Printing device

Abstract

A printing device capable of confirming the front end position of a medium from outside a housing and capable of suppressing the influence of external light on a sensor. A print head (50) is provided in a housing (2) and performs printing on a print medium (150). A medium storage portion (28) is provided in the housing (2) and stores a medium roll (15). An opening and closing cover (2C) opens and closes the medium storage portion (28). A conveyance path is provided in the housing (2) and extends from the medium storage portion (28) to the print head (50) and conveys the print medium (150) that is discharged from the medium roll (15). A sensor (100) is provided in the conveyance path and detects the print medium (150). A window portion (26) is provided in the housing (2) at a position corresponding to between the sensor (100) and the print head (50) and enables the inside of the housing (2) to be visually confirmed from the outside. A left-side insertion portion (84) of a left guide member (80) is provided between the sensor (100) and the window portion (26) and shields light incident on the sensor (100) from the window portion (26).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a printing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] A printing apparatus is known in which the thermal head is moved by rotating a handle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The user rotates the handle upwards, disengaging the thermal head from the pressure roller. The user inserts the front end of the media through the insertion port of the housing and positions it towards the thermal head. After the media is positioned, the user rotates the handle downwards, moving the thermal head towards the pressure roller. The media is pressed against the pressure roller by the thermal head, becoming printable. A media transport path is provided inside the housing. The transport path extends from the insertion port towards the thermal head. A light sensor is positioned midway along the transport path. The printing apparatus detects the amount of media fed by illuminating a mark used for detecting the position of the printed media from the light sensor.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-289572 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] When the insertion port is far from the thermal head, it is difficult for the user to know the position of the front end of the medium when inserting it, which makes the installation of the medium difficult.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a printing apparatus that can confirm the front position of the medium from outside the housing and suppress the influence of external light on the sensor.

[0009] Methods for solving problems

[0010] A printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a head disposed within a housing for printing onto a medium; a medium receiving portion disposed within the housing for receiving the medium and having an opening such that the medium can be removed and inserted; an opening / closing cover for opening and closing the opening of the medium receiving portion; a transport path disposed within the housing and extending from the medium receiving portion toward the head for transporting the medium; a sensor disposed in the transport path for detecting the medium; a window disposed in a wall portion of the housing at a position corresponding to the sensor and the head, allowing visual confirmation of the interior of the housing from the outside; and a shielding wall disposed between the sensor and the window for shielding light incident from the window onto the sensor.

[0011] Because the printing device in this solution has a window, the user can visually confirm the leading edge position of the medium from the outside of the housing through the window. Light incident on the sensor from the window is blocked by a shielding wall. Therefore, the printing device can suppress the influence of light incident from the window on the sensor. Since the sensor is located within the housing's transport path, it is less susceptible to external light.

[0012] Alternatively, in this design, when viewed from the wall side, the distance between the window and the head is shorter than the distance between the window and the sensor. Therefore, in the wall of the housing, the window is positioned close to the head side, allowing the user to confirm the position of the media's tip near the head.

[0013] Alternatively, this solution includes a guide member disposed within the media receiving section, which restricts the position of the media in a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the transport path. The guide member has an insertion portion configured for insertion into the transport path, and the sensor is disposed in the insertion portion. Because the sensor is disposed in the insertion portion of the guide member, the printing device can place the sensor within the transport path of the housing.

[0014] Alternatively, the shielding wall in this solution can be located at the insertion part. Because the shielding wall is located at the insertion part, it can reliably block light incident from the window at a position close to the sensor.

[0015] Alternatively, the guide member in this solution can be arranged within the media receiving portion in a manner that allows it to move freely in the width direction. Because the guide member can move in the width direction, it can accommodate various media widths. Even if the position of the guide member moves according to the width of the media, the media can still be detected effectively because the sensor is located at the insertion portion of the guide member.

[0016] Alternatively, the sensor in this solution may include a light-emitting portion that illuminates light onto the transmission path and a light-receiving portion that receives light from the light-emitting portion. At least a portion of the window, at least a portion of the shielding wall, and at least a portion of the light-receiving portion of the sensor may be arranged in a straight line. Therefore, the shielding wall can block light incident from the window onto the light-receiving portion of the sensor. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of printing device 1.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the printing device 1 with the opening and closing cover 2C open and the cartridge 3 removed.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of printing device 1.

