JPH0890884A - Correcting method of positional slippage of ink ribbon - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To facilitate a printing process for eliminating a slippage of a running position by conducting printing limitation for a prescribed time at the time of abnormality, by canceling the printing limitation when an abnormal state of an ink ribbon is eliminated within the prescribed time and by discontinuing the printing process when the abnormal state is not eliminated even when the prescribed time is exceeded. CONSTITUTION: During ordinary printing, a printing control part is made to judge constantly whether the running state of an ink ribbon 11 is normal or abnormal, on the basis of an output signal of a ribbon sensor 20. In other words, it is made to judge that the running is abnormal, when a sensor roller 22 of the ribbon sensor 20 is made to start rotating by the ink ribbon 11 coming into contact with the sensor roller 22 and an ON-OFF output signal is generated. In the case of abnormality when the ribbon sensor 20 detects a positional slippage of the ink ribbon 11, a printing load is reduced to lower a printing duty so as to restore the running position of the ink ribbon 11 to a normal sphere, and the printing process is conducted. In the case when the running state is judged not to be restored to a normal state even when a prescribed time passes thereafter, the printing process is discontinued.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus using a tape-shaped ink ribbon, and more specifically, to a running position deviation of the ink ribbon in the width direction when the running position deviation exceeds an allowable value. The present invention relates to a print processing method for returning the value within a permissible value.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among impact type dot printers, the dot line printer is characterized by high-speed printing and high reliability. In order to realize this feature, the printing mechanism section is generally configured as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG.

The hammer mechanism section 1 has a large number of printing hammers 2 for dot printing mounted at predetermined intervals in the digit direction. The hammer mechanism 1 is reciprocally moved in the direction of the girder by a shuttle mechanism which is a reciprocating mechanism not shown. On the front surface of the hammer mechanism unit 1, a tape-shaped ink ribbon 11 impregnated with ink is provided so as to run. The ink ribbon 11 travels on a path defined by the left and right ribbon guides 12, the ribbon sensor 20 for detecting the ribbon traveling state, and the ribbon cassette 10. This traveling is performed by a pair of ribbon drive rollers 13 which are rotationally driven by a motor or the like not shown. The ink ribbon 11 wound up by the pair of ribbon drive rollers 13 is regularly folded inside the ribbon cassette 10, and from the opposite side, the Mobius mechanism 14 for reversing the front and back of the ink ribbon 11 and the brake mechanism for applying proper tension. Pulled out via 15. Platen 3 for instructing the printing power of printing hammer 2
Are arranged at a predetermined gap from the hammer mechanism section 1 with the printing paper 4 interposed therebetween.

The printing is represented by a dot matrix by the dot line unit printing by driving each printing hammer 2 and the dot line unit paper feeding of the printing paper 4 by the paper feeding means (not shown). These things are controlled by a print controller not shown.

Generally, the print control unit is a print hammer 2
The printing is restricted according to the printing density in order to prevent the temperature from rising above the allowable value above, or to maintain the power output within the rated value. There are various methods for limiting the printing. For example, if the number of dots that can be printed is specified within a certain time and the print pattern has a high print density that exceeds the specified value, the printing hammer 2 pauses the printing after printing the dots of the specified value. It is a limitation method of. Furthermore, 1 of the hammer mechanism section 1
When the print density of a scan exceeds a specified value, a method of lowering the print density by dividing the print into a plurality of times and printing is often adopted.

The main running abnormalities of the ink ribbon 11 include running stop (including a significant decrease in speed) and misalignment in the width direction. When the running of the ink ribbon 11 is stopped, the thick printing paper 4
When the distance between the hammer mechanism unit 1 and the platen 3 is set to be narrow by using, the running resistance here becomes too large to be wound by the ribbon drive roller 13, or a jam occurs inside the ribbon cassette 10. Occurs when it occurs. On the other hand, the positional deviation in the width direction is caused when the gap between the hammer mechanism section 1 and the platen 3 is set to be narrow by using the thick printing paper 4, or when the folding perforations of the printing paper 4 pass through. It is caused by dragging of the ink ribbon 11 in the paper feeding direction or the like accompanying the paper feeding such as.

Further, the positional deviation in the width direction also occurs due to the printing load. The direction of misalignment varies depending on the type of printing mechanism, etc., but the magnitude of misalignment tends to increase as the printing density increases. Furthermore, the higher the temperature and humidity of the environment, the older the ink ribbon 11 becomes and the weaker the fabric tends to become. The amount of misalignment also depends on the type of print pattern. Running stop and positional deviation in the width direction also occur due to a mistake in setting the ink ribbon 11.

