JPH10250171A - Linear shuttle-driving apparatus and printer apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively solve a change in movement speed caused when a linear shuttle is switched to drive at a constant speed, by setting a speed adjustment means in a manner to be manually manipulable from outside which switches an operation speed of the linear shuttle including a constant-speed operation and a reverse operation, changes a timing thereby adjusting the operation speed. SOLUTION: A linear shuttle 10 loading a printing head 11 is accelerated through power supply to reverse coils 17... or a constant-speed coil 18 within a magnetic field generated by permanent magnets 16..., and reciprocated along a shuttle shaft 12. At this time, the power supply to the reverse coils 17 is controlled so as to accelerate the linear shuttle in an opposite direction to the present movement direction when a movement position of the linear shuttle 10 is detected to reach a reference position set at an end part of a constant- speed movement area. An operation speed of the linear shuttle 10 is adjusted by manual manipulation from outside to a dip switch 4 as a speed adjustment means to change a switch timing of constant-speed driving and reverse driving.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, a drive device for a linear shuttle which reciprocates along a linear guide with a print head mounted thereon in a dot line printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A dot line printer, which has been widely used as an output device of a computer, can move a large number of wires for forming dots and a head block containing these operating mechanisms along a linear guide. A plurality of linear shuttles are reciprocated within a predetermined moving range, and a print signal is supplied to each head block during this time, and a wire incorporated in each is transferred to the ink ribbon. And prints on one or more lines at a time.

[0003] A driving device for reciprocating the linear shuttle is generally constructed using a linear motor. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the linear shuttle driving device, and FIG. 5 is a side sectional view thereof.

As shown in the figure, the linear shuttle 10 includes a plurality of head blocks 11, 11... Mounted at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the upper part thereof, and both sides (not shown) of the base 1 (see FIG. 5). One side in the width direction is inserted into a shuttle shaft 12 laid between the walls, and a guide wheel 13 attached to the center of the other side is formed integrally with the base 1 in parallel with the shuttle shaft 12. The shuttle shaft 12 and the guide rail 14 are supported so as to be able to move along the shuttle shaft 12 and the guide rail 14 by rolling contact with the guide rail 14.

On the lower surface of the linear shuttle 10 supported in this manner, a plurality of permanent magnets 16, 16... Are arranged in a longitudinal direction via a yoke 15 made of a magnetic plate. A plurality of reversing coils 17,
17 and a pair of constant-speed coils 18 on both sides thereof are opposed to each other with a predetermined gap between the permanent magnets 16 on the linear shuttle 10 side. It is juxtaposed on the base 19.

In the driving device as described above, the linear shuttle 10 is moved from one side in the moving direction by the unidirectional energization of the reversing coils 17, 17 ... in the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets 16, 16 ... arranged on the yoke 15. It starts moving by being accelerated toward the other side, and then moves while maintaining a constant speed by controlling the energization of the constant-speed coil 18 on the same side.
By applying the power in the reverse direction, the vehicle is accelerated in the reverse direction through deceleration and reversal of the moving direction, and repeats the process of moving while maintaining the constant speed by controlling the power supply to the constant speed coil 18 so that the constant speed moving region of the predetermined length is repeated. The moving direction is sequentially reversed on both sides to make a reciprocating operation.

During the above operation, the energization control of the constant speed coil 18 for the constant speed drive is performed by setting upper and lower speeds above and below a preset target speed,
Is sequentially detected, and when the detected speed falls below the lower limit speed, the constant-speed coil 18 is energized.
This is performed by an on / off control that cuts off when the detected speed exceeds the upper limit speed.