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the W region shown.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional view of the guide unit 7 when viewed from the right rear.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional view of the guide unit 7 when viewed from the right front. Detailed Implementation

[0023] An embodiment of the present invention will be described. The accompanying drawings, with reference to the invention, are used to illustrate the technical features that can be employed. The structure of the apparatus described is not intended to be limited thereto, but is merely illustrative. The following description uses the left-right, front-back, and up-down directions shown in the drawings. The up-down direction is aligned with the vertical direction of the printing apparatus 1 when it is placed on the mounting table (not shown).

[0024] Reference Figures 1-4 The structure of printing device 1 will be explained below. Printing device 1 is a thermal transfer type printing device. For example... Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the printing device 1 includes a housing 2. The housing 2 holds the paper pressure roller 4 (see reference). Figure 3 ), Printing unit 5 (refer to) Figure 3 ), Pressing component 6 (refer to) Figure 3 ), Guide Unit 7 (refer to) Figure 2 , Figure 3 The printing unit 1 houses the control unit (not shown) and drive unit (not shown). The control unit controls the operation of the printing unit 1. The drive unit includes an electric motor (not shown) and transports the printing medium 150 and ink ribbon 130. Details of the pressure roller 4, printing unit 5, and pressing member 6 will be described later.

[0025] The housing 2 includes an upper wall 2U, a lower wall 2S, a left wall 2L, a right wall 2R, a front wall 2F, a rear wall 2B, and an opening / closing cover 2C. A switch 21 is provided on the front side of the upper surface of the upper wall 2U. A discharge section 22 is provided behind the switch 21. The discharge section 22 is a through hole that extends through the upper wall 2U in the vertical direction. The discharge section 22 is approximately rectangular in shape, extending in the horizontal direction when viewed from above. The printing medium 150 (see reference) after printing inside the housing 2... Figure 3 The printing medium 150 discharged from the discharge section 22 is discharged outside the housing 2. A cutting section 23 is provided at the front end of the discharge section 22. The cutting section 23 has a cutting blade that can cut the printing medium 150 discharged from the discharge section 22.

[0026] An opening 25 is provided on the upper surface of the upper wall 2U, behind the discharge section 22. The opening 25 is approximately rectangular in shape, elongated in the left-right direction when viewed from above, and is a through hole that extends through the upper wall 2U in the vertical direction. The length of the opening 25 in the left-right direction is shorter than the length of the discharge section 22 in the left-right direction. A window 26 is embedded inside the opening 25. The window 26 is made of transparent resin, but any material with permeability is acceptable. The user can visually inspect the interior of the housing 2 through the window 26. An eaves 2A is provided at the rear end of the upper wall 2U. The eaves 2A is formed into an approximately rectangular shape, elongated in the left-right direction when viewed from above, and is set to be lower than the thickness of the opening and closing cover 2C by a certain amount on the upper surface of the upper wall 2U.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, an opening 24 is provided on the right surface of the right wall 2R. The opening 24 communicates with the belt assembly part 27 provided inside the housing 2. The belt box 3 is detachably assembled to the belt assembly part 27 from the right (see reference). Figure 1 ).like Figure 3 As shown, the tape cassette 3 houses the tape roll 13 and the take-up roll 14. The tape roll 13 supports the ink tape 130 in a coiled shape by winding it around a cylindrical core. The take-up roll 14 takes up the used ink tape 130. The ink tape 130, after being released from the tape roll 13, is conveyed forward within the housing 2. During the conveying process, the ink tape 130 is heated by the printhead 50, described later. The heated ink tape 130 is then taken up by the take-up roll 14.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, a media receiving section 28 is provided at the rear of the housing 2. The media receiving section 28 opens upwards. The media receiving section 28 receives a media roll 15. The media roll 15 supports the printing media 150 wound around a cylindrical core in a rolled shape. A guide unit 7 is provided in the media receiving section 28. The guide unit 7 supports the media roll 15 and is positioned relative to the transport path 16 (see reference). Figure 4 The guide unit 7 restricts the position of the central portion of the medium roll 15 in the left-right direction. It should be noted that the specific structure of the guide unit 7 will be described later.

[0029] The opening / closing cover 2C is rotatably supported on the upper end of the rear wall 2B. The opening / closing cover 2C opens and closes the media receiving section 28. The user replaces the media roll 15 with the media receiving section 28 open. When the media receiving section 28 is closed, the front end of the opening / closing cover 2C is positioned on the upper surface of the eaves 2A provided at the rear end of the upper wall 2U. Therefore, the upper surface of the opening / closing cover 2C is coplanar with the upper surface of the upper wall 2U.