The ribbon sensor 20 is a sensor provided to detect a running abnormality such as the above-mentioned running stop and a positional deviation in the width direction, and prevent the character loss and the damage of the printing mechanism portion due to the running abnormality. The general ribbon sensor 20 can detect only the traveling stop among the traveling abnormalities of the ink ribbon 11, but in order to reliably detect the traveling abnormalities of the ink ribbon 11, even the positional deviation in the width direction described above can be detected. Things are desirable.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a ribbon sensor 20 having a function of detecting a positional deviation in the width direction. The ribbon sensor 20 is a rotation type sensor in which a reed switch 23 detects the rotation of a sensor roller 22 provided with a magnet 21 as the ink ribbon 11 travels. One sensor roller 22 is provided on each of the upper and lower sides of the ink ribbon 11 in the width direction, and a guide roller 24 is provided in the middle thereof. 3 sensor rollers 22 in total
The guide roller 24 and the guide roller 24 can rotate independently of each other.
It is attached to. The shaft 26 is attached to the sensor case 27 via a circlip 28 so as not to rotate.

As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the ink ribbon 1
When 1 is displaced downward, the ink ribbon 11 is detached from the upper sensor roller 22, so the upper sensor roller 2
2 stops rotating and the reed switch 23 stops on / off. This detects the positional deviation of the ink ribbon 11. When the ribbon sensor 20 detects a running abnormality of the ink ribbon 11, the printing process is stopped and the state is displayed on the operation panel to wait for operator intervention. Note that FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing status during this period.

[0011]

Most of the running troubles of the ink ribbon 11 cannot be returned to normal unless the cause is removed by the intervention of an operator or maintenance personnel. However, as described above, depending on the type of the printing apparatus, the running position of the ink ribbon 11 is likely to shift due to the characteristics of the printing method, mainly due to the influence of the printing pattern and the printing density. Specifically, if the high printing density continues under the bad condition, the ink ribbon 11
If the running position deviation amount of the ink ribbon 11 exceeds the allowable value, the ink ribbon 11
There is a tendency for frequent running obstacles. This tendency is more likely to occur as the surrounding environmental conditions are higher in temperature and humidity or the ink ribbon 11 is older.

Whenever this running trouble occurs, the printing process is interrupted and requires the intervention of an operator or maintenance personnel, which is a problem in the printing process. Further, in this case, the operator or the maintenance person simply releases the traveling obstacle display and restarts. Alternatively, it is not economical because the ink ribbon 11 may be replaced with a new one even though the ink ribbon 11 can be used sufficiently.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to discriminate the displacement of the running position of the ink ribbon 11 caused by the characteristics of the above-mentioned printing system and the running obstacle that stops the running of the ink ribbon 11, The purpose of the present invention is to allow the printing process to continue without the intervention of an operator or maintenance staff when the ribbon traveling position is deviated, and at the same time, without reducing the printing process speed as much as possible.

[0014]

The above-mentioned object is to provide a hammer mechanism portion having a plurality of printing hammers mounted thereon, and a platen arranged to face the hammer mechanism portion to support the printing force of the printing hammer. A paper feed unit for feeding a print sheet, a tape-shaped ink ribbon that travels between the hammer mechanism unit and a platen, a ribbon sensor that can detect a displacement of the ink ribbon in the width direction, and a print control In the printing device having means, the ribbon sensor monitors the normal or abnormal running of the ink ribbon, sends the result to the print control means, continues normal printing when normal, and prints for a predetermined time when abnormal. When the abnormal condition of the ink ribbon is solved within the specified time by performing the restriction, the print restriction is released, and the abnormal condition of the ink ribbon does not disappear even after the specified time. It is achieved by interrupting the printing process.

Further, the printing restriction is achieved by reducing the printing duty to perform the printing process or interrupting the printing process while the running of the ink ribbon is continued.

It is possible to surely perform the ink ribbon deviation correction by canceling the print restriction after a lapse of a specified time after the abnormal state of the ink ribbon is resolved.

[0017]

With the above-described structure, it is possible to discriminate the positional deviation of the running of the ink ribbon due to the characteristics of the printing system and the running obstacle that stops the running of the ink ribbon, and to check the running position of the ink ribbon. In the case of the deviation, the running position deviation amount of the ink ribbon can be recovered within the allowable value without requiring the intervention of the operator or maintenance staff.
Also, without reducing the print processing speed more than necessary,
It is possible to correct the displacement of the ink ribbon running position.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A print processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. The configuration other than the print processing method is the same as that of the conventional example, and the description thereof is omitted.

During normal printing (30), the print control unit constantly determines (31) whether the running state of the ink ribbon 11 is normal or abnormal based on the output signal of the ribbon sensor 20. If it is normal, printing is continued (32). In the case of an abnormality, that is, when the ribbon sensor 20 detects the displacement of the ink ribbon, the print duty is reduced to reduce the print load and return the running position of the ink ribbon 11 to the normal range. I do. Then, the ribbon sensor 20 monitors the running state of the ink ribbon 11 (34), and when the running state of the ink ribbon 11 returns to normal, returns to the normal printing state (32).