[0008] The reversal of the moving direction is performed by the linear shuttle 10.
The moving position of the constant-speed coil 18 is detected when the detected position reaches a reference position set at the end of the constant-speed moving region.
, And a preset exciting current is continuously applied to the inversion coils 17 so that acceleration in the direction opposite to the current moving direction occurs.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the speed of the linear shuttle 10 driven as described above changes. Constant speed coil 18
Linear shuttle moves while maintaining a constant speed by the aforementioned energization control 10, as shown in the figure, reaches the reference position A ₁ of one side of the constant speed movement region, the inversion coil 1 at this time
7,17 ... is switched to the inversion driven by the start of energization of the deceleration, is accelerated in the opposite direction through the reversing of the movement direction again reaches the reference position A _1, resumption of power supply control of the constant speed coil 18 at this time the switched to the constant speed drive, until it reaches the reference position a ₂ on the opposite side of the constant speed movement region, to move while maintaining a substantially constant speed. In this reference position A _2, switching to inversion driving, is to change to the subsequent constant-speed driving is performed, the linear shuttle 10, so that the move toward the reference position A _1.

The moving position of the linear shuttle 10 required for switching between the constant speed driving and the reversing driving and the moving speed of the linear shuttle 10 required for the constant speed driving are, for example, determined by the present applicant. As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-118756, etc., a slit plate which is attached to a part of the linear shuttle 10 and has a number of slits orthogonal to the moving direction, and a light emitting device which is arranged to face the slit plate therebetween. The light can be detected by an optical sensor including an element and a light receiving element. Also, Linear Shuttle 10
The above-described printing operation by the head blocks 11, 11,... Mounted above is performed during the movement in the constant speed movement area. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 20 denotes printing paper, and reference numeral 21 denotes
It is a platen roller.

[0011]

In the driving apparatus for the linear shuttle 10 constructed as described above, the reversal of the linear shuttle 10 performed during the constant-speed movement range is performed as described above. The excitation current is continuously supplied to the magnets 17. The excitation current is set in advance so that a predetermined degree of deceleration and acceleration can be obtained in the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets 16.

However, the strength of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets 16, 16,... At the positions where the reversing coils 17, 17,.
It depends on the individual difference of 16 ...
During the movement, the sliding resistance to the shuttle shaft 12, the rolling resistance to the guide rail 14, the head block 11,
Since various mechanical resistances with individual differences act such as pulling by the power supply cable to 11 ...
There is a problem that variations between devices occur in the degree of deceleration and acceleration actually generated in the linear shuttle 10 by energizing 17.

This problem is caused by the accuracy control of the gap between the reversing coil 17 and the permanent magnet 16, the termination of the power supply cable to the head block 11, the shuttle shaft 12 and the guide rail.
Although it can be eased by thorough precision control during machining and assembly, such as the machining accuracy of 14, the actually obtained relaxation effect is small, and the variation in the degree of acceleration / deceleration during inversion drive cannot be effectively eliminated.

The broken line in FIG. 6 shows the case where the degree of acceleration / deceleration during inversion driving is insufficient, and the one-dot chain line shows the case where the degree of acceleration / deceleration is too large. In this case, the switching to the constant speed driving at the reference positions A ₁ and A ₂ is performed before or after reaching the target speed in the constant speed movement, and the moving speed after the switching fluctuates and the target speed is changed. It takes time to settle to a time, which causes the disadvantage that the quality of the printing performed during this time is reduced, and also results in the overall moving speed of the linear shuttle 10 being too low or too high, resulting in a desired printing speed. This leads to inconvenience that it cannot be obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and a method for processing the fluctuation of the moving speed that occurs after switching to the constant speed drive due to excessive or insufficient degree of acceleration / deceleration during the reversal drive of the linear shuttle. It is another object of the present invention to provide a linear shuttle drive device that can be effectively eliminated without improving the assembling accuracy and can perform stable constant speed movement.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A linear shuttle driving device according to the present invention provides a linear shuttle supported on a base so as to be movable along a linear guide at a substantially constant speed within a predetermined moving range. Constant speed driving means for moving while maintaining, and inversion driving means for reversing the direction of each movement on both sides of this movement area, switching operation of these driving means at a preset switching timing, In the linear shuttle drive device configured to reciprocate the linear shuttle, a speed adjusting unit that adjusts the operation speed of the linear shuttle including a constant speed operation and a reversal operation by changing the switching timing is manually operated from outside. It is characterized by being provided as possible.

