JPH09277614A - Manual printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform printing by simple constitution not requiring a drive divice such as a motor and simple operation in a manual printer. SOLUTION: When a movable frame 3 is subjected to push-down operation in such a state that the lower end edge of a main body part 2 is brought into contact with a recording medium, this pushdown force is transmitted to a recording head 12 by a shaft 14 and the recording head 12 is moved horizontally in its lateral direction along guide rails 11a, 11b by this force to perform printing. By this constitution, printing can be performed by simple operation and a drive device such as a motor for moving the recording head 12 at a time of printing is dispensed with.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a manual printing apparatus, and more particularly to a manual printing apparatus capable of easily performing printing in a stamp format.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an apparatus for printing on various recording media at desired locations, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
No. 032 has proposed a bottom-printing handy printer. This printer is used as follows. When the bottom of the printer is positioned and fixed on the recording medium, and a print start instruction is given, the print head is moved along the recording medium surface by the motor, and recording is performed based on predetermined print data with this movement. Printing is performed on the medium surface.

[0003]

However, the conventional manual printing apparatus as described above requires a drive source such as a motor for moving the print head along the recording medium surface during printing. However, the size of the printer is increased and the cost is increased. Further, since electric power is required to drive the motor, a power supply capable of supplying the electric power must be provided.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has a simple structure that does not require a driving device such as a motor, and can perform printing by a simple operation. An object is to provide a pattern printing device.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a manual printer according to a first aspect of the present invention is a recording means for performing printing on a recording medium by being manually operated on the recording medium. And a movable frame that is movable up and down with respect to the main body and is urged upward by urging means, and extends in the horizontal lateral direction provided in the main body. The recording means is movably held on the guide rail, and further, the movable frame is pushed down against the urging force of the urging means in a state where the lower end edge of the main body body is in contact with the recording medium, The recording means is horizontally moved along the guide rails, and the print control means controls the printing operation by the recording means in accordance with the movement.

In the above structure, when the movable frame is pushed down with the lower end edge of the main body abutting on the recording medium, the pushing force causes the recording means to move horizontally along the guide rail. Since printing is carried out by moving, printing can be carried out by a simple operation, and a driving device such as a motor for moving the recording means at the time of printing is unnecessary. This makes it possible to reduce the size and cost of the device. Further, since the present manual type printing apparatus is operated by the "pushing down operation" which is a usual operation when using the stamp, the user can use the apparatus without feeling uncomfortable.

The manual type printer according to a second aspect of the present invention is the manual type printer according to the first aspect, wherein the print control means connects the movable frame and the recording means. Equipped with a link rod extending diagonally, the link rod tilts when the movable frame is pushed down against the urging force of the urging means with the lower edge of the movable frame being in contact with the recording medium. Accordingly, the recording means is moved horizontally along the guide rails, and the printing operation by the recording means is controlled in accordance with the movement.

In the above structure, when the movable frame and the recording means are connected by the link rod and the movable frame is pushed down against the urging force of the urging means, the recording means is moved as the link rod tilts. Since printing is performed by moving horizontally along the guide rails, the force that pushes down the movable frame is converted into a driving force for moving the recording unit during printing by the link rod. This allows the recording means to be moved during printing with a simple configuration,
It is possible to eliminate the need for providing a driving device such as a motor for moving the recording means during printing. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the device and reduce the cost.

The manual printer according to a third aspect of the present invention is the manual printer according to the first aspect, wherein the recording means is operated from the time when the movable frame is pushed down by a predetermined amount. The printing operation is started.

In the above structure, since the printing operation by the recording means is started when the movable frame is pushed down by a predetermined amount, the printing operation by the device is controlled by adjusting the pushing down amount of the movable frame by the user. Can be adjusted. Therefore, the movable frame can function as a switch for starting the printing operation. In addition, even if the user accidentally touches the movable frame, the printing operation is not started with a small amount of pressing, so that ink is not accidentally ejected.
Therefore, the recording medium is not carelessly soiled,
Stable printing can be performed.