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown, printing media 150 is released from media roll 15 supported by guide unit 7 and flows along transport path 16 within housing 2 (see reference). Figure 4The printing medium 150 is transported by the paper conveyor 16. The conveyor path 16 extends forward from the media receiving section 28 within the housing 2, passing under the pressure roller 4 and reaching the discharge section 22. The printing medium 150 is located upstream of the pressure roller 4 in the conveyor path 16, parallel to the ink ribbon 130 released from the tape roll 13 of the tape cassette 3. In the parallel section (hereinafter referred to as the "parallel section") of the printing medium 150 and the ink ribbon 130, the print head 50 (described later) heats the ink ribbon 130, transferring the ink from the ink ribbon 130 to the printing medium 150. The ink-transferred printing medium 150 is discharged from the housing 2 via the discharge section 22.

[0031] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the pressure roller 4 clamps the parallel portions of the printing medium 150 and the ink ribbon 130 between the pressure roller 4 and the print head 50. The pressure roller 4 is a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction and is disposed on the upper side of the parallel portions of the printing medium 150. The pressure roller 4 is rotatably supported within the housing 2 and is driven to rotate by a drive unit.

[0032] The printing unit 5 is positioned below the parallel portion of the ink ribbon 130. The printing unit 5 includes a print head 50, a support 51, a stage 53, a substrate 54, a moving part 56, and a spring 57. Figure 3 As shown, the support portion 51 is plate-shaped and is arranged below the pressure roller 4 in a downwardly inclined manner from the front to the rear. A through hole (not shown) extending in the left-right direction is provided at the rear end of the support portion 51. A rotating shaft 5A is inserted through the through hole. The rotating shaft 5A extends in the left-right direction and is fixed inside the housing 2. The support portion 51 is supported in a manner that allows it to rotate around the rotating shaft 5A. The rotating shaft 5A is positioned at the lower, inclined rear of the pressure roller 4.

[0033] Figure 3 The image shows the support portion 51 rotated to its maximum clockwise position about the rotation axis 5A. The support portion 51 approaches the pressure roller 4 from below. [The image shows the support portion 51 positioned on...] Figure 3 The position of the support portion 51 at the rotational position is called the "approach position". If the support portion 51 rotates counterclockwise to the right about the rotation axis 5A from the approach position, the support portion 51 is isolated from the pressure roller 4 downwards. The position of the support portion 51 after being isolated from the pressure roller 4 is called the "isolation position". The support portion 51 can swing between the approach position and the isolation position about the rotation axis 5A.

[0034] The base 53 is fixed to the upper surface of the support portion 51. The base 53 is a heat sink. The substrate 54 is fixed to the upper surface of the base 53. The base 53 dissipates the heat generated by the substrate 54. The printhead 50 is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate 54. The printhead 50 is a line-type thermal head composed of multiple heating elements, extending in the left-right direction. The printhead 50 faces the pressure roller 4 from below. The moving portion 56 is formed into a roughly V-shape when viewed from the right, with the approximately central portion bent downward in the front-back direction. The rear end of the moving portion 56 is pivotally supported in a manner that allows it to rotate around the rotation axis 5A, and the front end is disposed below the support portion 51. The spring 57 is disposed between the support portion 51 and the front end of the moving portion 56. The spring 57 is a compression coil spring. The spring 57 always applies force to the support portion 51 and the front end of the moving portion 56 in a direction that moves them away from each other.

[0035] The pressing member 6 is rod-shaped, with one end of its length pivotally supported so as to allow rotation about a rotation axis 60. The rotation axis 60 extends in the left-right direction and is fixed inside the housing 2. The rotation axis 60 is located below the rotation axis 5A and diagonally in front of the pressure roller 4. The other end of the pressing member 6, opposite to one end, can contact the front end of the moving part 56 from below. The pressing member 6 is connected to a handle (not shown) located on the outside of the housing 2. By operating the handle (hereinafter referred to as handle operation), the pressing member 6 rotates about the rotation axis 60.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, if the pressing member 6 is rotated to its maximum counterclockwise position around the rotation axis 60 by the user's handle, the other end of the pressing member 6 will lift the front end of the moving part 56 from below. The front end of the moving part 56 will then lift the support part 51 via the spring 57. As a result, the print head 50 will press against the pressure roller 4 from below, with the parallel portions of the printing medium 150 and the ink ribbon 130 sandwiched in between. In this state, the printing medium 150 is conveyed along the transport path 16 by the rotation of the pressure roller 4. The ink ribbon 130 is heated by the print head 50, and the ink from the ink ribbon 130 is transferred to the printing medium 150. The ink-transferred printing medium 150 is discharged from the housing 2 via the discharge part 22, and printing is complete.

