JPS61205177A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To widen the applicable range of usable printing ribbons by using a system in which the feeding condition of printing ribbon set is judged, the corresponding feeding and rocking amounts are selectively controlled, and the ribbon is fed. CONSTITUTION:A supporter 6 provided to a slidable carriage 3 in a rocking manner along the longitudinal direction of a platen 1 and also to support a printing ribbon 37, a ribbon feeder 10 to run the ribbon 37, a ribbon mover to move the supporter 6 in a vertically rocking manner, a ribbon feeder 10 to feed the ribbon 37 on signals from a judger for kinds of ribbons, and a controller to control the ribbon mover 15 and to determine feeding and rocking amounts are provided. A printing ribbon set, among ribbons having different feeding conditions, in a printer is judged, feeding and rocking amounts of the set ribbon are determined, and the ribber feeder and the ribbon mover are selectively controlled. The printing ribbon in supplied by feeding and rocking movements suitable for the ribbonbeing set.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a printing ribbon feeding mechanism of a printing device, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a printing ribbon feeding mechanism of a printing device, and more specifically, a printing ribbon feeding mechanism that is compatible with printing ribbons having different ribbon feeding modes and a printing ribbon feeding mechanism that is compatible with printing ribbons having different ribbon feeding modes. The present invention relates to a printing device with a printing ribbon feeding mechanism that is automatically controlled according to format.

<Prior art> Generally, in a printing device, a ribbon cassette containing a printing ribbon in a small case is mounted on a carriage that slides along a platen, and the printing ribbon is fed by a predetermined amount for each printing. A ribbon cassette has been used in which the used area of the printing ribbon is formed in a line in the longitudinal direction and wound into a ribbon cassette, and the entire ribbon cassette can be replaced when the entire printing area is used.

In such conventional ribbon cassettes, since printing is performed in a line in the longitudinal direction of the printing ribbon as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the number of prints per ribbon cassette is small, and the frequency of replacing ribbon cassettes is increased. In addition, the effective usable area of the printing ribbon was small and the cost was high.

In order to solve these drawbacks, the width of the printing ribbon is increased as shown in Figures 10 to 12, printing is performed in three stages in the width direction, and the printing ribbon is extended both in the width direction and in the longitudinal direction. There is a three-stage ribbon cassette that moves by a minute amount to expand the printing area, increase the number of prints per ribbon cassette, and increase the effective area of printing ribbon.

However, these ribbon cassettes have slightly different ribbon cassette structures and are not compatible with each other because their ribbon feeding methods are greatly different. It was configured as a separate printing device according to the mode.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> Therefore, in a printing device having such a conventional configuration, only one of the ribbon cassettes can be used, ignoring the disadvantages of the ribbon cassette for single-stage printing. Alternatively, there is a problem in that a ribbon cassette for three-stage printing is used while the conventional ribbon cassette for one-stage printing is kept in stock.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ribbon feeding mechanism that is capable of handling printing ribbons with different ribbon feeding modes and that is automatically controlled according to the type of printing ribbon loaded. The present invention provides a printing device with the following features.

Means for Solving the Problems> The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and includes a carriage that is slidable along the longitudinal direction of a platen, and a carriage that is swingably provided on the carriage. A support member for supporting the printing ribbon, a ribbon feeding means for running the printing ribbon, a ribbon swinging means for vertically swinging the support member, and a determining means for determining the type of the printing ribbon. and a control device for controlling the ribbon feeding means and the ribbon swinging means based on the signal from the discrimination means and determining the feeding amount and swinging amount of the printing ribbon.

Effects> The present invention is configured as described above, and is compatible with printing ribbons having different ribbon feeding modes, and distinguishes printing ribbons attached to a printing device by a discrimination means, The control device determines the feeding amount and swinging amount of the printing ribbon that are adapted to the attached printing ribbon and the ribbon, and selectively controls the ribbon feeding means and the ribbon swinging means to adapt the printing ribbon to the attached printing ribbon. The printing ribbon is fed by feeding the ribbon and swinging the ribbon.

<Embodiment> Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 5 to 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a platen 1 is rotatably supported between the left and right frames (not shown) of the printing device, and a guide bar 2. 2 is supported.