Further, a manual type printing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the manual type apparatus according to the first or second aspect, in which the recording means is moved in the horizontal direction on the guide rail. A detection unit that detects the amount is provided, and the timing of printing by the recording unit is controlled according to the movement amount detected by the detection unit.

In the above arrangement, the amount of movement of the recording means in the horizontal direction on the guide rail is detected by the detection means, and the timing of printing by the recording means is controlled in accordance with this amount of movement, so that the movement of the recording means. Even if the speeds are non-uniform, the print position on the recording medium does not shift, and good print results can be obtained.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a manual type printer according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which a plurality of types of print data can be stored. It further comprises a storage means and a selection means for selecting print data to be printed by the recording means from the print data stored in the storage means.

In the above construction, since plural kinds of print data are stored in the storage means and the print data to be printed is selected from the print data by the selection means, the contents printed by the device are limited to the fixed form. First, the user
Desired print data can be printed from the print data stored in the storage means. Further, it is possible to eliminate the need to input print data from an external device such as a host computer.

Further, a manual type printer according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the manual type printer according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the recording means is an ink jet type recording means. There is something.

In the above construction, since the recording means is an ink jet type recording means, printing is performed in a non-contact manner with respect to the recording medium, and good printing results can be obtained even when the recording surface is not flat. Further, the structure is simpler than that of the wire dot type recording means using a printing ribbon or the like, the entire apparatus can be downsized, and the printing can be performed more clearly.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a manual printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of a manual printing device according to the present invention,
(A) is a figure which shows the normal state of an apparatus, (b) is a figure which shows the state in which the movable frame of the upper part of the apparatus was pushed down.
The manual printer 1 includes a main body (main body) 2 and a movable frame 3 that is vertically movable with respect to the main body 2. When the user manually pushes down the movable frame 3 from above, Printing is performed by utilizing a pressing force to horizontally move a recording head (recording means, which will be described later) in the apparatus above the recording medium. The main body 2 and the movable frame 3 have a rectangular shape, and are configured to be easily supported by a user by hand. An infrared communication interface unit 5 for transmitting and receiving print data to and from an external host computer or the like is provided on the upper portion of the movable frame 3. Power switch 6 for turning off, selection of print data to be printed,
Operation panel (selection means) for setting print mode, etc.
7a is provided. Note that a display unit 7b for displaying set print data, a print mode, and the like is provided above the movable frame 3.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal construction of the manual printer 1, (a) showing the normal state of the printer,
FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a state in which the movable frame 3 at the top of the apparatus is pushed down, and FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the manual printing apparatus 1.
A support plate 2a is provided in the center of the main body 2, and the support plate 2a and the movable frame 3 are connected by a spring (biasing means) 1
It is connected by 0. The spring 10 is a pressing spring and urges the movable frame 3 upward. Guide rails 11a and 11b extending in the horizontal direction are provided at a lower portion of the main body 2, and a recording head (recording means) 12 having a nozzle 12a is horizontally movably held by the guide rails 11a and 11b. ing. On the upper part of the recording head 12,
An ink tank 13 is provided, and is configured to move as the recording head 12 moves. It should be noted that the ink tank 13 may be fixed at a predetermined location in the main body 2 and the connection between the recording head 12 and the ink tank 13 may be made by a flexible pipe.

The movable frame 3 and the recording head 12 are connected by a shaft (link rod) 14, and the shaft 14 is rotatably attached to each of the movable frame 3 and the recording head 12. The pushing force when the movable frame 3 is pushed down by the user is generated by the link mechanism including the shaft 14 and the guide rails 11a and 11b.
The recording head 12 is converted into a force for moving the recording head 12 in the horizontal and horizontal directions along the guide rails 11a and 11b, and
Is transmitted to As shown in FIG. 2A, the shaft 14 is configured so that the recording head 12 comes to the printing start position (the right end in FIG. 2) when the movable frame 3 is at the uppermost position. At this time, the posture of the shaft 14 is set to be slightly rightward in FIG. 2 than perpendicular to the guide rails 11a and 11b. Also, shaft 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes a print end position (the left end in FIG. 2) when the movable frame 3 is pushed down to reach the lowermost position.
It is configured to come to. The main body 2 is provided with a control circuit 16 including a CPU (print control unit, which will be described later) for controlling the overall operation of the apparatus, and a power supply 17. As shown in FIG. 2B, these are provided at positions where they do not come into contact with the movable frame 3 even when the movable frame 3 is at the lowest position.