In the present invention, when the degree of acceleration / deceleration during the reversal drive is excessive or insufficient, the speed adjusting means is operated,
By changing the timing of switching from the constant speed drive to the reverse drive, the moving speed of the linear shuttle after the transition from the reverse drive to the constant speed drive is quickly settled at the target speed. The speed adjusting means can be manually operated from the outside, so that the adjusting operation can be easily performed.

The constant speed driving means and the reversing driving means may include a permanent magnet fixedly mounted on one of the base and the linear shuttle, and a constant speed coil fixedly mounted on the other of the base and the linear shuttle. It is characterized in that it is configured as a linear motor having an inversion coil, and that the speed adjusting means is a dip switch.

In these, the constant speed driving means and the inversion driving means are constituted by linear motors, and the change of the switching timing described above can be easily performed by changing the timing of the start of energization to the inversion coil. The means is a dip switch, so that the timing can be changed in a plurality of stages quickly and without error.

Further, in the printer apparatus according to the present invention, a print head is mounted on a linear shuttle driven by a linear shuttle drive device having the speed adjusting means, and the print head is operated during the operation of the constant speed drive means. And a predetermined printing is performed.

In this printer device, by operating the speed adjusting means, the moving speed at the time of constant speed movement is properly maintained, thereby simultaneously improving the printing quality and securing the printing speed.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a linear shuttle drive device (hereinafter, referred to as the present device) according to the present invention, together with a front view of a mechanical system.

The structure of the mechanical system of the apparatus of the present invention is the same as that of the linear shuttle driving apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and a linear shuttle 10 on which a plurality of head blocks 11, 11,.
Is partially inserted through a shuttle shaft 12 laid between the side walls 1a, 1a of the base 1, and a guide wheel 13 attached at the center of the front is parallel to the shuttle shaft 12. It is rotatably contacted with a guide rail 14 (see FIG. 5) integrally formed with the base 1, and is supported movably along the shuttle shaft 12 and the guide rail 14.

A yoke 15 in the form of a flat plate made of a magnetic material is fixed to the lower surface of the linear shuttle 10, and a plurality of permanent magnets 16, 16...
On the upper surface of the base 1 opposed thereto, a plurality of inversion coils 1 are provided.
, And a pair of constant-speed coils 18, 18 on both sides thereof are arranged on a common coil base 19 so as to face each other with a predetermined gap below the permanent magnets 16, 16,. Has been established.

With the above-described configuration, the linear shuttle 10 can rotate the reversing coils 17, 17 in the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets 16, 16,.
.. Or the energization of the constant speed coils 18, 18 accelerates from one side in the longitudinal direction to the other side, and moves along the shuttle shaft 12 and the guide rail 14.

The energization of the constant-speed coils 18, 18 is performed to move the linear shuttle 10 while maintaining a substantially constant speed. This constant speed drive sets upper and lower speeds above and below a preset target speed,
When the detected speed falls below the lower limit speed, the linear shuttle 10 is forcibly accelerated by energizing the constant speed coil 18, and when the detected speed exceeds the upper limit speed, the constant speed coil This is performed by an on / off control that causes the linear shuttle 10 to naturally decelerate by shutting off the power supply to 18.

On the other hand, power is supplied to the reversing coils 17, 17... On both sides of the predetermined constant speed moving range.
Is performed in order to reverse the moving direction. This reversing drive detects the moving position of the linear shuttle 10 sequentially, and when reaching the reference position set at the end of the constant speed moving area, stops the energization control of the constant speed coil 18 and changes the current moving speed. A predetermined exciting current is continuously applied to the inverting coils 17, 17,.
The linear shuttle 10 is accelerated in the opposite direction through deceleration and reversal of the moving direction.

The energization of the reversing coils 17, 17,... Ends when the linear shuttle 10 whose direction of movement is reversed reaches the reference position again. The motor is driven at a constant speed by the restart, and moves at a constant speed in the opposite direction while maintaining the target speed.

