positioning mechanism of the first embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a configuration of a paper transporting device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional paper transport device.

[Explanation of symbols]

3A recording paper (label paper) 3a label 3b separator (mounting board) 8 positioning mechanism 8a adjusting mechanism (arm) 8b adjusting mechanism (cam) 10 curl correcting member (curl correcting roller) 11a roller member (driving roller) 11b roller member (driven) Roller) 11e Belt member M ₁ curl removal position M ₂ retracted position

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A paper transporting device for transporting while unrolling a recording paper wound in a roll by rotationally driving a belt member wound around at least two roller members. A curl correcting member for removing curl; and a positioning mechanism for movably supporting the curl correcting member and moving the curl correcting member between a curl removing position and a retracted position. The paper conveyance, wherein the recording paper being conveyed is pressed against the surface of the belt member located between the two roll members, and is separated from the surface of the belt member at the retracted position. apparatus. 2. The paper according to claim 1, wherein the positioning mechanism has an adjusting mechanism for finely adjusting the curl removing position, and the pressing amount of the recording paper is changed via the adjusting mechanism. Transport device.