[0037] When replacing the media roll 15 in the media receiving section 28, the user operates the handle to disengage the printhead 50 from the pressure roller 4. The pressing member 6 rotates clockwise to the right around the rotation axis 60. The other end of the pressing member 6 moves away from the front end of the moving part 56, so the moving part 56 rotates counterclockwise to the right around the rotation axis 5A. At this time, because the position of the spring 57 drops, the support part 51 rotates counterclockwise to the right around the rotation axis 5A. The printhead 50 moves downward from the pressure roller 4. Thus, the user can pull the printing media 150 from between the pressure roller 4 and the printhead 50 toward the media receiving section 28.

[0038] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 6 The structure of the guide unit 7 will be described below. The guide unit 7 includes a support platform 71, a left guide member 80, a right guide member 90, and a moving mechanism 77. The support platform 71 is formed into a roughly L-shaped form when viewed from the side, and a medium roll 15 (see reference) is disposed on its upper surface. Figure 3 The support platform 71 includes a longitudinal plate portion 72 and a base plate portion 73. The longitudinal plate portion 72 extends vertically and is formed into a generally rectangular shape that is slightly longer in the left-right direction when viewed from the rear. The base plate portion 73 extends forward from the lower end of the longitudinal plate portion 72 and is formed into a generally rectangular shape that is longer in the left-right direction when viewed from above. The lower end of the back surface of the longitudinal plate portion 72 and the front end of the upper surface of the base plate portion 73 are connected to each other in a generally arc-shaped manner when viewed from the side. Two ribs 731 that are separated from each other in the left-right direction are provided on the upper surface of the base plate portion 73. The two ribs 731 extend from the rear end of the upper surface of the base plate portion 73 to the lower end of the back surface of the longitudinal plate portion 72.

[0039] The longitudinal plate portion 72 has a left guide hole 721 and a right guide hole 722. The left guide hole 721 is located on the lower side of the left side region of the longitudinal plate portion 72, passing through the longitudinal plate portion 72 in the front-rear direction. The left guide hole 721 is formed into a generally rectangular shape that extends in the left-right direction when viewed from the rear. The right guide hole 722 is located approximately at the center of the right side region of the longitudinal plate portion 72 in the vertical direction, passing through the longitudinal plate portion 72 in the front-rear direction. The right guide hole 722, like the left guide hole 721, is also formed into a generally rectangular shape that extends in the left-right direction when viewed from the rear. The right guide hole 722 is positioned higher than the left guide hole 721. The upper end portion 723 of the longitudinal plate portion 72 is bent forward into a generally arc-shaped section when viewed from the side (see reference). Figure 4 , Figure 6 Upper protruding pieces 75 and 76 are erected on the left and right sides of the upper end 723. The upper protruding pieces 75 and 76 are roughly rectangular in shape when viewed from the rear.

[0040] A moving mechanism 77 is provided on the front surface side of the longitudinal plate portion 72 (see reference). Figure 5The moving mechanism 77 is connected to the connecting arms 83 and 93 of the left guide member 80 and the right guide member 90 (described later) via the left guide hole 721 and the right guide hole 722. The moving mechanism 77, in coordination with the movement of either the left guide member 80 or the right guide member 90, uses the midpoint in the left-right direction of the support platform 71 as a reference, causing the left guide member 80 and the right guide member 90 to move closer to or further away from each other. A fixing cover 78 is threadedly fastened to the front surface of the longitudinal plate portion 72, covering the moving mechanism 77 from the front (see reference). Figure 6 ).

[0041] The left guide member 80 is a plate member that is roughly trapezoidal in shape when viewed from the side. An arc-shaped portion 81 is provided on the rear end side of the right surface 801 of the left guide member 80. The arc-shaped portion 81 is roughly circular in shape when viewed from the right and bulges to the right of the right surface 801. The arc-shaped portion 81 abuts against the left side of the media roll 15. A pivot support portion 82 is provided at the center of the arc-shaped portion 81. The pivot support portion 82 is a short shaft that is roughly cylindrical and protrudes to the right. The pivot support portion 82 is inserted into a hole at the left end of the core of the media roll 15. A leg portion 80A is provided on the rear end side of the lower end of the left guide member 80. The leg portion 80A protrudes downward and abuts against the upper surface of the base plate portion 73. A connecting arm 83 is provided near the lower part of the front end of the left guide member 80. The connecting arm 83 protrudes forward and is inserted into the left guide hole 721 of the longitudinal plate portion 72 provided on the support platform 71. The connecting arm 83 is connected to the moving mechanism 77 located on the front surface side of the longitudinal plate portion 72 via the left guide hole 721.