In order to monitor whether the running state of the ink ribbon 11 has returned to the normal state, the sensor ribbon 22 of the ribbon sensor 20 is caught by the ink ribbon 11,
It is determined that the sensor roller 22 has started to rotate and an on / off output signal has started to be generated. Therefore, at this point, the ink ribbon 11 may not be fully returned to the original position yet, so that the ribbon sensor 20 starts to generate the on / off output signal and the specified time (about 5 seconds).
It is advisable to keep the print duty low (35) until the time elapses, and then return to normal printing (32). Although the specified time is about 5 seconds in this embodiment, the specified time may be determined according to the characteristics of the printing device.

If the running state of the ink ribbon 11 does not easily return to the normal state, another abnormal phenomenon other than the displacement of the running position of the ink ribbon 11, for example, the running stop of the ink ribbon may be considered. Therefore, if the ribbon sensor 20 does not generate an ON / OFF output signal even after the predetermined time (about 10 seconds) (36) when the printing state at the low print duty has elapsed, the printing process is stopped (37) and the ink is ejected. An error process (38) indicating the traveling failure of the ribbon 11 is performed. In this case, the intervention of the operator or maintenance staff is awaited. Although the predetermined time is set to about 10 seconds in the present embodiment, the predetermined time is not limited to this and may be determined according to the characteristics of the printing apparatus.

Print processing is performed by reducing the print duty (3
As a method of performing 3), there is a method in which printing for one movement of the hammer mechanism unit 1 is divided into a plurality of times for printing. Alternatively, there is also a method of processing by reducing the set print duty limit value to about 1/2. These methods are methods that have been conventionally performed when printing data with a high print duty in a low print duty state, and can be easily dealt with by utilizing this method.

Next, a print processing method according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

During normal printing (40), the print control section always determines (41) whether the running state of the ink ribbon 11 is normal or abnormal by the output signal of the ribbon sensor 20. If it is normal, the printing is continued (42). In the case of abnormality, that is, when the ribbon sensor 20 detects the displacement of the ink ribbon, the printing process is interrupted while the ink ribbon 11 is running (43), and only the running of the ink ribbon 11 (44) is performed. Since the printing process is interrupted, the operator feels uncomfortable, but since the printing load is eliminated, there is an effect that the running position deviation of the ink ribbon 11 can be eliminated more quickly than in the above-described embodiment. Further, when only the traveling of the ink ribbon 11 (44) is performed, the traveling position deviation of the ink ribbon 11 can be eliminated in a shorter time by increasing the traveling speed of the ink ribbon 11.

Except for what has been described above, it is the same as the embodiment described with reference to FIG.

[0026]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, even if the running position deviation of the ink ribbon 11 occurs, the printing process for eliminating the running position deviation can be easily carried out. It is possible to prevent the traveling trouble of the ink ribbon 11 due to the displacement. This can drastically reduce the unnecessary intervention of the operator or maintenance staff. Further, since the printing process can be continued, the efficiency of the printing process work can be improved.
Further, the positional deviation of the ink ribbon 11 can be repaired before it becomes a ribbon jam, so that the ribbon jam can be prevented, and the ribbon damage and the parts damage due to the ribbon jam can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a print processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a print processing method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a main part of a printing mechanism section.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a ribbon sensor.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state where the running position of the ink ribbon is displaced.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a conventional print processing method.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a hammer mechanism part, 2 is a print hammer, 3 is a platen, 4
Is a print sheet, 11 is an ink ribbon, 20 is a ribbon sensor, and 22 is a sensor roller.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Koichi Yashimoda 1060 Takeda, Katsuta-shi, Ibaraki Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Kurosawa 1060 Takeda, Katsuta-shi, Ibaraki Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd. (72 ) Inventor Hiroki Kujima 1060 Takeda, Katsuta City, Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A hammer mechanism section having a plurality of printing hammers mounted thereon, a platen arranged to face the hammer mechanism section for supporting a printing force of the printing hammer, and a paper sheet for feeding a printing sheet. A tape-shaped ink ribbon that travels between the hammer mechanism portion and the platen, a ribbon sensor that is capable of detecting a displacement of the ink ribbon in the width direction, and a printing control device. The ribbon sensor monitors whether the ink ribbon is running normally or abnormally, continues normal printing when normal, limits printing for a predetermined time when abnormal, and the abnormal state of the ink ribbon disappears within the predetermined time. In this case, the print restriction is released, and if the abnormal state of the ink ribbon is not resolved even after a predetermined time, the printing process is interrupted. Shift correction method. 2. The ink ribbon misregistration correction according to claim 1, wherein the print restriction is to perform print processing by reducing print duty in a state where the ink ribbon is kept running. Method. 3. The ink ribbon position deviation correction according to claim 2, wherein a predetermined print duty limiting method is used as the means for reducing the print duty, and the preset limit value of this limiting method is lowered. Method. 4. The method of correcting the positional deviation of the ink ribbon according to claim 1, wherein the printing restriction interrupts the printing process while the running of the ink ribbon is continued. 5. The running speed of the ink ribbon is increased when the printing process is interrupted.
The method for correcting the displacement of the ink ribbon described above. 6. The method of correcting the positional deviation of the ink ribbon according to claim 1, wherein the print restriction is released after a lapse of a predetermined time after the abnormal state of the ink ribbon is resolved.