Next, the structure of the recording head 12, the shaft 14, and the guide rails 11a and 11b will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the recording head 12 and the guide rails 11a and 11b. The recording head 12 is slidably held along the guide rails 11a and 11b by penetrating the guide rails 11a and 11b on both sides thereof. The movement of the recording head 12 along the guide rails 11a and 11b is performed by transmitting a force for pushing down the movable frame 3 by the user to the recording head 12 via the shaft 14. Guide rail 1
A plurality of magnetic bodies are continuously magnetized on 1b. At the contact portion of the recording head 12 with the guide rail 11b, the number of the magnetic bodies is converted into an electric pulse signal interval, and A magnetic encoder (detection means) 19 for outputting to a position detection circuit (detection means), which will be described later, as a detection signal corresponding to the amount of movement is provided. The position detection circuit detects the relative position of the recording head 12 with respect to the recording medium P based on the detection signal from the magnetic encoder 19, and outputs a signal indicating this position to the CPU. The recording head 12 is connected to the ink tank 13 by an ink supply path 13a.
It is linked to

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system of the manual printing apparatus 1. CPU that controls the entire manual printing device 1
A host computer 23 is connected to 21 via the interface unit 5. A ROM 25 storing a control program for controlling each functional block according to the determined program; a RAM 26 storing print data from the host computer 23 input via the interface unit 5; Operation panel 7a is connected. Also, the guide rail 11
A pulse from the encoder 19 that measures the number of magnetic substances magnetized in b is input to the position detection circuit 28, and the position of the manual printer 1 relative to the recording medium P is detected. Further, the speed of the manual printing device 1 is detected by the speed detection circuit 29 based on the cycle of the pulse from the encoder 19. The detection signals of the position detection circuit 28 and the speed detection circuit 29 are input to the CPU 21. Also, the CPU 21
Is a head driver 3 for driving the recording head 12
Controls drive 0. A storage unit (storage unit) 32 storing a plurality of types of print data, and the display unit 7 described above.
b is also connected to the CPU 21.

The operation of the manual printing apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described. The manual printing device 1 has a ROM 25
Is operated in accordance with a predetermined program stored in the. The setting of the print data is performed by the CPU 21 when a print mode is selected on the operation panel 7a. The print data is set by being input from the host computer 23 through an interface unit 5 by an infrared signal or by being read from a plurality of print data stored in the data storage unit 32. Are temporarily stored in the RAM 26. CPU2
1 receives a print start signal from the operation panel 7a,
After confirming that the print data is stored in the RAM 26, the manual printer 1 is set to the print standby state.

Next, when the movable frame 3 is pushed down by the user by a predetermined amount enough to absorb the variation of the link mechanism including the shaft 14 and the guide rails 11a and 11b, the pushing force is exerted by the shaft 14 on the recording head. When the recording head 12 is transmitted to the recording head 12, the recording head 12 starts moving horizontally along the guide rails 11a and 11b to start the printing operation. The amount of movement of the recording head 12 is detected by the magnetic encoder 19, and a detection signal is sent to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 performs print data output control in accordance with the position of the recording head 12 indicated by the detection signal and drives the recording head 5 to perform printing on the recording medium P. Therefore, even if the moving speed of the recording head 12 on the recording medium P is not uniform, it is possible to always perform uniform printing on the recording medium P.