A carriage 3 is supported on the guide bar 2 so as to be movable back and forth, and a print head 4 is disposed on the carriage 3 so as to face the front surface of the platen 1. A carriage drive motor (not shown) is operatively connected to the carriage 3, and as the motor drives the carriage 3, the carriage 3 is reciprocated along the platen 1, and the print head 4 drives the platen through a print ribbon (described later). Printing can be performed on the printing paper 5 on the top.

The carriage 3 is provided with a pair of shaft supports 3a at the upper portions of its left and right side edges, and a support member 6 is attached to the shaft support 3a via a swing shaft 7 so as to be able to swing vertically at its front end. Supported. A one-stage ribbon cassette zo having a printing ribbon for one-stage printing or a three-stage ribbon cassette 35 having a printing ribbon for three-stage printing is detachably attached to the upper surface of the support member 6.

In the embodiment, the one-stage ribbon cassette 30 is formed into a predetermined shape having a predetermined width W and length L, as shown in FIG. 7, and has a predetermined thickness T1. A supply spool and a winding Lisbourg (not shown) are disposed in this one-stage ribbon cassette 30, and a winding engagement shaft 31 is disposed in conjunction with the winding spool. A retaining portion (not shown) that engages with a feed claw 14, which will be described later, is provided at the lower end of the holder 31. The first-stage printing ribbon 32 is wound around a supply spool, and is wound onto a take-up spool via an exposed portion on a predetermined side of the first-stage ribbon cassette 30. And 1 stage ribbon cassette 3
0 on the upper surface of the support member 6, the exposed portion 1
A stepped printing ribbon 32 is arranged between the platen 1 and the printing head 4, and the winding engagement shaft 31 is connected to the ribbon feeding means 10.
It is formed so as to engage with the feed pawl 14 and rotate as the feed pawl 14 rotates.

On the other hand, in the embodiment, the three-stage ribbon cassette 35 uses a wide three-stage printing ribbon 37 as shown in FIG.
The take-up spool and the take-up holding shaft 36 are constructed in the same manner as the one-stage ribbon cassette 30 described above.

The carriage 3 includes a drive gear 1 supported by a support fitting 8 and fixed to a pump feed motor 11 and its motor shaft.
2, a driven gear 13 meshing with the driving gear 12, and a feeding pawl 14 integrally formed with the driven gear 13. In the embodiment, the ribbon feed motor 11 is a stepping motor, and is controlled by a control device 25, which will be described later, and is driven by gears 12, 13.
The feed pawl 14 is rotated by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction via the feed pawl 14 and held in that position. and,
The axis of the feed pawl 14 is located on the axis of the swing shaft 7, and is located at an intermediate position in the vertical swing width of the ribbon cassette, that is,
At the second stage shift position P2, the axis of the winding engagement shaft 36 of the three-stage ribbon cassette 35 mounted on the support member 6 and the axis of the feed pawl 14 are located on the same axis, so that they can be engaged. It is formed like this.

Further, a ribbon swinging means 15 is provided between the carriage 3 and the support member 6 in the form of a bridge. On the carriage 3 side, there is a ribbon lift motor 16 supported by a support fitting 9, and a drive gear 17 fixed to the motor shaft.
, an intermediate gear 18a meshing with the drive gear 17, and an intermediate gear 18b integrally formed with the intermediate gear 18a. Further, an arc-shaped lift operation gear 19 is provided on the support member 6 side and protrudes downward from one side edge thereof, and the intermediate gear 18b on the carriage 3 side and this lift operation gear 19 are meshed with each other. There is.

The ribbon lift motor 16 is a stepping motor in the embodiment, and is controlled by a control device t25 and has gears 17,
The lift operating gear 19 is driven by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction via 18a and 18b. Then, the lift operation gear 19 moves in an arc around the swing shaft 7, and moves the support member 6 around the swing shaft 7 between the home position HP and the shift position P, or the first shift position PI, It is formed to be able to swing up and down between the second shift position P2 and the third shift position P3, and to maintain that position.

In this embodiment, the determining means 20, as shown in FIG.
It consists of a switch 21 disposed on the top surface of the case 29 of the printing device. When the switch 21 is operated to one side, the state is determined to be a 1-stage ribbon cassette 30, and when it is operated to the other side, the state is determined to be a 3-stage ribbon cassette 35. Become.