The switching between the constant speed drive and the reverse drive as described above is executed on both sides of the preset constant speed movement range, and the linear shuttle 10 reciprocates as shown in FIG.
The control of energization of the constant-speed coils 18 during the constant-speed driving and the switching between the constant-speed driving and the inversion driving are executed in response to an operation command from the drive control unit 2 using a microprocessor. The output of the position sensor 3 for detecting the moving position of the linear shuttle 10 is given to the drive control unit 2.
Is a linear shuttle based on the input from the position sensor 3.
The moving position and the moving speed of 10 are recognized, and the above-described control operation is performed.

The illustrated position sensor 3 includes a linear shuttle 10
And a slit plate 3a having a number of slits (not shown) orthogonal to the moving direction, and a light emitting element 3b and a light receiving element 3c arranged to face each other with the slit plate 3a interposed therebetween.
The drive control unit 2 is provided with the output of the light receiving element 3c which becomes a high level when the continuous light emission from the light emitting element 3b passes through the slit plate 3a.

The slits formed in the slit plate 3a are formed at predetermined intervals over the entire moving length of the linear shuttle 10, and the drive control unit 2 goes high every time the slit passes. The movement position of the linear shuttle 10 is recognized by integrating the output of the light receiving element 3c, and switching between constant speed drive and reverse drive is controlled based on the result, and the movement speed of the linear shuttle 10 is determined by the output time interval. Is recognized, and the energization control of the constant speed coils 18 is performed to obtain a constant moving speed based on the result.

A DIP switch 4 as a speed adjusting means is connected to the input side of the drive control unit 2. The dip switch 4 allows a plurality of types of settings to be made by a combination of the on / off states of the plurality of switches. In this case, the timing of switching between constant speed drive and reverse drive is set.

At the start of operation, the drive control unit 2 first recognizes the operation state of the DIP switch 4, specifically, the combination of the on / off state of each switch, and reads the current state from the switching timing setting table stored in advance. The switching timing corresponding to the combination is selected. This switching timing is based on the reference position A ₁ or A ₂ (FIG. 6) set at both ends of the constant speed movement region as the original switching timing.
For example, as the amount of forward / backward displacement with respect to the reference position), the number of slits formed in the slit plate 3a of the position sensor 3 is used as a medium, such as “one before, two before, one after, two after”. , Are set in multiple stages.

In order to change the switching timing by operating the DIP switch 4, the linear shuttle 10 was actually operated in the inspection process after the assembly was completed, and the quality of printing performed during the constant speed movement and the printing speed were examined. This is done based on the results.

[0035] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the speed adjusting operation in a case about acceleration and deceleration at the time of inversion driving is insufficient in this case, the reference position shown as A ₁ in the figure ends of the constant speed transfer zone Te when the switching to the inversion drive is performed, the speed after the reversal has reached the reference position a ₁ again before reaching the target speed of the constant-speed movement, will be switched to the constant speed drive in this position is carried out It takes time to settle to the target speed after switching.

This manifests itself as a deterioration in print quality and a decrease in print speed. Therefore, the DIP switch 4 is operated so as to advance the switching timing. In such a case, as shown by broken lines in FIG. 2, the reference position is as inversion driving before reaching the A ₁ is started, a linear shuttle when it reaches the reference position A ₁ again after reversal
The moving speed of 10 is close to the target speed in the subsequent constant speed driving, and stable movement can be performed immediately after the switching, so that deterioration of print quality can be effectively prevented.

[0037] FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the speed adjusting operation in the case acceleration or deceleration degree at the time of inversion driving is excessive, this case, after switching to the inversion drive at the reference position A ₁ is performed,
And if the speed after inversion reaching the reference position A ₁ again in a state of exceeding the target speed of the constant-speed movement, will be switched to the constant speed drive in this position are carried out, the order of acceleration and deceleration is insufficient Similarly, it takes time to settle to the target speed thereafter.