Next, creation of print data by the host computer 23 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
FIG. 7A is a diagram showing creation of print data on the screen of the host computer 23, and FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a print result by the manual printing device 1 based on the print data. The print data consists of the characters to be printed and a serial number (serial number).
After the print position of the date and the date is set in the host computer 23, the print position is sent to the manual printer 1. As for the serial number and date, the printing position is set by setting an embedding mark (see FIG. 6A) in the host computer 23. In the manual type printing apparatus 1, the serial number and date are printed on the embedding mark portion. (FIG. 6B)
reference). A plurality of print data is also stored in the data storage unit 32, and the user operates the operation panel 7a to call up desired print data from the data storage unit 32,
It is also possible to perform printing based on the called print data.

Next, the flow of processing for a printing operation by the manual printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power switch 6 is turned on and the printing operation is started, it is determined whether or not there is communication from the host computer 23 (S1). If this communication is made (YES in S1), the print data is transferred from the host computer 23, the print data is stored in the RAM 26, and the print mode selected by the user is set (S8). If there is no communication in S1 (NO in S1) and there is a key operation on the operation panel 7a by the user (S2
YES), the operation corresponding to the key operation by the user, that is, the read of the print data from the data storage unit 32, the storage of this print data in the RAM 26, etc. are performed (S).
9).

If there is no key operation of the operation panel 7a by the user in S2 (NO in S2) and the user depresses the movable frame 3 by a predetermined amount (YES in S3), the RAM
26 is expanded (S4).
Printing is performed by the recording head 12 based on the timing indicated by the signal from the magnetic encoder 19 (position detection circuit 28) (S5). When the movable frame 3 is pushed down to the lowest point to complete all printing (YES in S6) and the movable frame 3 returns to the initial position (YES in S7), S1
Return to the processing of.

As described above, according to the manual printer 1 of this embodiment, when the movable frame 3 is pushed down while the lower end edge of the main body 2 is in contact with the recording medium P, the shaft 14 causes the shaft 14 to move. Since the pushing-down force is converted into a horizontal lateral movement force and transmitted to the recording head 12 and printing is performed in accordance with the movement of the recording head 12, there is no need for a drive device or the like for moving the recording head 12. The recording head 12 can be moved with a simple structure. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the manual printer 1. Further, the printing operation is easier than the conventional manual printing device. Further, the data storage unit 32 stores a plurality of types of print data, and the print data to be printed can be selected by the user with the operation switch 7a, so that the content printable by the manual printer 1 is fixed form. The user can print desired print data from the print data stored in the data storage unit 32 without being limited to the sentence. Further, it is not necessary to input print data from an external device such as the host computer 23. Further, in the manual printer 1 of the present embodiment, when the print data and various operation commands are not input from the host computer 23, and the movable frame 3 is pushed down when the operation switch 7a is not operated. Basically, the same print recording as that performed previously is performed. However, in the case of a record including a serial number, a date, and the like as shown in FIG. 6, the data is read by a timer or a counter built in the apparatus, the corresponding print data is automatically rewritten, and then the print record is recorded. It is supposed to do.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the manual printer 1 is supposed to perform monochrome printing, but it may be possible to perform color printing. In this case, the color can be changed for each printing. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ink-jet system is used for the manual printing device 1, but the invention is not necessarily limited to the ink-jet system, and another printing system may be used.

[0029]

As described above, according to the manual type printing apparatus of the first aspect of the invention, when the movable frame is pushed down, the recording means is horizontally pushed along the guide rail by this pushing down force. Since it moves in the direction and prints,
Printing can be performed by a simple operation as compared with a conventional manual printer. Further, a driving device such as a motor for moving the recording means at the time of printing is not required, so that the device can be downsized and the cost can be reduced. further,
Since the manual printing apparatus is operated by the “pushing down operation” which is a usual operation when using the stamp, the user can use the apparatus without feeling uncomfortable.