The control device 25 includes a CPU 2 as shown in the block diagram of FIG.
6 and a motor drive circuit z7, the CPU 26 operates as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 based on the signal from the switch 21 of the determining means 20, determines a predetermined printing ribbon feeding amount and swinging amount, and moves the ribbon. Drive signals are applied to the feed motor 11 and the ribbon lift motor 16 via a motor drive circuit 27 so as to provide predetermined drives to the feed motor 11 and the ribbon lift motor 16, respectively.

Furthermore, FIG. 4 shows another embodiment, this second embodiment:
This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the configuration of the determining means, but is characterized in that differences in the configuration of the ribbon cassettes are automatically detected. That is, the discrimination means of the second embodiment is formed of a detection member 23 vertically disposed on one side edge of the support member 6 and a switch 22 disposed on the support member 6. Detection member 23
is swingably supported by the support member 6 in the middle of its length, and has a protruding detection portion 23a formed at its upper end. The formation position of this detection portion 23a is determined by the thickness T1 of the one-stage ribbon cassette 30 mounted on the support member 6.
It is formed so as to be located at a height lower than the thickness T2 of the three-tiered ribbon cassette 35. When the three-tiered ribbon cassette 35 is mounted on the support member 6, the detection member 23a and one side wall of the three-tiered ribbon cassette 35 come into contact with each other, and the detection unit 23 becomes approximately upright. Also,
When the one-stage ribbon cassette 30 is installed.

Since the detection part 23a does not come into contact with the side wall of the first-stage ribbon cassette 30, the upper part of the detection member 23 is tilted inward as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. When the detection member 23 is in a substantially upright state, the lower end of the detection member 23 actuates the switch 22 to one side, and the three-tiered ribbon cassette 35 is determined, and when it is in a tilted state, the lower end of the detection member 23 actuates the switch 22 to the other side. The first stage ribbon cassette 30 is determined.

Next, a printing process in the printing apparatus configured as described above will be explained.

When the printing device is in a rest state, it is at the home position HP where the support member 6 is rotated most downward as shown in FIG. 1, and when the ribbon cassette is installed, the printing ribbon is located below the front surface of the platen l. . This state is convenient for checking the printing state on the printing paper 5.

In this state, a ribbon cassette, for example, the single-stage ribbon cassette 30, is mounted on the support member 6, and its winding engagement shaft 31 is engaged with the feeding pawl 14 of the ribbon feeding means 1O, so that the printer is connected to the printer. Power is turned on. Then, the switch 21 of the determining means 20 is operated to the first stage ribbon cassette side.

When the print key is operated, the CPU 26 of the control device 25 determines the attached ribbon cassette based on the signal from the switch 21 of the determining means 20, and activates the motor drive circuit 27.
Drive signals for controlling the ribbon lift motor 16 and the ribbon feed motor 11 to obtain a predetermined ribbon swing amount corresponding to the feeding of the ribbon force set 30 and a predetermined ribbon feed amount X are sent to the ribbon lift motor 16 and the ribbon feed motor 11, respectively. Added.

Then, the ribbon lift motor 16 is driven at a predetermined number of rotations, and the drive gear 17. The lift operation gear 19 is rotated by a predetermined angle clockwise in FIG. 1 via the intermediate gears 18a and 18b, and the support member 6 is swung upward. At this time, the first-stage ribbon cassette 30 is moved from the home position HP to the shift position P and held stationary, and the printing position IPP at the center of the first-stage double-print ribbon 32 is arranged to face the printing surface of the platen 1.

Further, the ribbon feed motor 11 is driven at a predetermined number of rotations, and the drive gear 12. The take-up engagement shaft 31 is rotated by a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction via the driven gear 13 and the feed pawl 14, and the first stage ribbon 32 of the first stage ribbon cassette 30 is fed a predetermined feed amount X to the take-up spool. (see Figure 9).

In this state, the printing pad 4 is driven to print a character, for example, A, on the printing paper 5 on the platen 1 through the center of the first-stage character ribbon 32, as shown in FIG.

Subsequently, when the next printing key is operated, the ribbon feed motor 11 is driven under the control of the control device 25, the first stage ribbon 32 is wound up by a predetermined feed amount As it is driven, a second character, for example B, is printed onto the printing paper 5 on the platen l through the center of the first stage character ribbon 32.
In this way, during continuous printing, the ribbon swinging means 15 maintains the shift position P and continuously feeds the first stage ribbon 32 by the feed amount X for each print in response to the operation of the print key. Printing is performed, and used areas are formed in a line in the longitudinal direction on the single-stage overlapping ribbon 32, as shown in FIG.