[0042] A left insertion part 84 is provided on the upper part of the front end of the left guide member 80, protruding forward. The left insertion part 84 is inserted into the conveying path 16 inside the housing 2 from the rear (see reference). Figure 4 The left insertion portion 84 is positioned offset to the right from the right surface 801 of the left guide member 80, forming a roughly inverted C-shape when viewed from the rear. The interior of the left insertion portion 84 is hollow and opens to the left, and its inner side is reinforced by lattice-shaped ribs. The left insertion portion 84 includes an upper wall portion 841, a side wall portion 842, a lower wall portion 843, a sensor 100, and a front extension portion 85.

[0043] The upper wall portion 841 extends horizontally forward, parallel to the upper end of the left guide member 80, and is generally rectangular in shape when viewed from above. The side wall portion 842 protrudes downward from the left side of the lower surface of the upper wall portion 841, arranged in a front-rear direction. The lower wall portion 843 protrudes to the right from the lower end of the side wall portion 842, and is generally cuboid in shape. The back surface of the lower wall portion 843 abuts against the upper end 723 of the longitudinal plate portion 72 from the front. The front end of the left guide member 80 abuts against the back surface of the longitudinal plate portion 72. Therefore, the lower wall portion 843 of the left insertion portion 84 is locked to the upper end 723 of the longitudinal plate portion 72.

[0044] A passage 87 is formed between the lower surface of the upper wall portion 841 and the upper surface of the lower wall portion 843. The passage 87 extends forward. The left end of the front portion of the printing medium 150 is inserted into the passage 87 from the rear. The left end of the printing medium 150 passes along the passage 87. The lower surface of the upper wall portion 841 and the upper surface of the lower wall portion 843 restrict the vertical position of the left end of the printing medium 150.

[0045] The sensor 100 is a transmissive light sensor, comprising a light-emitting portion 101 and a light-receiving portion 102. The light-emitting portion 101 is located on the lower surface of the upper wall portion 841, illuminating light downwards. The light-receiving portion 102 is located inside a groove 86 provided on the upper surface of the lower wall portion 843. The groove 86 is located at the center of the ridge where the upper and right surfaces of the lower wall portion 843 intersect. The groove 86 is formed by recessing downwards from the upper surface of the lower wall portion 843 and from the right surface to the left. The light-receiving portion 102 receives light emitted downwards from the light-emitting portion 101. The sensor 100 detects the presence and position of the printing medium 150 in the transport path 16 based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving portion 102. A forward extension portion 85 extends forward from the front surface of the upper wall portion 841, forming a generally rectangular shape when viewed from above. The forward extension 85 extends toward the pressure roller 4 located in the middle of the conveying path 16, guiding the printing medium 150 toward the pressure roller 4.

[0046] The right guide member 90 is roughly symmetrical to the left guide member 80 and is a plate member that is roughly trapezoidal in shape when viewed from the side. An arc-shaped portion and a pivot support portion (not shown) are also provided on the left surface of the right guide member 90. The arc-shaped portion of the right guide member 90 abuts against the right side of the media roll 15. The pivot support portion of the right guide member 90 is inserted into a hole at the right end of the core of the media roll 15. A leg 90A is provided at the rear end of the lower end of the right guide member 90. The leg 90A protrudes downward and abuts against the upper surface of the base plate 73. A connecting arm 93 is provided at the front end of the right guide member 90, slightly below the middle portion in the vertical direction. The connecting arm 93 protrudes forward and is inserted into the right guide hole 722 of the longitudinal plate portion 72 provided on the support platform 71. The connecting arm 93 is connected to the moving mechanism 77 provided on the front surface of the longitudinal plate portion 72 via the right guide hole 722.

[0047] A right insertion portion 94 is provided on the upper part of the front end of the right guide member 90, protruding forward. The right insertion portion 94, together with the left insertion portion 84, is inserted into the conveying path 16 within the rear housing 2. The right insertion portion 94 is positioned offset to the left from the left surface of the right guide member 90, forming a roughly C-shaped rear view that is symmetrical to the left insertion portion 84. The width of the right insertion portion 94 in the left-right direction is smaller than that of the left insertion portion 84. The interior of the right insertion portion 94 is also hollow and opens to the right, and its inner side is reinforced by lattice-like ribs. The right insertion portion 94 includes an upper wall portion 941 and a side wall portion 942 (see reference). Figure 5 ), lower wall portion 943 and front extension portion 95.