According to the manual printer of the second aspect, when the movable frame is pushed down,
With this link rod, the pushing-down force is transmitted to the recording means,
Since the recording means is moved horizontally along the guide rails to perform printing, the force pushing down the movable frame is converted into the driving force for moving the recording means horizontally during printing by the link rod. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the need for providing a driving device such as a motor for moving the recording unit during printing, and it is possible to move the recording unit with a simple configuration. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the device and reduce the cost.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the printing operation by the recording means is started when the movable frame is pushed down by a predetermined amount, so that the user pushes down the movable frame. By adjusting the amount, it is possible to adjust whether or not the printing operation is performed by the device. Therefore, the movable frame can function as a switch for starting the printing operation. In addition, even if the user accidentally touches the movable frame, the printing operation is not started with a small amount of pressing, so that ink is not accidentally ejected. Therefore, stable printing can be performed without carelessly soiling the recording medium.

Further, according to the manual type printing apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the printing timing of the recording means is controlled according to the movement amount detected by the detection means.
Even when the moving speed of the recording unit is not uniform, there is no shift in the ink ejection position with respect to the recording medium, and a good printing result can be obtained.

Further, according to the manual printer of the present invention as defined in claim 5, since the printing data to be printed is selected by the selecting means from among the plural kinds of printing data stored in the storage means, The content to be printed is not limited to the fixed text, and the user can select and print desired print data from the print data stored in the storage means. Further, it is possible to eliminate the need to input print data from an external device such as a host computer.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the recording means is an ink jet type recording means, printing is performed in a non-contact manner on the recording medium. Good printing results can be obtained even when the surface is not flat. In addition, the configuration is simpler than a wire dot type recording means using a print ribbon or the like,
The entire apparatus can be reduced in size, and printing can be performed more clearly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a manual printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a view showing a normal state of the apparatus,
(B) is a diagram showing a state in which the movable frame at the top of the device has been pushed down.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views illustrating an internal configuration of a manual type printing apparatus. FIG. 2A is a view illustrating a normal state of the apparatus, and FIG. 2B is a view illustrating a state in which a movable frame at an upper part of the apparatus is pressed down. .

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the manual printing device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a recording head and a guide rail portion.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system of the manual printing device.

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating creation of print data on a screen of a host computer, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a print result of a manual printing device based on the print data.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for a printing operation by the manual printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Manual Printer 2 Main Body (Main Body) 3 Movable Frame 7a Operation Panel (Selecting Means) 10 Springs (Biasing Means) 11a, 11b Guide Rails 12 Recording Head (Recording Means) 14 Shaft (Link Rod) 19 Magnetic Encoder 21 CPU (print control means) 28 Position detection circuit (detection means) 32 Data storage unit (storage means) P Recording medium

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A manual printer comprising a recording means for performing printing on a recording medium when manually operated on the recording medium, wherein the manual type printer is movable up and down with respect to a main body and is upwardly moved by a biasing means. A movable frame biased toward the recording medium, the recording means being movably held by a guide rail extending in the horizontal direction provided on the main body, and the lower end edge of the main body abutting on the recording medium. When the movable frame is pushed down against the urging force of the urging means in the contact state, the recording means is moved in the horizontal direction along the guide rail, and according to the movement. And a printing control means for controlling the printing operation by the recording means. 2. The printing control means includes a link rod extending in an oblique direction that connects the movable frame and the recording means, and a lower end edge of the movable frame is brought into contact with a recording medium. In the state, when the movable frame is pushed down against the urging force of the urging means, the recording means is horizontally moved along the guide rail as the link rod tilts, 2. The manual printer according to claim 1, wherein the printing operation by the recording means is controlled according to the movement. 3. The manual printer according to claim 1, wherein the printing operation by the recording means is started at a time point when the movable frame is pushed down by a predetermined amount. 4. A detection means for detecting the amount of horizontal movement of said recording means on said guide rail is provided, and the timing of printing by said recording means is controlled according to the amount of movement detected by this detection means. The manual type device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. 5. A storage means capable of storing a plurality of types of print data, and a selection means for selecting print data to be printed by the recording means from the print data stored in the storage means. Claim 1 characterized by the above.
The manual printer according to claim 3. 6. The manual printer according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is an inkjet recording head.