When printing is completed or the print key is not operated for a certain period of time, the ribbon lift motor 16 is driven in reverse under the control of the controller 25, and the drive gear 17. intermediate gear 1
8a and 18b, the lift operating gear 19 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1, and the support member 6 is swung downward and returned to the home position HP.

In the case of single-shot printing, for example, when printing one character at a time, the support member 6 is alternately oscillated between the home position HP and the shift position P for each printing. The stepped printing ribbon 32 is wound up by a feed amount X for every l printing.

Next, a printing process using the three-stage ribbon cassette 35 will be described.

First, the three-tiered ribbon cassette 35 is attached to the support member 6 at the home position HP, and the switch 21 of the determining means 20 is operated to the three-tiered ribbon cassette side. and,
When the print key is operated, the CPU 26 determines the loaded ribbon cassette based on the signal from the switch 21, controls the motor drive circuit 27, and prints the three-tier ribbon cassette 3.
Drive signals for obtaining a predetermined ribbon swing amount corresponding to the feeding of the ribbon and a predetermined ribbon feed amount X/3 are applied to the ribbon lift motor 16 and the ribbon feed motor 11, respectively.

The ribbon lift motor 16 is driven at a predetermined rotational speed to rotate the lift operating gear 19 by a predetermined angle clockwise in FIG. At this time, the 3-tier ribbon cassette 3
5 is moved from the home position HP to the first stage shift position PI and held stationary, and the ! Print position! A PPI is arranged to face the printing surface of the platen 1.

Further, the ribbon feed motor 11 is driven at a predetermined number of rotations to rotate the take-up engagement shaft 36 in a predetermined direction at a predetermined angle via the gear 12. The ribbon 37 is wound on its winding Lisbourg by a predetermined feed amount X/3 (see FIG. 12).

In this state, the print head 4 is driven, and the 111th!
As shown in iii, a character, for example, A, is printed on the printing paper 5 on the platen l via the upper side of the three-stage printing ribbon 37.

Subsequently, when the next print key is operated, the ribbon lift motor 16 is driven at a predetermined number of revolutions under the control of the control device 25, and the support member 6 is swung upward from the first shift position Pi to shift to the second stage. It moves to position P2 and is held there. At this time, the second printing position PP2 at the center of the three-stage printing ribbon 37 is arranged to face the printing surface of the platen 1. Further, the ribbon feed motor 11 is controlled by the control device 25 to rotate the winding engagement shaft 36 by a predetermined angle, and the three-stage printing ribbon 37 is wound by a predetermined feed amount X/3. In this state, the printing pad 4 is driven, and a character, for example, B, is printed on the printing paper 5 through the center of the three-stage printing ribbon 37.

Subsequently, when the next print key is operated, the ribbon lift motor 16 is driven at a predetermined number of rotations under the control of the control device 25, and the support member 6 is swung upward from the second shift position P2 and shifted to the third shift. It moves to position P3 and is held there. At this time, the third printing position PP3 on the lower side of the three-stage printing ribbon 37 is arranged to face the printing surface of the platen l. Further, the ribbon feed motor 11 is controlled by the control device 25 to rotate the winding engagement shaft 36 by a predetermined angle, and the three-stage printing ribbon 37 is wound by a predetermined feed amount X/3. In this state, the print head 4 is driven, and a character, for example, C, is printed on the print paper 5 via the lower side of the three-stage print ribbon 37.

Furthermore, when the next print key is operated, the control device 25
The ribbon lift motor 16 is driven in reverse under the control of
The lift operating gear 19 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1, and the support member 6 swings downward from the third shift position P3 to the first shift position.
It moves to the stage shift position pt and is held stationary. At this time,
A first printing position PPl on the upper side of the three-stage printing ribbon 37 is arranged to face the printing surface of the platen 1. Further, the ribbon feed motor 11 is controlled by the control device 2'5 to rotate the winding engagement shaft 36 by a predetermined angle, so that the three-stage printing ribbon 37 is wound by a predetermined feed amount X/3. Then, the printing pad 4 is driven, and a character, for example, D, is printed on the printing paper 5 via the upper side of the three-stage printing ribbon 37.