[0048] The upper wall portion 941 extends horizontally forward, parallel to the upper end of the right guide member 90, and is generally rectangular in shape when viewed from above. The side wall portion 942 protrudes downward from the right side of the lower surface of the upper wall portion 941, arranged in a front-rear direction. The lower wall portion 943 protrudes to the left from the lower end of the side wall portion 942, and is generally cuboid in shape. The back surface of the lower wall portion 943 abuts against the upper end 723 of the longitudinal plate portion 72 from the front. The front end of the right guide member 90 abuts against the back surface of the longitudinal plate portion 72. Therefore, the lower wall portion 943 of the right insertion portion 94 is locked to the upper end 723 of the longitudinal plate portion 72.

[0049] A passage identical to the passage 87 of the left insertion portion 84 of the left guide member 80 (not shown) is also formed between the lower surface of the upper wall portion 941 and the upper surface of the lower wall portion 943. The right end of the printing medium 150 is inserted from the rear into the passage of the right insertion portion 94. The right end of the printing medium 150 passes along the passage. The lower surface of the upper wall portion 941 and the upper surface of the lower wall portion 943 restrict the vertical position of the right end of the printing medium 150. The front extension portion 95 is formed as an elongated, generally prismatic shape extending forward from the front surface of the upper wall portion 941. The front extension portion 95 extends toward the pressure roller 4 located in the middle of the transport path 16, and together with the front extension portion 85 of the front guide portion 84 of the left guide member 80, guides the printing medium 150 toward the pressure roller 4.

[0050] At the upper end 723 of the support platform 71, the upper protrusion 75 on the left is located to the left of the left insertion portion 84 of the left guide member 80. The upper protrusion 76 on the right is located to the right of the right insertion portion 94 of the right guide member 90. Therefore, the upper protrusions 75 and 76 limit the range of movement of the left guide member 80 and the right guide member 90 in the width direction.

[0051] Reference Figure 4The position of the window portion 26 in the housing 2 will be described. When the printing apparatus 1 placed on a placement table (not shown) is viewed from above, the window portion 26 is disposed on the upstream side of the print head 50 and on the downstream side of the sensor 100. More preferably, the window portion 26 is disposed at a position closer to the print head 50 side than the sensor 100. For example, when the distance between the print head 50 and the window portion 26 is set to L1 and the distance between the sensor 100 and the window portion 26 is set to L2 in the front-rear direction of the printing apparatus 1, it is preferably in the relationship of L1 < L2. Note that the distance between the print head 50 and the window portion 26 is the distance from the rear end position (the most upstream position in the conveying direction) of the print head 50 to the position of the center portion in the front-rear direction of the window portion 26. The distance between the sensor 100 and the window portion 26 is the distance from the position of the center portion in the front-rear direction of the sensor 100 to the position of the center portion in the front-rear direction of the window portion 26. Thus, the user's line of sight P can easily reach the vicinity of the paper feed roller 4 and the print head 50 through the window portion 26, and thus the vicinity of the paper feed roller 4 and the print head 50 can be visually confirmed well.

[0052] Refer to Figures 2-4 An example of a method for installing the print medium 150 in the printing apparatus 1 will be described. First, the user moves the print head 50 away from the paper feed roller 4 by operating the handle. Next, as Figure 2 shown, the user opens the opening / closing cover 2C of the printing apparatus 1 to expose the medium storage portion 28. At the guiding unit 7, the left guiding member 80 and the right guiding member 90 are pushed away from each other, and the medium roll 15 is disposed therebetween. In this state, the left guiding member 80 and the right guiding member 90 are moved toward each other to sandwich and hold the medium roll 15. At this time, the middle portion in the left-right direction of the medium roll 15 is positioned so as to coincide with the middle point in the left-right direction of the vertical plate portion 72 of the guiding unit 7.

[0053] Next, the user pulls out the printing medium 150 from the media roll 15 and inserts its front end from the rear through the passage 87 of the left insertion portion 84 of the left guide member 80 and the passage of the right insertion portion 94 of the right guide member 90 (not shown). By manually inserting the printing medium 150 forward, the front end of the printing medium 150 moves forward along the transport path 16 inside the housing 2 until it reaches the vicinity of the pressure roller 4. At this time, the user can confirm the position of the front end of the printing medium 150 near the pressure roller 4 through the viewing window 26 above. Furthermore, the user can also confirm whether the front end of the printing medium 150 is bent or deformed, or whether it has wrinkled. The user can confirm the position and condition of the printing medium 150 while placing the front end of the printing medium 150 onto the print head 50. This prevents damage to the printing medium 150 and ink ribbon 130 caused by improper placement of the printing medium 150. After the user confirms the position and status of the printing medium 150 through the window 26, closes the opening and closing cover 2C, and operates the handle to make the print head 50 contact the pressure roller 4, thus completing the installation.