This manifests itself as a deterioration in print quality and an increase in print speed. Therefore, the DIP switch 4 is operated so as to delay the switching timing. In such a case, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3, the now inversion driving is started at intervals from the arrival time of the reference position A _1, when it reaches the reference position A ₁ after reversed again The moving speed of the linear shuttle 10 becomes close to the target speed in the subsequent constant speed driving, and stable movement can be performed immediately after the switching, so that the deterioration of print quality can be effectively prevented.

As described above, in the apparatus of the present invention, the operation of the dip switch 4 based on the result of the print test
By changing the switching timing from the constant speed drive to the reverse drive, a desired moving speed can be obtained quickly at the constant speed drive after the reverse drive, and the deterioration of the print quality performed during the constant speed drive can be effectively prevented. Can be prevented.

In the above embodiment, a linear motor is used as the constant speed drive and the reverse drive means, and the switching timing is changed by stopping and starting the current supply to the constant speed coil 18 and the reverse coil 17. Can be easily done by changing

The DIP switch 4 is used as the speed adjusting means, so that the speed adjusting operation can be performed quickly and without error. Needless to say, the speed may be adjusted by means other than the DIP switch 4, for example, an operation on the operation panel.

In the above embodiment, an example of application to a dot line printer having head blocks 11, 11,... For printing on the linear shuttle 10 has been described.
The device of the present invention is applicable to various devices that perform a predetermined process during a constant speed movement during a reciprocating operation.

[0043]

As described above in detail, in the linear shuttle drive device according to the present invention, the speed adjusting means for changing the switching timing between the constant speed drive means and the reverse drive means can be operated from the outside. With the provision, when the degree of acceleration / deceleration at the time of reverse driving is excessively or insufficiently, this state can be easily eliminated by operating the speed adjusting means, and the speed fluctuation of the linear shuttle after the transition from the reverse driving to the constant speed driving. Can be effectively eliminated without forcing the processing and assembling accuracy of each part to be improved, and the speed at the time of constant speed movement can be quickly settled at the target speed.

Further, since the constant speed driving means and the inversion driving means are constituted by linear motors, it is possible to easily change the switching timing, and since the speed adjusting means is a dip switch, it can be performed in a plurality of stages. The switching timing can be changed quickly and without error.

Further, in the printer device according to the present invention, since the print head is mounted on the linear shuttle driven by the linear shuttle driving device having the speed adjusting means described above, the printing operation by the print head is performed. The present invention has excellent effects, for example, the speed at the time of high-speed movement is stable, and the improvement of printing quality and the securing of printing speed are simultaneously realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a device of the present invention together with a front view of a mechanical system.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a speed adjustment operation when the degree of acceleration / deceleration during inversion driving is insufficient.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a speed adjustment operation when the degree of acceleration / deceleration during reversal drive is excessive.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a linear shuttle driving device.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a linear shuttle driving device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the speed of the linear shuttle changes.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Base 2 Drive control unit 3 Position sensor 4 Dip switch 10 Linear shuttle 11 Head block 12 Shuttle shaft 16 Permanent magnet 17 Reverse coil 18 Constant speed coil

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A constant speed driving means for moving a linear shuttle supported on a base movably along a linear guide while maintaining a substantially constant speed within a predetermined moving area, and a moving area having a constant speed. Reversing drive means for reversing the direction of each movement on both sides of the linear shuttle drive device, wherein these drive means are switched at a predetermined switching timing to reciprocate the linear shuttle. 3. The linear shuttle drive device according to claim 1, further comprising a speed adjusting means for adjusting an operating speed of the linear shuttle including a constant speed operation and a reversing operation by changing the switching timing so as to be manually operable from the outside. 2. The constant-speed driving unit and the reversing driving unit include a permanent magnet fixed to one of the base and the linear shuttle, and a constant-speed coil fixed to the other opposing the permanent magnet. The linear shuttle driving device according to claim 1, wherein the linear shuttle driving device is configured as a linear motor including an inversion coil. 3. The linear shuttle driving device according to claim 1, wherein said speed adjusting means is a dip switch. 4. A print head is mounted on a linear shuttle driven by the linear shuttle drive device according to claim 1, and the print head is operated during the operation of the constant speed drive means. Printer device configured to perform predetermined printing by using