In this way, during printing, the ribbon lift motor 16 is rotated forward or backward, and the support member 6 on which the three-stage ribbon cassette 35 is mounted is shifted from the home position HP to the first stage position fi.
ll, and further to the second gear shift position P2. 3rd gear shift position P3. The oscillation is repeated sequentially to the first stage shift position PI... Then, the three-stage printing ribbon 37 is wound up by a feeding amount of X/3 for every 1 printing, and as shown in FIG. A used area is formed in a zigzag pattern diagonally downward from the print ribbon, and the printing ribbon is effectively utilized.

When printing is completed or no print key is operated for a certain period of time, the ribbon lift motor 16 is driven in reverse under the control of the control device 25, and the support member 6 swings downward and returns to the home position HP.

In the case of single-shot printing, for example, when printing one character at a time after a pause, the support member 6 performs a swinging motion that alternately moves between the home position HP and the next shift position for every l printing. will be done. That is, from the home position HP to the first gear shift position P1, and then from the home position H
P, and then to second gear shift position F2. Home position HP.

3rd gear shift position P3. Home position HP...
...is sequentially and repeatedly controlled and driven. Then, the three-stage printing ribbon 37 is wound up by a feed amount of X/3 for every l printing.

Furthermore, in the operation of the second embodiment, the support member 6
1 tier ribbon cassette 30 or 3 tier ribbon cassette 35
When the ribbon cassette is attached, the detection member 23 identifies the ribbon cassette, and the switch 22 sends a predetermined signal to the control device 25, which operates in the same manner as described above.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and for example, a single-stage ribbon and a multi-stage ribbon, a single-stage ribbon and a single-stage ribbon with different feeding modes, and a single-stage ribbon with different feeding modes.
Tiered ribbon and multi-tiered ribbon.

It is possible to embody any combination of multi-stage ribbons and multi-stage ribbons with different feeding modes.

Further, the determination means may be provided with a detection section that acts mechanically or electrically on the ribbon cassette in advance, or a determination command can be issued by operating a combination of specific print keys.

Further, the driving source for the ribbon swinging means and the ribbon feeding means is not limited to a stepping motor, but may be one or more actuators.

Further, it is of course possible to provide a fourth shift position by swinging the support member upward from the third shift position, and to configure a correction printing means in combination with a correction ribbon.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained above, the printing device of the present invention distinguishes the attached printing ribbon by the discrimination means, and controls the feed amount and swing amount of the printing ribbon in accordance with the attached printing ribbon. Since the printing ribbon is fed by selectively controlling the ribbon feeding means and the ribbon swinging means as determined by the device, the applicable range of printing ribbons that can be used is expanded, and therefore printing ribbons can be easily obtained. Furthermore, the troublesome inventory management of printing ribbons is eliminated.

Furthermore, in order to operate two types of printing ribbons with different structures, the ribbon swinging motion and ribbon feeding motion are controlled by one motor each, so the ribbon control mechanism can be easily configured, which reduces noise. It is quiet, durable, and can be configured with a small number of parts, making it extremely effective.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
3 is a perspective view showing the discrimination means, FIG. 4 is a front view showing the discrimination means of another embodiment, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the discrimination means and the control device, and FIG. ．． The figure is a flowchart of the control device, Figure 7 is a perspective view of the 1st stage ribbon cassette, Figure 8 is a diagram showing the printed area of the 1st stage printing ribbon, and Figure 9 is the feed amount and swing amount of the 1st stage printing ribbon. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the three-stage ribbon cassette, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the printed area of the three-stage printing ribbon, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the ribbon feed amount and swing amount of the three-stage printing ribbon. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Platen, 3... Carriage, 6... Supporting member, 10... Ribbon feeding means, 15... Ribbon swinging means. 20... Discrimination means, 25... Control device. Patent applicant Figure 2 Oni. Figure 8 @ Figure 4 Figure 5 It) Figure 6rjA Figure 8 89 Figure 12 Showa Year Month Day

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A carriage that is slidable along the longitudinal direction of the platen, a support member that is slidably provided on the carriage and supports a print ribbon, and a ribbon feeder for running the print ribbon. means, a ribbon swinging means for vertically swinging the support member, a discrimination means for discriminating the type of the printing ribbon, and a signal from the discrimination means to control the ribbon feeding means and the ribbon swinging means. A printing device comprising: a control device that determines a feed amount and a swing amount of the printing ribbon. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the ribbon feeding means comprises a ribbon feed motor, and the ribbon swinging means comprises a ribbon shift motor.