[0054] like Figure 4 As shown, the sensor 100 is located below the eaves 2A of the housing 2. Therefore, even with the opening / closing cover 2C open, external light incident upwards on the housing 2 can be prevented from shining on the sensor 100. Thus, when the printing device 1 detects the printing medium 150 using the sensor 100 with the opening / closing cover 2C open during the initial installation of the printing medium 150, false detection of the printing medium 150 can be prevented. Furthermore, in this embodiment, by providing the window 26 on the upper wall 2U of the housing 2, external light enters the housing 2 through the window 26. Here, at least a portion of the window 26, at least a portion of the left insertion portion 84 (upper wall portion 841 and front extension portion 85) of the left guide member 80, and at least a portion of the light-receiving portion 102 of the sensor 100 are arranged along an imaginary straight line Q. Therefore, the light incident from the window 26 onto the light-receiving portion 102 of the sensor 100 is blocked by the upper wall portion 841 and the front extension portion 85, thus suppressing the influence of external light on the light-receiving portion 102. Furthermore, since the sensor 100 is located on the left side insertion portion 84 of the left guide member 80, the printing apparatus 1 can block the light incident from the window 26 at a position close to the sensor 100. Therefore, compared to a structure that blocks the light incident from the window 26 at a position far from the sensor 100, the printing apparatus 1 can further suppress the influence of external light on the sensor 100.

[0055] Furthermore, since the left guide member 80 and the right guide member 90 can move in the width direction of the printing medium 150, the printing device 1 can accommodate various widths of the printing medium 150. Since the sensor 100 is provided in the left insertion portion 84 of the left guide member 80, the printing medium 150 can be detected well even if the positions of the left guide member 80 and the right guide member 90 move according to the width of the printing medium 150.

[0056] As described above, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a printhead 50, a media receiving section 28, an opening / closing cover 2C, a transport path 16, a sensor 100, a window 26, and a front extension section 85. The printhead 50 is disposed within the housing 2 and prints onto the printing medium 150. The media receiving section 28 is disposed within the housing 2, receiving the printing medium 150, and is open to allow for the insertion and removal of the printing medium 150. The opening / closing cover 2C opens and closes the opening of the media receiving section 28. The transport path 16 is disposed within the housing 2, extending from the media receiving section 28 towards the printhead 50, and transports the printing medium 150. The sensor 100 is disposed within the transport path 16 and detects the printing medium 150. The window 26 is located in the upper wall 2U of the housing 2 at a position corresponding to the sensor 100 and the printhead 50, allowing for visual inspection of the interior of the housing 2 from the outside. A front extension 85, located on the left guide member 80, is positioned between the sensor 100 and the window 26, blocking light incident on the sensor 100 from the window 26. Because the printing device 1 includes the window 26, the user can confirm the position of the front end of the printing medium 150 from the outside of the housing 2 through the window 26. Light incident on the sensor 100 from the window 26 is blocked by the front extension 85. Therefore, the printing device 1 can suppress the influence of light incident from the window 26 on the sensor 100. Since the sensor 100 is located within the transport path 16 inside the housing 2, it is less susceptible to external light.

[0057] In the above description, the printhead 50 is an example of the printhead of the present invention. The upper wall 2U of the housing 2 is an example of the wall portion of the present invention. The upper wall portion 841 and the front extension portion 85 of the left side insertion portion 84 of the left guide member 80 are examples of the shielding wall of the present invention. The left side insertion portion 84 of the left guide member 80 is an example of the insertion portion of the present invention. The left guide member 80 is an example of the guide member of the present invention.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified in various ways. The printing apparatus 1 is a heat transfer type printing apparatus that uses the ink ribbon 130, but it can also be a printing apparatus that does not use the ink ribbon 130. For example, it can also be a printing apparatus that uses a colored printing medium with multiple color layers that are stacked and whose color is achieved by heating temperature.

[0059] Sensor 100 is a transmissive light sensor, but it is acceptable as long as it can detect the printing medium 150. The detection principle of the sensor is not limited; for example, it can also be a reflective light sensor or a sensor with a physical switch. Sensor 100 has its light-emitting part 101 disposed on the lower surface of the upper wall 841 and its light-receiving part 102 disposed on the upper surface of the lower wall 843 in the left insertion portion 84 of the left guide member 80, but the arrangement can also be reversed. Specifically, the light-emitting part 101 can be disposed on the upper surface of the lower wall 843, and the light-receiving part 102 can be disposed on the lower surface of the upper wall 841. For example, in the case of a reflective sensor that integrates the light-emitting and light-receiving parts, it can be disposed on the upper surface of the lower wall 843 or the lower surface of the upper wall 841 of the left insertion portion 84. Sensor 100 is disposed on the left insertion portion 84 of the left guide member 80, but it can also be disposed on the right insertion portion 94 of the right guide member 90.

[0060] In the guide unit 7, the left guide member 80 and the right guide member 90 move in conjunction with each other in the width direction, but they can also move independently. Alternatively, one of the left guide member 80 and the right guide member 90 may be fixed, while only the other moves in the width direction. The printing apparatus 1 has the guide unit 7 in the media receiving section 28, but the guide unit 7 may be omitted.

[0061] The printing device 1 forms a window 26 by inserting transparent resin into an opening 25 in the upper wall 2U of the housing 2, but the opening 25 can also be used as a window. The shape of the window 26 can be other than rectangular, but it is preferable to be longer in the width direction of the printing medium 150. The window 26 is provided in the upper wall 2U of the housing 2, but it can be located outside the upper wall 2U as long as the print head 50 can be visually confirmed from outside the housing 2.

[0062] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0063] 1. Printing device

[0064] 2. Shell

[0065] 2C Opening and Closing Shield

[0066] 2U upper wall

[0067] 7. Guiding Unit

[0068] 16 Conveyor Path

[0069] 21 Switches

[0070] 22 Discharge section

[0071] 23 Cut-off section

[0072] 25 Opening

[0073] 26. Window section

[0074] 28. Media containment section

[0075] 50 printheads

[0076] 80 Left guide component

[0077] 84 Left side insertion part

[0078] 85 Forward Extension Unit

[0079] 100 sensors

[0080] 150 printing media

Claims

1. A printing device, characterized in that, have: The printing head, located inside the housing, prints onto the medium; A medium receiving section is provided inside the housing to receive the medium and has an opening in a manner that allows the medium to be removed and placed in. The opening and closing cover is used to open and close the opening of the medium receiving section; A conveying path, located within the housing, extends from the medium receiving section toward the head to convey the medium; A sensor is installed in the conveying path to detect the medium; A window, located in the wall of the housing at a position corresponding to the sensor and the head, allows for visual confirmation of the interior of the housing from the outside; and A shielding wall is disposed between the sensor and the window to block light incident from the window onto the sensor. The sensor includes a light-emitting part that illuminates light into the transmission path and a light-receiving part that receives light from the light-emitting part. At least a portion of the window, at least a portion of the shielding wall, and at least a portion of the light-receiving portion of the sensor are arranged in a straight line.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, When viewed from the wall side, the distance between the window and the head is shorter than the distance between the window and the sensor.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The printing device includes a guiding component disposed within the media receiving section, which restricts the position of the media in the width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the conveying path; The guiding member has an insertion portion configured for insertion into the conveying path. The sensor is located in the insertion part.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The shielding wall is located at the insertion part.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The guide member is disposed within the media receiving portion in a manner that allows it to move freely in the width direction.

6. A printing apparatus, characterized in that, have: The printing head, located inside the housing, prints onto the medium; A medium receiving section is provided inside the housing to receive the medium and has an opening in a manner that allows the medium to be removed and placed in. The opening and closing cover is used to open and close the opening of the medium receiving section; A conveying path, located within the housing, extends from the medium receiving section toward the head to convey the medium; A sensor is installed in the conveying path to detect the medium; A window, located in the wall of the housing at a position corresponding to the sensor and the head, allows for visual confirmation of the interior of the housing from the outside; and A shielding wall is disposed between the sensor and the window to block light incident from the window onto the sensor. When viewed from the wall side, the distance between the window and the head is shorter than the distance between the window and the sensor.

7. A printing apparatus, characterized in that, have: The printing head, located inside the housing, prints onto the medium; A medium receiving section is provided inside the housing to receive the medium and has an opening in a manner that allows the medium to be removed and placed in. The opening and closing cover is used to open and close the opening of the medium receiving section; A conveying path, located within the housing, extends from the medium receiving section toward the head to convey the medium; A sensor is installed in the conveying path to detect the medium; A window, located in the wall of the housing at a position corresponding to the sensor and the head, allows for visual confirmation of the interior of the housing from the outside; and A shielding wall is disposed between the sensor and the window to block light incident from the window onto the sensor. The printing device includes a guiding component disposed within the media receiving section, which restricts the position of the media in the width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the conveying path; The guiding member has an insertion portion configured for insertion into the conveying path. The sensor is located in the insertion part.

Images